Friday, May 29, 2015

#DOSOMETHING

                It’s been over a decade since I was a camper on the knoll. It’s been six years since I worked on staff for WLC. Coming back in January of this year brought a new vision of camp for me.  I think few people get to see the tireless efforts that happen year-round for places like William Lawrence. For most, camp is this beautiful, greenery-filled fixture that forever stays in the season of summer. Over this past winter in New England, I was privileged enough to see seven feet of snow pack continually layer the campus in Ctr. Tuftonboro. It was exactly how I always imagined the age-old phrase of “winter-wonderland.” Having family from New England, I can truly say winter is easily my second favorite season;  second only to the New England summers.
                My time at William Lawrence (both as a camper and on staff) has been nothing short of exceptional. There is something special about the air and living communally that has impacted my life greatly. At camp, people come together differently than I have ever experienced. The songs and chants perpetually play out in my mind. Whether it was going to an inter-camp competition, an all-camp Evening Program, or simply a Free-Swim down at the Waterfront, the bonds I created at camp endlessly flourish. I have friends that live in all corners of the world because of my summers at William Lawrence.  It may sound odd, but camp is where I learned to successfully fail. Failing is something I believe that every person needs to discover.
                Kids are able to try new activities and sports while at WLC. Our motto of “Do Something” is what every boy is able to do. This is where failure becomes helpful. Camp has a hidden safety net for boys to engage in new things without true fear of being a failure. In my opinion, failure is when we stop trying, when we lose our will to work for the things we want and need. I distinctly remember counselors literally picking me up from the ground and saying, “That’s alright, have another go.” Giving kids (and ourselves) opportunities to fail presents the chance to build an identity and persevere in the face of adversity. They learn to thrive in the journey of working towards personal or common goals. This is what I love about William Lawrence. To quote a popular animated kid’s show, Adventure Time, “Dude, sucking at something is the first step at being sorta good at something.”
-Jamie McDonough

Friday, May 22, 2015

CHAPEL PHOTO ANSWER UNVEILED!



We posted this picture in our Spring 2015 Knoll News and asked readers to post their guesses for a date of the photo on Facebook. The range of guesses made (1930’s all the way up to 1964) are indicative of how timeless this view is. In fact, unless you are very familiar with how the chapel looks today or when those drop-W-L camper T-shirts were worn, this picture could be from last June!

You actually can find this picture in the William Lawrence Camp promotional brochures from 1937 and 1939. So Les McDowell is our winner with his guess of “1930s”. We recently received copies of these brochures from alum Robert Chase of Falmouth, MA, who was at camp with his brothers during this period.

The caption under the picture in the 1939 brochure is timeless as well:
The early morning Password Service in the woodland chapel each day inspires the boys with Christian ideals, and the daily camp life with its deep friendships and helpful guidance, encourages the campers to make these ideals live.

While there is no minister and no religious content to the morning services any more, this phrase is as appropriate to describe what we will be doing on the morning of June 29, 2015, as it was in the 1930’s.

Monday, May 18, 2015

FROM the Spring 2015 Knoll News:
Special Store Bundles On Sale Now At Camp!


Offers expire May 31; order via mail or email, accompanied by check (made out to William Lawrence Camp) or credit card information (including CVV and zip code of account, 3.9% convenience fee will apply). Prices INCLUDE shipping within the United States. We have only limited quantities of some items, so order early! 

 


















                                                                                                      

 See pictures of the items and read the entire Spring 2015 Knoll News by clicking here!