Why go to summer camp?

At Camp Lochearn, girls have the chance to learn all kinds of skills from sailing to sewing and everything in between. But they’ll also learn skills that extend far past their summer activity schedules. Abilities and opportunities gained as a camper are those that weave through all facets of life, making girls well-rounded, confident individuals that shine in school and, later on, in the workforce.

It’s likely camp is the first experience a girl will have away from home for a few weeks at a time. This can be a little scary at first, but it really gives them the chance to grow into who they are without boundaries. As writer Michael Thompson wrote in his book Homesick and Happy, “The only way children can grow into independence is to have their parents open the door and let them walk out. That’s what makes camp such a life-changing experience for children.” At Lochearn, girls can be completely themselves, whoever they may be. They have the opportunity to challenge themselves in many ways — from striving to earn a purple in Archery to practicing good teamwork and sportsmanship. Being able to complete these challenges while away from home boosts self-esteem, builds a sense of empowerment and strengthens independence.

Girls who go to summer camp, especially an all-girls program, are often better prepared for the future than other girls their ages. Because camp is all about making lasting connections with peers as well as staff members — and maintaining those connections year-round — the girls learn how to network at a young age. This puts our girls at an advantage when it comes to making connections in school or later when applying for a job. In fact, one of the greatest advantages of joining us at Lochearn is that our girls develop communication skills they’ll use throughout their entire lives. Campers are put into a situation that’s not typical for people their ages. Each summer, whether first-time or returning campers, they have the opportunity to meet new people and make connections that extend across the globe. This also adds to girls’ knowledge, interest in and acceptance of other cultures.

Lochearn is not just an investment in a girl’s summer — it’s an investment in her future. The value of the camp experience truly goes beyond summers spent on the shores of beautiful Lake Fairlee.

Why We Are Thankful

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we here at Camp Lochearn have been thinking a lot about being thankful. And because we’re part of the Lochearn family, we’ve got a whole lot to be thankful for. It’s not just sweet, gooey roasted marshmallows or spending a day on Lake Fairlee — Lochearn Lassies can be thankful for so many things, like:

Learning

learningComing to camp gives you the opportunity to learn all about yourself. You not only learn skills like how to shoot a bow and arrow or make a mug in ceramics, but you also learn communication and independence — things that will stick with you long after the final sunset of summer. Whether you’re a first-time camper or a Lochearn veteran, there are always plenty of new faces on the first day of camp. One of the best parts of summer is creating relationships with campers and staff members while practicing good decision making and discovering how to be independent. There’s so much to learn about yourself and the world around you, and we encourage stepping out of your comfort zone to get the best Lochearn experience.

Community

communityCampers and staff come from 20 countries around the world to spend the summer in Vermont at Lochearn. It’s easy to fit into our close-knit community of nice girls. Through the good times and the bad, you know there will always be a Lochearn Lassie somewhere who will be there for you year-round, whether you’re at camp or back at home. We grow together over the course of camp, celebrating each person’s uniqueness and encouraging one another to strive to be our best. And when summer comes to an end, we know we’re not saying goodbye for good, because camp friends are for life.

Memories

memoriesLochearn’s lakefront cabins and welcoming facilities provide the perfect backdrop for all of the wonderful memories made at camp. It’s easy to call beautiful Vermont your home away from home. Your Lochearn memories are different than any memories made at home or while traveling elsewhere because you can be totally you, no matter how silly or spunky you are. Plus, you’re unplugged. Instead of worrying about posting on social media, texting or Snapchatting photos, we focus on being in the moment and communicating face-to-face. As we saw from generations of Lochearn Lassies last summer during our 100th year celebrations, your camp memories truly stay with you for a lifetime.

Values

If the tall pine trees around Campfire Hill could talk, they’d tell 100 years’ worth of stories about girls gathering around the campfire, reflecting on weeks spent at Lochearn, singing songs and sharing stories centered around weekly themes. We live by a motto that encourages girls to make friends while upholding personal ideals, and we facilitate a deeper value of self, of others and of our environment. Honesty, kindness and positivity are three pillars that all Lochearn Lassies live by at camp as they “grow to have more courage and self-confidence,” and “take home an open mind and a kind and caring heart.”

values

Next Summer

next-summerWe’re just under seven months from opening day, and we couldn’t be more excited! Knowing you’ve always got somewhere to come back to is such a cool part of Lochearn, because your favorite things will still be the same, but you’ll be a year older. You experience things in a different way year to year and can set new camp goals for each summer. Maybe this will be the summer you finally earn a purple in gymnastics or work up the courage to try wakeboarding for the first time. And if not this year, you know you’re always welcome back for the summers to come.

Celebrating 100 Years

This summer is Lochearn’s 100th Birthday! Thank you to the alumni who have already RSVP’d for the 100th Year Celebration Days.

Please email fun@camplochearn.com with any questions or to RSVP for one of the 100th Year Celebration Days. You can find more information and frequently asked questions on our website.

100 Years

100th Year Celebration Day Schedule

11:30 AM: Alumni Arrive
12:00 PM: Lunch Buffet
1:30 PM: Campfire Ceremony
2:45 PM: Blue & Green Activity
5:00 PM: Alumni Depart
6:15 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: An Evening on Campfire Hill

We look forward to sharing 100 years of tradition with you!

Preparing for Camp

Camp Lochearn 2016

Summer 2016 Dates

Session 1: Wednesday, June 22 – Sunday, July 17
Session 2: Wednesday, July 20 – Sunday, August 14

Final Checklist when preparing for camp:

  1. Make sure all required forms have been completed.
  2. Order Lochearn gear and attire from Amerasport.
  3. Register with Camp Trucking if you prefer to ship your camper’s luggage to or from Lochearn.
  4. Register prescription medications with CampMeds.
  5. Refer to your Parent Handbook for the Opening and Closing Day procedures and other policies.
  6. Find these helpful resources on our website:
    • Your “MyLochearn” Account
    • Parent Handbook
    • Camp Store
    • Directions to Camp
    • Virtual Tour
    • Camp News

Camp News

When you arrive at Lochearn this summer, you’ll notice several awesome upgrades to many program areas. The arts studios have been painted and redesigned with new tables and work areas. Campers taking riding will now be able to store their riding boots and helmets in individual cubbies at the barn. On the waterfront, waterskiers and wakeboarders will enjoy a new Malibu ski boat.Summer 2016
We are also excited to announce a new out-of-camp trip for our Counselor Trainee Prospects (CTPs)! A Counselor Trainee Prospect is a camper who has just completed 8th grade with the potential to return to camp the next summer as a CT. This summer, the CTPs will go on a White Water Rafting adventure that will be guided by Mahoosuc Outdoors on the Androscoggin River in New Hampshire!

Staff Spotlight

It’s been an amazing year of staff hiring. We are so excited to welcome many new staff members to the Lochearn family, and to have so many returners from 2015.Camp Lochearn 2016

Coach Aldo Santiago will be gracing the tennis courts with his stellar warm-up and practice routines once again! Aldo’s love and passion for the game of tennis is contagious. The courts will be filled with laughter and excitement.

Many campers will recognize another familiar face at Lochearn this summer. Adrienne Jensen-Doray is thrilled to be getting back in the saddle as the head of the riding program. For the past two years, Adrienne has enjoyed working as the Assistant Director of Student Activities at Union College in Schenectady, NY, overseeing student clubs and leadership development activities. This will be Adrienne’s sixth summer running the Lochearn Riding program.

We are very happy to announce Sarah Beulink and Ashley Davis as the CT Campus Leaders this Summer 2016 VTsummer! Franny David, Maggie Brummer and Hannah Dailey will be returning as Senior, Sub-Senior and Junior Campus Leaders. Ruth Potter will be returning to lead the climbing program, and Chloe McDonnell will be back as the head of the athletics program! Morgan Riley will continue to be our fearless leader of OAP. Lori Earle will be back as the Parent Liaison and helping with the swimming program, and Beth Field will be the glue that holds together the arts program!

Logan Trask: Head of Theatre

Birthplace: Nashua, New Hampshire
School: Case Western Reserve University
Activities taught in 2015: Singing, Theatre, and Summer Reading
Fun Fact about yourself: I live in Danvers, MA, the original Salem Village, where the witch trialsSummer 2016 happened.
Not-So-Secret Passions: Songwriting!
Favorite Camp Food: Any dish where hash browns or tater tots are involved.
Favorite Camp Song: “Home.” Nothing is more beautiful than singing it on campfire hill during the pine cone ceremony.
Favorite Camp Activity: Performing Arts Night!
Favorite Memory of Lochearn: Singing the song I wrote for camp and having the whole camp sing along with me. I felt so connected and loved.
Logan’s advice to new members of the Lochearn family: It’s okay to be nervous and even a little scared, but trust me, you got this! Make sure to try new things and don’t be afraid of failing or looking silly (in fact, I would encourage you to be silly on purpose). Camp is a place for being yourself and for learning that there is more to yourself than you ever thought possible.

Directors’ Message

Dear Camp Families,

We hope all of you are enjoying the start of spring. Change in seasons reminds us that summer is Camp Lochearnright around the corner. The summer of 2016 will be here before we know it!

Winter flew by as Tony met with new camp families throughout the country from New England and Greater New York to South Florida, Southern California and many cities in between. We are so excited for new campers to join us for an amazing summer in Vermont! Thank you to the O’Connor Family who hosted the Lochearn Winter Gathering in February. It was wonderful seeing so many campers, CTs, and parents at the O’Connor home in New Canaan, Connecticut.

We greatly enjoyed hosting the annual Spring Summit at the winter office in Gainesville, Florida. As a leadership team, we reflected on the successes of 2015, and looked at what we can do to make Lochearn even stronger this summer. It always goes back to our amazing campers and how honored we are to have the opportunity each year to watch our campers grow.

Camp LochearnThe entire Lochearn team is so excited to celebrate the 100th summer on Lake Fairlee. We are
looking forward to Lochearn Alumni joining us to tell stories and to sing our favorite Lochearn songs on campfire hill. As a camp, we will celebrate Lochearn’s 100th birthday throughout each session. This summer is sure to be a special one that we will all remember for years and years to come.

We are thrilled that many of our instructional and support staff are returning for another great summer. We can’t wait to see you in Vermont!

Happy Camping!

Tony & Stacie - Directors at Camp Lochearn

Staff Spotlight

Celebrating 100 YearsRuth

Birthplace: Castleton, Vermont
Job: Outdoor Education Teacher at the John Dorr Nature Laboratory at Horace Mann School
Activities taught in 2015: Alpine Tower!!
Fun Fact about yourself: Last winter I made an igloo, ordered pizza from it, and ate inside it. Best. Day. Ever.
Not-So-Secret Passions: Playing outside, hiking, skiing, laughing, climbing trees and horseback riding.
Favorite Camp Food: Sweet Potato Fries
Favorite Camp Song: Magic and On My Honor, and R-E-D
Favorite Camp Activity: Cabin Nights
Favorite Memory of Lochearn: Opening day every summer when the campers first get there. The excitement and enthusiasm is incredible!
Ruth’s Advice to new members of the Lochearn Family: “Lochearn is one of the most special places in the world, meet as many people as you can, and the amazing experiences and memories will come naturally!”

Chloe

Birthplace: Bridgend, Wales
School: Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityCelebrating 100 Years
Activities taught in 2015: Gymnastics, Snorkeling, Sailing, Diving
Fun Fact about yourself: I started gymnastics
when I was two years old and still love it!
Not-So-Secret Passions: I love learning, whether it’s academic or learning new things about myself.
Favorite Camp Food: Chicken Patties and S’mores Bars
Favorite Camp Song: The Princess Pat
Favorite Camp Activity: Gymnastics or Paddleboarding
Favorite Memory of Lochearn: Opening Day of First Session, when I met the girls in my cabin and knew I was going to love every minute of camp!
Chloe’s Advice to new members of the Lochearn Family: “Leave all worries and concerns at the gate, you are going to have the best summer of your life and develop friendships that will long outlive the short time spent together at camp.”

100th Year Celebration!

Established in 1916, Lochearn turns 100 years old this year! We invite alumni to celebrate with us on one of two days during the summer of 2016. Join us to enjoy lunch and some of Lochearn’s longstanding traditions in the afternoon.

Save the date for one of these two Celebration days:
Saturday, July 2nd – OR – Saturday, July 30th
11:30 AM: Alumni Arrive
12:00 PM: Lunch Buffet
1:30 PM: Campfire Ceremony
2:45 PM: Blue & Green Activity
6:15 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: An Evening on Campfire Hill

More details will be coming soon! Please RSVP for one of the two 100th Year Celebration days via email to fun@camplochearn.com. In your email, please include which day you would like to attend.

We look forward to sharing 100 years of tradition with you!

100 Years!

Lochearn News & Gear

It’s going to be another amazing summer in Vermont. We’re excited for a few new aspects of our activities! Projects to improve the areas of Archery and Arts & Crafts are underway. Waterskiers and wakeboarders will be using a new ski boat this summer, and we will be bringing CrossFit style exercises into pilates class!

Theatre Production

Whether you are a Lochearn theatre enthusiast or enjoy watching and supporting the performers, get excited for this summer’s musical theatre production of Peter Pan!

Order your gear early!

Make sure your family is prepared for the summer by ordering your Lochearn gear early! You can view the packing list and order from the Lochearn Webstore on our website. Order before May 1 to avoid delays.

amerisport-store

Visit www.CampLochearn.com and click on “Lochearn Families” at the top of the page. You will find the link to the “Camp Store” in the menu bar.

Here are some other helpful hints for ordering:

  • Trunks and duffels are both great for camp, but they must be 15″ in height or less to fit under the beds.
  • Shipping from Amersport can take 14-21 business days. If you place an order after May 1, have it shipped to camp at 1061 Robinson Hill Road, Post Mills, VT 05058.