Camp Wekeela

Willie

Camp was, to me, the greatest gift my parents could have given me….from the experiences I had (seriously? Playing soccer, picking blueberries, mastering a ropes course, going on an overnight hike, writing songs—all in the same day??) to the deeply lasting friendships I developed which are still a huge part of my life today, to the confidence and skill sets I learned, to the respect and love of the true beauty of nature that only Maine can provide, it was indeed the total package. I was at Camp Wekeela as a camper for 6 years, and as a counselor for 3 more, and my son now goes to Camp North Star nearby…there is absolutely nothing I would have changed, or expect to change for my son’s experience…..many facilities label themselves “camp”, but CAMP should be exactly that, not some sports programs at a closed-for-the-summer Community college, living in dorms and eating in a school cafeteria…camp should be CAMP, in the woods, on a lake, with kids sharing new experiences all together from all walks of life. I love it.

Will

My sister and I have worked at Camp Wekeela for 5 years between us, I have worked for 3 years. We kept going back for more because it was so good. We would still be going if it was not for the fact that our now, full time jobs do not allow for it. We were both UK high school graduates and had a vast amount of experience and skills to offer the camp. In the UK we learn how to be independent and are taught many life skills before we leave school. Camp was an amazing experience which built on those skills. We have both made friends for life there and it was an experience we will never forget. The environment was safe, well organised inspiring and inclusive, one which allows children to develop, make friends and learn how to integrate, without the interference of technology. There are many opportunities for the children to get involved in so many different activities and skills, something for everybody & every type of character. They’ll have a summer to remember and make friends for life.

Ed

Close your eyes little ones, Rest your head with the setting of the sun, and remember no matter how far it seems, You can visit Wekeela in your dreams. Far away you may roam, Still this place is home. Underneath the stars so bright, We say goodbye tonight. Underneath these stars, The memories made are ours. As the campfire burns and ends, It’s so good to be here with our friends. Where pigeons sing at night, Around the campfire light, Where Green Ghost and White Skeletons are friends, There’s a wish that summer never ends. So a few months away, We’ll be back where our hearts stay. So remember no matter how far it seems, You can visit Wekeela in your dreams. So go to sleep little ones, Rest your eyes with the setting of the sun, And remember no matter how far it seems, You can visit Wekeela in your dreams. Ed Wilkins, Head Wekeela Chef

Val

Hey everyone!! So I’ve just started my freshman year at University and my English teacher assigned us to write a personal essay about ourselves and include something interesting. I thought I’d share with you all the first paragraph because I wrote it just a couple days ago and I really miss camp. You all have prepared me for this experience more than you’ll ever know and I’m so grateful to have met each and everyone of you this summer!! “Do the things you love and you’ll find the people you love” -Unknown. I believe that life isn’t necessarily based on how much money each person makes or by what car a person owns, but more importantly, who life is spent with and what is being done to better ones self. My name is Valerie Rose Campanella, born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland. I’m currently eighteen years old and have just started my freshman year at Towson University. Something personal about myself is my love and dedication to sleep away camp. I’ve attended Camp Wekeela, a summer camp in Hartford, Maine, for ten years now and it is something I love to do. For the past two summers, I have worked as a counselor for kids ages 11-12 even though Wekeela is made up of kids ranging anywhere from 6-15. I’ve attended this camp as a camper every summer since the age of nine, where I left home for the first time and experienced something that I never knew would change my life. People at camp are there to enjoy each others company, without the worry of being made fun of, but to also step out of their comfort zones and do things that may not be what they are used to. Although I am planning on majoring in Business Management, I would love to further my education and possibly work with children. I have a brother who is twenty years old who is going into his senior year at the University of Maryland, College Park, but I never had the opportunity to have a younger sibling to watch over and care for. My love for children comes simply stated, from the children themselves. Kids can be themselves, be other people, be silly, random, adventurous; the list goes on and on. I’ve always wondered why as people grow older, they feel the need to lose the child within them and become what some may call “mature.” Kids have the ability to make friends within seconds, not really caring about looks or social cliques, and that is something that even myself do now as I’ve become older, but does that actually mean that I’m developing to be more mature. Maturity comes from experience, both failing and succeeding, and if I don’t take what I learned as a kid and use it to better myself and the people around me, then I don’t think I’m maturing at all. Not only did I learn from my campers, but I learned from every other staff member at camp when I see that anyone can be friends with anyone, whether you’re from Glasgow in Scotland or Miami, Florida and it’s important to surround yourself with people who love the same things you do. Without camp, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Megan

Of the things you do in and outside of school, what do you care about the most? “Far from cities, rushing streams, far from strife and care, lies the haven of our dreams, Wekeela Camp so fare.“ You may wonder why I have just written my camp Alma mater. You asked, “Of the things you do in and out of school, what do you care about the most?“ Camp is the answer. Camp Wekeela has been my second home,every summer, since I was seven years old. Sleep away camp has taught me countless lessons (independence, adaptability, open mindedness, maturity, and the appreciation of deep friendships) that have helped me become the person I am today. Most seven year olds would be scared to move across the country from their parents for four weeks, but I wasn’t. From waking up to the reveille to the chores that I was assigned (making my bed, folding my clothes, cleaning the bathroom, sorting laundry and cleaning my bunk) I gained the confidence to take care of myself and my space. With each year I learn more skills and become more independent. This year I spent more time in the culinary arts program learning to cook which I enjoyed and my Mother appreciates too. At sleep away camp you meet people that maybe you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet at home. This summer we had a group of girls from Spain who were in our age group and placed in the cabin next to ours. I don’t speak Spanish and they didn’t speak much English, but it’s amazing how quickly you find things in common and how quickly you bond. Before you know it you’re hugging and laughing with a group of girls from Spain who don’t speak English about an awesome pair of shoes. Living with a group of 10-12 girls in a rustic bunk sharing one bathroom can have its problems, but the rewards are so much more. Sharing secrets, clothes, tears, and laughs with each other are just a few of the things that I wouldn’t trade for anything. We are all very different, with different backgrounds, religions and beliefs, but we love that about each other. It’s fun to teach each other about our cultures. If there is a problem in the bunk we’ve learned to address the issue quickly and mediate if we need to. My bunkmates are my sisters and I know that they will be my friends for life. It’s the one thing that I can’t imagine not having experienced.

Benjamin

Dear Eph and Lori, I am just writing to thank you for such an amazing summer. As I get older, I not only have more fun at camp, but I also appreciate it more. Each day spent at camp - whether you’re a camper or on staff - is an opportunity to have fun and to learn something new. I am confident that I would not be the person I am today if I didn’t have the gift of being a part of Wekeela. Wekeela is the place I learned to be strong, free, and brave. All of my “coming of age” or “growing up” moments happened at camp. Wekeela has shaped and changed my life for the better. I think people often forget how much work goes into making Wekeela run. I personally had no idea until I became J.C. I still don’t fully realize how much the both of you put into Wekeela. I am nevertheless thankful that you do. The both of you create more than just a summer camp. You create a magical place away from the real world where you are able to be whoever you want to be. All of the memories and friendships I’ve made over the past 9 years have been possible because of the place that you two transformed. Wekeela is the only please I feel I can be completely myself, and that is why I have been able to make such great friendships. The point is, I just wanted to thank you guys for making Wekeela my favorite place in the world. I can’t wait for next summer!