Tracy's Desk

 
Tracy's letter 2007:

The Summer Camp's twenty-second season came to a close after a great summer filled with wonderful experiences. We had a dynamic group of 324 girls, many of whom were returning campers. Our staff of thirty-four, many of who were new to TSC, hailed from across the United States. They brought with them a variety of cultures and knowledge as well as an array of creative ideas for activities and programs.

Our Science Explorers staff arrived at camp inspired and eager to teach the campers about gardening. The Session One Leadership campers along with Girls at Work built a beautiful raised bed for our vegetable garden. The garden quickly became a highlight for campers and staff alike. It was touching to watch the campers care for the garden and to see their excitement as they noticed the first budding vegetables and measured the growth of their plants. The girls' confidence and awareness soared as a result of their gardening successes!

While the weather was perfect for the garden, we were forced to be creative in our programming to counterbalance the peaks of sunshine invariably accompanied by an abundance of rain. We equipped ourselves for Maine's unpredictable weather by adding a movie-making activity to our curriculum. Counselors taught the campers how to use video equipment to produce their own movies from start to finish. Starring in their own films, the campers used camp as their setting. On rainy days the entire camp gathered in TSC Movie Theater (a temporarily converted Dance Hall) to watch the movies produced by the campers. Movie viewings- complete with popcorn- transformed dreary, rainy days into an exciting time that all were eager to attend.

During Session Three, our Leadership campers were busy building and planning the design of our tennis backboard with Girls at Work. Working together they created a 32 feet long by 8 feet high wooden wall, which they then painted green. One evening the entire female staff and Leadership campers raised the backboard in front of an audience of younger campers shouting words of encouragement and cheers. The tennis backboard will no doubt be used for many years to come.

We wrapped up our 2007 season with an outstanding Hiking and Canoeing session. Our relatively small group of girls allowed more individualized attention from counselors. Furthermore, the hot, sunny days and cool breezes made for pleasant outdoor living. For the first time in ten years, I was delighted to be able to join the girls on the Saco River for a canoe trip. This was absolutely the best Hiking and Canoeing session we have had in years!

Thank you for making 2007 a magnificent summer for so many girls.

Warmly,
Tracy St. Onge-May
Executive Director