Nov 83 min read

Why Summer Camp?: Connecting with Nature's Splendor

At a recent fall retreat of Maine Summer Camps, Board President Matt Pines exclaimed that summer camp is the last tech free, play based learning environment for children. All of the Camp professionals in attendance know first-hand the value of this statement. In The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, Jonathan Haidt helps readers understand the crisis point we are in with our children. The statistics are overwhelming; the data clearly shows that the rates of depression, anxiety, self harm and adolescent suicide are on the rise and have been since 2010.

While summer camp is not the answer to the mental health crisis America is experiencing, it is the greatest gift you will give to your child because the research also clearly shows that immersing yourself in nature is healing. In her book Healing with Nature: Mindfulness and Somatic Practices to Heal from Trauma, Rochelle Calvert, PhD writes, "Research has shown that nature can improve vision, memory and concentration; restore mental energy; relieve stress; reduce inflammation; sharpen thinking; and expand creativity...Spending five hours in nature per month can make us happier overall." What would happen if you spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 7 weeks?

At Camp Arcadia we understand the restorative aspect of nature as we are fortunate to spend our summers immersed in 367 acres of majestic beauty. Camp life takes place on approximately 10 acres in the center of the property so we are surrounded by acres of untouched woodlands. Camp Arcadia's property has an extensive beaver pond that includes a great blue heron rookery with paths to explore.

Our expansive property includes a mile of shorefront on Pleasant Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the state of Maine. We have two sandbars that create great swimming areas. Its beauty and cleanliness is due in large part to the conservation efforts of the Pleasant Lake Parker Pond Association whose purpose is to "preserve the quality and ambience of Pleasant Lake and Parker Pond." Anne Henderson Fritts, one of Camp Arcadia's Directors, is very active in the Association. On both ends of our shoreline, we have two campsites at which cabins enjoy an onsite camping experience. Cooking a meal from scratch over a fire, enjoying a swim in the lake, sitting by a campfire singing songs and eating s’mores by the light of the moon are all memories of a summer immersed in the beauty of nature that each Arcadian shares.

The wildlife at Arcadia is abundant. Campers across generations have fond memories of the night music of loon calls and bullfrogs that lulls you to sleep. In addition to the chipmunks who scatter around Camp, campers regularly spot turkeys, barred owls, groundhogs, eagles and Canadian geese!

This summer we learned first hand how important it is to give wildlife their space to thrive. We were taught this by the loon family who built a nest on our shoreline - right by where we normally put in the canoes each day! “Learn to co-exist with them,” said the Ranger when Director Louise Fritts Johnson called asking for advice on what to do. And co-exist we did. Two baby loonlets were born on July 3rd and we watched them grow and thrive all summer long. Did you know that loonlets travel on their parents’ back to keep them warm and protected? Such a sight to behold! Because nesting loons return to their nest each season, we look forward to many more years of co-existing with these amazing creatures!

Come join us for a summer of play in which you are immersed in nature! You, too will find how restorative it can be. Are you an adult jealous of this amazing experience? You, too can experience the restorative power of nature through our Alumni and Family Camp. We welcome you to enjoy the majestic splendor at Camp Arcadia.