Alford Lake Camp

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

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

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!

Only 290 days until campers start to arrive at camp again.  We are so excited about the campers who have already enrolled for next summer.

But let’s go back for a minute and remember some of the really fun things we did at the end of camp.  Remember the Camp Birthday with the amazing Chinese dragon …

and what about the Swim Across the Lake, the Counselor Show and the Camper Show?

How moving it was to see our Global Challenge trips re-enter – Nova Scotia rowing into shore with the sun setting behind them; AMT hiking up the hill with their packs; ALC Abroad running into the dining room chanting to us; and Alps yodeling and running to us through the trees to hug us all.  And how could we forget that 4:45 am wake up call with Pachabel playing for us?  Such a bitter sweet time as we shared fun and the sadness of our last days together.

So now what’s next . . .

stay tuned for more announcements of ALC adventures throughout the winter months.  Can’t wait to see you and spend next summer with all of you again!!
We are sending hugs to you all AND guess what???
THE SUN IS OUT!!!

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

To those of you who have already enrolled for the first time!!! OR  who have re-enrolled – YAAAHOOO!! To date, we have a GREAT CAMPER COMMUNITY in
the works!

As of now, there is still space available for summer 2009,
so enroll  today either online or with a paper application. WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN THE SUMMER OF 2009!!!!

In other news, visit our GATHERINGS page to see if there are some dates you can join us at any of our events. You'll notice our new PARENT COFFEES which are a great way for small groups of parents to talk more openly and candidly about the challenges and triumphs of parenting these days, and how camp is an extension of YOUR parenting. Our first one is TOMORROW 9am at the HUT – talk about parenting and TAKE A STROLL in camp and get a real sense of ALC.  Next up is at the Blau's in NYC on October 14th – email us at if you can make either one!!!

We hope to see you on the road! If you can't make it to a coffee or a gathering, drop us a line and say hi! Or if you'd like to host a gathering or a coffee in your neck of the woods, email Betsy to let her know. 

See you soon!!!!!

From Lori Darnell…

Last summer Abroad XXIV girls traveled from many states to have a reunion at the Edelman’s in MA. a few months ago. They even designed matching "hoodies" with "Abroad XXIV" and last names printed in hot pink on navy. Some of the girls even exchange their sweat shirts to wear for a while to feel closer to their ALC friends!  They had a fabulous time that weekend. The girls are keeping in touch on a regular basis. They will never forget the wonderful memories/bonds that were formed on that summer!

Thanks for sharing that!!! We LOVE to get emails from you about your "reunions"!

HURRAH!!!!! ALC has just been able to create 3 spots for boys completing 8th or 9th grade on our Mexico Trip (July 3 – August 11) AND 2 spots on our co-ed hiking trip, AMT XXXIV (June 24th – August 11th) ! Do you have a son or friend that you know would like to have an exciting, challening summer experience?? Then let them know to contact us at   ASAP – these spaces go fast!!

Well, ALCers, we have been writing blogs now since December and we are realizing that many of you are quite quiet through this process.  We have heard that people love the website and the blog, but many of you have not responded by entering a comment.  We would LOVE to hear from you. 

How about this – what topics would you like to see covered; what memories do you have to share that would “make someone’s day”; knowing that the word ‘spiritual’ has been used in many ALCers writing in their review of their summers at ALC, what might that mean to you; AND what do you think people who have not been connected to camp might need or like to know that sets ALC aside from other experiences? 

WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!

• Have you ever gargled the Star Spangled Banner at a Camp Fire?
• Have you ever tried to whistle with saltines in your mouth?
• Have you ever served GORP at a fine dinner party/overnight?
• When was the last time that you stood in front of 200 people and read your "Belief Statement" or your favorite poem or sang your favorite song, knowing that you were supported, appreciated and respected?
• When was the last time that you giggled with your best friend, under the stars in your sleeping bag?
• When did you feel that your summer camp experience really was one of the most significant contributors to your self-confidence and self-image?
• When were you ever hired ‘without experience’ because people believed in you and your abilities and would ‘train’ you to have experience?
• When did achievement mean that you made a child smile?
• When was the last time that you felt like one of the most important people in the entire world?

                           
                WE HOPE YOUR ANSWERS ARE – WHEN I WAS AT ALFORD LAKE CAMP!