July 6, 2025

Dear Moosilauke Families,

It is our pleasure to send this second weekly letter home from Moosilauke during summer 2025. As is our routine, in the opening section we will highlight issues related to the growth and well-being of boys, while the majority of the letter will recount the daily highlights of camp life.

More than likely you heard the very tragic recent news of the flood related missing and dead at a summer camp in Texas. Unimaginably sad. Given that it would be normal for this event to raise questions in your mind about emergency, health, and safety related issues at Moosilauke, we thought we would write with a few details.

At Moose, we embrace the mantra, “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.” This is very evident in the programming that is at the center of our ten-day orientation for all staff. In the course of the morning and afternoon sessions we cover best practice protocols related to missing camper, missing swimmer, inclement weather and lightning (for land, water and mountain areas), intruder, release of camper, and evacuation related to fire, flood etc. 

We also have specific sessions on important well-being and safety related issues and procedures, including: child abuse prevention and mandated reporting, behavior and discipline, homesickness, inclusion and belonging, and residential policies including how to supervise changing areas, shower time, and bedtime. 

Another important element of our emergency and safety net at Moosilauke arises from required qualifications for specific roles and positions. For example, every adult who will be supervising a trip anywhere near water must be a certified lifeguard, and every water related trip must have multiple lifeguards on it. (Given this requirement, we hold a lifeguard certification course on campus prior to orientation, and every summer over half our staff take part.) Every hiking and backcountry trip–day or overnight–that is 30 minutes or less from a medical center must have a staff member with a Wilderness First Aid certification on it and any trip that is an hour or more from a medical facility must have a Wilderness First Responder on it. And of course trip and program areas like rock climbing, white water kayaking, and archery all must be overseen by adults with relevant certifications. 

Finally, we are blessed at Moose to have all of the above overseen by an 8 member admin team that is exclusively made-up of McMahon/Miller/Hale family members. All 8 are or have been educators or educational leaders, all have advanced degrees, and two of them are current or past deans of students at well known boarding schools. Additionally, the years of experience at Moose for the team ranges from 14 to 40 years!

Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have questions about any of these important issues and protocols.

And now, the daily events from Sunday, June 29 through Saturday, July 5.

Sunday was our first “Lazy Sunday” brunch. The campers were able to sleep in a bit and feast on a buffet that included scrambled eggs, cheese omelettes, bacon and sausage, cinnamon buns, and chocolate croissants. After breakfast, the campers ventured down the hill for free-time where they took part in lawn games, card games, reading by the beach, ping pong, chatting with friends, and playing pick-up basketball. On Sunday another group of Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) departed early for an overnight canoeing adventure on Lake Umbagog and the Androscoggin River. On the first day they canoed 2-½ hours up Umbagog to their campsite, set up their tents, swam, fished, and relaxed. For dinner, they had a “meat lovers” extravaganza that included steak, hot dogs, and burgers. The next day the intrepid group paddled a few miles to the Class II rapids in Errol. They ran the rapids multiple times in both canoes and tubes. The only canoe that capsized was the one with the counselors! After the traditional leaps off the Jumping Bridge, they stopped for a fast food feast, and then returned to camp. 

Sunday also saw our traditional opening week Mt Cube adventure for all new campers (not signed-up for another hike), and about 15 intrepid returning boys. Although it was an overcast day, the skies were clear on the summit providing the campers an amazing view of camp. Campers not on the hike or canoe trip had their choice of sign-ups for some “special activities” in the afternoon that included: water balloon target shooting in archery, a shot competition in soccer, a radar assisted fastest serve in tennis, a dunk contest (with lowered rims) at basketball, a homerun derby in Baseball. Waterfront activities included canoe sailing, kayak water polo, and waterskiing for both beginners and advanced skiers. In the evening, there was the first cabin cookout of the season that included hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, salad, chocolate milk, and S’mores for dessert. The Senior A1s (fifteen-year-olds) had a special evening in Hanover that included a pizza feast followed by a viewing of the “F1” movie. Another highlight of the evening was the Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) playing in a “Kennys” vs Todds” softball tournament. Finally, the Junior/Inter and Senior cabin cleanup winners for the week enjoyed a viewing of a movie of their choice in the rec halls with candy treats for snack. 

On Monday, two groups departed early for a mountain adventure overnight. A group of Senior A1s (fifteen-year-olds) left for a three-day, two-night capstone hike to the Mahoosuc Range. The first day the group hiked the 2.6 mile Carlo Col Trail and then did another 4.4 on the Mahoosuc/AT trail, ending their day at the Goose Eye Shelter. It was a steep and technical 7 miles that included river crossings and sections where the boys needed to take off their packs, but the group handled it with enthusiasm and good spirits. Day 2 was slated to be a trek of the Mahoosuc Notch, which is widely known as “the hardest mile of the Appalachian Trail” due to technical scrambles up and down boulders as tall as houses. However, due to stormy weather, the group made the wise decision to bypass the Notch and find an alternative campsite for the evening. On day 3, the group first ascended to a fire tower via an exposed rocky scramble that provided views of the trails from the last 2 days before descending three miles to their van. 

A group of Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) left for a three-day, two-night backpacking adventure that included summiting Mt. Washington. On Day 1, they first hiked Lowe’s Path for 3 miles to the Perch Campsite on Mt. Adams. After dropping their gear, they grabbed their water bottles and some snacks and summited Adams. The group feasted on a dinner of rice and beans before settling down in the shelter for a good night’s rest. One Day 2, they summited Mt. Washington. While there, they enjoyed some rest time and candy treats at the Visitor’s Center before taking the Tuckerman’s Ravine and Lion’s Head trail to the Hermit Lake Shelter. On Day 3, they descended for 2.5 hours and then drove to an all you can eat pizza fest before returning to camp.

Intercamp Competition on Monday included a 15s tennis tournament and an all ages track meet at neighboring camps. A group of Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) ventured out in the morning for a mountain biking trek on the trails and roads surrounding Camp. Another group of campers headed to the Rumney Crags for a day of climbing. Finally, a group of Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) hiked to our lakeside wilderness campsite called the Point for a fun overnight that included swimming and fishing and a dinner and S’mores cooked over a campfire.

Evening highlights on-campus included a frog and crayfish hunt for the Junior Bs (eight-and-nine-year olds), a Ping Pong tournament, tubing, and pontoon boat fishing. Another activity that has been taking place in the evenings, compliments of the Head Counselors, has been a “Question of the Day.” Some examples so far have included: “Would you rather be the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best team?;” and “Would you rather be able to understand every animal but not be able to speak them or be able to speak the language of animals?” The campers have really enjoyed pondering their responses and sharing them with others on the whiteboard. 

On Tuesday, the Counselors-in-Training (CITs) had a much deserved day off that involved a trip to Weirs Beach. On Tuesday intercamp competition continued with a 13s basketball tournament, 11s soccer tournament, and 9s basketball tournament at neighboring camps. A second group of Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) had their turn mountain biking around the lake. The Junior As (ten-year-olds) departed in the afternoon for an overnight at our Pioneer Camp on the Baker River. After a trip to Moose Scoops for some ice cream, they arrived at the campsite to set up their ten-person tent on the platform. The boys then swam and fished in the river, and then feasted on a campfire meal that included S’mores. The Junior Bs (eight-and-nine-year-olds) enjoyed an afternoon of fun at Baker Cliffs, swimming and jumping in the natural waterslides, followed by an ice cream treat at Moose Scoops. In the evening, there was junior world cup soccer, dodgeball, street hockey, tubing, and Beach Time. 

Wednesday, intercamp competition included a 10s Baseball Tournament and 12s Archery Tournament at a neighboring camp, along with a 15s Ultimate Frisbee Tournament at Moose. A second group of Senior A2s (fourteen-year-olds) departed early for their own overnight hiking trip to Mt. Washington. A courageous and hearty bunch they were, as they trekked through rain (and even some hail) on their way to the summit of Mt. Washington. Due to bad weather the decision was made to pick the group up on the summit and forgo the hike down. The Senior Bs (thirteen-year-olds) spent the afternoon swimming at Baker Cliffs, followed by an ice cream treat at Moose Scoops. A third group of Inter Bs (eleven-year-olds) participated in a mountain biking adventure around our lake. And another group of campers headed to the Rumney crags for some top-rope rock climbing fun. The highlight of the evening was another campfire tall-tale by Port.

Thursday, intermittent rain in the morning led to fun indoor games like bowling in the dining hall. The rain cleared in the afternoon so we were able to hold our inter-camp competition which included a 9s soccer tournament, an 11s basketball tournament, and a 15s archery tournament at a neighboring camp, and a 13s soccer tournament at Moose. A highlight of the afternoon was the Inter A (twelve-year-olds) canoe trip to Hanover, which was followed by a pizza dinner and a viewing of “How to Train Your Dragon” at a theater in Hanover. And an evening highlight was a Junior B (eight-and-nine-year olds) overnight at our Point lakeside campsite.

Friday was hot and sunny, perfect for our 4th of July celebratory activities! Many campers and staff dressed in their most festive red, white, and blue for the day. In the morning, campers had free choice activity sign-ups. In the afternoon, the campers were divided into two teams–the Stars vs. the Stripes. They competed in an array of fun activities that included Liberties, Water Obstacle Course Relay, Slip-n-Slide Kickball, and the Water Gauntlet The CITs spent the afternoon making amazing Sno-Cones for the whole camp. At lunch on Friday, Todd did an amazing “Trick of the Day” that entailed a card being shredded and then miraculously being found in a sealed can of pineapples. In the evening the campers had a cookout on the field with a neighboring girls’ camp, followed by a dance, then an amazing display of fireworks on the lake.    

Saturday, the good weather continued. In the morning a group of two week campers said their goodbyes. The campers were all smiles as they reflected positively on the many trips, competitions, and activities they participated in. Saturday was also a day of inter-camp competition that included 10s, 12s, and 15s basketball, 12s and 13s baseball, 10s tennis, 13s lacrosse, and 15s soccer. A busy day! For those not participating in intercamp competition, there was a choice of open area activities on land and in the water. After dinner it was Movie Night viewings on both Junior and Senior Hills and homemade popcorn and candy treats for all.

That’s all for now. Summer the way it ought to be! As always, please do not hesitate to contact Bill or Sabina should you have any questions.

Happy Summer!

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