Checking in on Saltash Mountain!
A collection of updates from SAM Director Adair Arbor, organized from most to least recent. Enjoy!
We also post photos throughout the session. Check it out!
August 2 - Aaand we're off--again!
Long trips departed with a ton of energy and enthusiasm! Groups headed out to hike Mahoosucs Notch and a new route on Mount Moosilauke, a hike and climb in the Adirondacks, and two canoe trips in New York and Maine.
Our days in between were jam-packed with fun! We solved a crazy whodunnit murder mystery, started working on our madcap end-of-session skit, entertained each other with a variety show, and started tie dyeing our famous SAMdanas for Fair. It'll be crazy busy once everyone returns from long trips--we can't wait!
July 26 - Welcome back!
Cabin trips returned last night with many great stories to share! Pack in went smoothly and trip skits were hilarious. We loved hearing about our campers' adventures, and cabin groups came back bonded and happy. Today we are enjoying a Zero Day, starting with a sleep-in morning and pajama breakfast. Later today we'll have a fire with s'mores, and tomorrow we'll read through our Fair skit! We're already prepping for long trips and getting excited for our next round of adventures!
July 22 - Welcome, second session!
Our new crew of campers are finally here! It's been a great first couple of days together. Yesterday we spent the morning learning trip skills and the afternoon enjoying the waterfront. Today we are packing out for cabin trips, which depart tomorrow! This evening we'll be playing an epic all-camp game, Battle Cattle, in which aliens will face off against cows and farmers in a very silly rendition of capture the flag. Be sure to check out our photo page for a glimpse at the first few days of fun! More to come when trips return!
July 15 - SAM Dance
A beloved tradition took place last night--the SAM Dance! It's our chance to host the other F&W camps and share the joy and whimsy of SAM Camp with a big chili and cornbread dinner followed by contra dancing til sunset. We had so much fun playing traditional tunes and getting to know our neighbors better. The SAM Jam Band has been practicing for weeks! Check out the new photos that just went up to see the fun for yourself!
Today we celebrate Interdependence Day and finally share the skit we've been working so hard on all session! We can't wait to connect with the entire F&W community and enjoy Big Fire!
July 12 - "There's been a murder!"
Last night was a blast, because we spent the evening in our SAM Camp classic murder mystery party! This session's story was "Murder on the Saltash Beaches Family Adventure Cruiseline". We had so much fun embodying our best tacky vacation-ware energy, and every kid committed so hard to their character! (So did Assistant Director Jason, whose character's pet animatronic parrot, Patricia, is his new best friend.) You can see pictures of this wild high-seas adventure on our photo page, which we just updated.
July 11 - Aaaaand we're back!
SAM Camp is full of songs and stories again as campers and trip leaders returned from long trips last night. All groups had a great time and came back safe and sound! Trip skits were hilarious as usual as we regaled each other with stories from the trail, and our dinner feast and traditional Sumbel had everyone toasting and boasting throughout the entire meal. We wrapped things up with an especially boisterous Singing on the Hill, happy to be back at our camp home and grateful to be showered and well-fed! This week kicks off all our culminating in-camp adventures--we're all so excited to prep our skit for performance, prepare for 24 hour solos, plan Banquet, and make our appreciations for each other!
July 5 - Aaaaand we're off--on Long Trips!
SAM Campers set off on their big adventures today! Groups went out to the Adirodacks to hike, climb, and paddle to Maine for an epic canoe trip on Lake Umbagog, and to northern Vermont to summit Mount Mansfield! Spirits were high and packs were thoroughly checked. Our adventurers will return on July 10.
We've had so much fun at camp the last few days. Even a day of thunderstorms led to some incredible lodge singalongs and fun in the kitchen. We had a huge turnout for the Variety Show--it was so cool to see campers share their talents! Now, we Support Staff are in an empty camp, getting ready for the next round of in-camp adventures and waiting for camp to be filled once again with songs and silliness. We just posted a ton of photos and videos--make sure to go check them out!
July 2 - Back at camp!
Cabin trips were a resounding success, and our kiddos came back with lots of great stories. We even lucked out with the weather! Since then, our days and nights have been jam-packed with camp fun. We are already hard at work on our big Interdependence Day skit, and starting to get hyped up for Long Trips! Tonight we are so excited for an extra fun evening program, the Banana Olympics, in which every camper will create their own elite banana athlete (complete with googly eyes) and put them through their paces on an epic obstacle course. And in case you haven't looked yet, new photos went up yesterday!
June 28th - Aaaaaand we're off!
Cabin trips went out today! It was a smooth departure and both campers and staff were excited to hit the trail. Packs were packed and fitted, extra snacks stowed away, and each group was sent off with a traditional "goodbye scraper" and taking their first step all together. Check out our photos to see each trip group's first moments leaving SAM this morning!
June 26th - Camp is Happening!!
Our campers are here!!
It was such a joy to greet you all yesterday as we finally welcomed our campers to SAM. The weather was perfect for our first dip in the lake for swim checks, and we had a truly excellent dinner of spaghetti, salad, and even a special dessert. Silliness abounds with skits and costumes, Singing on the Hill after meals has been a raucous good time, and first night cabin meetings last night helped our kids feel grounded in their new home away from home.
Today, campers are spending the morning in Trip Orientation, learning all about how to care for themselves on trail when cabin trips go out in just two days. This afternoon, we'll have arts and crafts activities, a frisbee game, and some time to enjoy our beautiful waterfront.
June 20th - Hello, SAM Families!
Welcome to our newsfeed! We'll keep you updated here with our wild, whacky, SAM Camp adventures.
Our staff is has been in training since June 7, and what an excellent crew we have leading camp this summer! Right now they are out on their training trip, learning how to be safe, enthusiastic backcountry leaders.
Other highlights have included Wilderness First Aid training, outdoor living skills and rocks and ropes intensive trainings, and a TON of singing! We can't wait to welcome campers in just a few days. It's going to be a great summer!
