Discover, Share, Preserve

“Discover, Share, Preserve” is proudly displayed at our camp welcome gate and in Wyonegonic’s dining hall. My father, George Sudduth who was director from 1969-1991 was passionate about educating campers and staff regarding their relationship with the environment. Spending a summer at camp in Maine is the perfect way to help instill a deep appreciation for the outdoors in kids who spend so much time inside. They can “Discover” through camp programming in outdoor living skills, ecology and overnight camping trips in Maine. Girls learn to build a fire and set up a campsite using Leave No Trace Principles. They identify trees, collect frogs from streams and learn about the ecosystems that surround them in the Maine woods. Other camp activities enable kids to enjoy the beautiful clean waters of Moose Pond and the towering pines trees that are hundreds of years old. These programs weave naturally into our camp culture and campers develop a bond with the earth that they can bring home with them and “Share” with others. For many of our camp alumnae, staff and campers, this passion for the outdoors becomes a lifelong journey. The question on how to “preserve” is constantly evolving. As a camp we can reduce our waste, recycle materials and minimize our energy consumption. This is best done when also shared with our community. Campers and staff love coming to camp and living the simple life without electricity in the rustic camp cabins. Unplugging from the world of electronics for the summer has more than one benefit! Campers will see the new solar panels on the cobb lodge dining hall this summer and learn how they supply 110% of the energy needs for that building.  Kids and staff brainstorm on how to use recycled materials for arts and crafts projects. Counselors-in-Training involved with Community Service maintain local hiking trails and campsites.  As someone who works in the camp office I can attest we are using less paper by using online forms and electronic storage when appropriate. The list of ideas goes on and on and we are proud to continue on the path to sustainability by furthering the mission to “Discover, Share and Preserve” for the camp community.