It’s July!! The camp is in full swing with children settling into cabins with names as strange now as they will be beloved soon… Abenaki, Kancamagus, Tecumseh, Devil’s Den.

Our bunks at Birchmont are named for great chiefs of Native American tribes that occupied these lands, and mighty rivers and mountains in this area of New Hampshire where we make our summer home. Its true enough our camp motto comes to life this week “There are no strangers within, only friends waiting to be met” and our campers are making friends and sharing smiles in all areas of camp life.

It’s also true what they say … A picture is with a thousand words and we will by summers end have a thousand pictures to share with you of your children, our campers, and we couldn’t be more excited as our 65th summer unfolds.

The weather has been picture perfect too, sunny skies, clear nights with just enough rain to sprinkle our ball fields and flowers. Our youngest campers have gotten out tubing on the lake at sunset, our 11 and under boys tennis took 2nd place at a regional tournament, and our girls are playing an inter-camp tennis competition today. Over 200 children have passed their laps, and we are sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding with friends and counselors. We have had our opening Firelight ceremonies under starry skies. The boys gathered at the huge stone fire pit overlooking the lake, and the girls Firelight was held in our Candlelight fire pit where long standing traditions are held, like Song Fest for Color War and of course our closing Candlelight. At the boys Firelight some staff new and old asked each camper to make the most of their time at camp, to go outside their comfort zone and try something different and to make a new friend. At the girls’ ceremony, every camper and counselor in camp were held together by one symbolic piece of yarn which was cut into bracelets as a remembrance of a first night together where we know we can become whoever we would like to at camp. If you’re the “arty” one at home, try some new sports, if you’re the ” sporty one, make a clay pot, if you’re the “little sister” learn to lead, if you are the “quiet one” reach out towards friendships. Camp is a beautiful place for invention, for goal making, turn taking, a place where all of us can be our best selves, and you know what… It doesn’t feel like work, or school, it just feels FUN!!

We have so much to look forward to as we go into this holiday weekend. We hope you enjoy your 4th of July, we have races, and ice cream sundaes, fireworks and more…