Alford Lake Camp

Okay, we admit that our camp shorts are not quite stylish!! We are talking about our “Blueberry Blues” or “camp clothing”.  Alford Lake Camp has official clothing for our campers, counselors and staff.  And we all wear them every day!  The practical reason is simple: camp is a busy and active place and we know these shorts and t-shirts will hold up day in and day out.  The more subtle but equally important reason is the sense of community we create when we eliminate fashion trends and perceived “status” of certain brands and/or logos.  We are a community that embraces WHO we are and not WHAT we have. Living together, playing together and sharing experiences together is easier when we focus on what we all have in common.  Trust us, our campers and staff quickly embrace the simplicity of KNOWING what they are going to wear everyday.. ALC shorts, ALC shirt and if it is a chilly morning:  an ALC sweatshirt!!!  Camp clothing is part of our history, part of our commitment to the values that really matter and make camp life simpler and more fun for everyone.

Thank you for supporting a camp that builds a sense of unity and that stands for the importance of each individual!  Get ready to put on those Blueberry Blues and enjoy another summer of fun on the shores of Alford Lake!

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

Guest Blog by Kim Libby

There are mornings at Alford Lake when the water is glass-flat, and the hills reflected on the lake’s surface appear every bit as clear as they do above the waterline.  There are mornings when the wind plucks at the top of the water and lifts it up into small waves.  And there are mornings where a light gray fog does not burn away with the dawn but stays crouched on top of the lake, and when we come down from breakfast to canoe or kayak or swim, we can enjoy the last minutes of the mist

It was on one of these mist-covered mornings that a group of campers and I (their counselor) paddled into the nearby cove beside the McMullan’s Hut.  Our colorful little line of boats stood out against the deep greens and browns of a Maine summer cove.  For long minutes, we drifted and talked softly, discovering things as we went, like how the stems of water plants feel glossy or how turtles blend in with the logs and rocks on which they rest.  Moving along the outer edge of the cove, we felt as though we were sliding through the forest, low to the ground and without the disruption of our own footsteps.  On the far side, opposite Mrs. M’s home, we came across something extraordinary in a cleared-out spot of land: two large, smooth, perfectly shaped ovals the color of stone.  Based on the voice and behavior of a nearby loon, it did not take us long to realize to whom these eggs belonged.  We had discovered the eggs of the loon.  Carefully, respectfully, we backed away.  We took only our story away with us (”Guess what we saw…,” we’d begin.) and vowed to protect the precious space of the mother loon.

While I was never a camper at Alford Lake, I was fortunate to have spent a great deal of my childhood outdoors.  I played…a lot.  With brothers and cousins and friends, I ran and swam and explored and discovered things and made up stories to explain all the things I’d seen.  There was so much land to cover, so much to figure out, and so much of it was just plain mysterious.

I miss the mystery of play, and I fear that while our culture has given us much (speed, information, access, resources, lots Facebook friends), it has taken away some of the mystery that is always part of direct, tangible experience.

At camp, there was much that I did not know.  I could not predict how the lake would appear on a given morning or how it would change throughout the day.  I did not know what the weather would bring and relied on the shape and color of the clouds and the direction of the wind rather than on “Weather.com.”  I could not always tell my campers the name or source of all the things we saw and heard, and yet, I did not feel the need to “Google” them or search for them on “Wikipedia.”  It was sometimes just enough to hear and to see.  To wonder.

The outdoor living of camp requires full participation in the world, but more importantly, camp relationships are built on direct engagement.  When my campers and I conversed with one another, we did not exchange words on a screen, alternating “Send” and “Reply.”  Our voices made a sound.  Our friendships were “Confirmed” not by the quick click of a moving arrow but through meaningful gestures like smiles or expressions of concern made by the movements of our faces rather than the typing of emoticons.  During tent time, we wrote letters on actual paper and with actual pens and sent them miles beyond ALC.  We dropped them in the mailbox and felt the exhilaration of mailing thoughts that are irretrievable, that cannot be called up and reread in a “Sent” folder.  Our words were sent with faith and after a patient time, we received other words back, all wrapped up in paper and delightfully sealed.  And what gifts, these words.   What gifts.

Camp cultivates the mystery of play.  The mystery of the full, direct experience.  I have heard that camping has become “countercultural.”  I disagree; I think camp does not work “against” culture as much as it works to protect it.  Camp represents a distillation of the most vital qualities of our culture, the essence of what cannot and should not ever be sacrificed for the sake of speed and convenience.

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

A nine-year-old camper spending her first summer at Alford Lake chose Challenge for her morning activity.  She arrived with her fellow campers to tackle our 36-foot climbing wall.  Soon it was her time to climb.  Safely harnessed, helmeted and instructed by the Challenge counselor she began her ascent.  Half way up the wall she stopped, frozen, unsure and began to cry.  The counselor called up to the camper:  “You are fine, you are safe and you have three options.  I can climb up and help you down, you can climb down yourself or you can keep going.  It is your choice and I am here to help you.” Her fellow campers sat quietly with sensitivity but watched intensely to see what the camper would do.  A minute or two later, the tears stopped and the camper weakly said, “I think I will try to keep going.”  Slowly, steadily and with lots of concentration the camper proceeded up and over the climbing wall.  Once back on the ground, she smiled, rejoined her group to watch and support the next camper as she began her climb.  Soon it was time for another activity and our camper bounded off with energy to the next part of her camp day.  Off to have fun, to play with her friends, and to be a camper at Alford Lake.

I learned of this camper’s experience from the camper’s mother who said, “this is why camp is so important to my child and these are the skills I want her to have as she journeys through her life”.  Yes, the mother agreed, it is wonderful that her camper decided to continue on the climbing wall, to have learned that she was brave and strong enough to complete what felt like such a daunting task.  But more importantly, the camper was presented with three equally solid options by the counselor.  They were supportive and encouraging and none was portrayed as being a better choice than another.  The counselor’s message was clear: you are safe, you have choices and I am here to help you.  “Life will bring her challenges,” the mother said, “and I want her to always know how to find help, to seek safe options, and to feel personal strength within herself”.

Think of how powerful a metaphor the Climbing Wall is for all of us.  In school, in work, and in life, each of us will encounter a wall standing in our way, a challenge to face, a situation that makes us pause and wonder, “Can I do this?” The answer must come from deep within us through experiences that have taught us the most important life skills: to try hard, to seek help when we need it and to believe that we will find a solid solution.

In the camper’s story, the counselor did not say “You will climb the wall” or “You must climb the wall”.  Too often our children are pushed to succeed, to compete and achieve.  Some places encourage competition and reward winners.  We are a much different community!  Every Sunday evening, counselors from our activities verbally recognize campers who have contributed to their activities.  These appreciations are presented to the entire camp community and are focused on effort, consideration, helpfulness and dedication to an activity.  Campers are applauded for learning, for making honest efforts, and yes, sometimes for achieving.  We are a community that believes in the glory of learning, the thrill of knowing yourself and celebrating that each camper has the emerging skills to face life’s challenges!

I urge you to consider this young camper’s experience.  Imagine how such an opportunity could contribute to the strength of that special young person in your life.  We, as adults should look beyond each summer’s experiences and realize the potential long-lasting value of the camp experience for our daughters. And, if you or she should face a wall to climb, please remember what our counselor said to our camper:  “I am here to help you as you climb”!

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

We know we are not the only ones who see it!! The litter on the side of the road, the small bits of our lives accidentally dropped or carelessly thrown away.  The clutter, the trash, the “disposable” part of our consumer based society/economy.  We notice it on the sides of the roads we drive, by the stores we frequent and everywhere we go!  Most of us of a “certain age” remember the powerful public service advertisement of the 1970s of the American Indian crying as he saw the trash polluting a river.  And, so we stop, bend down and pick up what we can.

And we know ALCers all over the world are doing the same…  Taking a moment to stop, to notice and to take a small action to care for the world. Why?  Because one of the foundations of Alford Lake Camp is stewardship of our environment.  Visit our camp and the first thing you will notice is the caring attitude our staff and campers have for this place.  Together we care for our buildings, our tents, our equipment and through this we also learn to care for each other.  We will not overlook, pretend to not see or ignore the people in our community. We will stop and take a moment to care, to connect and improve each other’s lives.  We are stewards of each other!

So, today we hope you will join us and pick something up.  Choose to see the small things and to be a part of the solution.  Share the ALC spirit with the world!!  It is who we are and it is just one of the important lessons of Alford Lake Camp.  This is what we mean when we say Alford Lake Camp is a place “where values matter and people thrive…”

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

As parents, we strive to find positive role models for our children.  These important people in our children’s lives reflect the values we share, the goals we have for our children and the fundamental philosophies of our families.

Above all else, parents, grandparents and extended family members play the most important circle of love, support and encouragement for our children.  Gradually, as children grow the caring people in their lives extends to neighbors, nannies & babysitters, teachers, coaches and members of faith communities.  Friends and colleagues share in the joy, challenges and day-to-day realities of raising children in the 21st century.

Alford Lake Camp counselors can, and do, act as powerful role models for campers.  After months of carefully screening and interviewing candidates, we assemble an amazing staff of accomplished, energetic and fun young women and men to become leaders of camp activities and trips.  Many counselors are returning to camp after spending summers at Alford Lake as campers themselves.  These experienced counselors share a unique love of camp with the camp community.  Some of our counselors are “new” to camp and bring fresh ideas and energy to ALC.

Our staff arrives at camp early to participate in a rigorous and detailed training program.  Pre-camp involves sessions in child development, teaching strategies, program development instruction, as well as water safety, trip safety and first aid training.  We spend this important time preparing a team of leaders to work together to create a safe, welcoming and fun camp community for our campers.   This time is intensely serious as we discuss emergency plans, important camp policies and the awesome responsibility of caring for children in a dynamic environment.  But pre-camp is also incredibly fun.  We share our enthusiasm and love of camp in team building exercises and our anticipation of the important roles we all assume by becoming leaders at Alford Lake Camp.  You should hear the laughter, singing and silliness that begins before the campers even arrive!

The end result of this careful selection and training is a staff of remarkable, talented, caring counselors who have dedicated themselves to being the best counselors they can be for their campers.  All of our counselors are given excellent peer mentors who are available at any time to help and guide them through any questions.  We, as directors, have an “open door policy” and are available to our counselors whenever they need help or guidance.  We meet weekly with our counselors by departments, by age group and also as a whole group.  These meetings allow us to constantly connect and address any questions that may arise.  Communication is the key to supporting and reinforcing the role our counselors play in the success of camp.  Respecting our counselors’ needs to “recharge their batteries” we provide rotating days off and a space separate from the camper group so they may relax.  We delight in hearing that after a day off, counselors often say “I missed my campers”!

When we watch our talented, well-trained staff interact with our campers we see MAGIC.  Meaningful instruction, respectful communication and shared fun create a bond of friendship between counselors and their campers.  Counselors become role models for our campers as they see accomplished young adults living and working in our camp community.  We observe laughter, smiles, quiet conversations and trusting relationships shared between counselors and campers.

Alford Lake Camp is a magical place, not because of our beautiful lake, gorgeous campus or sparkling white tents.  The magic is in the people who share their summers together here. Our counselors are the most important part of this magic.  We couldn’t be more proud of them and hope you will take a moment to consider how important this type of role model can be for the young person in your life!

We can’t wait for another magical summer!

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

Going on vacation, traveling for work, a sleepover at a friend’s house, getting ready for college, heading to camp for the summer… whatever the reason, we make packing lists.  Sure, sometimes the list is just in our heads but other times we write them down.  Either way, we pack.  Clothes, shoes, toothbrush and toothpaste… checking off as we go down the list.  But have you ever stopped to think about what is NOT on the list?

Traveling by plane — pack your patience!  Heading off to college — pack common sense and good judgment alongside those textbooks.  Holidays with your extended family — tuck some unconditional love next to those presents.  Finally going on that long anticipated trip — a sense of adventure and a set of reasonable expectations are good to have.

Families have been packing up trunks for their ALC campers for over 103 summers!  Hopefully they have been carefully following our packing list (yes, 14 pairs of socks).  We know that along with camp clothing our families are packing trust in ALC and we take this trust very, very seriously.  We will care for your child, respect your values and help her have a meaningful, fun and rewarding summer.

Campers pack hopes for new friends, great times and new adventures.  Alford Lake Camp is ready with amazing counselors and exciting activities to share with friends both old and new.   Our staff is packing enthusiasm and professionalism to bring to every interaction they have with our campers. 

In just a few months, when we arrive at Alford Lake Camp we will all unpack and begin our summer of sharing the magic of camp together.  We can’t wait!

Sue McMullan, Director

What will you pack when you come to Alford Lake Camp?  Let us know… reply to this or any blog!!

All week we have been watching and hearing commercials with hearts as their theme. Strolling down the streets of our hometowns, seeing hearts posted in a store or office window hopefully will have reminded us to spend our day today celebrating the warmth of our families.  I would like to add an additional “Ah ha” that came to me, as I took my scissors and cut homemade Valentines for each one of my children – yes, I still do the old fashioned Valentines – sorry Hallmark(!).  What came to me was that each day in camp is Valentine’s Day for so many of us.  While we are in camp, each day gives us the opportunity to appreciate one another; time to reach out and acknowledge one another’s successes and challenges and time to admire and miss our families from afar while still loving camp; a skill we will need for a lifetime.   What a wonderful Valentine’s gift we share – the gift of support and understanding from our families who have given us the courage and independence to celebrate Valentine’s Day each day we are in camp.

So today, Gang, let’s show ‘em what we do – thank someone who has affected your life, reach out to those who need us, hug our parents for their ‘gift of camp’, give “gifts of self” to others and let’s hold hands and hearts around the world and make a difference – let each day of our lives be a Valentines Day to or for someone else.

We are taking a look back at our summer of 2009 and remembering…

Barn Overnights
Splashing in puddles
The Egg Drop Contest in Challenge
Fires in the fireplace in the library
Sunset Yoga
Letters from home
Baskets in the Art House
Spirit Night
Ice Cream on Sundays
Rangers in the War Canoe
Visitors’ Weekend Horseshow, Drama and Sychronized Swimming
“The sun is out!!”
Camp Sisters
Logs — funny ones, serious ones, rhyming ones, musical ones…
Wearing whites on Sunday
Camp Birthday Celebration… Happy 103rd ALC!
SOARing
The Camper Show
Fairy sightings on the path to Challenge
Dining Room Squad
Out of Camp Trips:  Chairbacks, Moose River, Camden Hills, Sugarloaf, Katahdin..
Extended Trips departures from ALC
Extended Trips returns to ALC
Sunday songs in the dining room..Dominique!!
Backwards Day
The “Croc” Hunter
PT projects with the Jr. CTs
Apples in the basket in the dining room
The ever-silly Counselor Show
Guide Crew and their crazy hats
Revielle in the morning
Three minute showers
Thursday night Bungalow dinners
The Counselor Hunt
Tent inspections
Teaspoons balancing on noses
Saturday Night Theatre
Everyone brushing their teeth all together in Grasshopper and Paradise
Squeals of delight while sliding down the slip ‘n slide
4th of July tug-of-war
The Loon Mobile!
Wearing your evening clothes
Beach days
Frozen bananas dipped in chocolate
Morale Boosters
Tetherball
Wimbeldon on the blue tennis courts
CTs singing
Tent overnights
Swimming in the lake, swimming in the ocean, swimming across the lake!
Campfire skits
Flashlights and headlamps
Blue blankets on beds made the ALC-way
Mrs. M’s stories
Song Contest
The Laundry Queen
Sunday in the Pines
Dance performances by Russian campers
The smell of the pine trees
The sound of the loons
A hug goodbye from a tentmate, a counselor, a friend….

We remember all the fun we shared and thank each and every member of our camp community for making ALC 2009 a summer filled with amazing memories.  Share your favorite memories from last summer, or any summer spent at ALC!

Imagine the holidays at Camp…

Mrs. M is in the Camphouse, lighting a candle every night of Hanukkah and singing “Patterns” to the very, very cold loons on Alford Lake!

Max is busy in his Workshop… lending a hand to the elves with last minute projects!

The “Laundry Queen” is hanging stockings (with name labels, of course) with care in the Jib!!

Karen is in the Barn getting the ALC horses geared up for a snowy sleigh ride!

Susan is baking in the kitchen — gingerbread “women” with blueberries, of course!

The office staff (Bisi, Barb and Lori) are busy getting letters to Santa in the mail!

Sue is in the costume closet, of course, trying on Santa suits!  Ho-ho-ho!

Betsy is humming “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel” in the foc’sle.  Anyone up for a game?!

ALC Campers are nestled all snug in their beds… under warm blue blankets!!

An ALC campfire is burning bright by the lake.

AMT hikers see stars shining brightly over the trails.

Nova sailors follow the stars…

ALC Alps campers are drinking hot cocoa and yodeling…

ALC Abroad campers are sipping tea and eating crumpets!
…….

The greatest gift of all, the legacy of Alford Lake Camp, is opened and shared by all the campers, CTs, counselors and staff… friendship, personal growth and the joy of sharing summers at ALC!

What do you think the holidays are like at camp?

We wish each and everyone of you a joyous holiday season!