Alford Lake Camp

Fading light dims the sight
and a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the skies
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh.

Then goodnight, peaceful night;
Till the light of dawn shineth bright.
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, Goodnight.

“Taps” – Composed by US Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, July 1862.  Lyrics by Horace Lorenzo Trim

Alford Lake Campers will most likely recognize Verse II of the lyrics to “Taps”.  ALCers conclude our Sunday evening gathering (”Logs”) by standing together, quietly, facing the lake to sing Taps.  Likewise, every night Taps is played on the bugle to call for “lights out” at camp, marking another day shared at Alford Lake Camp.

These beautiful words and haunting notes have been calling us safely to sleep for over 103 years.  It is part of our unchanging traditions and values that make Alford Lake Camp such a meaningful place for young women.

Memorial Day in America is a time for reflection.  Time to remember and honor the memory of our service men and women who have died in service for our country.  With great respect and appreciation for their sacrifice, we will continue to pray and work for peace in our world.

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

You never know where Alford Lake Camp might pop up!!  We are thrilled that our photo of ALC campers is part of “A Rebecca Mystery:  Secrets at Camp Nokomis.”  Alford Lake Camp shared historical information and photos with the American Girl author Jaqueline Dembar Greene as she researched residential camp experiences for girls in the early 1900s.

The heroine of the story, Rebecca, is a child from New York City attending camp for the first time during the height of the polio crisis.  Reading the book our campers will marvel in how much of camp life seems the same:  travel to camp, sleeping in canvas tents, swims in the lake, reveille in the morning and taps at night!  It is fun to imagine how revolutionary it was for girls to wear “bloomers” and bathing suits and to embark on such an adventure as camp in the early part of the 1900s.

We are pleased that American Girl, through this book, is highlighting the history and traditions of residential camping and chose Alford Lake Camp as a camp to feature.  At 104 years old, Alford Lake Camp is one of the oldest girls’ camps in the world.  We are proud of our traditions, experiences and values that have enriched the lives of thousands of young women and are honored to continue to do so!

We will have copies of “A Rebecca Mystery: Secrets at Camp Nokomis” in our Library this summer.  If you have had a chance to read the book, we would love to hear how you felt about it!!

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

We heard the reminder… this was the weekend that the USA observed “daylight saving time.”  We turned our clocks ahead one hour, playing with time to gain more daylight.

Losing an hour of sleep but gaining more daylight to enjoy.  Children play outside longer, commuters can enjoy coming home before the sun sets!!  We throw open the windows to let in the light and the fresh spring air.  We cheer for the melting snow, glory in the first blooms of spring in our gardens and happily trade in our winter coats for lighter jackets.

As parents, we know about time passing with our children.  We celebrate their growth, we see them ”sprout” in their days, months, years.  A tiny baby one moment, a toddler the next.  An adventurous and independent ”tween” before we know it.  The seasons of their lives flying by.  And for many of us, we wish we turn back the clock or make the clock tick just a little slower.

Yet, we know the important part of being a parent is preparing to let go – just a little bit more each year.  To see them change and become more independent, more self confident, more of the amazing women they will be.  Alford Lake Camp is part of that process.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us.  Thank you for giving us a “season” with your child!  We know the trust you place in us, we value each wonderful and unique camper.  We cherish the summer “seasons” of their lives.

Wishing all our Alford Lake Camp families a joyous spring!

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

Technology is all around us and contributing to and improving our lives in ways both big and small.  Have you noticed how many cars have GPS systems?  Just a few years ago it was folded maps, stopping for directions, concentrating to make sure each turn took us to our destinations.  Now we can plug in an address and go!  Lost no more but not really aware of our route.  Do we do this in life?  Do we speed along with technology, busy schedules and multi-tasking life requirements?  Are our children along for this ride? Destination over the journey… something to ponder.

As directors of Alford Lake Camp, we know the camp roads and walking paths by heart.   Over the course of the summer, we can feel the path beneath us change by our campers’ journeys.  Our campers arrive in camp to explore, to learn and to grow.  We travel together with purpose and with fun.  We enjoy the journey and not just the destination. Each day campers gain new skills, make new friends, reach out to new people and experiences and through this gain valuable self-confidence and maturity.  This is our ALC journey.  We travel together and savor the route of childhood, of camp life and of values that make a difference in our lives.

We hope that all our ALC families and friends travel safely throughout their lives.  We welcome you to join us any time.  And, just in case you wish to plug it into your GPS, our address is (for the 104th summer):  258 Alford Lake Road, Hope, Maine!

From the road,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

The Kaiser Family Foundation released a new study, Daily Media Use Among Children and Teens Up Dramatically From Five Years Ago, on the technology habits of typical American children. The results are astounding:  children ages 8 to 18 spend on average 7 and half hours a day using computers, smart phones, TVs, etc.  We encourage you to review the study results.

Increases in the “screen time” of American children are on the radars of all American families.  We seek to find the balance in our children’s lives, recognizing that changes in  communication, entertainment and information gathering bring benefits and challenges alike.  As parents, we know our children were not born with adapters!   Surely the balance is struck when children are allowed to learn to live, for a while, without computers, TVs and cell phones.  Alford Lake Camp believes real communication skills, positive relationships and self-awareness comes with personal interaction in a community setting.

A Chance to Unplug…

Think about opportunities for fun and learning we have without electronics:  Campfire skits, drama plays, card games with tent mates, stories read out loud by flashlight, letters written home, summiting a mountain, laughing with counselors and campers as we share our days together.  Time to listen to the wind in the pine trees, to feel the sun on your face and the splash of lake water.  A text message will never replace a hug from a friend. A challenge conquered at camp will outshine any level of a video game. Real and lasting friendships will mean more than any Facebook “friend”.  The self-confidence of our campers, guided by our amazing counselors, can never be replaced by the virtual world.

We know the world is ever changing, yet Alford Lake Camp provides a place where children can still enjoy and benefit from the natural beauty of the world, the positive experiences of face-to-face relationships and the traditions that have been life changing for young women for over 100 years.

Join us in celebrating summer as it should be, as it has always been! Unplug, slow down and enjoy the fun of friendship and learning at a spot that cherishes each individual.

Thank you,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

Family Camp, Hope, Maine - Alford Lake Camp

Family Camp, Hope, Maine - Alford Lake Camp

Family camp is right around the corner and we are filling up!!! Call us for reservation – 207-785-2400

A Day At Family Camp:
•    Riding
•    Tennis
•    Swimming
•    Sailing
•    Canoeing
•    Kayaking
•    Arts & crafts
•    Hiking
•    Blueberry picking
•    Exploring the Maine Coast.

Cost & Accommodations:
Adults: $125 per overnight
Children 5-15: $75 per overnight  (Children under 5: Free)
This includes all meals, sleeping accommodations, and Staff facilitated programs.

Family Camp, Hope, Maine - Alford Lake Camp

• If you were in camp and needed to give someone a gift
• If you were in camp and someone needed some cheering up or enthusiasm
• If you were someone’s neighbor and it were holiday time
• If you were wanting to celebrate a holiday with someone who did not have family
• If you just wanted to brighten someone’s day

This might be the time to be thinking about some of this.  Let us know what it is that you have planned to give of yourself to others and to your family that is somewhat “camp like”.    Let’s join hands and hearts and make a difference in someone’s life.  We would LOVE to post some of your ideas for others to ‘borrow’ during this holiday time.

We found ourselves surrounded by so many enthusiastic ALCers and friends as we looked out of the wall of windows at the Gavin's in New York.  With each passing boat in the darkness, we gazed at the lighted masts as each boat cruised up and down the river.  In this gorgeous setting, we hugged one another, met new friends, chatted with one another and celebrated last summer and the coming summer with new and returning friends.  We continue to be so blessed!  (The one exception to this last statement is that we left our camp camera in the taxi on the way to the Gathering and had to quickly borrow Greer's camera which Betsy was trying to learn how to use – soooo, sorry about the quality of the pictures for NYC Gathering – ahhhhh!) To see what photos we did get, click here.

As we drove down the long winding driveway of the Simpson's new home in Morristown, we felt the excitement of the fast approaching, small, cozy, warm, friendly Gathering.  Sure enough we were greeted by Petey (their dog) along with Carolyn, Molly, Teddy and Tim; oh, where was Anna – at school of course.  We sat and drank tea together, talked and welcomed current ALC families and staff (!) to our fun-filled time together (carmalittas and all – just ask Molly's and Teddy's Mom about those!).  By the way, where else in all our travels would we be introduced to the a new birthday gift concept – a composting container; of course, at the Simpson's!