Alford Lake Camp

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

What a BLAST we had in New Canaan last weekend connecting with all of the current (and future!) ALCers!

ALC offers three amazing CO-ED Global Challenge trips during the summer months. Groups of campers in grades 8-10 are led on incredibly powerful adventures in Mexico, Nova Scotia, or on the Appalachain Mountain Trail. To learn more about these trips please visit the Global Challenges section of our website, or you can always call us at (207) 799-3005! If you have girls who are of age and interested in these trips, they are for current campers and by invitation only, but we do always encourage campers expressing interest to us!

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!!

Guest Blog by Sharon Hughes Kern (’75-’81)

Sue McMullan and Betsy Brayley are ‘thawing out’ in Key West Florida with a few old Alford Lake friends from decades gone by. -  IRENE WYCKOFF (’71-’86), GANO TSCHUDY HAINE ‘61, ‘70-’73, ‘76,’77, ‘79, ‘85) JANE HADDEN GEISSE, (’66-’79, 2007) and me.  Jane and Sharon met the others at the airport in costumes and Sue, Betsy, Irene and Gano walked off the plane with fake teeth. We surprised each other while providing entertainment for the other people in the terminal.  Thanks to the Miss Be Witched Contest, the Dress Your Counselors and the Counselor Shows, we have no inhibitions and stage fright.
Whether we are at the beach (minus the Beach Day “hotdogs and brownies, potato chips too”), walking, eating, sitting on the bed together giggling late at night, there is always an ALC memory that comes to our minds and sends us into hysterics.  Many years and other memories have come and gone but it seems that the ALC memories are the bond that holds us together.  Isn’t it amazing when you don’t see friends for years or decades, but the moment you see each other, it’s like you have seen each other every day.

Please send us your crazy photo and story of reunions with your ALC friends.

How many of you have reunited with ALC friends recently?  How about letting us know about your connections so that we can post your news on this blog?

• 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!

Ahhhhh, it is so awesome -  Just back from Yale to see ALC counselors and potential new counselors for the summer of 2008.  It continues to be inspiring to connect with these incredible young adults and to stay current with them and what seems to be on the horizon for them. 

Are there any of you past/present ALCers who are at a college or university where you think there are students who would benefit from and give unconditionally to the ALC Experience?  Give us an invitation and we will arrive with our ‘Vaudeville Act’ in tow and see what we can do to intrigue others to consider ALC for a summer. 

I LOVE ALC and our ALC FAMILY – we are passing the torch of enthusiasm and care as we incorporate new vivacious staff into our mix of solid and inspiring returning folks.  GO US!!!!

CALLING ALL ALCers IN LONDON!!!

Come meet Melissa Murphy, our newest year round staff person, at this pub in London on Monday, February 11th at 5:30pm. She’ll share with you the latest ALC DVD to show you a glimpse of what camp is like for girls now, share stories, memories, songs (maybe make a PODCAST??!!) and take fun photos!

Please email her directly if you can make it (to make sure we reserve enough space!), and spread the word to ANY ALCer you know in the UK – this is going to be fun!

Also, don’t forget, if you aren’t in London, you can still have fun visiting ALCers through our Gathering Photos. Our formal gathering schedule for the year is wrapped up, and many stories were shared and funny pics taken. Stay in touch and stay connected!

Now, we realize that today is Thursday and the blog is to be posted on Wednesday, but we are on camp time and one never knows the adjustments we make!  Sooooo here is our Wednesday Blog!

Did you know that boys completing 8th, 9th, or 10th grade get to have an ALC experience as well!?  Our alumni base certainly has variety as there are many boys who have been touched by the ALC experience through our Extended Trips (Global Experiences, we are now calling them!).  Now what is intriguing about going on an ALC trip with ALC campers?  Hmmmm, I wonder how our boys would answer that question!!!!! This summer we have the opportunity to include boys on our 5 week Mexico experience and our 7 week AMT hiking trip – any ideas of who might enjoy this opportunity?  We are happy to chat.

Off to college campuses to visit with some ALCers and some prospective camp counselors.  What a great way to ‘stay current’ with college age young adults and what a privilege to meet such wonderful people in their environment (what a great life – ahhh, those college days!!).  Who do you know who might like an ALC experience in leadership and working with some of the most awesome children in the entire world?  Let us know if you can think of any outstanding students who might love it and also would embrace and contribute to the quality of the experience.

Back to my ‘twice a week mocha’.  Talk with you next week with an update on life here at ALC.  We would love to hear of any topics that you would like to see covered – email us and we will see what we can do.