Camp Laurel South

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Many camps claim to be the “full-package”, but not many camps compare to the experience offered at Camp Laurel South. At Camp Laurel South, we combine incredible staff with excellent programming and world-class facilities, all in a family atmosphere. The four-week experience includes instruction in Athletics, Tennis, InterArts, Watersports, Outdoor Adventure and Equestrian from our expert staff who join us from across the country and around the world. In addition to programmatic diversity, campers have the chance to explore the beautiful state of Maine through both age-specific and all-camp trips. Sending a child to camp is a tremendous act of faith by parents and Camp Laurel South takes that responsibility very seriously by creating an environment that encourages both safety and health, and reinforces a positive self-image.

 

The unique program at Camp Laurel South gives campers the ability to develop new skills in their favorite activities. Our facilities include pristine fields and courts for all major sports, art studios for visual and performing arts, adventure courses, and a 10-horse barn; all laid on the backdrop of beautiful Crescent Lake, a virtual beehive of activity with every watersport you can imagine. Campers are able to tailor their schedule to their personal interests. Whether your child wants to play sports all day, loves to be on the waterfront, or is an aspiring artist – the program at Camp Laurel South provides campers the opportunity to explore all activities at their own pace.

 

Campers at Laurel South often boast that the Directors, Roger and Dagni, seem more like parents than camp directors. That’s because they create an atmosphere of warmth that they then instill into the staff during the hiring process. Each staff member goes through a rigorous application and interview process before attending a week-long Orientation. Here they have a chance to get to know the program, their responsibilities and the children they will be taking care of all summer. Roger, Dagni and the incredible staff provide each camper with an unforgettable experience filled with friendship, skill development and self-growth.

 

If you’re looking to send your child to a ca

mp with the “full-package”, take a peak at Camp Laurel South.

 

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Set Green and Gray Aside This Month and Wear Pink

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Brant Lake Sports Academy

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s time to show your support! In recent years, many sports teams and organizations have embraced the movement; promoting breast cancer awareness games, uniforms, and merchandise in order to raise money for breast cancer research. For at least one game or one small portion of the season, competing teams are united in a vital cause. In addition to promotions, there are also many organized events that are held around the world, such as walks or runs, to help publicize breast cancer awareness. So grab your team, show your support and wear PINK…it’s for a great cause!

 Why Kids Need Camp Now More Than Ever

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Camp Laurel

It doesn’t seem like too long ago when the first iPhone came out, or when wifi started to become mainstream; those were 10 and 20 years ago respectively. As the world evolves and technology progresses, the importance of camp increases exponentially. Kids today are growing up in a significantly more technological world than the one their parents grew up in; a world where they need camp now more than ever. Here’s just a few reasons why:

 

Camp Teaches Kids How to Interact

 

The days of calling a friend’s house phone and saying “Hello Mr./Mrs. Smith is John home?” are over. Kids are getting cell phones at a younger age and have mastered the ability to interface through texting, Snapchat, Instagram…the list goes on and on. Through these constant and instantaneous interactions, kids are losing many interpersonal skills they’d have gained through face-to-face interactions or phone calls. This is where camp comes in. Because there is no technology for campers at camp, kids are able to truly be with each other. They talk, laugh, tell stories, and really learn the proper way to interact with one another. Whether in times of happiness or times of conflict, campers gain the ability to better navigate their relationships.

 

Camp Allows Kids to Focus on the Moment

 

We often take for granted the fact that we have a “super-computer” in our pocket at all times in the form of a smartphone. This is especially true for kids, who have only ever known a life where technology is readily accessible. But while smartphones are advantageous in an immeasurable number of ways, they also create a very large distraction. Kids are constantly immersed in their screen — surfing the web, perusing their preferred social media feed, or “Snapping” their numerous Snapchat friends. With this, they lose the ability to be fully focused on the moment they are in. At camp, such is not the case. Campers are not allowed cell phones, which creates an environment where campers are engaged in their endeavors. Rather than being immersed in their phone screen, they are immersed in their activities, or their friends. While being fully focused on the moment, campers are able to get the most out of everything they do.

 

So as technology continues to advance and to weave its way into everyday life…do your kids a favor and send them to camp!

NYC Dance Performances: Fall 2017 – Brant Lake Dance Camp

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What an amazing summer 2017 was at Brant Lake Dance Camp. It was a summer full of laughter, friendship, and of course, dance! We’re excited for the year ahead and are looking forward to staying in touch in the coming months. In the meantime, here are some expert dance performances in the New York City area to keep your dance fever alive:

  1. Fall for Dance: Fall for Dance at City Center is open now and is a great way to see a variety of talented dance. Tickets are $10 and they go fast! https://www.google.com/search?q=fall+for+dance+nyc+tickets&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
  1. Twyla Tharp: Twyla Tharp and her incredible dance troupe are at the Joyce Theatre in late September through early October.

http://www.joyce.org

  1. NYC Ballet: The NYC Ballet begins its season with Swan Lake on September 17th.

http://www.playbill.com/article/new-york-city-ballet-will-kick-off-fall-season-september-19-with-swan-lake

BONUS – Game of Thrones: Rock Musical: There is a Game of Thrones parody opening on Broadway from October 10th through October 29th. https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/theater/game-of-thrones-parody-off-broadway-this-fall.amp.html

Camp Laurel

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There are many camps across the United States with various program concentrations, but Camp Laurel stands out among these camps. Combining a family atmosphere with world-class programming and facilities, Camp Laurel is truly one of a kind. Campers receive unparalleled instruction in Athletics, Tennis, Watersports, Arts, Outdoor Adventure and Equestrian from our talented staff who join us from all over the world. Sending a child to camp is a tremendous act of faith by parents and Camp Laurel takes that responsibility very seriously by creating an environment that encourages both safety and health, and reinforces a positive self-image.

 

The facilities at Camp Laurel are second-to-none and consists of pristine fields and courts for all major sports, art studios for visual and performing arts, adventure courses and a 20-horse barn; all laid on the backdrop of beautiful Echo Lake — nine miles around. The program features guided choice where campers are given increasing freedom to select activities as they get older. In one day at camp, a camper can play any sport of their choosing, waterski behind one of our Mastercraft speed boats, work on their serve on one of our 15 hard-surfaced tennis courts, learn to cook global cuisine in our world-class culinary studio, explore the high ropes on our adventure course and ride one of our 20 horses and ponies…all before dinner!

 

While the program and facilities are impressive, what really makes Camp Laurel stand out is the family environment created by the staff. Jem and Debbie Sollinger, Laurel’s camp directors, have overseen Camp Laurel for 20+ years and know each camper and family on an individual level. The staff are hand-picked from colleges and universities and go through a rigorous application and interview process. Once hired, the staff attend a week-long orientation where they have a chance to get to know the program, their responsibilities and each child in their cabin prior to the campers’ arrival. The directors and well-trained staff ensure each and every camper is having an unforgettable experience filled with self-growth.

With many camps to choose from, Camp Laurel’s premier program, facilities, staff and environment stand out from the rest.

Back to School – Brant Lake Sports Academy

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Camp is over?!?!

The summer of 2017 slipped away in a flash and before we knew it we were covered in school supplies and swamped organizing fall schedules. But how do we now transition into the back to school routine? Here are a few tips…

  1. Get a Good Night Sleep. Your day can never start on the right foot when you’re tired and cranky.
  2. Lay Out Your Clothes the Night Before. No one likes being frazzled in the morning trying to find a “good outfit” for the day.
  3. Hang a Family Calendar in the Kitchen. This way everyone (including dad) knows where they need to be and when.
  4. Make Sure All Meals for the Day Are Set. This includes making sure everyone eats breakfast and has their snack/lunch packed in their backpacks. Hungry kids lead to tired and cranky kids.
  5. Remember…YOU’VE GOT THIS! You’ve done this before, you can do it again. Be confident and your back to school transition will be a piece of cake.

I MISS CAMP ALREADY! How many more days until we can make our toilet paper countdown?

Bunk Plaques Add to Growing Camp History

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The history of summer camp is as deep and diverse as an ocean, full of life and a variety of characters, it contains an endless amount of history. There are so many stories that can be told within the gates of camp.

One way to leave your bit of history and to make your camp story last a lifetime is through the tradition of decorating a bunk plaque at the end of the summer. With the help of everyone inside your bunk, a plaque is given to every bunk on boys and girls side to decorate however they like to tell a story about their summer. Inside jokes and funny incidents are often inscribed on these wooden plaques, the paint depicts all the fun these campers have experienced this summer. No matter what is painted or dusted with glitter, the plaque symbolizes all the fun camp was able to provide for these campers. The plaque allows for a bunk to bond over all the good and sometimes the rough times of the summer, reminiscing over everything they have gone through together and will remember for the rest of their lives.

This tradition is so special in the way it brings all the campers and counselors together, reminding everybody of how they were able to overcome challenges and accomplish goals as a bunk, the summer wouldn’t have been the same without everyone in the bunk taking part in helping each other.

These plaques are forever hung in the Dining Hall of camp, the one place everyone is gathered for important times of the day. When you look up at your plaque from this summer or summers ago, you are able to remember all the amazing memories you have made at camp and the unique experiences you wouldn’t be able to participate in anywhere else. With your plaque, your history is forever a part of camp.

My First Summer at Camp

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Molly M., Camper

I was very excited and nervous for my first day of summer camp. I did not now what to expect w

 

hen coming to camp and was nervous about what would

 

happen. When I came to camp and came off the bus I exploded with happiness, camp seemed so cool and fun. Campus is so pretty with the giant lake

 

and there are so many great snacks to eat. I quickly made a lot of friends and had so mu

ch fun with the dance specialists. The dance staff is so nice and fun to dance with, dance is my favorite activity at camp. When I grow up I want to be a counselor and a dance specialist at summer camp. I made so many memories at my first summer but my favorite memory of the summer was making it to the finals for MTV night, my counselors really pushed me to work hard and it payed off. I also learned a lot of fun things, like how to waterski for the first time. Every day is fun and full of adventure. I love all my new friends at camp and even though I was nervous at first, camp easily became my summer home. I love how much fun I get to have every day and can’t wait for next summer already.

Why Working at a Camp Makes You a Better Leader

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A lot of people wonder how so many counselors return to camp every year. The answer lies in how summer camp helps counselors, whether it’s their first summer of their fifth, become better leaders when they work here. Working all summer long with campers is a challenge, but Camp really provides the guidance and support to its counselors to help them be the best at their job and help them be leaders. To have a successful summer you need to be a leader to the campers and here is how summer camp ensures every counselor a successful summer.

  1. Team Work of Co-Counselors: When you’re a counselor at Camp, you always work in a team with your co-counselors in your bunk. As a team you figure out how to work with the campers and help them have a fun summer, the constant teamwork molds how you become a leader.
  3. Find Your Voice: Communicating with campers every day and night, Camp helps you find a positive voice for the campers to follow. This voice contributes to how effective you communicate with the campers and have a successful summer when conflicts arise, and as a leader, communication is the most important aspect of a productive team.
  6. Understand Your Skills: Camp helps you figure out what your strong skills are when working with campers and what skills need improvement. They are always there to give you tips in how to have a better summer with your campers and want you to be a successful leader so the campers have fun.
  9. Keep the Motivation Going: Working day and night with the campers is a challenge, so motivational steam can run out quickly, but Camp helps counselors push through the rough times and maintain focus. Giving the counselors a hand or helping them stay positive is how counselors learn to keep going, this skill is what helps counselors become better leaders because they are ready to face any challenges.
  12. The Importance of Smiling: Stress and worry is a daily part of the job, but Camp reminds counselors to always keep smiling and this little habit goes a long way. Remembering to smile maintains a positive focus and makes you approachable, an important characteristic for the leader of a group.

5 Things Campers Look Forward to the Most for the Summer

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For almost the entirety of the year, campers sit at home waiting for the summer to start. Drumming their fingers and looking back at all the fun they’ve had so far, campers dream about all the things they can look forward to once camp finally arrives. When campers are at home with wandering minds, here are the things they look forward to the most when they get to come back to Camp.

  1. Sleeping Bunks: Experiencing every night at Camp as a giant sleepover with your best friends is why campers daydream about being back in their bunk beds. Even when the day is over, campers are still able to have fun.
  2. The Lake: The sunsets, sailing, paddle boarding and water toys allow campers to splash around and have as much fun as possible in the water. The Lake is an iconic point of Camp for good reason.
  3. Unique Activities: Campers are able to learn many unique skills at camp from magic tricks and circus activities to cooking and waterskiing. Opportunities at Camp are not always available for kids outside the ten other months of the year.
  4. Their Friends: The Friendships formed at Camp are very special and unlike any other friendships you will encounter. The summer bonds campers together in a very unique that makes these friendships last way past the summer.
  5. Traditions: All the fun traditions Camp possesses is what makes a summer at Camp full of excitement and adventure. Becoming a part of Camp history and carrying on these traditions is what keeps the magic of camp alive.