Do you remember your first time tasting a S’more…or standing up on Waterskis, scoring a goal, finishing a ceramics project, getting to the top of the climbing wall; the list could go on forever. Venturing into the unknown to tackle a challenge may be scary at first, but the feeling of accomplishment is unmatched. Taking these safe risks is a big part of camp, and campers are encouraged to break out of their comfort zone every day. While the number of “Firsts” experienced in a summer is endless, here are three of our favorites that every camper will experience:

First Time Getting off the Arrival Bus:

Smiling faces, boisterous cheers, welcome tunnels; there’s nothing quite as exciting as getting off the bus on Arrival Day. Being greeted with a mountain of enthusiasm by new and old friends is special. With an entire summer ahead, the opportunities are endless, and a summer of fun awaits!

First Campfire:

What’s the first thing you think of when thinking of camp? Campfires! How often do you get to gather around a beautiful fire with your favorite people singing songs, telling stories, and just enjoying the company? It’s an experience so unique to camp and one that resonates for a lifetime.

First Time Jumping in the Lake:

Canonball!! Whether perfecting your strokes or bouncing on the Aquapark, it’s always a great time in Crescent Lake. Beautiful scenery, crystal-clear water, and friends galore, there’s no better place to be on a hot day!!!

…jump off the bus into welcoming arms.

…give Roger and Dagni a huge hug.

…decorate my area of the Cabin.

…hit a Homerun.

…earn Bullseye Club…maybe both.

…reach the top of the Climbing Wall.

…build, launch and catch a Rocket.

…participate in the Theater Shows.

…sail a Hobie.

…bust a move in Dance.

…cannonball into the Lake.

…cartwheel through Gymnastics.

…score a Touchdown.

…rock Cove with a campus cheer.

…ski in and out of the Wake.

…serve up an ace on the Courts.

…serve up a masterpiece in Culinary

…cheer until my Voice is gone.

…score a goal in Soccer and Lacrosse.

…score a ride on Roger’s sweet, sweet golf cart.

…work the Ceramics Wheel.

…Bumpertube!

…learn the moves for the Dining Hall Dance Parties.

…play in the Moose Bowl or Katahdin Cup.

…make the perfect s’more.

…catch a fish, biggest of the day or smallest of the day.

…win Spirit Days!  Oh, yeah…we’re all winners!

…Make Your Own Sunday.

…sing at a Council Fire.

…hug all my friends.

…thank all my counselors.

…SAVOR EVERY MINUTE.

Thanksgiving is always a time for reflection and appreciation. To celebrate this year we want to share what we’re most thankful for.

Campers and Camp Families

We’re incredibly thankful you value the summer camp experience and your summer home. We’re thankful you carry on long-standing traditions and create new ones of your own. We’re grateful for the shared memories and friendships you’ve forged. We love every summer moment laughing, playing and growing with you!

Our Staff

Camp is about the people, and Laurel South has some of the most amazing staff and counselors in the world. Each summer they come from all over and dedicate themselves to ensuring a safe, fun and incredible experience for our campers. It’s hard work and we’re so grateful for all they do! Our staff are the pillars of our community.

The State of Maine

The scenery in Maine is breathtaking. We love the woodlands, rolling hills and, of course, Crescent Lake. There’s no better backdrop for an amazing camp experience!

Laurel South Traditions

Camps thrive on tradition, and Laurel South’s are on display all summer long! From daily traditions like campus songs and Evening Cove to once-a-summer favorites like the Carnival and Spirit Days. We’re thankful from arrival to departure…and every moment in between. Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the best parts of camp is the combined sense of newness and familiarity. It’s refreshing to have a change of pace and simultaneously comforting to be back at our home away from home. The benefits of camp are endless: community, independence, friendship, learning new skills and personal growth are a few of my favorites. But there’s something unique about spending the summer in Maine.

Fresh air, endless trees and sparkling Crescent Lake: Maine is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Forest views are a welcome substitute to big city skyscrapers and suburban roads. Screen time is replaced with games on green fields. Exploring by canoe, on foot, or even on horseback gives everyone a greater appreciation for the surrounding nature.

Campers and counselors – when reminiscing about their summers – mention the community, the activities, the special events and the beauty of Maine. They picture themselves laughing with friends, paddleboarding on Crescent Lake, and taking in the crisp air. They remember their place in Maine and can instantly be filled with joy, peace and a longing to return. And that’s the way camp should be!

From the bottom of our hearts, thanks to all of you for a summer that couldn’t have been more rewarding!

To our wonderful camp families: Thank you for your support and the faith you placed in us.

To our incredible staff: Thank you for doing more than ever. Your dedication to your campers and ability to find the fun was amazing.

And to the best campers anywhere: Thank you for bringing the fun! We watched you have fun, make friends and laugh again…all without technology! You’re the reason we do what we do, and we hope the summer was exactly what you had dreamed it would be. We can’t wait to see you in 2022!

Laurel South 2021: The New Awesome!

What an amazing session we’ve had! As we spend today packing up and preparing for Departure Day tomorrow, it’s important for us to reflect on all the fun we had, the memories we created, and the friendships we formed.

The past week alone was amazing: Moose Bowl, Katahdin Cup, two incredible Theater Shows (Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz), a Final Banquet, Final Social, Rocket Launches, Gymnastics Shows…the list goes on and on.

And while we’re always sad to see the session come to an end, our enthusiasm for Summer 2022 has begun! Everyone stay safe, study hard and start counting down the days until we hear those famous words again:

“IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE STATE OF MAINE TODAY!”

Here we are…getting ready for our final week of the 2021 camp season. Before you know it, we’ll all be back at school or work, staring out of the window and dreaming about the 04015!

But for now we’ll keep relishing every moment of this journey we’re sharing! Our incredible CITs/LITs had the most amazing White Water Rafting experience, followed by a Super-Secret “S” Day which knocked out many of their Bucket List requests! Today the 5-Year Club headed out for their movie celebration. Saco and Kineo had a blast going berry picking. And our Drive-In Movie was epic, as always!

Practices for Moose Bowl and Katahdin Cup are rocking, as are Theater rehearsals. Tomorrow, we journey to our private Funtown-Splashtown USA excursion where we’ll have the whole park to ourselves…no lines or crowds!!

Camp may be winding down, but the fun certainly isn’t…not by a long shot!