Alford Lake Camp Celebrates Earth Day 2010
Today we celebrate Earth Day, a day to recognize and appreciate this earth that has given us so much, but at Alford Lake we celebrate Earth Day every day. After all, we have so much ‘earth’ to appreciate, with over 416 acres of woods, fields, open space, waterfront, tree farm acreage, brooks, encampment areas, situated on a 500 acre glacial lake with a mile and third of waterfront! WOW that was a mouthful!
John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club and leading US environmentalist, stated: “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to the body and soul.”
We echo John Muir with our appreciation for the nature that gives Alford Lakers a place to play, grow and learn each summer. We are grateful for our towering pine trees, our crystal clear lake, the rocky Maine coast, and the inspiring mountains and rivers by which we are surrounded!!
The natural world is slipping away from a lot of today’s youth. Time to connect with the earth is limited, as our suburban and urban lives surround us more and more. Yet, we know how important it is for the human soul to connect with the natural world, to be a part of open spaces, and to feel a part of earth. We share our days with nature’s companions: the horses in our stables, loons on the lake and chipmunks scampering around. Campers spend their days under the sun (and in the rain) and sleep under a canvas of brilliant stars.
We witness the powerful impact of nature when we see the confidence of our campers after they have harnessed the wind for a glorious sail on Alford Lake, have hiked to the summit of a Maine mountain, have returned from an exhilarating trail ride on their favorite horse or have braved a series of rapids on a canoeing trip. Through each activity, ALC campers learn to respect, enjoy and interact with their environment.
Our pristine environment gives campers an opportunity to slow down, to reflect and to be inspired by the wilderness. Their days are richer, their souls are lighter and their confidence is stronger by interacting with the world around them. Alford Lakers crave the simplicity of camp life, they savor the friendships forged under the canopy of pine trees and they are buoyed by the experiences of challenges faced and conquered on wilderness trips.
One of our most favorite camp songs is:
I’m Going Back (words and music by Jane Robinson)
I’m going back where the earth meets the sky
and there’s no yesterday, and there’s no by and by.
With the moon and the stars always watching over me,
I’m as lonesome as a mountain, I’m as wild as the sea.
I come from a place where the pine trees grow tall
and the sound of night is the loon’s ghostly call,
Where there’s time to wait for the dawn to catch the day,
and there’s no beaten path so you cannot lose your way.
There’s beauty all around in the sparkling dancing stream,
and the morning mist leaves me walking in a dream.
But I never knew all the beauty it could hold
till I saw a sunset all crimson, blue and gold.
The wind whispers secrets into the ear of night,
and the waves break gently on sands of dusty white
Where the sounds of peace keep calling out to me
to come back to this land so beautiful and free.
I’m going back where the earth meets the sky
and there’s no yesterday, and there’s no by and by.
With the moon and the stars always watching over me,
I’m as lonesome as a mountain, I’m as wild as the sea.
We hope you will think of Alford Lake Camp on this Earth Day. Remember what your summers were like when you were a camper or imagine how your child can benefit from our natural surroundings!
Warmly,
Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director
