Camp Walden

Ellie

To me, Camp Walden is fundamental to who I am and also to some of the most important relationships in my life. As a third generation Waldenite, the shared Walden experience created a special bond, allowing me to connect from an early age with my mother and grandmother in a way few of my peers could. Walden was also where I developed as a strong, independent, leader: first as a camper and later, serving three years on staff. Serving on the staff affirmed everything I believed about the power of Walden. I have experienced nothing more rewarding than watching the campers build lifelong friendships, develop confidence in themselves, hone their skills, and experience absolute happiness. And these experiences happen every day, at every activity, and in every bunk. Walden’s welcoming, encouraging community is pervasive throughout camp from the leadership down to the youngest campers. Walden provides an opportunity for girls to develop into strong, inspiring women while making lifelong friends and memories.

Madelyn

From the moment I arrived at Camp Walden in 2011 and inhaled the smell of the sweet pine needles, I knew that I would love this magical place forever. Walden is beautiful – beautiful physically and beautiful because of the people who inhabit it. Everyone at Walden is special. We are a family at camp. We all know each other well and go the extra mile to make sure that everyone is always smiling. For anyone that’s been to Walden before, you can fully attest to the positive vibe that surrounds our world in the woods. I believe that our uniform and technology-free zone are part of why our camp is so unique, but the people that Walden attracts makes camp unlike any other place in the world. My first summer I was signed up as an optional four-weeker, but the very first morning of camp I told Kathy that I was going to be staying for seven weeks. Why? Because I fell in love with the people surrounding me. This past summer was my last summer at camp and it was amazing. Every summer at Walden beats the one before it. Each year you build on leadership responsibilities and strengthen friendships, in addition to creating new ones. There are 23 other girls in my age group and each and every one of them is my best friend. I know that I can count on any of them for a good laugh, hug, or cry at anytime, and most importantly, I’ll have these friendships forever. Walden provides you with a lifelong family and I can’t thank camp enough for that. I can’t imagine feeling as happy as I do at Walden anywhere else in the world.

Brittany

It’s safe to say I’m having serious camp withdrawals. Everyone at home just doesn’t get it that you have to sing a song for everything! Walden is by far the best experience I’ve had. I’ve even gone so far as to call it my second home, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be myself, to be crazy and weird and get away with it. Thank you for giving me the chance to meet some of the kindest, most loving and sincere girls on this planet, they really do mean a lot to me. So thank you!

Natalie

Camp Walden has played an integral role in shaping me to be the woman I am today. My heart is so full when I think and talk about Walden. Walden is a special part of my family; my mom went to Walden in the 1960s and my sister went to Walden in the 1990s. During my 6 summers as a camper at Walden, my sister was a counselor for 4 of those summers. Needless to say, the values that are instilled in Walden community are an important part of my family. I am so grateful to be able to share Walden with my mom and sister and to see how we are able to connect with so many other Waldenites. As a Walden camper, I learned how to be a leader and how to be truly spirited. I had the pleasure of working at Walden as a bunk counselor and swim instructor for 2 summers and then for 3 years in a leadership position. Being able to watch campers and counselors enjoy Walden in the ways that I did and to hold it close to their hearts was incredibly special for me. I’ve grown so much through my experiences at Walden but I’ve also been able to see Walden grow in ways as well. The amazing thing about Walden is that as it continues to grow and improve, camp never loses the foundation in tradition and the honor system - fostering a summer for campers to learn, create friendships and have experiences that are impossible to replicate outside of a camp setting. Walden will always be such an important part of my life both in reflecting on the chapters spent at Walden but also the lifetime friendships I have and the skills I’ve gained from Walden.

Meg

Having my daughter spend her summers at Walden like I did is the most special shared experience I could have ever given her. Walden made me a better friend, woman and person, and I see this in my own daughter at the end of every summer when she returns home. Walden’s core values have not changed and I feel so fortunate to be able to give my child this experience. Besides being active, having fun and making life long friendships, she is learning to be an independent thinker and compassionate citizen of the world. There is nothing I look forward to more all summer than Visiting Day, when I see my girl and her silly friends and I get to see some of mine as well! The best place on earth with the best staff and people on earth. Walden will always be a huge part of who I am and I can already tell that my daughter will feel the same way!

Charlotte

Camp Walden will always hold a special place in my heart. As a third generation Waldenite, I feel fortunate to share my love for camp with the women in my family. In the warmth of Walden’s close-knit community, I gained self-confidence, made lifelong friends, and developed an appreciation for the outdoors. My camp experience undoubtedly influenced my decision to go to college in Maine, and ultimately led me to return to Walden as a counselor for five summers. To this day, when June comes around, there is nothing I want to do more than put on my brown and white, sing camp songs at the top of my lungs, and relive the magic of my days in the Walden woods.