Camp Caribou

Keiran

Camp Caribou made me learn a lot of life and sport skills. Camp Caribou was the best thing I ever did in my life. Camp was like my second home where my “family” was. All campers and adults there are so nice and it sicks that it is over, I felt like I was going to cry when I had to go home because it is so amazing there. I live in New York City and being in Camp Caribou in Maine is just awesome. The reason why I went to Camp Caribou is because my cousin Gisani Noel has been going to Camp Caribou for the past four years and I just wanted to try and see how it is. This was my first year there and I had a blast. I met so many people because of Gisani. I almost knew the whole camp. My best sports at camp was archery, riflery, hockey, ropes, and basketball. I got an award in riflery and archery,“The Comer Award’ in archery and “The Commando Challenge” in riflery. I can go on and on about Camp Caribou. Next year I want to go the full seven weeks so I can get the full time there. It will be amazing going there and making all those friends and I loved the food. I love to go back to Camp Caribou. “It’s cool to be nice at Camp Caribou.”

Tanya

My favorite memory - so far - is how my 12 year son’s top priority on visiting day was to show his 10 year old brother around the camp, and to introduce him as a future camper (though no commitment had been made to that point, the 10 year-old made his decision right there). He clearly loves camp and feels proud of being part of the community.

Sandy

I’ll never forget the sense of wonderment I experienced when I was driving through the state of Maine for the first time. I was 15 and on my way to an art school outside of Waterville. All of my senses were heightened, my eyes took in the tapestry of greens and colors as we drove through the woods. I couldn’t get enough of the scent of pine and the stickiness that I associated with pine trees and pine cones. If you can believe it, there was a loud silence. I longed to call out so I could hear my voice echo through the forest. My imagination ran wild with thoughts of bear and moose sightings. I never saw any moose but I did see coyotes and bears…The year I lived in Maine was one of my most memorable. I learned how to ski, snowboard, and snow shoe. I camped in the rain and snow. I learned how to appreciate the warm days and the evenings-that quickly changed to crisp and cold. It was a magical time for me, I remembering begging my parents to buy land in Maine.. being from NYC they just didn’t get it. Fast forward 32 years. My husband and I start to look at over night camps in Maine for our 8 year old son. We were scared and really didn’t know if our son would be a “camp type” of kid. We start asking friends for recommendations. Camp Caribou’ s name was suggested by several friends and a neighbor. We decided to spend a few days in Maine visiting Camp Caribou and several other camps. . As soon as we pulled onto Camp Caribou’s property we fell in love. The drive to the center of the camp is about 1 mile long with majestic pine trees lining the dirt road . During that time, we drove past an archery and rifle range and large totem-poles with a camp fire as the central focus..We met the owners of the camp had the grand tour and ended up spending 3 hours just chatting and becoming familiar with Caribou’s philosophy. We didn’t need to go any further, we knew in our hearts we had found a home away from home for our son. Eight years later my son is now a CIT at Camp Caribou. He fell in love with Maine and his second family at Camp Caribou. In the eight years since he started his Maine adventure, our son has rocked climbed in Arcadia National park and had the thrill of white water rafting on the Kennebec River. He canoed in New Brunswick, went whale watching in Bar Harbor and enjoyed the beach there as well.He hiked in Camden Hills,climbed Tumble Down mountain and Mt. Katahdin. He also explored the St Croix River in northern Maine by canoe. There are so many memorable adventures to be had within and hours drive of Camp Caribou! Our son has developed a real respect and love for the outdoors resulting from his experiences at camp. My personal slogan would be: “Camp Caribou - adventures, friendships and memories made every day,. every summer”. Sandy and Jack Swartz

Valerie

Going to sleep away camp filled my summer memories growing up. Thus, it was only natural for me to want my children to have those same wonderful experiences and memories throughout their own childhood. Although I am not very organized, I did all the research from Massachusetts to the outskirts of Maine to see the different summer camps and what they offered. My family and I saw the camps, got the complete tours and met with the directors. It almost became a full time job for me! When it was time for my husband and I to choose the best camp for our child, the choice was as natural as it was obvious-Camp Caribou in Winslow, Maine. When we visit in the middle of the summer, we see first hand not only how happy our child is, but the patience,love and enthusiasm the directors, Bill and Martha Lerman, as well as, the entire Caribou staff exhibit. When my son talks about camp and the experiences he has had all year long and when we see the special bond he has with the boys in his bunk and those not in his bunk, it further solidifies the fact that we made the correct decision five years ago to send him to Camp Caribou. My son is learning and experiencing the positive effects of building friendships, working together, achieving goals along with enjoying picturesque Maine with out the burdens of cellphones and I pods! What more could a parent ask for?!