Alford Lake Camp

From ALC Newsletter #5 - July 17th

We cannot believe that this week marks the middle of our summer – when Session I campers leave on Friday and Session II campers arrive on Sunday.  In the meantime, the lucky Full Session campers get to continue right on with their challenging program.  We have noted, anecdotally, that those campers who stay through the seven weeks get perhaps twice as much good out of camp as those who may stay only half a season.  But then, why would they not?  The initial adjustments are over, the friends are solidified and counselors are focused upon taking campers as far as they can in activities over the camp season.   Yet we can proudly say that any camper in camp – whether half or full season – returns home with greater independence, increased leadership qualities and social skills that allow them to make and keep friends more easily.  Campers become more adventurous and willing to try new things and their environmental awareness is greatly heightened.  As for as adapting positive values and practicing decision-making – there are tremendous opportunities in camp.  We believe that you will note your camper has become more secure in her own positive identity.  For of all the educational experiences that we know, having an extended experience in a fine resident camp is one of the most valuable gifts we can give to our children.

What will you, as parents, notice about your returning camper?  Does she take shorter showers in order to conserve precious water?  Is she more patient with her siblings and does she wait her turn more easily?  Does she show more interest in the natural world around her and has she a more secure presence in meeting and greeting new people?  Can she laugh more easily?  Sing more often? Try new foods?  Thank you sincerely?  Does she have less fear about tackling the unknown?  And can she enjoy helping the other fellow through an increased exposure to community service?   We see these things – and hundreds more – in your daughters here in camp.  We hope you will share your observations with us. 

The Full Session Campers are focused upon the last half of the camp season ahead of them.  They are looking forward to welcoming the Session II campers into this wonderful camp.  New and old friends will come together to make it the most productive and the most fun time together.

Can you tell that we have a tremendous pride in the campers here at Alford Lake Camp?  You better believe it! Warmly, Jean, Sue & Betsy

ALC Celebrates the Fourth of July!

A snip-it from Mrs. M's 4th Newsletter!

The morning of July 4th arrived with an Alford Lake Camp bang!   Junior Counselor Trainees (Jr. C.Ts) were trooping through camp banging on pans and making a huge racket.  Campers poured out of their tents in their pajamas – squealing with delight.  “Alice In Wonderland” was the theme of the giant party that encompassed the entire day – entirely planned and run by the CTs.  And what a day it was!  There were cardboard cut out flowers and toadstools “planted” on the hillside, banners flying and each CT dressed as an Alice in Wonderland character.  The day was a rainbow of eight different teams (such as Mad Hatter, Pink Flamingos, Red Hearts and White Rabbits) dressed in their own color.  Doughnuts were consumed for breakfast and suddenly the male staff appeared – all dressed in the most fetching dresses and hats. (You would have to have been there!)  Campers competed in Down The Rabbit Hole, Slip and Slide, Croquet with the Queen, Off With Her Head, The Tweedle’s Obstacle Course, Painting The Roses Red and, You Must Have a Cup of Tea!  The Bungalow staff (senior camp leaders) appeared as burlap-dressed tea bags (A Bunch of Old Bags – Tea, Of Course) and whooped around a tea-box trailer.  Pies were thrown at a ducking Alice whose head appeared in a hole in a board; musical chairs were played on the lawn that later had a perfect circle worn down in the grass; faces were painted with lovely colors; campers raced at the waterfront for floating objects; and there were games of giant croquet played with beach balls batted through wickets made of swim “noodles.”  After a picnic lunch of subs and ginger ale (gasp!) – there were mighty tugs of war between different teams and groups.  A huge cheer went up when the entire kitchen staff, including the chef, pulled the Bungalow leaders across the finish line.  The CTs are 16 in all and it was significant to realize that their combined number of ALC years is exactly 100 summers.  So pros that they are, they realized that it was time to gear down and the campers enjoyed a free swim and a movie of Alice In Wonderland. And, as if in celebration, our new assistant chef, Susan Boivin, treated us to a dinner feast of mini hamburgers, hot dogs, quiches and ice cream sundaes. We donned our ‘evening clothes’ and headed down to campfire.  Songs, skits and stories later…there came through the darkness out on the lake, twelve torches held high by skilled swimmers.   As this special brand of ALC fireworks died away and an echo taps sounded on two bugles – we were certainly glad for America’s Independence day…and a merry Un-birthday Party!

We’ve had some unusually hot days so Wednesday’s Beach Day was particularly welcome!  This week most of the camp dunked or swam in the deliciously cold ocean.  To build sand castles, lie out on warm rocks and explore tide pools was a perfect Maine day for the whole camp group! 
           Bye for now!                 Jean, Sue, Betsy

Who is this lady, anyway?

When I visited my daughter Amelia at camp last Sunday, a member of the staff came up and introduced herself to me. She said, "I kept  getting these emails from a Melissa at ALC, and I was like, WHO IS THIS LADY, ANYWAY???"

I thought it was such a great reminder that many of you don't know who I am! Sue and I I thought that you might like to learn a bit about me so, here we go!

First and foremost, I am the VERY PROUD mother of two beautiful children, Amelia (8 - pictured here with me while we visited her at ALC this past Sunday), and Ben (6). We live in Portland, Maine, and have three Jack Russell Terriers, Lucky, Lucy and Bandit.

I began working with ALC almost two years ago, hired to help get the website off and running. Two years later, we continue to develop our website, but work to integrate the values and community of ALC into the 21st Century! It is my job to manage our blog, update the site, and our latest adventure into myCampMinder, providing a safe, secure way for us to share your child's summer experience with you.

I see my role as a facilitator of all great ideas we have to tell people about camp. I know that most of you reading this already know how amazing the overnight camp experience can be for our children (or for ourselves!). We want to share this enthusiasm with EVERYONE, while continuing to create a nurturing place for us to stay connected all year long! If you have comments on how things are developing here at camp, I'd love for you to leave them here, or you can email me. Your input is so valuable to all of us!

So there you go - that is me! I hope you feel like when you get an email from me now, you'll at least know who this lady is!!!!!
Sincerely,
Melissa Murphy