Alford Lake Camp

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

Our ALC AMT hikers are doing awesome!!!
Through all kinds of
weather, they had hiked
approximately 180.7 miles
by last Saturday

What is ALC AMT ? It is a seven week co-ed hiking trip that takes our campers from Maine to New Hampshire – 330 miles of the Appalachian Trail!  Each camper will carry all that they need on their back, with a re-supply occurring every week to 10 days.  This trip offers a life-changing opportunity for those who are ready for a physical challenge and an in-depth experience in the wilderness with small group living experiences.

Emma Raynes, an ALC alum (camper and staff)
has an upcoming photography show at
the NESTO GALLERY, Milton Academy in Milton MA.

This show is made up of Emma’s Brazlian photographies from  her time, as a Lewis Hine Documentary Fellow.   As a Hine Fellow, her goal was to document and strengthen the connection between seasonal sugarcane workers and their families. “ For more information click here.

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!

We arrived at the Hickey's (Carolyn, Ann & Leigh) on Sunday afternoon, to a warm fire and a warm atmosphere!  Mary & Brian hosted us at their home filled with the anticipation of all four of their children being home soon for the Holiday.  We are so blessed with the parents that are connected to us, and their enthusiasm to talk about Alford Lake Camp and what the experience has meant to them as parents, for their children.  We saw a really great group of ALC alums in Chicago, as well.  It seems every time we go anywhere right now, we are awestruck by the number of people wanting to re-connect with 'their camp'.  For some it is because they are thinking of camp for their children and for others it is because they want to verbalize the impact camp has had on them AND they want to feel that camp feeling again!!!

To see some snapshots of our Chicago Gathering, click here.

Hi All! Well after a pretty amazing landing in Cleveland in the midst of Lake effect snow, we made it to the Robertson's house with just minutes to spare (and no luggage)!  Small and cozy are the two words to describe this gathering. But despite the size, we were excited to hang out and watch the '08 video with Isabel, new camper Lila and a number of Alums! 
 
The next morning we headed off to Logan Davis' house whose mom Katie Emerson, hosted us for an ALC Coffee.  We had such great conversation with a group of mom's who came to hear about camping in general and about Alfor
d Lake!  This is such a fun and productive way for us to be able to relay the message about 
the gift of a long term camp experience!  Huge "Thank You's" go out to both of these Alford Lake families for opening their homes to us and for spreading the word 
about ALC!!!
 

As the gate quietly and peacefully swung open to greet us in our ALC car, we knew that we were entering into a wonderfully comfortable adventure in Bloomfield, CT!  This is exactly what took place at the O'Connells – thoughtful parents, enthusiastic campers, very connected alums and a viewing of the ALC DVD that told the story of last summer all together.  We LOVED our moments and cherish the opportunity to re-open an area where ALC has strong roots.

View the pics here!

YAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOO, we had a great Southern Maine Gathering last night with many campers (all ages) eating snacks, hugging one another, viewing a 2008 slide show  on the Mac and then finally sharing fond memories (laughs and heart-string viewing) as we watched the newly produced 2008 DVD. 

Ahhhhh, our ALC camera was involved with a project at Bates College, so pictures have to be imagined until we can get some shots of some of our attendees from other places.  What fun we had and what a nice group of returning and new campers who will join in for the creation of the summer of 2009!!!!! 

Chestnut Hill was on Sunday and we will keep you posted – hopefully pictures and all from now on!!!!!!

Want to attend a Gathering in your area? Visit the website for locations and time – bring a friend or two!!

IT’S THAT REALLY GREAT TIME OF YEAR when Alford Lakers past, present and possibly future come together at Gatherings around the country.  So, we hit the road this coming week with our first Gathering right here in Cape Elizabeth (great snacks as we reported recently!!!).  (Check our website for dates and times of these events.)

The awesome part of a Gathering is the coming together of campers, their families, alums, and prospective campers to have some cozy time talking about camp!  Campers come away with the feeling of renewed friendships (or new friendships); parents leave realizing that the ALC experience is a part of our children’s excellent education that goes beyond just the academic.  So as we sit on a living room floor watching the 2008 DVD, we can celebrate the value of friendships, independence, healthy decision-making, strength in character, and the experimentation of being able to say yes and no when opportunities are put in front of us.  We welcome you to any Gathering you chose and hope that your decision to attend is one of excitement and continued investment in our children’s future.

Future blogs can represent topics that you would like to see discussed.  Help us to make this section of our ALC online community, interactive and productive around issues that are important to you. 

Please submit your thoughts or ideas right away and we will get communication and networking started!!