Something about Kids and Water
By alumnus Isaac S. Peterson (1987-1995)
Boys and men have been drawn to the sea since the beginning of time. From The Odyssey to Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe, kids want to see what’s out there and what they can find.
Whether that’s on the Saco River or the less than calm waters (at least during June, July and August when the boys let loose) of Lower Beech Pond, William Lawrence’s counselors are trained extensively in other safety. So, the adventure feels adventurous to your son, grandson or nephew but is still safe. And that boating adventure is part of the fun of pushing off from solid ground and taming that primordial mystery, or at least some part of it, in and beneath the waves.
Lower Beech Pond, the home of Bill Larry’s flagship waterfront facility, has all the paddling sports as regular daily activities. First time campers (over the age of N&J, please enter the minimum age for kids to take out their kayak alone) to older children can take out their own kayak, pal up and make new friends in a canoe, or even develop navigation skills in one of the single-mast skiffs and catamarans. And there’s much more than that.
Waterfront at One of The Best Summer Camps in New England
The waterfront on Lower Beech Pond at William Lawrence has always been the camp’s showpiece, nestled in the southern tip of New Hampshire’s White Mountain range. The waterfront has seen many upgrades to its present-day resort-quality boathouse, changing rooms, docks, sandy shores and fleets of watercraft.
The waterfront also the theater seating for the boat-launched Independence Day fireworks. The amphitheater build-out is also where they watch the gladiator-style water basketball, swimming competitions and watermelon tussle (just ask Executive Director Nat Crane or Assistance Director Jess Paquette about that last one.)
Lower Beech Pond sees less boat traffic than the tourist magnet of Lake Winnipesaukee (real name), so it’s basically free reign for Billy Larry boys down at the waterfront.
Water Water Everywhere – Watercraft and Water Fun On-Site
- Swimming instructions and swimming lessons for all kids. Children are assigned to a swimming level according to their skills when they arrive at camp. They’re taught the fundamental swimming strokes and other safety techniques. The American Red Cross safety system forms the basis for these required classes.
- 17 masted watercraft. (that’s seventeen single-masted boats, not a 17-masted boat, though we know that would be popular with boys) From sunfish to catamaran to a ruddered sailboat, campers have access to a fleet size few other facilities can offer.
- Extensive training. The centuries-old nautical traditions of New England (see our earlier post) mean that each kid gets hands on lessons in navigation, proper life jacket use, and related practices. Our sailing lessons are a double-length morning class; we take it seriously. All counselor staff undergo a full week of safety training led and assisted by Nat and Jess.
- Dozens of canoes and kids kayak. These are well-maintained, household brand-name watercraft with kids paddles for all the exploration a boy can muster. These also include training in basic paddle strokes, wet exits, life jackets and more.
- Fishing. Call me Ishmael. He may not wrestle a white whale at William Lawrence Summer Camp, but in 2019 a nine-year-old boy in nearby New London, NH, caught a seven-and-half-pound trout about 20 inches long! And the Fishbrain app has logged 36 catches in the small span of Lower Beech Pond. That includes 21 large-mouth bass and four trout.
- The lake cruiser docked at the waterfront is a licensed and inspected watercraft. But boy, can it rip. We think the best day for owning a boat is not the day you buy it or the day you sell it. The best day for owning a it is seeing your kid zoom across the water with undisguised glee pulled by a roaring state-of-the-art Allied Mustang motorboat. And, for the older campers, there is the chance to wakeboard. Yes, that’s right.
Waterfront Activities Video Tours (wlcamp.org)
Water, Water Everywhere: Adventure Beyond the Waterfront
Your son, grandson or nephew will also be offered wilderness trips to canoe down the historic New England Saco River. These trips are fully included in the price of tuition. The only requirements for the campers are some basic safety know-how and to sign up; it’s that simple. We like to say the fifth cornerstone of William Lawrence is to have fun. And the wilderness trips are the perfect chance for your kid to say, “Hey, why not? I’ll try that.” Out-camping excursions are one of the fully-elective, included-in-tuition benefits of our 110-year-old program.
William Lawrence is an American Camping Association Member
Since our founding in 1913, we have been helping boys grow into active, healthy, accomplished men who never lose their aptitude for finding, creating and having fun. As one of the oldest New England summer camps, we’re grateful to be recognized and listed.
WLCS – Willingness, Loyalty, Comradeship, Sportsmanship (& Fun)
