Alford Lake Camp

Alford Lake Campers know the sound of raindrops on canvas tents.  They know the comforting feeling of being dry and warm when it is raining outside.  But camp life doesn’t stop when it is raining out.  ALCers grab their raincoats or ponchos, slip their feet into sturdy rain boots and head out of their tents to live, learn and explore camp activities in the rain.  The fun of camp life continues and the entire camp community adapts to nature’s unpredictable whims.

It is interesting to ponder how dealing with rain at Alford Lake Camp teaches our campers how to weather the storms, both big and small, that may occur in their lives.  Skills and experiences that they share with their fellow campers can lead to strengths that last a lifetime.  We all hope for sunny days but we can still progress and learn when life is not as we hope.  ALCers have learned the importance of having the right gear along with the right attitude to be flexible and to know that, yes, in most cases, every cloud has a silver lining.

When it rains in Hope, Maine our camp stays true to our camp life — no rainy day movies or strange departures from camp values.  We adapt and enjoy a different pace of camp life.  We hear, over and over again, from ALC alums that the ability to be flexible, to look at a problem as an opportunity rather than a roadblock, and to still look forward to the day – even a rainy day – are lessons they have learned through camp life.

We love the sound of rain on the tents, we love to watch the raindrops fall on the lake, and we love a good puddle to stomp in.  We love sunny days, but we love to embrace the fun an occasional rainy day brings to ALC.  How many camps can say that?

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

By Barb Sullivan

Where in the world is Alford Lake Camp?!  How is the best way to get to camp to drop off or pick up my camper?  Here are a few helpful hints:

Alford Lake Camp’s Summer Address is:
258 Alford Lake Road
Hope, ME  04847  USA

(NOTE:  Believe it or not a few confused families have thought the Camp’s Winter Office was their destination… so just to be clear — nothing but filing cabinets in Cape Elizabeth during the summer!! Head to 258 Alford Lake Road, HOPE, ME for ALC summer fun!!)

If you are driving — RESIST the urge to take scenic Route 1…. the beautiful, winding coastal route in Maine is lovely but completely jammed during the summer months.  Take Route 295 — it is still “Maine-like” and you will arrive on time.

According to Mapquest… Camp is approximately:

• 7 hours and 30 minutes from New York, NY
• 3 hours and 45 minutes from Boston, MA
• 1 hour and 30 minutes from Portland, ME

When you arrive at Camp you will see a group of counselor’s in training (CT’s) with clipboards standing on the side of the Alford Lake Road.  They will point you in the right direction for unloading your car, finding your camper’s tent and meeting your camper’s counselor, and Sue and Betsy!  Don’t worry, camp will have people available to help you carry your camper’s trunk & gear.

Questions along the way? Just call camp and we can help you.
The Summer Camp Office opens June 7th and our number is 207-785-2400.

Barb Sullivan
ALC Alum, Parent and Staff Member

By Barb Sullivan, ALC Parent

I am preparing for summer #4 for my daughter and I am happy to share a few things I have learned in the annual process of preparing her for camp:

1. Make a copy of the ALC the packing list and carry it with you… mark it off as you shop for items.  Remember if you are ordering from MCO online that shipping takes time and you want to have everything at home, ready to pack by early June.
2. Sew on those name tapes… okay, I have my local dry cleaner do it…but it is really important…. don’t think your child is going to be the only one with a red raincoat!  Water bottles, flashlights, hairbrushes, etc. are best labeled with a black Sharpie.
3. Buy stamps & print address labels of family and friends that your camper may wish to write to while she is at camp. The easier it is for them to write… the more likely it will be that you will get letters from your happy, busy camper!
4. Send a couple pictures of family and friends with your daughter.  Pack a couple push pins for her to tack these images up in her tent.  It is how ALC campers decorate/personalize their spaces.
5. When packing your child’s trunk:  remember to roll socks & underwear and place them in rain-boots, hiking boots, etc.  It really saves space!  Place most of the bulky items in her day pack (allowed on the camp bus) such as footwear, flashlights, etc. and use the trunk for uniforms, towels, etc.  I have used ’space saver’ bags — the kind that you vacuum out the air — works like a charm!!
6. Fun pajamas are awesome… lots of evening activities are in “evening attire,” meaning the campers and counselors wear their pajamas to watch plays, etc.  Fun, fun, fun
7. Remind family and friends that there is a no-exceptions NO PACKAGE policy… it will only make these special and kind people feel sad if they spend time and money to send treats only to have them returned, unopened.
8. Share summer newsletters and photos with extended family through your Campminder account so they can stay connected too!!
9. Don’t send too many extras… too many books, stuffed animals, sets of stationery, card games, etc. It will only make it overwhelming for your camper to keep her things organized.
10. If you have ANY questions… call camp!! They can help you, give you advice and help you feel ready for the summer.  The phone number is 207-799-3005

If you have any other questions about camp, post them here and I will do my best to give you the right answer, best advice or point you in the direction of those who can help!

Thanks and Happy Packing!

Barb Sullivan
ALC Alum, Parent and Staff Member

By Barb Sullivan, ALC Parent

I was nervous.  I was hopeful.  I was excited.  Sending my little girl, age 9, to her first summer at Alford Lake Camp.  I knew it was going to be a wonderful experience for her because I had been a camper at Alford Lake in the 1970s.  Simply stated:  I loved camp!  But, I was also a little worried that she might not love it.  She might not embrace it as I did.

So, as the ALC bus pulled away from that busy NYC street, I had a few tears in my eyes.  And then I waited for the letters to arrive in my mailbox…. oooh, it felt like years before that first BRIEF note arrived.  She liked her tent, her counselor was from New Jersey, she was working on a project in Art and she missed me.  I read, and re-read, that letter over and over.  I wondered if she was really happy.  I couldn’t know.  I had to trust.  I had to trust that she was having fun, she was making new friends, she was growing and experiencing new things.  Trust was the key.  I trusted my decision to choose a residential camp experience for my daughter.  I trusted that the Directors were leading a safe and fun camp community and I trusted that she was well cared for by a dedicated counseling staff.  Equally important I trusted that my daughter was ready for this new experience in her life.

My trust was rewarded three and half weeks later when I picked up my daughter at Alford Lake Camp.  Here, running into my arms, was my happy daughter.  Her eyes alive with pride as she showed me HER tent, introduced me to HER counselor, showed me around HER camp!  She looked older, bolder and more confident than I had remembered her in those weeks leading up to camp.  She was happy and, TRUST me, I was happy too.  All the trust I had in her and in camp has made a lasting impression on my daughter.  She sensed that I trusted she would be able to navigate camp life without me and thus, she was able to believe in her self.  I learned I must give her that gift.  This has been the most important and lasting impact of camp life for my daughter.

To all families preparing to send your daughters to camp, I urge you to trust in your decision to choose Alford Lake Camp.  It is normal to be excited and nervous at the same time.  But, I can honestly say, it will be an amazing experience for your child — and for you!

Barb Sullivan
ALC Alum & ALC Parent

Hello ALC Parents!

My name is Barb (Leahey) Sullivan and I have a long connection to Alford Lake Camp.  My first summers were spent at Camp Chewonki where my father was Head Counselor.  I arrived for my first summer there when I was THREE DAYS OLD!!  I spent eight magical summers at Camp Chewonki as a staff child but my heart and mind were focused on when I would FINALLY be old enough to follow my older sister (Ann-Marie Leahey) to become a camper at ALC.  I spent four wonderful summers at Alford Lake in the 1970s.  The days I spent at ALC are some of the happiest memories of my childhood.

As soon as my daughter was born, I started counting the years until she could have her first summer at ALC.  Her first summer was Session I in 2007 and I was introduced to the reality of being a camp parent:  wading through camp forms, figuring out transportation to and from camp, worrying about homesickness and hoping that her summer would be magical, etc., etc., etc.   Reconnecting with camp, I was invited to join the summer office staff and have spent the last two summers working at ALC and enjoying being both a camp parent and camp staff member.

In the summer office, I have had the opportunity to speak with numerous families.  These interactions are the highlight of my work at camp.  I have often thought that there should be a forum for us to share insights, experiences, tips and ideas.  So, with Sue McMullan’s support, I am beginning an ALC parent blog.  I hope to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) and explore topics that might be on your minds as you prepare to send your camper to ALC.

Thanks for your continued support of ALC. I know you agree with me that it truly is a MAGICAL place!!

Barb Sullivan
Virginia Beach, Virginia
ALC Alum, Parent and Summer Staff Member

• …that your daughter is returning from school more and more stressed at the end of her day?
• …that she is spending too much time watching television or on Facebook?
• …that she may be more anxious about her friendships and life in general?
• …that your daughter wishes she were better at soccer, tennis, or sailing?

And are YOU concerned about how to fill her unstructured moments when you have other commitments?  There is a solution! 

ALC is a place where your daughter can….

• * Spend time being unplugged.
• * Build life-long friendships.
• * Discover and build on her strengths that will compliment future successes.

All of this is possible through the challenge and adventure of an Alford Lake Camp summer experience!

Imagine all of the young women who have been campers at Alford Lake Camp – so many we put the number in the tens of thousands… Imagine them as mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, wives, role models, colleagues and friends!!  Imagine the gift of the Alford Lake Camp experience they have shared with the world.  The lessons and values they honed during their summers at camp have made a difference in so many ways.  Imagine the amazing impact these legions of women have had on their families, their communities, their places of work and worship.  In ways both big and small they have shared their confidence, character, work ethic and can-do-spirit with the world!

We know the value of camp is multi-layered.  Campers gain important skills and feelings of confidence and self-awareness through experiences that last a lifetime. Living in community, challenging themselves to try new things, and meeting people from all around the globe are just a few of the life-changing experiences that help our campers gain the skills to confidently navigate school, work and family life.  Alford Lake Campers have had, for generations, amazing role models in the counselors and staff who have made a lasting impact on their lives.  Camp life has inspired young women to reach for their goals, believe in themselves and trust in a community that stands for unchanging values.

Thank you, women of ALC, for 104 years of camp!  Thank you for making camp come alive all over the globe through your leadership, involvement and dedication to the experiences you had on the shores of Alford Lake.  To all of you who are mothers, we wish you a “Happy Mother’s Day”.  And to all of you, caretakers of the spirit of Alford Lake Camp, “Thank you!”

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director

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

One of the smallest buildings at Alford Lake Camp is the Library.  Originally the home of our first Director, Dr. Susan Kingsbury, this beautiful building has long been a favorite spot for our campers to sit by the fire, play a board game with friends, write a letter, or read a book.  Our library holds cherished memories of our camp with ALC logs (camper accounts of the day) that date back to the early 1900s.

Additionally, our library holds well over 500 books for our campers to borrow and enjoy throughout the summer at ALC.  Classics and modern books in a variety of reading levels for our girls – and many books in foreign languages too.  Year after year, generous families have been donating their campers’ favorite books to help our library grow.  Our library is always open for curious campers and counselors to find books to enjoy and share.  We are proud that our tent counselors read aloud to their campers before bed.  We hear the cries of “one more chapter” ringing out from the tent line in the evening!  Reading is a life skill and a meaningful way to continue to learn and grow in life.

Alford Lake Camp is proud of our commitment to literacy.  We encourage campers to write letters home, to write Camp Logs, to create campfire skits and to read just for fun.  We know that communication skills grow through these experiences.  Without computers, TVs, etc. our campers are able to rediscover the joy of reading.

These are our values.  This is our commitment to 104 years of successful residential camp life.  We hope you will visit our library when you next visit camp.  See what has changed and what has not.  You might just find yourself picking up a great book and sitting down by the fire.

What book is on your nightstand right now?  What books do you think you will bring to camp this summer?  Share your thoughts with us by replying to this or any of our blogs.

Warmly,

Sue McMullan, Director
Betsy Brayley, Assistant Director