William Lawrence Camp has a long tradition of intracamp competitions covering a wide range of games and activities. When new campers arrive at camp – they are placed into one of four Houses: House of Lake (blue); House of Mountains (red); House of Rivers (orange); or House of Forest (green). Throughout their time at William Lawrence, campers will remain part of their house and become part of a close knit team of boys.
BROG competitions include simple and fun games like egg toss as well as large, camp-wide events like Counselor Hunt and Olympic Day. The wide variety give every camper (regardless of their age) a chance to shine.
Campers may also earn points for their House for exemplifying the William Lawrence Camp Spirit (Willingness, Loyalty, Comradeship, and Sportsmanship).
Activity Sign-Ups: Each day, Campers check-in with our program staff to sign-up for activities of their choice for the next day. These activities take place during Morning Activity Periods or during Afternoon Activity Periods.
Afternoon Program: The Afternoon Program (typically) takes place every Monday – Saturday during Fourth and Fifth Activity Periods. Sometime we host Special Events in the afternoons such as BROG Events, Excursions, or competitions & events vs other camps.
Bill Larry Boys: Billy Larry Boy is a recognition for campers or staff who have completed five summers at William Lawrence Camp.
Bill Larry Men: Billy Larry Men is a recognition for campers or staff who have completed ten summers at William Lawrence Camp.
BROG: The acronym for Blue, Red, Orange, and Green – the colors of the four Honorable Houses of William Lawrence Camp.
Cabin Chats: Cabin Chats are a new programs at William Lawrence Camp and are an opportunity for campers to check-in with each other; share their thoughts on the day; give and receive feedback (in a structured and supportive way); and reflect on lessons learned (the William Lawrence Camp Spirit).
Cabin Inspections: Cabin Inspections happen daily and are conducted by the Head Counselor and Camp Director. The purpose of the inspections are to make sure that campers are developing responsibility and independence while taking care of their living space and personal belongings.
Cabin Leaders: Cabin Leaders are staff who are assigned to individual cabins with a group of campers. Cabin Leaders are responsible for the daily health & well-being of campers in addition to making sure campers get to the activities and programs on time and well prepared.
Central Staff: The core leadership team at camp which includes the Executive Director, Program Directors, Parent Liaison, the Wellness Center Director, and the Camp Chef.
Chop Wood, Carry Water: Chop Wood, Carry Water is a leadership philosophy brought to camp by our new Executive Director, David Conover. It revolves around the ideas of ‘finding joy in challenge and hard work’ (chopping wood) while ‘being focused and in the moment’ (carrying water) when participating in activities or engaging with friends and camp counselors.
Counselors: Counselors, also referred to as Program Staff, led most of the programs at camp and are responsible for safety, skills development, and teaching the William Lawrence Camp Spirit.
CQ: The Counselor Quarters – staff only lodging in the Farmhouse and in Washington House.
EP: Evening Program – activities that happen each evening after dinner and include camp-wide (BROG) events and Cabin Chat conversations.
Flag Raising: The official start of the day when all campers and staff gather on the Knoll for the raising of the flag.
Free Swim: Free Swim is a ‘open’ period of time where campers can play at the waterfront, participate in recreational sports, read in the Library, or lounge outside enjoying nature. Free Swim is a core feature of our daily program as it allows structured unstructured time for campers to slow down and breathe, connect with nature and their fellow campers.
Honor Society: Honor Society (formally known as “Braves”) is the oldest and most revered programs at William Lawrence Camp. Visit wlcamp.org/explore-wlc/character to learn more.
House of Forest: House of Forest is one of the four Honorable Houses at William Lawrence Camp and is represented by the color green and the Banner of the Trees.
House of Lakes: House of Lakes is another one of the Honorable Houses at William Lawrence and is represented by the color blue and the Banner of Lower Beech Pond.
House of Mountains: The House of Mountains is also one of the Honorable Houses at William Lawrence and is represented by the color red and the Banner of Mt. Shaw (the remnants of an ancient volcano that can be seen from the Knoll).
House of Rivers: House of Rivers is the final of our Honorable Houses at William Lawrence Camp and is represented by the color orange (the sunset reflecting off the beloved Androscoggin River) and the Banner of River.
Juniors: Juniors is the classification of our youngest (ages 7 to 11) campers.
Junior Leaders: Also called JLs. Counselors that are 17 to 18 years old and who have (typically) completed a summer as a LIT.
LITs: LIT is short for Leaders in Training (our Junior Counselor) program made up of campers ages 16 – 17 who work in support of camp programs while developing critical leadership skills that can be applied to college and life beyond.
Middlers: Middlers are campers ages 12 & 13.
Password: Password is a sacred morning tradition at camp where campers and staff gathering to hear an inspirational and motivational thought of the day.
Reveille: Is the exciting (or dreaded depending how exhausted you are from the previous action-packed day) bugle call that wakes the camp each morning at 7:00am.
Seniors: Seniors are the oldest campers at William Lawrence and are typically in grade 9 & 10. Seniors have more ‘structured’ freedom that our younger campers and have access to a wider-range of challenging and age-appropriate activities.
Siesta: Siesta is a beloved ‘rest period’ each day where campers who are happily exhausted from Morning Program activities can chill in their cabins (with supervision), take a nap in their hammocks, write a letter home to mom & dad, or just sit and talk quietly with a friend.
The Knoll: The name of the hill which leads up from the Farmhouse and Dining Hall to the cabins. Also the nickname of the entire camp property.
Units: We have three units (or groups) of campers at William Lawrence Camp that are divided up by age – Juniors, Middlers, and Seniors.
Unit Fires: Special program where campers from each unit gather for a bonfire with their peers.
Waysides: The name of the camp bathrooms/showers. Each Unit has it’s down, dedicated Wayside.
