The Premier New Hampshire Sleepaway Camp Joyfully Shares the Long New England Legacy of Maritime Sea Shanties but Also Schoolyard Songs, Sports Arena Anthems and the Inherited Hymns of the Past
By alumnus Isaac S. Peterson (1987-1995)
Boston, Connecticut and Maine have a long maritime tradition from whaling fleets to “lobstahmin” (lobstermen), fishing and trading vessels. The tech free environment of months at sea–no tablets, no wifi–got monotonous (or the drudgery of hoisting the anchors and sails got difficult), and the men had fun with raucous sea shanties. Summer camps have always had a “camp song” (you can find William Lawrence’s official songs on our page), but this overnight camp has many, many more of them.
Originally, sea shanties emerged as work songs used by sailors to synchronize their efforts while performing laborious tasks on ships. Whether it was hauling ropes, hoisting sails, or turning cranks, these rhythmic songs helped keep the crew in sync and maintain a steady pace. However, at William Lawrence, they are the paradoxically informal ritual defining meal time, and they signify the joy of getting-to-not-have-to-sit-down-or-be-so-quiet boyhood this camp encourages.
When your son learns the different melodies and the sometimes complex call-and-response cheers at William Lawrence, he never forgets them.
Traditional Camp Activities for Boys: Activity Number One is Being Loud
At early ages, boys and girls will communicate differently: boys will use noises and sounds–think “sound effects”–almost half the time, whereas girls will use words. Boys’ vocal cords and throat physiology also mean they literally produce more decibels.
Boys are also skilled at auditory perception regarding sound localization – determining where sounds come from. According to the academic journal Developmental Psychology, men do well at sound localization, but in the dining hall, this won’t matter: the loud sound is coming from everywhere. It’s just the type of de-structured, organic fun that William Lawrence blends with a structured program and numerous elective based program options (archery to ziplining, literally A-to-Z).
So, being noisy comes naturally to younger kids. Whether the result of nature or nurture (they’ll get both at WLC), boys of all age groups like to make noise. And at this sleepaway summer camp, we have a different notion about the “inside voice” in the dining hall.
Few of the camp facilities have walls, and that’s the goal of New England’s traditional camp setting. The outdoors and adventure activities are part of both the elective based program and standard structured fun. But one building essential to the camp experience is the dining hall. And crucial to the dining hall are the songs.
Boston and Beyond Sleepaway Summer Camps
From Samuel Adams beer commercials to political rallies, the sea shanty-like accordion rhythm of the Dropkick Murphy’s “Shipping Up to Boston” reflects New England’s maritime legacy and the sounds it helped create. Comedian and Bedford, New Hampshire native Seth Myers parodied this pop culture trope in his show.
According to its own Wikipedia entry, the Celtic punk-rock anthem from the Boston band is used in three different video games. Plus, every professional Boston sports team, from the basketball courts to the hockey rink, have used it to liven up the crowd. And interestingly, this tune was an inspired riff from a ditty about a sailor. The song, by the great American folk singer Woody Guthrie, was discovered in an archive by Guthrie’s daughter Nora and lent to the bean-town rockers, the song tells the story of a sailor on a journey to retrieve his wooden leg.
And that kind of earthy humor is the classic boys’ sleepaway camp tune. You can find more boisterous ballads here: Songs (wlcamp.org).
Leadership at WLC Talk about the Summer Fun of Making Noise Indoors
“I love the traditions,” says Associate Director Jessica Paquette. “I love the dining hall, I love that it’s loud, and it’s boisterous, and it’s high energy.”
On-site leadership for William Lawrence discusses the sounds of the dining hall experience in a video.
Director Nat Crane wouldn’t have it any other way. “We always eat together,” he says. “And there’s a lot of spirit that happens, and a lot of noise and energy, that helps to create a dynamic of inclusion and friendship and connection.” From table-slapping chants to call-and-response songs, “It’s a crazy place, and we allow it to be a crazy place.” But, to be clear, “not a food fight, not an animal house place, but a loud place where there’s just foot-stomping and chants from one side to the next. It’s fun.”
In this video, The WLC Dining Hall, you’ll get a taste of the loud and kinetic glee that is the dining experience. You’ll also notice the true diversity and international experience awaiting your son, nephew or grandson from the dozens of flags hanging in the rafters. Which ones can you and your boy identify? With some image searching, this alum found England, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Venezuela, Scotland and Ireland.
This Overnight Summer Camp is Down to Double-Digit Spots for the August Session
William Lawrence accommodates younger campers up to age fourteen, and we’re starting to interview for the LIT (Leaders In Training) program for fifteen-year-olds for 2024. The first campers’ session for 2023 is well underway, but a few slots for the second session are still available. Call directly or reserve your spot with this camper’s enrollment form.
Bonus
What is the raftercake contest? Find out in the video.
