Sunday, July 5, 2026

Dear Moose Families,

It is our pleasure to write this weekly letter home from Moosilauke for the period June 27th to July 4th. Along with chronicling the day-to-day happenings at camp we will also use the intro section to write about issues related to helping boys become their best selves.

Let us start by congratulating you on providing an amazing overnight camp experience for your son(s). You are good parents! According to research from the American Camping Association, a high-quality overnight boys’ camp significantly improves character, social-emotional intelligence, and well-being. More specifically, camps like Moose help boys:

• Embrace Healthy Masculinity. Camps provide boys 24 hour access to aspirational adults who model and cultivate compassion, patience, and emotional courage.
• Reduce Anxiety. A meta-analysis of youth camping experiences demonstrated statistically significant decreases in anxiety symptoms, alongside notable increases in self-confidence and positive mood.
• Build Independence and Empathy. Longitudinal research shows that an immersive camp experience builds important life skills, including independence, social awareness, and deep peer friendships.
• Improve Cognitive Flexibility and Overall Character Development. Camps that provide a wealth of positive risk taking via outdoor adventure and athletic programming, all within a supportive culture, help build frustration tolerance, problem-solving skills, and resilience.
• Undergo Digital Detox. The research is clear that time spent completely unplugged from technology improves brain function and decreases stress.

And now for a recap of the highlights from our first full week.

On Saturday, June 27, we welcomed 140 campers and counselors-in-training.  Our campers hail from 21 different states and 3 countries. It was a beautiful day at Moose. There was the usual air of excitement (and likely some trepidation, particularly among our new campers) buzzing in the air. The campers quickly settled into their cabins, set up their down-the-hill lockers, checked in with the nurses, grabbed a name tag, and were off playing and catching up with old and new friends in the different open activity areas. Once most everyone arrived, the campers and staff gathered in the front of the office for the traditional game of “Bill says.” The campers did a great job keeping up. Next the campers and staff gathered by their cabin community and went on a tour of the campus–led by returning campers and staff. Dinner was a meal of Moose burgers with french fries, a full salad bar, and ice cream sandwiches for dessert. At dinner announcements, Associate Director Quinn, led the group through a fun “would you rather” game, presenting different scenarios to the group and taking a quick poll. We also celebrated a camp birthday with a full camp serenade of “Happy Birthday”and a special cake for the birthday boy. After dinner, the campers and staff headed down the hill for getting-to-know-you games, creating cabin community rules as a group, a bonfire, and then counselor introductions by activity area. The camp was then treated to a fantastic display of fireworks on the field, before heading up the hills to continue unpacking and settling in. 

On Sunday, June 28, the campers experienced their first T.M.D. (Typical Moosilauke Day). At breakfast we held our first announcement time, which included camper faves like Ken’s reading of sports scores with colorful commentary, the first round of speed math with Bill, and our first camper-told joke. After breakfast it was time for cabin clean-up and then our first two scheduled morning activity periods that included swim tests for each age group. The campers then had sign-ups for their choice of activities in the afternoon. At lunch, our oldest campers, the Senior A1s (fifteen-year-olds) were given a special t-shirt honoring their time and leadership at Moose. Evening activities included a ping pong tournament, gaga pit, fishing, Ultimate frisbee, tennis, basketball knockout, kickball, dodgeball, and tubing. 

On Monday, June 29, post breakfast, Bill MCed a Moose trivia session in which the boys correctly answered the following fun facts: the camp’s founding date (1904), the year Ken, Sabina and Ingrid’s grandfather Moose bought the camp (1938), what happened that year weather-wise (a hurricane came up the Connecticut River and took most of the roofs of the cabins!), and the camp’s most famous head counselor (Vince Lombardi). Along with our regular schedule of two assigned periods in the morning and two choice periods in the afternoon, we had our first inter-camp competition of the season: a 15s tennis tournament at a neighboring camp. With inter-camp competition, we routinely share our deep hope that boys at Moose will choose to play on teams in sports they don’t play at home–and may have never played before. At Moose, everyone plays, regardless of experience. We also talk about there being three scoreboards: 1) the actual score, 2) the second scoreboard which is about effort and sportsmanship, and 3) who has the best hair (!). 

On Monday we had our first wake surfing session of the season. Check-out our instagram for a short film! Monday also saw the first trips of the season. The SA2s (fourteen-year-olds) spent the afternoon swimming and jumping in the natural waterfalls of Baker Cliffs, followed by a delicious ice cream treat at Moose Scoops. A group of Senior Bs (thirteen-year-olds) ventured out on a mountain biking excursion around the roads and trails within the vicinity of camp, ending with a swim at Orford Beach. And the Junior Bs (eight-and-nine-year-olds) had an afternoon nature excursion on the pontoon boat. In the evening there was kickball, tennis, dodgeball, a canoeing and standup paddle boarding excursion, Ultimate frisbee, lounging at the beach around a campfire, and open areas of lawn games, swimming, ping pong, pick up basketball, tennis, and volleyball.

Tuesday, June 30, was our first morning of Moose Bears! Over fifty campers and staff volunteered to take part in this pre-breakfast tradition. The group swam and danced in the water, reciting their many Moose Bear chants, such as “the Chop,” “Fast Food Chant,” “the Whirlpool,” and “the Whale,” before ending with their traditional “We are the Moose Bears…” After breakfast, Bill talked to the camp about the importance of positive risk taking. In the afternoon there was a 13s basketball tournament and a 9s soccer tournament at neighboring camps. There was also a 12s soccer tournament at Moose. A group of Inter As (twelve-year-olds) ventured out on a mountain biking excursion on the trails and roads around camp to Orford Beach. 

Also on Tuesday, a group of Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) departed early for a canoeing overnight adventure to Lake Umbagog and the Androscoggin River. After a quick stop for breakfast at Dunkin Donuts, they headed to the lake. Once there, they unloaded and then paddled 6+ miles to their campsite. (The lake is over 10 miles long.) Once there, the group set up their tents, swam, fished, relaxed, and explored the area. Dinner was a protein-fest of hamburgers, steaks, and brats. After dinner, Associate Director Jake shared a tall-tale around their campfire, where the group enjoyed a dessert of S’mores. The next morning, after a breakfast of bagels and sausage, they paddled into the Androscoggin River where they canoed and tubed down the Class 11 rapids. The trip ended with the campers leaping off the famous jumping bridge into the river. On their way back to camp, the group stopped at Enzo’s for an all-you-can-eat pizza lunch. Also on Tuesday, the Senior A1s (fifteen-year-olds) headed to Baker Cliffs, followed by an ice cream treat. Other events on Tuesday included our inaugural top-rope rock climbing trip to the Rumney crags with Rocco, and the Counselors-in-Training started their 3-day lifeguard training program. In the evening, the seniors were able to view the World Cup match of USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

On Wednesday, July 1, inter-camp competition continued with 11s basketball and 10s baseball at Moose. At the 11s tournament, one of our campers hit a half-court shot at the buzzer to win the game for Moose! In the morning, another group of Inter As (twelve-year-olds) had their turn mountain biking around the lake, and a second group enjoyed a day of rock climbing at the Rumney crags. In the dining hall, Bill and Quinn debated who the G.O.A.T is in basketball. (The correct answer is Michael Jordan says Bill!). Two B.T.C.O.Ds were also shared. B.T.C.O.Ds are shout-outs to campers and counselors who go “Beyond the Call of Duty.” Given the high temps, many of our land sports added a water balloon fest to their areas. In the evening, most campers headed to the waterfront.

Thursday, July 2, was another hot day, so the scheduled inter-camp competition was postponed, and all activities in the afternoon were moved to the water. Faves included water lax and water basketball. Two special activities took place in the afternoon. The first was an all ages mussel relocation effort that entailed boys moving over a hundred fresh water mussels from the boating area to our outlet via a canoe. The second was a fire hose waterfall that was very refreshing for all. A highlight from the day involved multiple campers setting water treading records. Thursday also saw another intrepid group of Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) depart for the Umbagog/Androscoggin canoe adventure. This group tubed down the rapids before heading to the jumping bridge for the traditional leap into the cool river water. Other trips on Thursday included another all-ages climbing trip to the Rumney crags, the Inter As (twelve-year-olds) swimming at Baker Cliffs, and an all-ages mountain biking excursion to the 70 miles of machine groomed trails at Green Woodlands. The highlight of the evening off campus was the Senior A1s (fifteen-year-olds) being treated to a night in Hanover that included a pizza dinner and movie. On campus the evening highlight was Port’s first tall-tale of the summer on the beach. 

Friday, July 3, was another spectacular and warm day. A post breakfast highlight was a camper sharing a brain-teasing riddle. Intercamp competition was a 15s pickleball tournament, a 12s baseball tournament, and a 10s soccer tournament at neighboring camps. The Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) spent the afternoon at Baker Cliffs and another group of Inter As (twelve-year-olds) enjoyed a mountain biking adventure around the lake. There was a fourth all-ages rock climbing trip to the Rumney crags with Rocco. And, a group of Seniors spent the day playing golf at the Bradford Country Club with Todd. Friday dinner was the first “Kenny Cookout” of the session. There was grilled chicken and bratwurst, fruit salad, macaroni-and-cheese, corn bread, potato chips, soda, and ice cream treats for dessert. In the evening, there was sandcastle building, a crayfish hunt, water polo and lacrosse, dodgeball, a ping pong tournament, tubing, wiffle ball, and ultimate frisbee.

On Saturday, July 4, the festivities began before breakfast with classic rock music serenading the campers (and woodland creatures) as they awoke. Breakfast highlights included campers and staff dressing up in their red, white, and blue, chants of “USA,” and of course Ken’s traditional speech on America’s founding. The campers spent their morning doing their choice of activities. In the afternoon, there were “only at Moose” wacky activities including “Liberties,” a water obstacle course/relay, Slip-n-slide kickball, a water gauntlet, the Boston Tea Party, and a “13 Colonies” Scavenger Hunt. And it wouldn’t be the 4th at Moose without Sno-Cones, compliments of our CITs. We then hosted the neighboring girls camp for a barbecue, followed by a dance on the basketball courts. After the dance, the boys regrouped at the beach to enjoy an amazing fireworks display over the lake. 

On Sunday, July 5, the camp had their first “Lazy Sunday.” Campers and staff had a late start, followed by a delicious buffet breakfast in the dining hall that included cinnamon rolls, eggs, omelettes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit and yoghurt bar, and an assortment of cold cereals. After breakfast, the campers had free choice time. The big event Sunday was all of our new campers and some hearty returning campers hiked up Mt. Cube. They enjoyed beautiful views at the summit – for many it was their first mountain experience!. Finally, both groups of Counselors-in-Training and Junior Counselors enjoyed a much deserved night off. 

A note about meals at Moose. We eat family-style in the dining hall and there is a variety of meals each week. For breakfasts, we have scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, French toast, cheese omelettes, egg/sausage/cheese sandwiches, with sides of bacon, sausage, potatoes, and a full yogurt and fruit bar, assorted cold cereals, and hot cereal. For lunches, there is grilled cheese and tater tots, turkey/bacon melts with fries, quesadillas, chicken patties with french fries, chicken tenders and tater tots, mac-n-cheese and chicken drumsticks with carrot and celery sticks, with a soup of the day and a full salad bar. And, for dinners, there is pot roast with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli, lasagna and garlic bread, burritos with rice and black beans, pulled pork with roast potatoes and corn, spaghetti and meatballs with green beans and garlic bread, pizza, orange chicken with rice and broccoli, with a full salad bar and a different dessert each night. There are vegetarian, dairy free and other dietary options for campers who request them. The boys also have mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks of fresh fruit, homemade cookies, granola bars, watermelon, and Italian ices, to name a few. 

Thank you for sharing your boys with us. 

Happy Summer!

Sabina, Bill, Ken, Todd, Ingrid, Preston, Jake, Quinn & Charlotte