We thought we’d share the impression of a Group Leader, Sara of the Pioneer Girls. She found herself caught by surprise the other day by the simple profundity of an unguarded conversation between her girls. We probably could write a whole series of the times counselors are awe-struck by their campers, and vice versa, but you’d really have to be in the moment here to appreciate the way personalities unfold at camp.
We are proud that our staff are people who are ever present; they guide campers towards independence, kindness, resilience, respect and positive thinking. But in the life of a camper, many lessons are self-taught.
A Moment…
Written by: Sara Guttentag, Group Leader of the Pioneer Girls
As I was walking up Girls Trail from the waterfront, I overheard two of my campers discussing the topic of time travel. One of the girls posed the question, “If you could time travel, would you choose to travel backwards in time, to the past or forwards into the future?”
One of the girls decided she would want to travel back in time, and her explanation was very thoughtful. By going back in time, she could learn from past mistakes and make more friends. With the hindsight knowledge and understanding that traveling into the past would allow, she felt she could establish stronger friendships and get to know people better. Her argument against future time travel was that jumping ahead would prevent her from getting to know the true character of people that she’d meet. While people often judge others from first impressions and appearances, she wanted to make sure that she has the chance to really get to know the person on the inside. She felt the opportunity to take her experience and use it, would make for a better future.
The maturity and insight that these young campers showed in a simple private conversation really stood out to me. At the age of 9, they were taking the time to discuss friendships and the value of meeting others. Although this moment was insignificant to them, I saw this conversation as a true testament to the importance of small moments that really contribute to the camp experience.
Walking up the trail with no other distractions allowed for honest, thoughtful conversation; unbeknownst to them while they were talking about creating stronger friendships and the value of learning from experience, they too were becoming better friends in the process.
U.S. women were multi-sport athletes before focusing on soccer
standing tradition where Greg gathers the camp to speak of the richness of camping life and the opportunities to try new things and set new goals. Big Cabin Inspection begins, and it’s actually more fun than it sounds…Big Inspection is a weekly Sunday ritual where each bunk is judged on general neatness and organization. The winners for the week in each group are awarded prizes and announced in the Dining Hall to much fanfare and applause. We don’t expect that every young camper will begin the summer with 193the living skills of making their bed, and folding their towels, but learning with friends makes for the best lessons. It never ceases to amaze me that the perennial traditions at camp can gain a new spin every year. This summer campers took to upping the ante with some adorable antics in girls camp; as wildflower arrangements were put out on cabin stoops and campers tried to impress supervisors with original cabin songs and even a violin serenade. Boys camp made welcome signs for Greg Pierce and Scott Shallcross of twigs, rocks and pine cones, just outside their screen doors. All cabins passed with flying colors!
The races were run with great spirit as every age group had several heats with prizes for the winners. Everything from serious straight away sprints, to the giggle producing three legged and wheelbarrow races were run with gusto. The traditional end are tug of war contests just before the campers head to the ice cream and toppings bars to “make their own” sundaes! Our older campers, Lower, Upper & Super Seniors, boarded our buses to town to see the Wolfeboro fireworks display over the “big” lake after dark. Good old fashioned fun was had by all!
recall missing the last two days of camp and having my co counselor Sean McQuade tell me how much I would be missing by not being there for Candlelight night. In a subsequent summer, I came to find out he was quite right. It’s a wonderful night around a huge beautiful campfire where all campers and staff gather in a circle around the fire to help cap the season with thanks and reflections from the summer. Supervisors, group leaders and Birchmont “B” winners from each group each take a brief turn standing in front of the fire and one by one speak from the heart sending their own positive message of thanks, experiences and reflection. It’s a powerful and moving experience – if not downright emotional. Each camper adds their candle to an ever growing circle of flames until the fire is extinguished with a closing ceremony. Im sure it’s a memory etched deep into the mind of most alumni that have been present for it. Tonight , we mark a new opening night tradition at Birchmont.
campers to their new summer home. In some ways the bus ride to Camp Birchmont is the beginning of the camp experience. Campers are grouped by age, so there is an opportunity to make friends while sharing snacks, singing songs, and listening to the bus counselors answering questions in rapid succession like “How will I find my bunk”, ” My brother is on another bus, when will I see him?”,” When do we have try-outs for the talent show?”,” Does anyone know I’m allergic to eggplant?”
Many families dropped off their children on the grounds and many more came in from flights from Logan airport and soon Birchmont came alive for another summer adventure.
Name games, balloon relays, fun in the Old Time Arcade with pop-a-shots, and Hockey Dome, tomorrow we will start our full camp day, and its going to be great!
