Tent Living
Each camper lives in a large white canvas tent with a counselor and 4 or 5 other campers her age.
Elective program
Our unique elective program allows campers to choose from 3-5 activities per period, giving them the opportunity to create their own schedule every day. These activity choices help campers develop the independent decision making skills necessary in every day life.
Required activities
Campers have 3-4 instructional swimming classes built into their schedule every week. Upon arrival at camp, each camper’s skill level is evaluated by our swimming staff and is placed in a group for instructional classes.
We believe it is important for every camper to gain knowledge and skill necessary for basic outdoor living. Every age group participates in Trip & Trail once a week for two activity periods, where they learn canoeing, safety and survival skills, map reading, first aid, campsite etiquette, and much more.
Although these activities are required, campers are encouraged to visit these activities when they are offered as an elective on the activity schedule. Free swim periods are always a favorite!
Evening Activity
Every night after dinner, the camp community gathers for fun and laughter. Activities range from the Counselor Hunt to relay races, Pictionary, and games! Evening activity leaders design activities that are fun for all, or split campers into age groups, and announce the activity at dinner time to keep everyone on their toes!
Typical Day
Our days begin with reveille and end with taps, and are packed with fun and adventure in between! Every day is different for each camper as they create their own schedule, but everyone attends six activity periods, three meals, two tent times, and an evening activity. For a schedule, visit a day in the life of a camper.
Meals
Meals are well balanced and nutritious. Each meal is served family style in our dining room, or buffet style when outdoors.
SOAR
Strength, Ownership, Achievement, Responsibility or S.O.A.R. is a program designed for our older campers who are looking to take on a leadership and teaching role or a mastery of a specific activity. Campers who qualify for this program are asked to choose a counselor mentor who helps guide them through SOARing in the specific activity chosen. This intensive program asks a lot of the camper and is designed to push them in ways over and above our normal activity programs.
Weekly Events
Sundays
Sunday is a day of leisure with informal tent group activities. At noon the entire camp community meets by the lake at Sunday in the Pines for a quiet, non-denominational, reflective service, planned by counselors and assisted by campers. Reflections shared may be inspired by such themes as friendship, diversity, responsibility, truth, or respect.
Saturday Night Theatre
Every Saturday evening the whole camp gathers in the Camphouse and campers perform skits, talents, songs, and dances that they prepared earlier in the week with the help of our Drama counselors.
Friday Night Campfire
Organized by our Jr. CTs, Friday evenings are spent as a camp at the lakeside for a traditional campfire. Campers and counselors sing songs and share stories and laughter as we watch the sun set over the lake.
Beach Day
Campers and counselors enjoy every Wednesday at a nearby Maine Coast beach. Beach day is a time when campers are able to build sand castles, read, explore tide pools, swim in the Atlantic Ocean, or simply relax and be with friends.
Special Events
We hold several special events every summer, but they’re all a surprise so we don’t want to give too much away! We can tell you that the excitement may include slip and slides, tug of war, relay races, special singing and swimming events, and so much more!
Visitor’s Weekend
We think it is really important that visitors are able to come up to visit their campers and see all of their awesome accomplishments! In the middle of the summer, we invite all visitors to camp to have a small taste of what we do day-in and day-out. There is a banquet for our full season camper families and a synchronized swimming show, horse show, dance show, and a full-session camper play.
Trips
OOCT
ALC offers an extensive Out of Camp Trips program for campers of all ages. Campers have the opportunity to sign up for day or overnight canoeing, hiking or community service trips. Our overnight trips are out for 1-5 nights depending on the age group and the trip.
Tent overnights
We realize that not all campers are interested in spending several days away from camp on one of our OOCT Trips (see above), but we believe that all campers should have the opportunity to ‘camp out’. Therefore, each tent group goes on an overnight with their counselor on camp property, giving them the opportunity to experience a night in the wilderness. Singing songs, roasting marshmallows, star gazing and reading stories, tent overnights are fun for all!
Global Challenges
Our Global Challenge trips include sailing in Nova Scotia, hiking the the Appalachian Trail, traveling throughout the United Kingdom, and hiking in the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. These exciting trips are available to our older campers (8th and 9th graders) and invitations are extended to those who write a letter of interest to the directors. Select trips are co-ed and boys completing 8th and 9th grade are encouraged to contact us to express interest in these experiences.
Counselor Trainee Program
Our counselor trainee programs incorporate the best and most important aspects of what we value at Alford Lake Camp; leadership and being a responsible citizen. The young women who take part in these programs will be asked to stretch their vision of themselves, work hard, and take major leadership in camp, while being overseen by capable and professional leaders.
Jr. CTs
By invitation, this is a professional training program with courses in Red Cross First Aid and CPR, Lifeguard Training, advanced canoeing, philosophy in camping, child development and community skills, and supervisory experience with campers.
Sr. CTs
By invitation, this is an apprentice teaching internship. Senior CTs are immersed in hands-on leadership training while being mentored by department heads and the directors.
Family Camp
Family camp is a wonderful opportunity for families, groups or individuals to enjoy a fun vacation in a simple camp setting. Family camp is ideal for a family reunion, a neighboring group of friends to vacation in Maine, or a family who is considering ALC for a child. ALC offers activities for adults and children of all ages to share a natural tradition in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie
