Who are the directors of Birchmont? ⁰

Greg and Laura Pierce. Birchmont is owned and operated exclusively by the Pierce Family. We have no absent or minority partners, and we are not part of any camp group consortium. Birchmont is the only sleepaway we run and we live on the camp for 3 months a year. Greg’s grandfather, Forrester Pierce, was the creator of the first camp in America, established in 1918. Greg Pierce is a full-time, third generation camp director who brings a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and commitment to Birchmont. Greg holds a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education from Whittenberg University in Ohio. Greg is a long standing Board Member of both the American Camp Association and the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association, and is a member of the American Camp Association Public Guidance Service and past president of the Long Island Association of Private Schools and Camps.

Laura Pierce was a camper, counselor, and group leader at Birchmont before becoming a director. Laura attended Tufts University where she played Women’s Volleyball while studying nursing at the Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston. Switching gears, Laura earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Communications. She was a past program director at both A&E Networks and BRAVO. Laura plays an active role in all aspects of Girls Camp and supervises the infirmary, dietary concerns and special camper needs.
Both Laura and Greg have a “hands on” approach to all aspects of camping. Laura and Greg have raised two children who attended Birchmont. Their son, Will, graduated from Dartmouth and has served in many roles at camp, to include most recently serving as a Group Leader for Upper Boys Camp. Their daughter, Victoria recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, magna cum laude, and also worked as a Group Leader during the summer.

To assist Greg and Laura, Birchmont has two full time staff members, Greg Howes and Judy Liddy, Judy having been with Greg and Laura since they assumed directorship of the camp. Judy possesses many creative talents and a tireless commitment to camping excellence. Educated at Hunter College, Judy’s years of teaching young children, her extensive background as a trained leader in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and the pivotal role she plays each summer coordinating all facets of Birchmont’s office, afford Greg and Laura the freedom to devote their full time and attention to your children. Judy and her husband, Tom, our Associate Director who has been with the Pierce Family since being a camper in 1956, team up to devote their summers to Birchmont and our campers.

Greg Howes has been with Birchmont since graduating Springfield College, Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Education in 1990. A two sport athlete at Division II Springfield (baseball, soccer) Howes served as Athletic Director, Teacher and Coach in the Hampden, MA Schools for five years prior to beginning full time with the Pierces in 1995. At Birchmont, Howes has held the role of Assistant Director on a year-round basis for 13 years now. His duties include new camper recruitment, staff hiring, summer sales tours, as well as serving as the Athletic Director. He is also likely to be the first person you come in contact with when inquiring about Birchmont.

How coed is Birchmont? ⁰

Almost all daily activities are NOT COED – as we believe that girls and boys should participate in athletic and other activities among their own age and gender. Our girls and boys DO get the same opportunities and activity offerings. We also host a full range of weekly special events, camp wide activities, and trips that are co-ed throughout the summer. Our boys and girls cabin areas are distinctly different and apart, creating privacy for living and relaxing, with separate supervision for each area. As a co-ed campus there are ample opportunities for siblings or friends to socialize while at camp. We seek to create an environment more representative of the “real world” as campers interact with the opposite gender in a comfortable and supervised setting of social ease.

Are you a uniform camp? ⁰

No. There is little emphasis on special clothing at Birchmont. We do require our official camp tee-shirt for off-grounds camp trips and inter-camp athletic competitions.

What is Birchmont’s philosophy? ⁰

Our primary mission is to make each and every camper feel secure and at ease with their surroundings. Once that foundation is in place, we then encourage our campers to try new activities along with putting forth their personal best in the areas that they already love. Feeling connected and making friends is what Birchmont Life is all about. Spirited kindness and acceptance are encouraged; bullying is not accepted or tolerated.

How competitive is Birchmont’s sports program? ⁰

We strive to promote only the POSITIVE aspects of youth competition. We work hard to teach and emphasize the lifelong virtues of teamwork and good sportsmanship. We support and encourage each other every step of the way in spirited play. We have inter-camp competitions and tournaments in all field and court sports and participate in sailing regattas and swim meets on our lake. All campers have the option of joining a team in most sports. Win, lose or draw, all we ask for is your PERSONAL BEST.

Where do the birchmont campers come from? ⁰

In camp terminology, Birchmont has an extremely good “mix” of kids. We draw many campers from the private schools of Manhattan and the surrounding Tri-state area, but we are also home to children from over 20 states! Campers come from as far west as California and Washington, as far south as Florida and Texas, as far North as Maine, New Hampshire and neighboring Canada. We are a non-denominational camp. We also interview several international families and select 15 to 20 children who travel great distances to join us in pristine New Hampshire each summer, known world-wide for superior weather, lakes and a COOL, DRY climate even during the summer months!

How many campers are in each cabin and what is your camper to counselor ratio? ⁰

Our cabins for the younger campers will house 8 to 12 campers and 4 staff members. Many of these refurbished original cabins have stone fireplaces which add tremendously to story time and a real feeling of camp life. Our older campers live in spacious cabins that house 12 to 16 campers and 3 staff. Camp wide we have over 150 staff, and 300 campers. We have at least one counselor on duty in every cabin every night! Of course, all cabins have hardwood floors and paneling and are fully equipped with toilets, showers, sinks, electricity, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, screened windows and doors.

What is your program emphasis? ⁰

Birchmont has a high energy, extremely diversified program. Our two strongest suits are TENNIS AND WATERFRONT because the Pierce Family has always believed that these activities in particular hold “lifelong” appeal. But with all our activities, from soccer, archery, pottery and mountain biking, we deliver top-notch instruction with an emphasis on enjoyment, and guided choice as campers move up through the years. Each group gets tennis every day, and at the beach, every camper receives American Red Cross Swim instruction (mandatory until age 12) as well as “free swim” daily which includes a myriad of waterfront activities from kayaking to waterski/wakeboarding.

How do our children get to Birchmont? ⁰

Since children come to Birchmont from many different states and countries, we provide round trip air-conditioned transportation from the New York Metropolitan Area (pick ups in Roslyn, NY and Darien, CT) or from Boston’s Logan Airport. Prior to camp, parents / campers are given their choice of options: bus trip, flight or parent drop off at camp. For those that choose to drop their campers at camp, you are also invited for a brief “tour” with a supervisor.

How can I be sure birchmont is the right camp for my child? ⁰

When choosing a camp for your child, be sure you are doing exactly that! Just because your child has a friend going to “another” camp, is not reason enough to choose that camp. Be sure the camp that you and your child select has a program that is compatible with your child’s interests. Additionally, look into the camp’s “success rate.” At Birchmont, 90%-95% of campers choose to return again! This is simply the best way to determine if a camp has fulfilled a camper’s expectations and a parent’s goals for their child.