Camp Laurel

Spending my last 8 summers at Camp Laurel has been a great life experience for me. Ever since my first year when I was seven years old, I immediately embraced the camp community. The staff and directors did an excellent job welcoming me into camp, while also helping me step out of my comfort zone. The directors did a fantastic job in helping me find new things to try; weather it was playing soccer or even trying new foods. The list of activities are endless, and I got to try many new activities that I had never thought I would've done. Doing ceramics at seven years old, or sailing at ten, or even dance hip-hop at fifteen, I was able to try new things every year, as well as continue those that I had been doing since my first summer. The facilities and buildings that camp provides are superb, each getting better year by year. The fitness center is packed modern equipment, that ranges from weights to spinning bikes. The Chef Camp building has wide ranges of appliances, that allow campers to learn how to cook many foods, with help from a phenomenal staff. While at camp, I was able to learn the skills needed in becoming a leader, those in which I will never forget. Being able to attend Camp Laurel was truly a dream come true. I was able to meet kids from all around the country, and even all around the world. I was able to make new friends with many people, but also maintain friendships that I have had ever since my first summer.

When I first drove through the gates of Camp Laurel on a balmy afternoon last June, I was bursting with excitement at the idea of spending the summer in the idyllic place that surrounded me. Nevertheless, I was somewhat intimidated by the size. I remembered asking myself how I would establish close bonds within an environment that was bigger than my high school. Now, almost a year later, I look back on a community of faces that were once anonymous as my family members. One day in the middle of July, I remember sitting in a canoe with a camper I had just recently gotten to know, who asked me if I had any siblings. Looking over at the beach where my cabin campers were waving wildly at me – all wearing the smiles that seem to be contagious at Laurel – I replied, “Yeah… twelve little sisters!” The two-month duration of camp allows campers and counsellors alike to develop incredibly deep bonds, and teaches them how to navigate different situations, while fulfilling or discovering passions. The profound understanding that the members of this "village" of sorts have of one another is incredible. There is a reason why, come the end of camp, the countdown to next summer begins almost immediately. You don’t have to be a certain “type” of person to fit in at Laurel. There is someone for everyone, and something for everyone. Laurel appeals to the outdoors, the arts, athletics, and beyond. If you have a passion, Laurel is there to fuel it, and if you don’t yet, Laurel is there to help you find it. It is difficult not to sound corny in describing the place, but this camp truly encapsulates a safe and wonderful environment that helps you grow in every way. Thanks to the intricate activity planning, Laurel allows you to mingle with new individuals throughout the summer: it’s a place where new friendships flourish at unexpected times, and where old ones are maintained forever. The facilities are unquestionably beautiful, and in its ever-exceptional manner, Laurel manages to maintain tradition even when renovating. When I was first introduced to the dining hall, little did I know that it would be a daily fruit-and-veggie peppered dance party. And when my amazing co-counsellors and I first entered our cabin by the lake, we had yet to know what was to come. I can still see my campers rushing into the cabin in the minutes before dinner, all dressed in a jumble of rain slickers, riding boots, bathing suits and soccer cleats, each one eager to tell me about their daily adventures and accomplishments. I cannot recommend this camp enough. I forged friendships and bonds with counsellors and campers that have been at Laurel for years, as well as with first-timers, and can confidently refer to this camp as a family that grows incessantly, where the sense of belonging is overwhelming.

Camp Laurel is an amazing sleep away camp in Maine. It’s a 2nd home for us. The staff is warm, caring and fun. There is no better place!

The moment I stepped off the bus at Camp Laurel, I knew I had stepped into something special. I can't imagine spending my summers anywhere else. Camp Laurel is a family, and the environment of camp is one that encourages every single person to be 100% themselves. From chanting in the dining halls, to singing cove songs and jumping into the beautiful Echo Lake, everyday at camp is full of fun. This past summer was my second year working at camp, and it was amazing to reunite with returning campers and meet all of the new campers! I have met some of the most amazing people from all over the world at camp, and had some of the most incredible experiences of my life while at Laurel. The leadership skills that I have gained from my time at camp help me in every aspect of my life. I grew up in Virginia, I attend college in California, but a big piece of my heart will always belong in Maine at Camp Laurel. It truly is the best place on earth!

Our family has been enjoying the Camp Laurel experience for the past seven years. The time our three boys have spent at Camp Laurel has been filled with not only fun and great memories, but most importantly, new friendships that will last a lifetime. When we first started researching overnight camps, it was important to us to find a place where all three of our boy’s individual interests would be nurtured. One of them is a sports fanatic and extremely athletic, our youngest son is very creative, and our middle child does it all. When looking at camps, we also wanted to expose our kids to children from areas outside of our hometown. We wanted them to have the opportunity to make new friendships with kids from different cities and backgrounds. From the moment we walked onto the Camp Laurel grounds, we knew we were in a special place. The camp is not only kept in pristine condition, you also can’t help but be blown away by the beauty of the Maine backdrop. My husband and I were both mesmerized by the incredible waterfront and the abundance of amenities. During our camp tour with Jem, Debbie and Keith, we noticed that they had a lot of genuine interaction with campers of all ages. This especially stuck out to us, because it was obvious that the directors themselves and their staff are not only fun and enthusiastic, but also approachable and caring people. At the end of our camp visit, my husband turned to me and said, “I know this is the place our kids should be.” That was the moment we became part of the Camp Laurel family. The last seven summers at Camp Laurel have been nothing short of spectacular. The athletic, waterfront and arts and crafts programs are top notch. The staff members who run these special areas are extremely knowledgeable in their fields and help the children explore their interests and build their confidence. Since day one of our children going to Camp Laurel, Jem, Debbie and Keith have always been extremely accessible and invested a lot of time getting to know our children and their interests. Camp laurel has mastered the balance of what a true camp experience should be because there is something for everyone. We have always been particularly impressed by the waterfront activities where the kids have the opportunity to learn how to waterski, sail and wakeboard. This past winter while we were on vacation, our oldest son took us sailing for the first time. It was a very special moment for all of us, a moment that originated on Echo Lake at Camp Laurel. Every year, the camp continues to expand the facility and the offerings of activities. It seems like the day Camp ends, they break ground on a new project that enhances the experience for the following summer. The Camp Laurel aerial park keeps getting bigger, the fields and courts are kept in immaculate condition, and this year, the new dining hall was huge hit with our kids. This coming summer our oldest son will be a super senior. During his past seven years at Laurel, he has made friends that he now considers his brothers. Also, to see how our children have grown and matured over the past several years at Camp Laurel has been amazing. Their summers in Maine have not only given them rich memories and experiences, but have helped them grow and mature into independent, self-sufficient young adults. Our children consider Camp Laurel their home away from home. They are literally counting down the days till the summer of 2018!