Friendship and Camp Wrist at Maine Camps

The friendship bracelet trend on the Taylor Swift Eras tour hits home and gives us that warm fuzzy feeling we think about when we think about camp. Just as Swifties are making and trading pretty and meaningful bracelets to mark connections or form new bonds, friendship bracelets represent campers’ experiences and friendships, and are a key part of any Maine Camp summer.

Colorful bracelets will soon fill our campers’ wrists and we can’t wait to see these stacks! Made from colorful string, beads, and rubber, these bracelets are far more valuable than any made from precious metals. They represent the happy times spent with camp friends who become family and they represent friendship, tradition, and fun! Camp wrist builds throughout the summer as campers make more memories.

Friendship bracelets are often made during downtime like during Rest Hour after lunch. Using colorful stings and beads, campers make masterpieces they can keep for themselves or give to a friend or counselor. String bracelets can feature beautifully woven designs made from vibrant colors. Beaded bracelets feature great colors and patterns, and they often have a name or word included to commemorate a joke or special happening. It’s a nice way to let someone know you are thinking of them and care about them.

In addition to campers making bracelets, camps may also give bracelets. For instance, some camps will give their oldest campers rubber bracelets to mark their final summer. Each campers get his and her own stack to wear, gift, and trade throughout the summer. We love how an older camper will give a new, younger camper a bracelet to let them know they’re welcomed and loved. Another great use is campers trading bracelets with other Maine campers at Intercamp sports competitions and Socials. It’s a way to make and show a connection as campers develop their sense of self and their sense of community. Rubber bracelets may also be given to everyone in camp during special events like Olympics, or be earned for accomplishing goals like an accomplishment at swim or running a race.

Camp wrist is at once both whimsical and meaningful. It’s a great sign of a summer well spent having fun, being creative, and making friends. We can’t wait to load ‘em up.

Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps __memories & expressions of gratitude __on our Memories of Camp section of our website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.  

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.