Alford Lake Camp

Hello ALC Families!!  You have filled out your camper’s forms and made travel arrangements.  So “all” that is left is packing!  Deep breath… it is a lot!!  I am preparing for summer #5 for my daughter and I am happy to share a few things I have learned in the annual process of preparing her for camp:

• Make a copy of the ALC the packing list and carry it with you… mark it off as you shop for items.  Remember if you are ordering from MCO online that shipping takes time and you want to have everything at home, ready to pack by early June.
• Sew on those name tapes… okay, I have my local dry cleaner do it…but it is really important…. don’t think your child is going to be the only one with a red raincoat!  Water bottles, flashlights, hairbrushes, etc. are best labeled with a black Sharpie.
• Buy stamps & print address labels of family and friends that your camper may wish to write to while she is at camp. The easier it is for them to write… the more likely it will be that you will get letters from your happy, busy camper!
• Send a couple pictures of family and friends with your daughter.  Pack a couple push pins for her to tack these images up in her tent.  It is how ALC campers decorate/personalize their spaces.
• When packing your child’s trunk:  remember to roll socks & underwear and place them in rain-boots, hiking boots, etc.  It really saves space!  Place most of the bulky items in her day pack (allowed on the camp bus) such as footwear, flashlights, etc. and use the trunk for uniforms, towels, etc.  I have used ‘space saver’ bags — the kind that you vacuum out the air — works like a charm!!
• Fun pajamas are awesome… lots of evening activities are in “evening attire,” meaning the campers and counselors wear their pajamas to watch plays, etc.  Fun, fun, fun
• Remind family and friends that there is a no-exceptions NO PACKAGE policy… it will only make these special and kind people feel sad if they spend time and money to send treats only to have them returned, unopened.
• Share summer newsletters and photos with extended family through your Campminder account so they can stay connected too!!
• Don’t send too many extras… too many books, stuffed animals, sets of stationery, card games, etc. It will only make it overwhelming for your camper to keep her things organized.
• If you have ANY questions… call camp!! They can help you, give you advice and help you feel ready for the summer.  The phone number is 207-799-3005

If you have any other questions about camp, post them here and I will do my best to give you the right answer, best advice or point you in the direction of those who can help!

Thanks and Happy Packing!

Barb Sullivan
ALC Alum, Parent and Staff Member

It was our pleasure to share this letter with the ALC Community at Logs last summer and we know you will enjoy it also!  Matt Hamilton was co-head of our Out-Of-Camp Trips Department in the Summer of 2009 and has shared with us stories of his adventures since his ALC summer.  Thanks to all who keep the spirit of ALC alive across the globe!

A Letter to Alford Lake Camp

Dear ALC,

Greetings from the other side of the globe!  As you read this now, I’m probably just getting into bed.  For all of the month of August, the Muslim world is celebrating Ramadan, during which from sunrise to sunset, there is no eating or drinking.  The official rule is “nothing can cross your lips,” so no chewing gum or biting one’s nails, either – although many do brush their teeth.  Once the sun sets, the feasting begins, and the once empty streets become alive with families, the restaurants fill up, and lively celebrations begin.  People gather to eat and party until 1 am, and they get up during the night to drink more water, but once 5:30 am rolls around, it’s back to fasting.

Needless to say, very little work is done – so for someone like me, it is a good time to take a break.  I’ve been catching up with family and friends and enjoying the change of pace.

I have been here on and off since September 2009.  I formerly worked as a teacher for Iraqi children, but then took on a position as editor for two magazines.  I have gone from teaching the poorest children in the region to interviewing the wealthiest families and individuals.  Not to mention the incredible political events in Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, and Libya; it has hardly been a boring two years since I last was with you as OOCT co-leader with Ms. Thayer Rosenberg.

Despite the surplus of fascinating events and living in the Middle East at a time of great upheaval, I still think of ALC often and the wonderful campers, counselors and staff.  Although I was only with you for one summer, it stands out as one of the best in my life:  I’ve never received such warmth, frienship, trust and positivity as I have at Alford Lake Camp.  It is so easy to focus on the positives, but I must admit the negatives too, and counselors can no doubt relate:  the hard work, the late nights, the panice that besieged me on my first trip, the burden of merely driving a van full of other people’s children, the knowledge that the counselor’s job is not so much a job as a lifestyle choice: we’re always scrutinized, for what we do (and don’t do) by the young eyes who so unconditionally admire us.  I can only imagine what Betsy and Sue experience – a summer of sleepless nights, no doubt.

But the work was truly worth it, because the campers at ALC are and will continue to become strong, capable, smart, independent women.  Navaigating the woods, swimming in a lake, learning to make and sustain and negotiate the conflicts of friendships, developing an appreciation for sincere, heartfelt writing and each day challenging yourself to do more, be more and to do it all, well – these are not just “camp” skills, but elements of a well-lived life.  Enduring the stormy nights in a canvas tent will equip you to emerge from other “storms” in your life, and relishing the breezy, sunny afternoons with friends and fellow campers will ground you with a real understanding of all that is simple and good.

That, at least, is what a lifetime of camping has taught me – both in the Boy Scouts and at ALC.  “Real” or “non-camp” life is not so different than “camp” life – and as the end of camp approaches, the challenge is to integrate, to carve out a “you” that is whole – camp life and non-camp life, combined and united.  Your environment may soon change, but that doesn’t mean you must; find little ways of bringing camp home.  For some, that may involve taking extremely short showers.  For others, you might begin each day reading and writing letters to loved ones.  I always try to hum some camp tunes… I think I’ve had “Four Leaf Clover” on repeat in my head since August 2009.

That is all for now, ALC.  I hope you enjoy the final days of summer, and be good to each other.

Lots of love,

Matt Hamilton

We know Alford Lake Camp lives in the hearts of our campers long after they leave ALC!!  All year long, we cherish the notes, emails and news from families who update us on how camp has influenced their camper’s lives.  From time to time we even get copies of essays written by our ALC campers for school assignments!  A camp family recently shared this essay with us and we just had to share it with all of YOU!  Thank you to our ALC Explorer Camper who captured the essence of camp life so completely in her essay!  Enjoy this lovely essay!

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director and Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

“A PLACE I CALL HOME”

Once I was introduced to a magical place in Hope, Maine.  This is what I call my second home.  It is a spot where I can think and say what I want whenever I want.  It is a place where I can release my inner talents and let my outer shell shed.

I am the second generation to go to this special world.  My mom and my aunt went there before me.  I go, willing, to extend the girl side of the family tradition.  Though it is a tradition, it is a fun and cheerful one.  Every time I go, the people change.  there are always new friends to share memories with.  This hidden gem is my camp, Alford Lake Camp.

Durng the time that I go to camp, I get much more mature and independent.  The directors encourage us to reach out to new girls and widen our comfort zones.  I arrive with my friends and sister thought I leave with a bunch of newly made friends to keep in touch with.

I started going to camp when I was eight years old.  I was scared and nervous to be without my parents for seven weeks, but when I got there, I was greeted with a smile and a hug.  So, in the comfort of being in a place with girls just like me, I came back to camp for two more years after that.  I am going there again this summer, happy to see my old friends and excited to meet some new friends.

Every year I learn something new about life.  Each of life’s lessons helps me be a better person.  So, every year I think about my summer waiting ahead of me with a smile on my face, but butterflies in my stomach.

- ALC EXPLORER CAMPER

America celebrates “Mother’s Day” today and we want to wish all our Alford Lake Camp mothers (and those who serve as “mom” in their families) a happy day!!  What a great moment to pause and think of our answers to the question “who is an Alford Lake Camp mom”?

Our experience has shown us that camp moms are a special group of people and a vital part of Alford Lake Camp’s history and success.  For well over 100 years, ALC mothers  have supported, encouraged and forged the legacy of strong independent camp experiences for their daughters.  We stand in amazement of those pioneering mothers who embraced this ‘new and revolutionary” experience for their daughters during the infancy of residential camping!  Imagine their courage as they allowed their daughters to venture to Maine for a summer in the early 1900s.  We imagine they knew these mothers recognized that a summer of camp activities, experiences and adventures would lead to a life time of memories, skills and growth for their campers.

Equally impressive in our eyes are our current ALC Mothers!  They are the loving caregivers of our campers who are able to embrace that emotional challenge of “letting go” of their children (for a few weeks – our full or half season summers), thus allowing their daughters to gain important and independent experiences.  We know this is not easy – for our children are our pride and joy! Regardless of their age, we love being with our children and sharing in their days.  But camp moms know the benefits of camp life and are willing to share their
daughters with the ALC Community.  Thoughtful, trusting, caring, determined and organized are just some of the words that come to mind as we think of our camp moms!

Thank you to all our ALC Mothers! Thank you for investing in the legacy of residential camping at ALC. 
Thank you for your trust in our leadership.  Thank you for sharing your amazing children with our camp community. Thank you for embracing the “values that matter”.  Surely the world is a better place because of the role you have as “mother”.  We salute you all and thank you for continuing to be the backbone of our camp.

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director

Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director