Now that we’ve hit the midway point of the summer, we can stop to reflect on all of the amazing memories we’ve created and look forward to all the incredible times still to come! Since our last post, our phenomenal group of CITs broke another Spirit Days for the ages! From the way they came together for the break to the leadership they displayed throughout, we couldn’t be more proud of them. They truly set the tone for the entire camp. We competed hard for two days on the fields, in the lake, making plaques and cheering.  The Laurel South spirit was felt all over camp. And while one team won the event, we truly are all winners, having shared this experience before coming back together as one camp family!

Our 7th Graders are on their way to Ogunquit Beach for an incredible day trip, while our CITs (a little tired from Spirit Days) departed on their Super-Secret Magical Mystery trip. We could tell you where they’re going but…. Tomorrow is not only our fantastic Carnival Day, but it will also be our 1st Annual Katahdin Cup! The girls have been practicing so hard, and they can’t wait to show off their skills! We have so much to look forward to as we enter the second half of the season, and we’ll keep you updated.

Camp…the way life should be!

How fast camp flies by! It seems like yesterday we all arrived in Maine, and yet here we are with our first full week in the books. And what a week it was! We’re all so excited to welcome back our amazing 8^th Graders and incredible CITs today. The 8^th Graders had such a great time camping at Acadia National Park and visiting Bar Harbor, while the CITs had a blast whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River!  We love that these groups have a chance to see some of the most beautiful spots in Maine, but we do miss them terribly while they’re gone. Our first “S Day” was so much fun, as each campus had a unique trip planned throughout this wonderful state. Saco and Kineo conquered Splashtown USA, Baxter and Allagash spent the day at Aquaboggan, and our 7^th Graders toured Old Orchard Beach. Everyone had an amazing time!

Today we’re back to our “A Day” schedules. Roger and Dagni are so excited to have dinner tonight with our 7-Year Club!  While the dinner is awesome, the best part of the evening is laughing and sharing stories with so many campers who have literally grown up before our very eyes! Tonight also marks the start of what we’re certain will become a new and exciting Laurel South tradition. After evening program, we will have our first Katahdin Cup practice. Many of our 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Grade girls asked for a competitive event similar to the boys’ Moose Bowl. Their requests were heard. The girls who wish to compete will practice soccer all session and will compete against another camp on our Carnival Day. The girls are pumped!

There is so much to look forward to: 4^th of July; 7^th Graders Camden State Park excursion; Spirit Days; Moose Bowl; Theater Shows; Rocket Launches…and so much more to come.

Our campers have a saying: “Camp life means living 11 months for 1.” Throughout the year, the countdown shrinks and shrinks until we are finally reunited on the shores of Crescent Lake waiting with great anticipation for Roger’s famous words: “What a beautiful day in the state of Maine today!” And, as Roger explains to our first time camp families, this statement has nothing to do with the weather, but rather the appreciation for where we are, who we’re with and how much fun we’re going to share!

We’ve already hit the ground running.  After Monday’s Arrival and Tuesday’s Moose Stomp Day, Wednesday was our first “A” Day of the summer, and everyone was thrilled. From the Fields to the Theater, Crescent Lake to the Culinary Center, Equestrian Center to the Arts Studio…the sounds of campers laughing, singing and cheering reminds us each day of how lucky we are to be here. Our 6th Grade boys were the first to head out on an overnight camping trip, having left on Thursday.  This morning, our awesome CITs will head to the Kennebec River for their  White Water Rafting trip, while our 8th Graders are off to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor!  We’ll miss them while they’re gone, but seeing their smiles when they return and hearing their fantastic stories make it all worthwhile!

As you can probably tell, the action is in full swing at Laurel South!  We’ll keep you updated on the goings-on in Casco in future blogs. Until then, rest assured that it’s always a beautiful day in the state of Maine!

We’re sailing, climbing and hiking our way to summer: one training at a time. We’ve welcomed our Campus Leaders, Area Directors, Adventure, Waterski, Equestrian and Sailing staff to camp… as well as our international staff members. Our full staff arrived yesterday, and the excitement for Staff Orientation is off the charts! For returners it’s a great week to re-connect with colleagues, and introduce our new staff members to all of the traditions that help make Laurel South our summer home!

For the next week, staff members will learn about both aspects of their job:  living with and taking care of campers, and also planning and working in a program area.  Both roles are equally important to help accomplish our mission each summer: to help campers build friendships while creating lifelong memories. Of course, the crescendo of excitement culminates on the 24th, when we welcome the best campers anywhere!

Looking back at my first summer at Laurel South I fondly and vividly remember getting off the bus to loads and loads of cheering campers and counselors. I met my counselors and my new friends and made my way to my cabin where my bed was neatly made. Arriving at camp for the first time felt like a whirlwind, and then it was calm as I read the letter from my parents that was waiting on my pillow.

Heading into my C.I.T. summer, I remember cheering for the same friends – and all the younger campers – as they got off the bus. Some had butterflies – I’m sure – like I hadn’t since my first summer. I watched with excitement as the youngest campers eagerly awaited meeting their counselors and cabinmates. I also felt a twinge of sadness because I knew that even though the summer I’d been looking forward to every year at camp was here, it meant I was that much closer to my final days as a camper.

Experiences at camp summer after summer brought remarkable transformations to my life. Over the years I learned to trust others, build relationships, accept guidance and develop decision-making skills. More than that, the friendships I made and the memories we created will last a lifetime. Spending my summers growing up at Laurel South  has shaped me in the most positive ways.