WLC Blog
Welcome to the William Lawrence Camp blog! Here we share all sorts of information about our unique camp program and what makes us different from other camps. We hope you find this information helpful and that it helps you make a decision about whether or not our camp is right for your family. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you at camp this summer!
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William Lawrence Camp is Rallying into Place for the 2023 Overnight Summer Camps Season
We're mustering the staff, clearing away the winter leftovers from our miles of trails, stocking the tackle boxes, and (since it's a boys' camp) ordering an army’s worth of food
By alumnus Isaac S. Peterson (1987-1995)
Lower Beech Pond in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, hosts non-stop raucous, splashy summer fun every June, July and August. At William Lawrence, kids ages 8 to 16 are being the noisiest and rowdiest (but safest) of summer guests on this small rural New England pond.
And we wouldn't have it any other way.
Up the waterfront trail (past the famously butt-shaped rock, because, boys) from the pond, past the archery range, the soccer field, the tennis courts and the huge barn for rainy-day rambunctiousness, is the lively dining hall where the chants and folk carols of 110 years of tradition ring through the surrounding ancient birch forest.
This summer camp is a bustling hive of wholesome boyish good times. But it takes an awful lot of work to put that honeycomb together (every year), as it were.
It's May, so Executive Director Nat and Associate Director Jessica are busy as bees, for sure. Having this much fun at one of the oldest NH camps takes a lot of planning.
Nature Camp Programs Means Seasonal Clean Up
The stunning New England autumns that draw in the "leaf-peepahs" lead into the sturdy New England winters. Those winters melt into crocus' blooming but also mud season.
Being high up in the White Mountains, William Lawrence's forests have a lot of alpine. But they also have centuries-old oak, pine and beech trees which means a lot of cleanup. Our staff is clearing the carpet of leaves along the waterfront foot path and also the vehicle/auxiliary trail. Not to mention the twigs and branches culled from those stately trees by the winter's raging Nor'easters.
It's not just nature that's getting the check-in. William Lawrence is going through each of our 14 cabins. From clearing the dust to checking each hinge on the screen doors--they're going to open and close a lot during the busy sessions. The staff will be checking all the running water in the showers and sinks in the newly-updated washrooms.
Get out the bows at the archery range to test the strings, check the clips and buckles on the life jackets, and inventory the oars. Helping kids make memories means remembering a lot of things!
Who's doing all this work? We're glad you asked.
The Camp Life Means the Best Leadership
There's a lot of training that goes into being ready to have fun. Boys always want to take risks. It's fruitless to try and stop this every single time. From personnel to property, WLC--an ACA Member--ensures safe adventuring for your young men. Comprising 250 acres, mostly through dense woods and trails, we ensure trained personnel are on site.
We stress this training is not some perfunctory 90-minute CPR class on a Saturday; our staff must train in a battery of First Aid, CPR, water safety and accompanying mandatory safety seminars.
Nat and Jessica round out the preparation season by leading and assisting in this safety prep. It's a full week of training in mid-June. During that time, the counselors and staff are living on-site in the same rustic conditions as the campers themselves, fostering camaraderie with shared meals.
Our counselors and staff are a broad and diverse group. We have the in-house expertise and tradition of long-time former campers with a handful of leaders new to the William Lawrence Camp circle of friends.
Supplies and Demand: Skills, Crafts, Carnival
Any veteran non-profit or business owner can tell you the challenge of stocking the shelves in the rural far-north of New England during the good old days (this author grew up in a small business family in this location). Nat and Jessica personally know many of the Lakes Region's nearby small business owners, like the classic New Hampshire general store where the camp mailbox is. Whenever possible, they utilize these local businesses.
The supplies are many and varied, and it's a lot of shopping but also taking stock. Bowstrings, oars, liquid soap for the dispensers in the wayside. Check. Check. Check.
How about colored sand? The arts and crafts are an essential part of both the reflective and creative impulses in a boy's development, and we stock the feathers, the clay, the beads for necklaces--all the things for a more personal and fun interruption when a young man wants to finally sit still for a minute at William Lawrence. Naturally, Nat and Jessica are scouring Pinterest and the internet ordering colored sand by the pound for layered-glass art.
But there are other supplies to gather.
This hive of activity that is William Lawrence Camp is the vigorous and rustic outdoors with only nutritiously hearty (and plentiful, because, boys) meals. But Nat and Jessica will also be stocking up on sweets for this coming hive. After all, it's not vinegar that bees are after. Candy is strict contraband during the sessions, but the carnival at the end means their extra pillowcase is sagging with jolly ranchers and bubble gum. Those who find the golden nuggets hidden strategically throughout the camp get even more (just ask!).
And, of course, there are monthly deliveries of a full semi-truck of food trudging up the rural dirt road and delivering a literal truckload of food to feed the boys. Nat and Jessica are looking over the menu, talking with the culinary-trained kitchen staff and ordering that as well.
Registration is Still Open!
As William Lawrence is preparing, stocking and clearing the trails for the overnight camp season of summer 2023, we still have a few spots left for your son, grandson, or nephew to attend.
Participate in the Willingness, Loyalty, Comradeship, Sportsmanship of WLCS summer camp. Spots are filling up fast!
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Summer camp is always an exciting and unforgettable experience for children - a chance to make new friends, try new activities, and learn new skills. But what if your child wants to bring a close friend along? While it may seem like a great idea at first, there are some reasons why it may not be the best decision. A recent article published in New York Family by Jess Michaels relates some of the reasons we reiterate below.
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Attending an overnight camp can be an incredible experience for children. It's a chance to create lifelong friendships, try new activities, and learn new skills in a setting that encourages independence and growth. A recent article by Harvard student, Rachel Kimball also suggests that there are hidden benefits to the brain. However, some children may be hesitant or nervous about attending camp for the first time. As a parent, here are some things you can say to a reluctant camper to help ease their fears and encourage them to attend overnight camp.
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When it comes to parenting, letting your children take flight can feel like an impossible challenge. It's natural for us as parents to want to keep our children close and protect them from all the dangers of the world, but without offering our children the opportunity to experience independence, we are not giving them the opportunity to explore their full potential. Allowing your child to grow and venture out on their own will have many positive ramifications. Here are five reasons why you should consider preparing your little ones for leaving the nest by sending them to residential sleepaway camp:
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It’s no secret that summer camp can be a great way for children to enjoy their summer break. But what many parents don’t realize is just how beneficial it can be for the social and emotional growth of their children. At camp, kids are able to explore new interests in a safe, fun environment while developing important skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways that summer camps can help kids develop socially and emotionally.