Blog

Greetings from Camp!

Greetings from Camp Wekeela and the beautiful state of Maine. Staff have begun to arrive on the shores of Little Bear Pond. Soon we will begin our annual staff orientation, development and education week. Staff Week is the preparation and anticipation for the arrival of our Wekeela campers are filled with anticipation, excitement, discovery and all kinds of activity. Our goals during orientation are simple: we want our staff to feel comfortable with camp and prepare them to do the best job possible.

A Camp Wekeela counselor, will participate in the art of giving. As champions, they will fight for and defend the campers’ rights to benefit, learn, and enjoy this rite of passage – the camp experience. At Wekeela, Once you are empowered with camp culture, skills, and knowledge, you will be motivated to lead your campers through an unforgettable experience which will forever change their lives. Our staff are shaping and influencing lives. What we do and say will impact the values of our campers; handle that responsibility with care, and be intentional. Our staff has the privilege to mold emerging humanity, to share purpose and place in one’s world.

Staff Week sets the tone for the summer. Our staff has an incredible opportunity to teach kids, help grow their love for the outdoors, and to be role models. Parents, while very excited for their campers, are trusting us to keep their most prized possessions safe. The two most valuable gifts we can give our campers are safety and your time. And, yes, it is a huge responsibility! We tell our staff, you will never regret sitting down to talk with campers, joining in their games, or teaching them a new song.

Wekeela is a place where staff are heard, appreciated, cherished, and empowered. Our Staff Week is a place where an incredbly giving and talented group of young adults meet for the first time and form life-long friendships. Wekeela is proud to have such a high number of returning staff and former-campers year after year. These relationships start at camp and are carried through every day. Today, we tell our staff, the more energy, time, and love you put into being a great camp counselor, the more you’ll get out of it.

This summer our staff has an incredible opportunity to teach children, help grow their love for the outdoors, and be a positive role model. Parents, while very excited for their campers, are trusting us to keep their most prized possessions safe. The two most valuable gifts we can give your campers are safety and our time. And, yes, it is arguably the biggest responsibility our staff will ever have until they have children of their own. You will never regret sitting down to talk with campers, joining in their games, or teaching them a new song. I will always remember how special I felt to know how much my counselors cared about me. And trust me, those memories will never go away. Our staff have an opportunity to make a difference with every kid who comes through the gates of our camp. Hopefully, one day our campers will pay it forward too.

As our campers and staff look forward to the beginning of Camp, please know our staff, are always available to ask for help when you need it.

Here’s to a summer filled with great memories!!