News

February 23, 2017

Share Wawenock with a Friend!

Though people arrive at Wawenock through a variety of paths, Wawenock is primarily a “word of mouth” camp, which means the majority of our camp families hear about camp from other people. Below is an example of how one family found their way to Wawenock. As you will read, the ripple effect of referrals is instrumental toward our camp family’s growth!

Cordelia’s path to Wawenock:

“My longtime friend from college, Julia A.B., attended Wawenock in the ’70s. Years ago we had talked about summer camp. ‘Some of the best summers of my life were spent at camp on Sebago Lake,’ Julia said. The comment stuck in my mind; it was spoken with conviction followed by a dreamy look. When it was time for my daughter, Cordelia, to find a full season summer camp, I thought of Julia.

I called Wawenock and reached Catriona. ‘We are looking for a camp where Cordelia can develop independence and responsibility, where there’s an emphasis on kindness and wholesome fun,’ I said in a rush. ‘And cabins without a lot of electricity.’ Catriona laughed and said, ‘I sometimes describe our camp as rustic and simple.’ That sounds perfect, I thought.

On a snowy February day, we met Catriona, Andy, Wawenock alumnae, and current campers at a Gathering in our area. Without exception, the alumnae felt strongly about the merit of their camp days.

Summer 2016 was Cordelia’s first camp season. She flourished at camp. She met wonderful friends, learned to knit with Granny Theda, rode RockyT3, and jumped off the Super.

Now camp references abound year round. Cordelia’s passwords involve the name of a horse or a dog at Wawenock. Trouble falling asleep? We quietly sing, ‘Goodnight, we sing goodnight, to our camp on the hill, whispering winds, sighing pines, and our benediction still…’ She can’t wait for her return in 2017 to her Summer home.”
– Martha S., Camp Parent 2016-2017

Learn more about Wawenock through a Camp Gathering!

March 4th: DC and VA area at the Carroll Family home in Falls Church, VA

March 5th: NY, CT area at the Berger Family home in Darien, CT

March 19th: PA, NJ, DE area at the Strobeck Family home in Wayne, PA

April 2nd: MA and RI area at the Scheerer Family home in Duxbury, MA

May 27th: Spring Fling Clean Up Day at Wawenock

If you don’t see a gathering in your area, and would like to get to know Camp in person, let us know so we can try to schedule a home visit. To R.S.V.P. and for more information, email office@campwawenock.com or call (207) 655-4657.

January 10, 2017

Choosing a Camp for Your Child

A camp experience is part of a child’s education, and a vital part of a girl’s education. As one Wawenock alumna attested, “An investment in Wawenock makes more financial sense than an investment in college. Wawenock taught me invaluable life skills. I just wish the whole world was like Wawenock.”

So, choosing a camp may feel like a big undertaking, where do you begin?

When considering camps, we suggest you look for professionals who seek to partner with you in the growth and development of your child. As camp directors that’s what Andy and I consider you are doing when you send your daughter to camp – you are entrusting us with one of the most important people in your life. You should feel that the camp you choose is an extension of your values and of who you are.

Think about what you are looking to get out of a camp experience for your child. There are camps that are created to be fun, with a focus on entertaining, and there are specialty camps which focus on building skills in one particular area. There are also camps, like Wawenock, that offer a wide range of activities and place an emphasis on human development and community building, while teaching valuable 21st century life skills, such as communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. At Wawenock, we believe in a camp experience which is focused on developing the whole child, because this affords children opportunities to challenge themselves and to grow as individuals, as well as members of a group. We are dedicated to creating a safe place for a girl to explore and discover her strengths and to take healthy risks that build skills. We strive to create a place that empowers her to be her best self, both at Camp and in the world beyond. Of course, we ALL have FUN in the process!

So, if you’re seeking a camp experience for your child, we encourage you to ask friends and families for recommendations, take a look at some websites and see which ones have messages that resonate with you. Then, call and speak with the Director to hear what their philosophy is and how it plays out in the camp. Ultimately, as camp directors, we want you to find the right fit for your child, so she can have a happy and successful growth experience. If you would like to discuss Wawenock for your daughter please call us at 207-655-4657 and ask to speak with Catriona (pronounced Catrina) or Andy.

Another great way to get to know a camp in the off-season is through Camp Gatherings. Wawenock Gatherings typically last about two hours, and are a relaxed and informal way to learn more about the camp experience. Prospective families have the opportunity to meet a number of people from the camp family – Andy and me as Directors, camp parents, current campers, staff, and alumnae. After a brief presentation about Wawenock, you will have a chance to engage with others and ask any questions which may be on your mind. In addition, your future camper will meet and interact with other girls in a structured and fun way.

Camp Wawenock Gathering Schedule:

February 19th: Winter Gathering and Sledding at Wawenock

March 4th: DC and VA area at the Carroll Family home in Falls Church, VA

March 5th: NY, CT area at the Berger Family home in Darien, CT

March 19th: PA, NJ, DE area at the Strobeck Family home in Wayne, PA

April 2nd: MA and RI area at the Scheerer Family home in Duxbury, MA

May 27th: Spring Fling Clean Up Day at Wawenock

If you don’t see a gathering in your area, and would like to get to know camp in person, let us know so we can try to schedule a home visit. To R.S.V.P. and for more information, email office@campwawenock.com or call (207) 655-4657.

-Catriona

October 7, 2016

Wawenock Staff Help Girls Become More Resilient Adults

Based on a 2015 study by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, the following can build the foundations of resilience in children: creating supportive adult-child relationships, building a sense of self-efficacy and perceived control, providing opportunities to strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities, and mobilizing sources of faith, hope and cultural traditions.

Here’s how the Wawenock staff, program and camp family help girls become more resilient adults:

Creating supportive adult-child relationships
Campers form multiple supportive adult-child relationships with Wawenock staff, in the cabins, units, activities and even at the dining room tables! These bonds and networks of support extend beyond the ‘walls’ of camp and through the tests of time, often to mentor/friendships which last a lifetime!

Building a sense of self-efficacy and perceived control

Campers make their own activity selections at the beginning of the camp season. This camper choice, combined with the consistency of instruction and longevity in our program, allows staff to help girls gain skills and become proficient in numerous activities – leading girls to truly believe in their own ability to succeed, aka self-efficacy!

Providing opportunities to strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities

Living independently from home, girls are guided by supportive staff to learn the skills necessary to effectively and independently take care of themselves and to interact with other people in effective ways.

Mobilizing sources of faith, hope, and cultural traditions

Camp gives girls the time and space to reflect on what’s important to them. They embrace and feel the significance of perpetuating the 100+ years of tradition, and the community created by the Wawenock camp family gives them an understanding of the joy which comes from giving of themselves to others and, as the song goes, becoming “a part of something larger than you.”

September 28, 2016

Summer 2017 Enrollment is Underway!

We are still feeling the after-glow of what was an extraordinary summer! Girls were happy and comfortable to be themselves and to take healthy risks at Camp, and through this, we saw tremendous growth in each and every girl! Equally as important, there was a great deal of love, laughter and friendship at Camp!

Of course, our minds are never far from summer and are already racing to plans for the 2017 season! For details and the Application to Enroll, go to the following link: Camper Forms. Please read the 2017 Season Registration Information which you will find through that link as well. For a short time only, we are offering an early enrollment savings of $350. Tuition for the 2017 season is $9300. If your daughter’s enrollment and deposit are received by October 15^th, you will pay $8950! So, don’t delay, send your application for enrollment today!

Please share this information with any friends or family you have, who may be interested in learning more about Wawenock! Thank you!

With love from sunny Sebago, where it still feels like summer!

June 7, 2016

Camp Wawenock Gives Girls Both Roots and Wings!

Time and again, we hear anecdotes from the Wawenock family that Camp is the place they go, whether physically or metaphorically, to center themselves and find strength for the challenges they take on in life. This is because Camp is the place they were given the opportunity to plant roots, find connection and try new things – independently from their own family and with the support of their Camp family. Wawenock gives girls both roots and wings!

Wawenock gives girls roots. Solid roots create strong, steady trees that are able to weather any storm. Roots are also the key to nourishment, providing a tree what it needs not only to survive but to thrive. Wawenock provides a firm foundation in a set of core values for girls to aspire to – the Ten Component Parts of Wawenock Spirit. Camp provides girls with time, space and opportunities to reflect on the kind of person they want to be and, in so doing, build a strong sense of self. At Wawenock, girls dig deep and get in touch with their true self, away from the pressures and influences of the outside world. Wawenock also provides the stability of wonderful role models and mentors in the form of older campers and staff members. The roots of a healthy tree run deep, and the roots at Wawenock certainly do – 106 years and counting! Generations of women continue to feel this deep connection to Wawenock, to the ‘growing up’ they did at Camp and the friendships they formed – relationships which continue to support and nourish them throughout their lives.

Wawenock gives girls wings. What is it that emboldens girls with the confidence to fly? At Wawenock, it begins with the intentional creation of a strong and supportive community. As girls are enveloped in a caring, positive camp family, and they connect with one another, face to face, they learn to trust themselves and others. In time, girls feel grounded at Camp and this security allows them to be open to try new things and to take healthy risks. With the safety net of attentive staff and the reassurance and comfort of friends, girls are willing to step out of their comfort zones. At times, a girl will succeed on her first attempt, and other times she will stumble and fall. When she feels the embrace of a camper or staff member swooping in to encourage her, she learns to try again and develops resilience and tenacity. By stepping out of the familiar, and finding success, girls learn that they are truly capable, competent individuals. Wawenock girls stand confidently on their strong foundation and use it as a branch from which to fly! In what ways has Wawenock grounded you and given you the confidence to fly?

Roots and Wings

January 13, 2016

How did YOU hear about camp?

Though people arrive at Wawenock through a variety of paths, Wawenock is primarily a “word of mouth” camp, which means the majority of our camp families hear about camp from other people. Below are some examples, from the families themselves, of how people found their way to Wawenock. As you will read, the ripple effect of referrals is instrumental toward our camp family’s growth!

Suysel C., camp parent: “I met Stacey B. almost 6 years ago when we were both starting our businesses in the interior design world. I met her family in Nantucket and was immediately impressed at the poise and maturity of all of her children. When Cecilia was 6 years old, David and I began discussing the possibility of sleepaway camp. Though neither of us were campers, we knew the gift that a camp experience would give Cecilia. I remembered Stacey talking about how much she loved Wawenock and how impressed I was with her two daughters, Julia and Caroline, both Wawenock girls!

We visited Wawenock in the summer of 2013 when Cecilia was 6 years old and got a tour of camp from Julia herself! Cecilia spent an entire day with two Lodgers. We were supposed to pick her up after lunch. Well, Cecilia ended up staying at camp until around 5pm because she loved it so much! It’s a good thing there is an amazing view and comfortable chairs on the back patio of the Point because Dave and I sat there for four hours waiting for her to be ready to come home with us!

She did Wonder Week in 2014 and became a Lodger this past summer. Julia was a camper in the Leadership Training Program for Cecilia’s first full summer as a camper. Cecilia is now a camper for life and grew leaps and bounds emotionally at Wawenock. She tried out and got a solo in her school chorus because of the confidence she gained at camp being in the musical!

The power of word of mouth is so instrumental to recruiting new campers. We are the perfect example of that and we hope to one day pay it forward the way Wawenock was shared with us!”

Julie F., camp parent: “Year after year, we heard nothing but the most amazing stories of friendship and fun coming from our niece Haley S. (whose mom is alumna Missy N.) and not long after, from her younger sister Sarah Page.

When our daughter Riley was 8 years old, we got a mailing from Wawenock about Wonder Week. One week was something we could wrap our head around. When we pulled into camp on the last day of Wonder Week, Riley was happily singing with a group of girls. Riley begged us to let her stay. She was glowing. It truly was a WONDER WEEK for her. The following summer, Riley returned to camp for the full season and has been back every summer since, for 6 years!

It’s hard to put into words how we feel about Wawenock. To think that Riley almost missed out on this opportunity because we had an idea that 7 weeks was too long. Camp Wawenock is the highlight of Riley’s year and the confidence, empathy, perseverance and joy that has grown inside of her each year is a direct reflection of time spent at camp.

Of course, we couldn’t keep quiet about Wawenock. When people ask us what Riley is doing for the summer, they often get more than an earful. The first summer Riley was away, Jon and I ran into friends on our way out to dinner one night. What kept coming to the surface was the simplicity and values we love so much about Wawenock. Our friends were intrigued!

We invited them, along with their daughter, Julie, to the Gathering in our area that winter and they got a taste for what we had been enthusiastically sharing with them. Julie boarded the bus to camp with Riley the following summer and the two girls have had several great summers since. Wawenock is a gift in Riley’s life that will continue to bring her joy long after her last camper summer.”

Jim R., camp parent: “It was Julie F. who first told us about Camp Wawenock. We were looking for a place that emphasized the development of strong relationships and values, like kindness, respect, and teamwork, and a supportive environment in an attractive camp setting. We found that at Camp Wawenock, which has far exceeded our expectations and has been a magical place for our daughter the last five summers. It’s already clear that the friendships she has developed at Wawenock will be life-long.”

Adele B., Camper ’97-’02, Staff ’03, ’05, ’07-’08, with input from Delly B., camp parent: “Having three brothers who all went to camp, I also wanted to go to a camp of my own. My mom asked the Director of my brothers’ camp for recommendations and in the summer of 1996, my mom and I went on a tour of Maine camps.

At Wawenock we met June and Pat. I ended up staying for the whole afternoon, dinner, and Middler program, which was a carnival that I got to participate in! As we got in the car to head home, my mom and I looked at each other and immediately agreed that Wawenock was the one. I was enrolled at Wawenock for the summer of 1997, and spent 10 magical summers thereafter.

As for the Annie O’s family, Annie’s grandmother and my grandmother were best friends for over 60 years. One day Annie’s grandmother was talking to mine about wishing Annie could find something she loved. My grandma mentioned Wawenock and my great experience and suggested that Annie’s grandma tell Annie’s mother about it. My mom dropped off a Wawenock brochure and that summer their family went to Maine to look at camps. The following summer both girls enrolled, and Wawenock became their own ‘very special place.’ Mrs. O. wrote that she ‘had no idea that a conversation between 2 old friends would lead to such an incredible experience.’”

Annie O., Camper ‘07- ‘13, Staff ‘14-‘16: “After hearing about camp from my grandmother (who heard it from Adele’s grandmother) we ended up going to a winter Gathering and then visited Camp that summer. Maddy and Celie, who later became my good friends at camp, were actually the campers that gave me a tour! I remember being very nervous in the months leading up to camp so my mom arranged for me to meet with Adele. Adele showed me all of her scrapbooks and old friendship gifts and also let me watch some camp videos. I was much more at ease knowing I would recognize a familiar face once I got to camp!”

Do you have a story to share? Email us at office@campwawenock.com to tell us about how you heard about Wawenock!