by Ken Miller, Associate Director
The echoes of Color War past reverberate throughout the history and memories of Moosilauke campers. There was always the mystery of how Color War would be broken although many of us felt we knew what night it was going to happen. The actual Color war breaks ranged from everything from ping pong balls bouncing all over the mess hall, letters to each camper received at rest hour, the themes of pirates, giant eels, and even Grease, to crazy loggers and the Planet of the Apes. This year we had the mystery of why the Color War of 1961 never happened. The story was that a pilot had been hired to break Color War but he never made it to Camp Moosilauke and disappeared under mysterious circumstances (A storm? A tornado?). The lead up to a Color War break is as important as the break itself as campers follow clues that take them to many areas of camp. There was a list of Color War results since 1943 posted at the office which clearly showed that there were no results in 1961.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
What You Learn About Boys From Running a Summer Camp
by Bill McMahon, Co-Director
After twenty plus years of running a residential summer camp you learn a thing or two about boys. Here are some of the golden rules my wife and I have learned about how they learn and grow, all of which informs how we run Camp Moosilauke.
1) Peer culture drives everything. Judith Rich Harris makes it very clear in her book The Nurture Assumption that the most powerful non-nature factor influencing how kids learn and grow is peer culture. Peer culture does not push, it pulls, and its pull is magnetic. Even though peer culture trumps the influence of adults, adults who work with kids can make a difference. One key way is to influence the norms of a peer culture. And of course a key role of parents, especially those with teenagers, is to help place their kids in positive and healthy peer cultures, via where they live, the schools they choose, the activities and organizations they affiliate with—and the camps they select.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Weekly Letter Home 7-29-2011
Dear Moosilauke Parent:
This provides our first letter from our 2.5 week session. It has been a busy, fun-filled week. Click on http://campmoosilaukephotos.shutterfly.com/ for daily photos and read on for all the adventures and special happenings.
As you know, Monday, July 26th, was opening day. Although we had a brief drizzle, overall it was very pleasant and not nearly as hot as the previous week. Once we finished with arrivals and registration, the whole camp played the time-honored game of "Bill Says" (like "Simon Says" but better). After the game the new campers met their Camp big brothers and were escorted by them to our first meal. After our Moose burger-fest the first chants and songs of the session began. The highlight was "There was a crazy Moose" lead by counselor Josh who has the unique distinction of making a Division I football team and also being selected to be part of the elite male singing group at his school. Then it was time for a silly Moose trivia contest MCed by head counselor Gordo. After the meal it was down the hill for age group orientation games followed by our traditional wacky counselor introductions by activity areas. The campers agreed that the best introductions were courtesy of the swimming staff going wild with squirt guns, the baseball staff smashing fruit, and the tennis staff riding lawn mowers.
This provides our first letter from our 2.5 week session. It has been a busy, fun-filled week. Click on http://campmoosilaukephotos.shutterfly.com/ for daily photos and read on for all the adventures and special happenings.
As you know, Monday, July 26th, was opening day. Although we had a brief drizzle, overall it was very pleasant and not nearly as hot as the previous week. Once we finished with arrivals and registration, the whole camp played the time-honored game of "Bill Says" (like "Simon Says" but better). After the game the new campers met their Camp big brothers and were escorted by them to our first meal. After our Moose burger-fest the first chants and songs of the session began. The highlight was "There was a crazy Moose" lead by counselor Josh who has the unique distinction of making a Division I football team and also being selected to be part of the elite male singing group at his school. Then it was time for a silly Moose trivia contest MCed by head counselor Gordo. After the meal it was down the hill for age group orientation games followed by our traditional wacky counselor introductions by activity areas. The campers agreed that the best introductions were courtesy of the swimming staff going wild with squirt guns, the baseball staff smashing fruit, and the tennis staff riding lawn mowers.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Moosilauke Weekly Letter Home 7-17-11
Hello from balmy Orford, NH! We have had another terrific week and it is our pleasure to share with you the highlights via this letter. As you know, you can also access daily pictures from camp by clicking on http://campmoosilaukephotos.shutterfly.com. We are also excited to announce that Moosilauke is now blogging! By clicking on http://campmoosilauke.blogspot.com you can read postings by Bill and Sabina, campers and staff. Finally, click on http://moosilauke.com/tmpl.php?pagename=video2 to view a video montage from the first two weeks of camp that one of our counselors put together.
And now to recap the events of the past week...
Saturday was filled with competition with a neighboring camp. The boys participated in baseball, soccer, tennis, hockey, and basketball in all age groups. One of the most exciting games was the 12-and-under basketball contest that ended with a buzzer beater basket.
And now to recap the events of the past week...
Saturday was filled with competition with a neighboring camp. The boys participated in baseball, soccer, tennis, hockey, and basketball in all age groups. One of the most exciting games was the 12-and-under basketball contest that ended with a buzzer beater basket.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Farm Trip
by Gregory Locker, Counselor & Director of Backcountry Leadership Program
This past Saturday a group of ten campers went to Kingsbury Market Garden (KBMG), my family’s farm in Waitsfield, VT. KBMG is your archetypal diversified vegetable farm growing over 40 kinds of produce on seven tillable acres. KBMG employs innovative methods, such as movable greenhouses and natural weed control, for efficient and sustainable production. To visit KBMG one is struck by the utter flourishing of life and astounded that so much can be grown by the farms limited staff of three (my two brothers and one intern).
Our trip began with an extended tour by the head farmer, my brother Aaron. Systematically we moved through the farm and the campers had a chance to see -and taste- the different crops, while gleaning a sense of the complexities of planning and engineering that lay behind such an operation.
This past Saturday a group of ten campers went to Kingsbury Market Garden (KBMG), my family’s farm in Waitsfield, VT. KBMG is your archetypal diversified vegetable farm growing over 40 kinds of produce on seven tillable acres. KBMG employs innovative methods, such as movable greenhouses and natural weed control, for efficient and sustainable production. To visit KBMG one is struck by the utter flourishing of life and astounded that so much can be grown by the farms limited staff of three (my two brothers and one intern).
Our trip began with an extended tour by the head farmer, my brother Aaron. Systematically we moved through the farm and the campers had a chance to see -and taste- the different crops, while gleaning a sense of the complexities of planning and engineering that lay behind such an operation.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Climbing at Camp Moosilauke
by Gregory Locker, Counselor & Director of the Backcountry Leadership Program
Twenty minutes down the road from Camp Moosilauke is a climbing area called Rumney. Rumney is one of the premier climbing areas in the United States, offering climbs ranging in difficulty from that fitting any beginner to some of the hardest climbs in the world. Campers of all ages have the opportunity to sample rock climbing at this remarkable climbing area.
Our climbing trips involve two distinct genres of rock climbing (bouldering and top rope climbing) each offering its own value and capturing its own kind of child. We begin our trips with a bouldering session, a form of climbing that seeks out challenging rock faces approximately ten feet high and uses specially designed “crash pads” (essentially portable gymnastic mats) and spotters to protect the fall.
Twenty minutes down the road from Camp Moosilauke is a climbing area called Rumney. Rumney is one of the premier climbing areas in the United States, offering climbs ranging in difficulty from that fitting any beginner to some of the hardest climbs in the world. Campers of all ages have the opportunity to sample rock climbing at this remarkable climbing area.
Our climbing trips involve two distinct genres of rock climbing (bouldering and top rope climbing) each offering its own value and capturing its own kind of child. We begin our trips with a bouldering session, a form of climbing that seeks out challenging rock faces approximately ten feet high and uses specially designed “crash pads” (essentially portable gymnastic mats) and spotters to protect the fall.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The SA2s Canoe Lake Umbagog and the Androscoggin River
By Griffin, Senior A2 camper, age 14
On Thursday the 30th of June, a group of Senior A2s departed to Lake Umbagog and the Androscoggin River. We left at around 8:00am and got back at about 4:30pm the next day. After about a two hour drive, we finally reached the lake and ate a small lunch, then we were off. It was about a three hour paddle across a very windy lake, which only made the long trek even more challenging.
Finally after a long day of paddling, we reached the campsite where we settled down for a short night. In the morning, what felt like the crack of dawn, we woke up and had a fairly large breakfast filled with bacon, eggs, and hot chocolate. Soon after, we packed up and were on the road once again – this time for a much shorter journey.
On Thursday the 30th of June, a group of Senior A2s departed to Lake Umbagog and the Androscoggin River. We left at around 8:00am and got back at about 4:30pm the next day. After about a two hour drive, we finally reached the lake and ate a small lunch, then we were off. It was about a three hour paddle across a very windy lake, which only made the long trek even more challenging.
Finally after a long day of paddling, we reached the campsite where we settled down for a short night. In the morning, what felt like the crack of dawn, we woke up and had a fairly large breakfast filled with bacon, eggs, and hot chocolate. Soon after, we packed up and were on the road once again – this time for a much shorter journey.
Cabin Life at Moosilauke
By David, Zach, Michael, and Josh, Senior B campers, age 13
Cabin life at Moosilauke is unique. By the end of camp, you will learn to share, help, and above all live with others. First, you will learn to share. In cabins you have to share space, time, and work. There are only a certain amount of shelves for your clothes.
You learn to consolidate and compromise. Also after breakfast, you have cabin clean-up where everyone shares the responsibilities. Lastly, you have to share time, basically who gets to use what.
Cabin life at Moosilauke is unique. By the end of camp, you will learn to share, help, and above all live with others. First, you will learn to share. In cabins you have to share space, time, and work. There are only a certain amount of shelves for your clothes.
You learn to consolidate and compromise. Also after breakfast, you have cabin clean-up where everyone shares the responsibilities. Lastly, you have to share time, basically who gets to use what.
Moosilauke Weekly Letter Home 7-10-11
Dear Moosilauke Parent:
It is our pleasure to forward this third letter chronicling summer 2011. Before we recap the week, a brief Camp history lesson has been provided. Veteran parents, skip to paragraph four!
Moosilauke first opened its doors in 1904 making it one of the oldest private camps in the U.S. The dining hall and senior cabins S1 through S4 are all original structures. Moosilauke was founded by Virgil Prettyman, the first headmaster of the Horace Mann School, and advisor to President Eisenhower. Camper and staff alumni have included such luminaries as Benton MacKaye, the visionary behind the Appalachian Trail, Vince Lombardi, the Super Bowl winning NFL coach, Francois Gigure, former N.H.L. general manager, and Dave Trembly, the Major League baseball coach. Moosilauke was purchased by Gordon “Moose” Miller, the Athletic Director at the Horace Mann School (and a founder of the Ivy prep football league), in 1938. During the late 1960s, Gordon Porter Miller, Moose’s oldest son took over the running of the Camp. Port attended Colgate University, and received his doctorate from Columbia. He has written a number of books in the field of decision-making, including Teaching Your Child to Make Decisions and The Little Book for Big Decisions. Bill and Sabina took over the day-to-day running of the camp over twenty years ago. They also attended Colgate and received graduate degrees from Columbia (Bill, an M.B.A., and Sabina, a Masters in Education.) When they are not at Moosilauke, they live and work at The Thacher School in Ojai, CA. Bill is the Director of Admissions, and Sabina is the Dean of Students.
It is our pleasure to forward this third letter chronicling summer 2011. Before we recap the week, a brief Camp history lesson has been provided. Veteran parents, skip to paragraph four!
Moosilauke first opened its doors in 1904 making it one of the oldest private camps in the U.S. The dining hall and senior cabins S1 through S4 are all original structures. Moosilauke was founded by Virgil Prettyman, the first headmaster of the Horace Mann School, and advisor to President Eisenhower. Camper and staff alumni have included such luminaries as Benton MacKaye, the visionary behind the Appalachian Trail, Vince Lombardi, the Super Bowl winning NFL coach, Francois Gigure, former N.H.L. general manager, and Dave Trembly, the Major League baseball coach. Moosilauke was purchased by Gordon “Moose” Miller, the Athletic Director at the Horace Mann School (and a founder of the Ivy prep football league), in 1938. During the late 1960s, Gordon Porter Miller, Moose’s oldest son took over the running of the Camp. Port attended Colgate University, and received his doctorate from Columbia. He has written a number of books in the field of decision-making, including Teaching Your Child to Make Decisions and The Little Book for Big Decisions. Bill and Sabina took over the day-to-day running of the camp over twenty years ago. They also attended Colgate and received graduate degrees from Columbia (Bill, an M.B.A., and Sabina, a Masters in Education.) When they are not at Moosilauke, they live and work at The Thacher School in Ojai, CA. Bill is the Director of Admissions, and Sabina is the Dean of Students.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Competitive Play at Moosilauke
By Sam, Counselor-in-Training, age 16
Competition has probably been one of the most memorable experiences for me at Camp Moosilauke. Friendly competition against other camps and even your friends can show your true character. Every game you either watch or participate in is fun, exciting, and positive.
Here at Moosilauke, it doesn’t matter if you win, lose, or tie. Having fun is the key ingredient during different competitions. Sure you might not perform the way you wanted to in any given game, but there are many different opportunities throughout the summer in competition where you can work to achieve your goals.
Competition has probably been one of the most memorable experiences for me at Camp Moosilauke. Friendly competition against other camps and even your friends can show your true character. Every game you either watch or participate in is fun, exciting, and positive.
Here at Moosilauke, it doesn’t matter if you win, lose, or tie. Having fun is the key ingredient during different competitions. Sure you might not perform the way you wanted to in any given game, but there are many different opportunities throughout the summer in competition where you can work to achieve your goals.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Imagine a Place...
By Bill McMahon, Co-Director
Design in your mind the perfect place for boys to live, learn and grow. A place…
• Where they eat three sit down meals a day with an adult.
• Where at the end of every meal every boy willingly helps clean the table.
• Where there are no cell phones, video games, texting, sexting, or IMing. None. Instead, boys talk face-to-face. And they read at night.
• Where boys clean their room and make their bed every morning as part of their routine.
• Where college students spend all day long mentoring younger boys, and teaching them new skills.
• Where boys feel supported to try new things.
Design in your mind the perfect place for boys to live, learn and grow. A place…
• Where they eat three sit down meals a day with an adult.
• Where at the end of every meal every boy willingly helps clean the table.
• Where there are no cell phones, video games, texting, sexting, or IMing. None. Instead, boys talk face-to-face. And they read at night.
• Where boys clean their room and make their bed every morning as part of their routine.
• Where college students spend all day long mentoring younger boys, and teaching them new skills.
• Where boys feel supported to try new things.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Why Kids Succeed: the Importance of Mindset and What it Means for How We Provide Praise
By Bill McMahon, Co-Director
If you thought the core theories about how kids learn and grow best are set and have not changed for decades you would be dead wrong. New and meaningful research is coming out every year, and much of it is not necessarily intuitive.
A professor at Stanford named Carol Dweck has written a fascinating book about self-theories called Mindset: the New Psychology of Success. She posits that there are two core mindsets that kids (and adults) have. One is a “fixed” mindset. People with this mindset believe their intelligence and talent is fixed. The other is a “growth” mindset. People in this category see intelligence and talent as a malleable quality; a potential that can be developed.
If you thought the core theories about how kids learn and grow best are set and have not changed for decades you would be dead wrong. New and meaningful research is coming out every year, and much of it is not necessarily intuitive.
A professor at Stanford named Carol Dweck has written a fascinating book about self-theories called Mindset: the New Psychology of Success. She posits that there are two core mindsets that kids (and adults) have. One is a “fixed” mindset. People with this mindset believe their intelligence and talent is fixed. The other is a “growth” mindset. People in this category see intelligence and talent as a malleable quality; a potential that can be developed.
Trips for the Inter B's
By Noah, Inter B camper, age 11
One of the first trips of the year, the Inter B’s took a trip to Baker Cliffs. Baker Cliffs is a natural place where you can jump off the rocks like a diving board. The water was cold, and made the air seem warm. After that, the Inter B’s went to Fat Bob’s, an ice cream store in Warren, New Hampshire. Everyone picked their flavor, talked to their friends, and had fun.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Moosilauke Weekly Letter Home 7-1-11
Dear Moosilauke Parent:
The first full week during summer 2011 has been spectacular. Here are the highlights:
Our first Monday was sunny and hot, perfect weather for trips and in-camp activities. A group of volunteer Senior A2s (14-year-olds) left before breakfast for a three-day adventure that culminated in summiting Mt. Washington. At 6,288 ft., Washington is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and north of the Carolinas. The first day the boys hiked up King’s Ravine to the summit of Mt. Adams summit and then down to Crag Camp (a rustic first-come, first-serve shelter) for a total of 6 miles with 30-pound packs. The next day they hiked from 7:30am to 7:30pm and in the process covered over 7 miles and summited Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington. That night they slept at the Hermit Lake shelter. The final day they hiked 2.5 miles out to the Pinkham Notch trailhead during which they spread out to get the feel for solo hiking. Tuesday also saw a group of volunteer Senior Bs (thirteen-year-olds) head off for a two day Presidential backpacking trip of their own. On the first day, the boys hiked the steep 3+ mile trail that leads directly to the Liberty Springs campsite. After setting up their tents on the platforms the boys relaxed around the campsite and ate two large meals. The next day the campers covered 3.5 miles along the ridge summiting Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette in the process, and then powered down the Greenleaf trail back to their van. The morning also saw another group of Inter As (twelve-year-olds) venture out on an all day bike to the Wentworth Waterhole and back. In the afternoon, along with all our regular activities, our fifteen-and–under Ultimate Frisbee team had their first contest. Evening activities included tubing, kickball, dodge ball, kick the can, football, tennis, and a ghost story from Port that took place at our log cabin out at the Point. The story centered on a bear that was caught in a trap and was made all the more intriguing by the fact that Port had an actual bear paw as a prop.
The first full week during summer 2011 has been spectacular. Here are the highlights:
Our first Monday was sunny and hot, perfect weather for trips and in-camp activities. A group of volunteer Senior A2s (14-year-olds) left before breakfast for a three-day adventure that culminated in summiting Mt. Washington. At 6,288 ft., Washington is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and north of the Carolinas. The first day the boys hiked up King’s Ravine to the summit of Mt. Adams summit and then down to Crag Camp (a rustic first-come, first-serve shelter) for a total of 6 miles with 30-pound packs. The next day they hiked from 7:30am to 7:30pm and in the process covered over 7 miles and summited Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington. That night they slept at the Hermit Lake shelter. The final day they hiked 2.5 miles out to the Pinkham Notch trailhead during which they spread out to get the feel for solo hiking. Tuesday also saw a group of volunteer Senior Bs (thirteen-year-olds) head off for a two day Presidential backpacking trip of their own. On the first day, the boys hiked the steep 3+ mile trail that leads directly to the Liberty Springs campsite. After setting up their tents on the platforms the boys relaxed around the campsite and ate two large meals. The next day the campers covered 3.5 miles along the ridge summiting Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette in the process, and then powered down the Greenleaf trail back to their van. The morning also saw another group of Inter As (twelve-year-olds) venture out on an all day bike to the Wentworth Waterhole and back. In the afternoon, along with all our regular activities, our fifteen-and–under Ultimate Frisbee team had their first contest. Evening activities included tubing, kickball, dodge ball, kick the can, football, tennis, and a ghost story from Port that took place at our log cabin out at the Point. The story centered on a bear that was caught in a trap and was made all the more intriguing by the fact that Port had an actual bear paw as a prop.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Juniors Play in a Soccer Tournament
by Nathan, Junior A, age 10
On Tuesday, June 28th, 10 and Unders had a soccer tournament at Camp Pemigewasett. First game, we lost to Kingswood 6-0 but we still played hard. In the second game, we beat Pemi 4-1 and we were very good. Then, in the last game, we won 4-3 to Walt Whitman and in that game the MVP was Miles.
On Tuesday, June 28th, 10 and Unders had a soccer tournament at Camp Pemigewasett. First game, we lost to Kingswood 6-0 but we still played hard. In the second game, we beat Pemi 4-1 and we were very good. Then, in the last game, we won 4-3 to Walt Whitman and in that game the MVP was Miles.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Moosilauke Weekly Letter Home 6-27-11
Dear Moosilauke Parent:
It is our pleasure to write this first in-season letter from Moosilauke during summer 2011, our 107th season. As is our tradition, we will send an electronic letter home each week to make sure you know about all the activities, special events, and trips that make up the Moose Experience. You can view pictures from the summer (and even buy prints) by clicking on http://campmoosilaukephotos.shutterfly.com/ or by going to the Media Gallery section on the main page of the moosilauke.com web site and clicking on the “2011 pictures” link. We will do our best to post pictures every day.
It is our pleasure to write this first in-season letter from Moosilauke during summer 2011, our 107th season. As is our tradition, we will send an electronic letter home each week to make sure you know about all the activities, special events, and trips that make up the Moose Experience. You can view pictures from the summer (and even buy prints) by clicking on http://campmoosilaukephotos.shutterfly.com/ or by going to the Media Gallery section on the main page of the moosilauke.com web site and clicking on the “2011 pictures” link. We will do our best to post pictures every day.
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