Memorial Day Means Summer is Here – It’s Almost Time for Camp in Maine!

Memorial Day is a holiday when we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms, respecting these true American heroes with parades and other meaningful events and festivities. It also signals the unofficial start of summer with barbecues, beach days, pool club openings and more to kick off the season.  As someone who lives for each summer spent at camp, I think Memorial Day is my favorite holiday every year. Because – while I may not spend Memorial Days at camp like I do for the 4^th of July – this holiday always means that camp is just around the corner. 

Memorial Day is particularly special for me, because it tends to mark my yearly return to New England, which is unequivocally my favorite region in the country. While I won’t be heading up to Maine for a couple of weeks, Memorial Day provides me with the opportunity to get a taste of what’s to come. Each year for the long weekend, I’ll escape New York City for New Hampshire or Vermont. The beautiful blue lakes, sprawling green fields, tall towering pines, and the general smell of fresh air provide for an incredible escape – and my is joy only heightened by my knowledge that when I finally return to Maine, the lakes will be even bluer, the fields even greener, the pines even taller, and the air even fresher. As we know, there’s no place on earth that quite compares to Maine. For many, Memorial Day also signifies the beginning of “swimming season” – and while I wasn’t the biggest fan of instructional swim growing up, I’ve certainly come to appreciate the fun in splashing around in a pool, lake, or stream. I’ve already dived headfirst into my under-bed storage, extracting swim suits and hiking boots in order to prepare for the inevitable treks and adventures that summer has in store. Certain summer items, however, are reserved entirely for camp – and no matter how sunny it is, I will not wear my bucket hat until camp’s first program day. One final perk of Memorial Day is, of course, the delicious food that many of us enjoy on this holiday weekend! Between barbecues and picnics, we get to enjoy the burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and corn on the cob that will become staples of our summer diet (though of course, Maine Camp Experience camps always make sure to offer well-rounded, health conscious meals). For some lucky diners, Memorial Day also means it’s time to enjoy a truly classic Maine favorite: lobster and lobster rolls! There’s nothing like a weekend of family, friends, fun, and delicious food. With the holiday just behind us, let’s all celebrate what Memorial Day means to people around the country – we are so lucky to be a part of this incredible nation, and we truly do owe reverence to those who have made our freedom a possibility. And with these thoughts on our mind – we can also pay tribute to one other victory: summer is finally here! School is wrapping up, and pretty soon we’ll be making the trip for another summer spent at camp. See you in Maine!