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President's MessageWhat makes The Summer Camp unique? Every summer after spending an afternoon visiting The Summer Camp, I leave energized by the girls' smiling faces, the quality of our staff and the variety of the offering of activities. The Summer Camp resembles other private girls' sleep away camps, but in so many ways is distinct. We provide fun and lasting memories, but we also strive to instill leadership skills, confidence and a 'can do' attitude in our girls. We hope that through a well thought out program and some positive role modeling, our girls leave The Summer Camp empowered and ready to pursue their dreams. During the early summers at camp, our youngest campers immerse themselves in their daily activities, experience an overnight camping adventure and make new friendships. For many girls this is their first time away from home. They adapt to living communally and learn how to respect and trust one another. Campers as young as four have attended camp, but ideally our campers begin after age six. When our returning campers reach the age of twelve they are invited to participate in a 13 day Hiking and Canoeing program. During Hiking and Canoeing, the majority of the girls' time is spent away from camp; climbing some of Maine's peaks, paddling pristine rivers and camping out under the stars. Hiking and Canoeing is one of our most popular programs and by the end of the 13 days, our girls have forged incredible bonds. Equally important, they return home with an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
After Hiking and Canoeing, our 13 and 14 year olds return the following summer to participate in our Leadership Training Program. Leadership Training coincides with what is often a difficult time in the lives of adolescent girls. Our campers are given responsibilities like planning nighttime activities and serve as mentors to our younger girls. The girls take part in a variety of workshops including; Health and Nutrition, American Red Cross babysitting, Nonviolent Conflict Resolution and Girl Talk. Another component of the Leadership program is that the girls are given opportunities to give back by volunteering at local organizations such as the Good Shepard Food Bank and Washington Manor, a residential care facility. The Leadership girls enthusiastically agree that it feels 'really nice' to give back.
Over the years, our older campers requested a way to continue at camp, so in 2002 a Counselor-In-Training program was created. Our CIT's stay at camp for two sessions and receive a stipend for their work. There is a magical transformation from carefree campers to responsible adults and as a result, the CITs have become an invaluable part of our staff.
Through Hiking and Canoeing, Leadership Training and the CIT program, our campers are able to spend more summers at camp. In a safe and supportive environment they flourish and mature. We are proud that for so many of our campers their years spent at The Summer Camp are life altering. They leave us more confident and more prepared to take on the challenges of their lives. Thank you for helping them reach beyond their dreams! Warmly, Peggy |