Laurel South has been a whirlwind of excitement and camaraderie the past few days. Our week began with an unexpected twist when our CITs orchestrated and executed a surprise Spirit Days break to end our Counselor Hunt event. Jaws hit the floor and staff were left speechless as we launched right into our Great Yarn Race event. For the next two days camp erupted into a sea of blue and green, igniting a friendly rivalry that set the tone for the following days of spirited competition.

Mother Nature herself seemed to join in our celebration, giving us two days of flawless weather. Under clear blue skies, the Blue Ice and Green Fire faced off in epic battles of athleticism, creativity, and spirit. From bucket brigades to dizzy izzy, and soccer to tennis showdowns, every moment was infused with laughter, determination, and the bonds of friendship strengthened. Our CITs came together with an amazing Kaos race and Moosehead Relay before sitting around the fire reminiscing about the two day event.

How do you top two days of Spirit Days? We jumped right into our unforgettable 4th of July celebration. Dressed in red, white, and blue, campers and staff came together for a day of festivities that ended in a mesmerizing fireworks display against the backdrop of a starry Maine night sky.

Looking ahead, anticipation is building for our upcoming excursion to Funtown Splashtown USA today. The thought of towering waterslides, Dragons Descent and arcade games has everyone buzzing with excitement. It’s a perfect opportunity for us to dive into the last week of camp.

As the sun sets over the towering White Pines on the shores of Crescent Lake, we approach the final stretch of this session, emotions are bittersweet. There is still so much to look forward to: Moosebowl, Katahdin Cup, Theatre shows and Moosestock highlight our last week. We reflect on the incredible experiences we’ve shared, the friendships forged, and the personal growth achieved. Each day at Laurel South has been a chapter in our summer story, and as we look forward to our last week together, we’re filled with gratitude for the memories made and excitement for the adventures yet to come.

As our summer grows older by the day, Laurel South continues to spark the spirits of campers with unforgettable adventures, cherished traditions and treasured friendships. As dusk settled the other night, our campfire came alive with the Council Fire showcase of talents honed and friendships forged. More than halfway through our season we’ve highlighted the past few days with our spectacular Carnival. We bounced on every inflatable, won every prize, and ate every snow cone in sight. From clouds of cotton candy to thrilling rides and games, it set the tone for the rest of our fun-filled session.

The daily heartbeat of camp life beats to the rhythm of shimmering Crescent Lake. Whether it’s paddling in canoes, mastering the art of sailing, getting up on a waterski for the first time, or simply swimming in the crystal clear water, every moment spent at the lake is a testament to the beauty of summer in Maine. The past few days have been particularly picturesque with beautiful weather and cotton candy sunsets that made even the most sticky Carnival hands jealous. For our oldest campers, the highlight of their week was the challenging yet rewarding hike up Pleasant Mountain. The trek rewarded them with panoramic views that stretched to Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Our younger campers have competed in numerous intercamps and special events in the past few days, showcasing not only their skills but also the Laurel South way, making every moment better than the last.

Looking ahead, our Fourth of July celebration promises the best fireworks in Maine, a fitting crescendo to what has already been an unforgettable summer at Camp Laurel South. Still on the horizon, excitement continues to build as we eagerly anticipate our upcoming trip to Funtown, a day of thrilling rides and laughter. The days may be ticking down, but the fun is just heating up!

Camp is in full swing! Nestled in the midst of Maine’s breathtaking natural beauty, Crescent Lake’s reflective waters and the towering pines of Maine provide a picturesque backdrop to the vibrant activities and friendships that define our Laurel South experience. Days have been full of hiking trips, intercamps, and some special events. The weather here has been a dream — warm days perfect for swimming in Crescent Lake and cool evenings ideal for gathering around campfires under a starlit sky. We can’t wait for our Council Fire tonight!

As June wraps up, we celebrated the return of our 8th and 9th graders from their adventurous trips into the wilderness. These trips (hiking through coastal Maine and rafting in the North Woods) are not just about outdoor skills. They are about personal growth and building resilience, lessons that extend far beyond the campfire circle and create a treasure trove of memories that will last a lifetime.

Last night our 4th grade boys camped out under the stars. For many campers, this was their first taste of sleeping under a canopy of twinkling constellations, surrounded by the sounds of the night. It’s a magical experience that sparks curiosity and fosters a deep appreciation for the natural world. These young campers forge friendships as they roast marshmallows, share camp stories, and gaze up at the Milky Way. Our 4th grade girls will have their turn later this week!

Looking ahead, excitement buzzes through camp as we prepare for our annual Laurel South Carnival just a few days away! The Carnival is a celebration of summer and all the memories that come with it, where everyone contributes to create a day filled with laughter, games, and cotton candy. It’s a chance for campers to let loose, whether through face painting, dunk tanks, or the wide array of inflatable challenges, and to revel in the joy of coming together as a community.

Campers new and old are learning that Laurel South isn’t just a place – it’s an experience that shapes memories and friendships that endure long after the final campfire of the season. Here in Maine, amidst laughter and adventure, lifelong bonds are formed and cherished, making each summer day at Laurel South one to remember. Here’s to another week of memories!

As the summer sun rises over the shores of Crescent Lake, Camp Laurel South springs to life with the energy and excitement that only the start of camp can bring. 

After an amazing Orientation, our staff couldn’t wait to welcome our campers on opening day. At long last, summer 2024 is officially up and running! 

Despite some early drizzle, the enthusiasm among campers and counselors remains unshaken. We’ve already had bumper tubing and a wonderful Moosestomp full of s’mores. After schedule making, our first two days of program have been off the charts. Fun echoes throughout camp as friendships old and new are rekindled, and the promise of an unforgettable summer hangs in the air.

Today marks a special day, with the 8th graders and CITs embarking on their journeys. The 8th graders head on a coastal tour of Maine from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park to Camden. It’s a tradition like no other, a chance to explore Maine beyond camp’s borders, bond as a group, and forge memories that will last a lifetime. Meanwhile, the CITs eagerly step into their roles, ready to learn and lead on their white water rafting trip in the North Woods. Although we will miss them, their departures only add to the buzz of anticipation for the rest of the camp.

All other campers have a stunning sunny day here in Casco and are eagerly waiting for their first S-Day full of day trips to adventure parks, mini golf, and water parks. How much fun can we possibly pack into one day? The limit does not exist at Laurel South!

Rain or shine, Laurel South thrives on its spirit of community, adventure, and growth. Our campers’ smiles reflect their excitement for the weeks ahead, filled with days of swimming in Crescent Lake, evenings under the stars at campfires, and days spent mastering new skills from basketball to archery to arts and crafts. Here, in the heart of Maine’s wilderness, the start of camp is not just a beginning but a promise of endless possibilities and cherished memories waiting to be made.

When we say we keep the action going until the very end of the session, we truly mean it.  What an incredible final week we had!  From Moose Bowl to Katahdin Cup, Little Mermaid to Mama Mia, Moose Stock to Final Social, Banquet to Closing Ceremonies…we squeezed as much joy as we could into our last week in Maine!

It was so nice to see many of our families join us on Departure Day. It fills our hearts with joy to see families reunited as campers share all the fun they had while introducing them to their friends and counselors.

And while we’re sad to season come to an end, we’re thrilled the countdown has now begun for the 2024 season!

To our camp families:  Thank you for the trust you placed in us.  It’s an honor and responsibility we don’t take lightly.  There are so many camps out there, and we’re thankful you chose Laurel South as your child’s summer home.

To our staff:  Thank you for your tireless dedication to your campers, both in the cabin as well as at program areas.  We hope the summer was a worthwhile experience, and know that you are appreciated.

To our CITs:  Whether you were with us for one summer or nine, you represent the best Laurel South has to offer.  We appreciate the example you set for our younger campers.

And to our campers: You are the reason we do what we do. There is no camp out there than can boast of a finer group of campers.  We hope you enjoyed your experience as much as we enjoyed watching you go through the session.

As we say, don’t be sad that it’s over, be joyful that it happened and that we all got to experience it together!  Until 2024, it will, as always, be a beautiful day in the state of Maine!!!

It seemed like any other dinner. Sure, we had an awesome Dining Hall Dance Party after dinner, but suddenly things got rowdy, as our CITs used the Dance Party as the perfect opportunity to break Spirit Days 2023!! For the next two days, the Blue Earthquakes and the Green Volcanoes competed hard on the field, cheering each other on in a wonderful display of competitive sportsmanship. The cheers were top-notch and the plaques were incredible! And after two hard-fought days, we were all winners, as the final score seemed less important than the fun we had! We had a blast, but we’re so excited to be reunited as one big family, ready for all the fun the awaits us.  And there’s so much more to fit in!

We may only have a week left, but what a week it’ll be! Tonight’s Social will be sure to please the crowd. Tomorrow is Moose Bowl…the teams have been practicing hard, as have the dance squads that comprise the amazing halftime show. Monday evening we are off to Funtown/Splashtown USA for an evening of fun and games and rides and carnival foods. And wait…that’s not all…we still have two theater shows, Katahdin Cup, Moose Stock, Final Banquet…the list goes on!

As you can see, we jam every possible minute of fun into a LoSo summer, and we’ll keep you updated. Until then, we’re having a ball, the weather is beautiful and it’s always a beautiful day in the state of Maine!!

 It’s always amazing to see our incredible campers – both new and returning – dive right into camp.  

Programming has been in full swing. The sounds of children cheering and singing and supporting each other rings out from the ball fields to the waterfront, culinary to theater, adventure to arts and everywhere in between!

Our first “S” Day was a massive success. Our CITs braved the rapids of the Kennebec River in what’s become a highlight of the campers’ final summer. Our 8^th graders departed on a trip that led to some of Maine’s most iconic destinations – Acadia National Park to Bar Harbor…the Old Port to Peak’s Island…our 8^th grade campers saw the real beauty of Maine. Our 7^th grade campers spent the day in North Conway, NH, another beautiful and historic town in the area. Our 5^th and 6^th grade campers splashed around and had a blast at Aquaboggan, leaving the entire camp to our Saco and Kineo campers who participated in the Saco/Kineo Cup!

Tomorrow is one of everyone’s favorite “S” Days: Carnival Day! We can’t wait to watch our campers enjoy the food and games as the Downeast Field converts into the Laurel South Carnival. But that’s not all we have to look forward to…there’s so much ahead: Theater Shows, Moose Bowl and Katahdin Cup, Funtown/Splashtown, Moosestock…the list goes on and on.

Have a great weekend! And remember: It’s a beautiful day in the state of Maine!!

We had an amazing final week of First Session. From the incredibly close Moose Bowl to another win for the Lakeside Loons in Katahdin Cup…from the adorable Little Mermaid performance to the ultra-cool Mama Mia show…From Final Banquet to Final Ceremony and everything in between, First Session knew how to close out strong! Despite the weather not fully cooperating, our Departure Day was still magical. Watching the campers reunite with their families – tears in their eyes and joy in their hearts – as they shared story after story gives us such a sense of pride.

We were truly sad to see our First Session campers depart, but we can now begin the countdown to 2024! At Laurel South we choose our attitudes, and we choose to not be sad that it’s over, but rather to be joyful that it happened and grateful for the experience. We love our First Session campers, and we can’t wait to see you back on the shores of Crescent Lake next summer!

However, we’re now into the start of our amazing Second Session! It’s so incredible to watch campers – new and returning – from all over the country and the world reunite with old friends and make new friends. It’s also great to watch our new campers – slightly nervous at first – realize they’ve just arrived at such a positive and nurturing place.

For the next 3 ½ weeks, we’ll look forward to watching our campers laugh and play and run and sing and cheer as they form friendships and make memories that will last a lifetime! We can’t wait to fill you in on everything going on at camp.  Stay tuned…we’re just getting started, and every day is a beautiful day in the state of Maine!

It’s hard to believe that we’re now past the half-way point of another incredible LoSo summer! While it seems like we’ve just arrived, there has been so much action packed into every day.

Sunday night’s Cove started like any other…until our amazing CITs chose that moment to announce the beginning of Spirit Days 2023! For the next two days, the Green Team and the Blue Team left it all on the fields. The effort shown by both team, the spirit on display and the sportsmanship offered made us so proud. It was one of the closest Spirit Days in recent memory, and, in the end, we all won. While we all had a fantastic time, it’s nice that at the end of Spirit Days, Blue and Green really are 1 big team!

Today is another awesome “S” Day. After sleeping in a bit, we had our World Famous “S” Day Breakfast and IC/Bumper Tubing Morning. Our CITs will head out on the Super-Secret “S” Day excursion, and the questions is not, “Where are they going?”, but rather “Where aren’t they going?”! Meanwhile the rest of camp will venture to Funtown/Splashtown USA for a day of water slides, rides, food, games, and (most importantly) spending time with our friends creating memories that will last a lifetime!

You’d think we’d be running out of events to keep us busy, but don’t worry…between now and Departure Day we still have Moose Bowl…Katahdin Cup…Moosestock…Little Mermaid…Mama Mia…Banquest…the action doesn’t stop!

We hope you’re having a wonderful summer, and rest assured we are, because it’s always a beautiful day in the state of Maine!!

It seems like yesterday we were greeting our campers and kicking off another magical Laurel South summer, but blink, and suddenly we’re a week into the session…and what a week it’s been!

Programming has been in full swing and we had our first “S” Day of the summer.  Our CITs ventured to North Country Rivers for their amazing White Water trip. The group had a blast on the river and enjoyed some incredible bonding time!  Our 8^th graders took an epic tour of Maine’s greatest destinations:  Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Camden, The Old Port in Portland and Peaks Island.  It was incredible! Our 7^th graders took a day trip to beautiful North Conway, with stops at Zab’s Country Store and Flatbread Company for dinner!  Baxter and Allagash had a fantastic time at Aquaboggan. Saco and Kineo had the entire camp to themselves, competing in the Saco/Kineo Cup! It was a fantastic first “S” Day for all involved!

While everyone had so much fun, camp just isn’t the same until the entire family is reunited!  And we have so much to look forward to in the days and weeks to come:  4^th of July, Spirit Days, Theater Shows, Social, Council Fires…the list goes on and on! But don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated in future blogs. Until then, rest assured that it’s always a beautiful day in the state of Maine!