ALC Proudly announces our new video!
January 23rd, 2012
Alford Lake Camp proudly announces our new video on our website! We welcome you to watch this video and experience “The Magic of ALC”… click here to view our new video
Re-Gifting…
December 27th, 2011From Sunday in the Pines, July 11, 2011 (Theme of “The Gifts We Give”)
By Barb Sullivan (ALC Staff Member)
This is true: On various occasions in my life, I have been given a purple and green horizontal striped sweater (umm..), a “make-your-own-candle-kit” (me? really?), a fanny pack (does anyone my age need to wear a fanny pack?) and even a crocheted black and gray lap blanket (45… NOT 90!!!)
So what did I do with these lovely items? You guessed it… I REGIFTED them! Amy Vanderbilt, the noted etiquette and manners author, would be horrified for she states it is the height of rudeness to give a gift selected for you to another. Oh Amy, I totally disagree!! I re-gift often. In fact a few of you might have received some of my gems for your birthdays or holidays. But beyond my habit of re-gifting these lovely gifts, I have become VERY GOOD at re-gifting Alford Lake Camp.
You are the gifts I share with my family, friends, colleagues and my community in my “winter life” – each and everyone of you has been handed over by me at one time or another. Amy Vanderbilt clearly doesn’t know the gift of ALC and all of you or she would never object to the regifting I do!! Each of you are amazing gifts to me -
Campers: You are the gift of energy, exploration, enthusiasm and fun. When I want to feel young at heart, I think of your smiles, your songs and your passion for trying new things. I share you – when I remember to say “please” and “thank you”, when I write to my parents, when I reach out to someone new. You are regifted everyday in my life!
CTs – Junior & Senior: I re-gift your love for ALC and the friendships you have built here all the time. Honoring traditions, sharing what you have learned throughout your years at camp is a gift that makes me remember that the things that have been important to me in my life are worth holding onto and cherishing. You are a gift I find easy to share!
Counselors: You are my gift of responsibility. You have taken on an awesome and sometimes exhausting job of caring for and loving other peoples’ children. You teach with enthusiasm, lead with quiet grace and give of yourselves day and night in a million different ways. Wise and understanding beyond your years, I re-gift you when I interact with children. I take the gifts you have showed and shared with me and give them to others. You are people I admire and I try to re-gift YOU in my days.
Regifting you, the “bungalows” and “non-tents” is hard! For you have given me your example of ceaseless work, attention to detail and work that is undefined but never too much for you. When I roll up my sleeves and do more than I feel is my share, I am regifting YOU!
I guess I re-gift the Directors too. When I try to lead, plan and organize, I take your gifts, Sue & Betsy, and dig deep to find them in myself. When juggling too many things seems to drive me to exhaustion, I re-gift YOU and find a way. When I work for something 
bigger than myself, especially ALC, I am re-gifting Sue & Betsy.
I re-gift ALC singing: There is always a reason to sing! I re-gift the Eleanor Room – there is always a chance to talk things out and move forward! I re-gift this beautiful, natural camp – for cherishing this wild open place reminds me to appreciate nature and the simple life! I re-gift the meals we share, the laughter and the joys of our summer days together! I re-gift each of YOU for you have taught me to love unconditionally and that by simply being here, in this special community, is the most amazing gift of all!
So, I would like to give you each a ribbon. Take one, tie it on you today and remember that I am re-gifting you always! And perhaps, you just might want to re-gift ALC too!
“Oh the Possibilities!” Sunday-In-The-Pines 2011
December 8th, 2011
During Sunday-In-The-Pines this past summer, a first year camper spoke on the topic, “Oh the Possibilities” and we are so very pleased to share it with you! A wonderful camper sharing her impressions of Alford Lake Camp!
“Oh the Possibilities”
Hi, I’m Mimi. I’m new at ALC this year. This is my fourth sleep away camp in four years. But there’s a reason for that. In the three other camps that I’ve been to, I never felt that they accepted me for who I am and I never thought there were other places to call “Home”. Then, about a week ago, I took my first steps in Alford Lake Camp, and after that, no one could convince me otherwise. ALC was that second place – that other home. My theory is that you need love and support to get you through the next stage of your life, and this camp is oozing with love and the friends that you make here give you plenty of support. So I guess what I’m trying to say is, like my Dad always says “it is a good character building experience.” This camp is good at building character because it shows you which things you should strive for, it makes you hungry for knowledge, and garlic bread! And it opens it’s hands for you to choose the possibilities that it has to offer. So when I grow old, I hope to tell my grandchildren that “Oh, I’m still here with a smile on my face, and a spring in my step.” And I have a good feeling that the possibilities of this summer will help make that happen.
“Residential vs. Sleep-away” – Splitting Hairs or Creating Community?
November 18th, 2011
In this new economy, Alford Lake Camp, like all traditional, residential camps in America, is faced with the challenge of staying true to our history, our values and our philosophy of camping while utilizing the vast array of new technologies to spread the word of our camp. In this effort, we have been advised that Google searches for “residential camp” simply is much too low on the list of inquiries for it to be effective. Rather, searches begin with words such as “sleep-away camps” or “overnight camps” are higher on the list. This information made us pause and reflect. Are we clinging to the description of Alford Lake Camp as a “traditional residential camp” only because we think it sounds nicer? Are we splitting hairs? Or do we really believe that the word “residential” truly does best describe our camp?
So, we Googled it! (Ironic? Yes, we know it is…)
Residence: (noun): the place, especially the house, in which a person lives or resides; dwelling place; home:
Overnight: (adjective): done, made, occurring, or continuing during the night. Staying for one night: a group of overnight guests. Designed to be used on a trip or for a journey lasting one night or only a few nights.
Sleep-a·way: (adjective): of or pertaining to a place at which one sleeps away from home
Yes, it is true that Alford Lake Campers sleep-away from home when they come to Hope, Maine! Our summer sessions do last more than one day, so yes; it is true we are an overnight camp. But, Alford Lake Camp is first and foremost our campers’ summer home! It is their residence! Just like the comfort, support and sense of belonging that we all feel when we are at home, Alford Lake is a special place of community and friendship.
Here, at Alford Lake Camp, we believe in certain unchanging values such as respect for all people, embracing differences and providing opportunities for everyone. We create a summer home that allows each camper to feel nurtured, respected and appreciated! Together we share our days: living in our signature white tents, sharing meals, singing songs, going to amazing activities and always laughing, growing and enjoying our time together. This is what home feels like – this is what a residence is… this is what residential camping has always been!
So, for now, we will continue to proudly call Alford Lake Camp a “traditional, residential camp for girls in Maine” – and we hope you agree that it best describes this magical place we all call “home” during our summers!
Warmly,
Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director
Grit, Zest and Character… ALC Lessons!
November 1st, 2011We have read and re-read the interesting article in the New York Times by Paul Tough entitled “What if the Secret to Success Is Failure?” and we encourage all of you to take a moment to read it too.
It is a fascinating look into the age-old question of what leads to “the ‘good life’, a life that is not just only happy but also meaningful and fulfilling.” Parenting in 2011 is not an easy task and we begin this blog restating how much we admire parents, families and loving adults who join together to help shape young peoples’ lives! We respect and appreciate you all!
In the NYT’s article we found points that seem to sing ALC and ALC experiences as points such as how we present and perceive challenges faced by our children. Are we, as the article states living the “central paradox of contemporary parenting” by not only providing for our children but “protecting them from discomforts both large and small.” In doing so, have we taken some of the resilance and strength of self confidence and self knowledge that comes through facing difficult or different situations? Resilence, zest for life, perserveance, self control are all character traits that the author explores and links to the future success that we all want for our children – to be happy, independent and successful adults. The author and the educators profiled in the article claim that by eliminating challenge in our children’s lives we rob them of the chance to understand their abilities and to have experiences to reflect upon as new challenges arise in their lives.
And so we think of camp, residential camping and Alford Lake in particular. Yes, we are a summer camp and our days are first and foremost fun and happy! But thoughtful reflection of camp life includes the truth that coming to ALC does prove to be filled with challenges for our campers: can a young girl learn to live and thrive away from home for three weeks or perhaps a summer, can a middle school aged camper move away from fashion trends and wear a camp uniform and give up technologies such as cell phones, computers and Facebook for a few weeks and/or can a highschool aged camper face the daunting task of becoming a member of our rigorous Global Challenge Trips for a summer of exploration that involves physical and interpersonal challenges? Camp is full of days spent learning to experience life in a new environment, with new people and trying new things. When campers face personal challenges they are given the space, time and skills to discuss, process and find new avenues to “make another choice”. Here at Alford Lake Camp, we can learn to reflect and change, grow and learn!
We repeatedly hear from camp parents that their campers return home with renewed self-confidence and we know this is authentic pride in themselves for navigating the challenges, big and small, that summers at Alford Lake Camp provide. We are a camp that celebrates each individual, provides healthy and safe challenges that allow our campers to see themselves as they are: capable and energetic, thoughtful and kind. We are a camp where “Values Matter and People Thrive” because we allow our campers to meet and embrace challenging experiences that provide a lifetime of value.
Join us in this discussion! Do you agree that ALC provides campers with challenges both big and small? Do you believe in the value of these experiences? Have you found yourself, when faced with a difficult situation, reflecting back to a moment at ALC where you learned about yourself and your unique abilities?
Warmly,
Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director
Cheers to Camp Counselors!!
October 27th, 2011Ahh… Camp!
We invite you all to read this wonderful essay written by a camp counselor (not an ALCer but we can simply imagine our talented counselors share the author’s feelings)!
We see community, leadership, values and integrity at the heart of our summers at Alford Lake. We are so immensely proud of our talented and dedicated counseling staff who are impeccable role models for our campers.
Celebrating over 105 years of residential camping, Alford Lake Camp is a magical place – for campers, counselors and staff!
Warmly,
Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director
Thank Goodness ALC Summers Never End!!!
September 28th, 2011
Can it really be over a month ago that our Alford Lake Camp summer ended? To us it seems like just yesterday that we were welcoming our campers to ALC’s 105th summer. From the very first day of Session I to the end of Session II, we shared days that we will never forget! Days filled with laughter, adventure, tradition, fun and learning. We saw our new campers join a camp that values each and every member of our community. We welcomed back campers who have found ALC to be a safe and fun place to call “home” during their summer months. We built a summer of adventure, excitement, activity and accomplishment. With an amazing and dedicated counseling staff and trip leaders who gave their all to their campers, we enjoyed a summer like no other! In moments both small and large, we witnessed children and young people reaching for their goals, challenging themselves and getting to know themselves better through the process. We couldn’t be more proud of the summer of 2011 and hope you will agree that it was magical!But now our campers are home. Our families are busy with school schedules and family routines that seem to get busier and busier every year! Summer 2012 seems like a long way away. It is natural to take a break and then reflect on what last summer meant for your camper. Did she try something new? Did she learn a new skill or develop new frienships? Did she return home with more confidence? These, and so much more, are the lasting gifts of ALC in a camper’s life. The value of camp experiences benefit each camper as they face the routines and/or challenges they encounter in their school years. We firmly believe that Alford Lake Camp contributes to the success and happiness of campers throughout their lives.
Yes, Summer 2012 is months away. But we are already planning for camp and want you to be a part of that process! Share with us your thoughts and observations of our camp! Let us know if you agree that camp is part of a child’s ongoing education. Tell us how camp has shaped and/or changed your camper’s view of herself, her abilities and her role in her community. Most of all, let us know if you believe that summer’s joys and lessons never end!
Warmly,
Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director
ALFORD LAKE CAMP’S Family Camp – Come to Join us for a vacation like no other!
May 27th, 2011
Family Camp, Hope, Maine - Alford Lake Camp
Picture yourself surrounded by family and friends, diving into Alford Lake at the end of a sunny, fun summer day. Imagine how refreshing it is to swim in the crystal blue waters with nothing but green hills all around. A wonderful way to end a day where you most likely played a game of tennis, went on a trail ride on gentle horses, set sail for a few hours on Alford Lake, relaxed by creating an art project or maybe even hiked a local Maine mountain!! Your thoughts turn to tomorrow’s adventures: the climbing wall or the high cable challenge course? blueberry picking? more swimming? perhaps a relaxing canoe paddle around the coves of Alford Lake? or maybe just relaxing in the library with a great summer read? It is FAMILY CAMP – anything is possible! Join us this August for ALC Family Camp! August 17th – August 21st.
All our wonderful activities available for you to enjoy – perfect for ALL AGES
Families and/or individuals can stay in our signature white tents – reserved for your private group
Organized events available for day hikes and special outings such as blueberry picking
Fabulous meals prepared and shared in our dining room
Evening activities that are fun for one and all!
Missing camp? Grab your ALC friends and plan a reunion at camp! Interested in exploring ALC with your future camper – bring her to family camp to “try it out”. Want to plan an affordable family vacation that offers something for everyone – it is here at ALC! Plan your own Family Camp experience – you can come for as many days that you want.
Don’t worry – we have internet access for those who need to keep in touch with work! Babysitting services available (at an extra fee) so you can have a night out in Camden or Rockland!
Maine is beautiful in August and we love our Family Camp visitors. We hope you will join us! More information is available on our website or you can simply give us a call at (207) 799-3005 or at our summer office (as of 6/11/11) at (207) 785-2400. Hurry – don’t miss out on a chance to enjoy ALC FAMILY CAMP this summer!
ALC Spring Coffees: April 13th & 14th: Newton, MA – Stamford, CT & NYC!
April 11th, 2011
Hello ALC Families, Alums, Campers, Counselors, Staff & Friends!
ALC Directors, Sue McMullan and Betsy Brayley, will be traveling THIS WEEK to visit Newton, MA, Stamford, CT and NYC to talk with families and friends of ALC about camp! We hope you will join them for a cup of coffee and chance to learn more about Alford Lake Camp and all the exciting things we are planning for Summer 2011! Everyone is welcome! No RSVP required…
Newton, MA – Wednesday, April 14th : 8:30am – 10:00am
Peet’s Coffee
Newton Centre
776 Beacon Street, Newton, MA
Stamford, CT – Wednesday, April 14th: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Cosi
1209 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT
New York, NY – Thursday, April 14th: 9:30am – 11:00am
Aroma Expresso Bar
161 W 72nd Street (Between Columbus & Amsterdam)
New York, NY
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the ALC office at 207-799-3005!
Hope to see you in Newton, Stamford or NYC this week!
Join Sue & Betsy for a Cup of Coffee this Friday!
March 15th, 2011
Hello ALCers!!
ALC warmly welcomes all ALC Families, Alums, Staff and Friends to join ALC Directors, Sue McMullan and Betsy Brayley, for a cup of coffee and a chance to talk about all things ALC this FRIDAY, MARCH 18th.
Sue & Betsy will be in Pennsylvania and will be meeting with ALCers past, present and future at two different locations on Friday, March 18th!! The ALC Directors will be in Ardmore in the morning and Yardley in the afternoon. We hope you will be able to join them for an informal, fun and informative gathering!!
10:30am -11:30am: Milkboy Coffee (2 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA)
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Starbucks Coffee (1 North Main Street, Yardley, PA)
Questions? Feel free to give the ALC office a call at 207-799-3005!
We hope to see you Friday!
