A WEEK AT ARCADIA


Goals and Leadership
Our Camp
Activity Program
The Waterfront
Campers and Living
Contact & Registration Information
A Typical Day
Frequently Asked Questions

2010 DATES

August 15th:12pm to August 21st, 2010

PHOTO ALBUM

 

GOALS AND LEADERSHIP

Weeks of happiness, friendship, growth and being at home in the out-of-doors - these are Arcadia's goals for every camper. The Maine woods, lakes and fields stimulate an interest in the natural world. Living with others leads to abiding friendships and self-confidence. Participating in our wide range of activities encourages the development of individual abilities. A residential camping experience can be a defining event in your daughter's life. If this summer will be her first time at sleep-away camp then she might be considering a camp like Arcadia. Arcadia's one week residential camp session was designed specifically for the child who is experiencing camp, time away from home, and perhaps even the outdoors, for the first time. The week is filled with experiences and activities that will introduce the camper to what it means to live among friends in the out-of-doors. The decision to send your daughter to camp is an important one, and we understand you must have many questions.

Camp Arcadia was established in 1916 and has always been committed to the growth and development of young girls. Arcadia's directors and senior staff have years of experience in education. We believe that the role of the counselor is to help each girl have a successful living experience at camp and to develop her skills in the out-of-doors. Ranging from seasoned teachers to first-year college students, our staff combines experience with fresh, new ideas. We select our counselors for their skills, teaching abilities and their dedication to children. We send several counselors in June to training sessions where they are certified in their specialty - archery, campcraft, swimming, trip leadership etc. Counselors living in each lodge ensure that they establish an active, involved and caring relationship with each girl. The counselors implement the Camp's goals and their commitment permits our campers to acquire lifetime habits of continuing growth.

OUR CAMP

Camp Arcadia is located one mile north of Casco, Maine, on Route 121. Arcadia covers over 365 acres of pine forests and open fields on spring-fed Pleasant Lake. During the Week at Arcadia, our campers participate in exciting activities in arts, sports and hiking trips. Our week long program is full and rich and our girls begin to experience the thrill of learning and doing for themselves.

ACTIVITY PROGRAM

Throughout the week, campers participate in a variety of activities during two periods each morning. In the afternoon, there are two periods where the campers will be able to concentrate in two activities of her choice. The combination allows her the chance to experience an introduction to several activities and an in-depth experience and increased knowledge and skill in two specific areas. Before your daughter arrives at camp, she will choose, with your help, two activities in which she would like to concentrate. This is an opportunity for each camper to be involved in her own camp experience. Our hope is that the skills your daughter learns in her first week at camp will inspire her to pursue her own interests, and instill in her the confidence that she is able to accomplish her goals. Many girls return to Arcadia for a second summer or a tenth summer to master her skills. The end of our week culminates in demonstrations where the entire camp is able to see what each afternoon concentration focused on during the week.

Activities include:
Archery
Arts & Crafts
Boating
Campcraft
Canoeing
Dance
Dramatics
Gymnastics
Hiking
New Games
Riding
Sailing
Swimming
Tennis

Campers also participate in activities with other girls in the lodge and the rest of the camp. The activities include introduction skits, campfires, morning assembly, a night of sleeping under the stars, talent show, and a hike or paddle to Casco for ice cream. Fun evening programs might include a beach party, a pajama party, and teepee building, while a special theme afternoon such as pirate day will bring the entire camp together!

THE WATERFRONT

With over a mile of lakefront and two private beaches we feel safe and protected, with our freedom for unlimited waterfront activities. Our canoeing, boating, diving and swimming docks are at the main beach area. All of our waterfront staff are certified American Red Cross Lifeguards. During the week, the girls will enjoy the waterfront during activity periods as well as during two general swim periods each day.

CAMPERS AND LIVING

Campers live in separate age groups (based on the grade completed in June) in lodges scattered across an open field sloping down to the shores of Pleasant Lake. Counselors are present in each living unit during clean-up, general swim, rest hour and other free time. The availability of electricity is limited. All lodges have cold running water and the majority have toilets inside. The exception is the lodges for older campers near the lake, where there is an adjacent battery of toilets. The shower house, containing private showers, is open daily to the campers at specific times. The health of each girl is supervised by our nurse and health care staff twenty-four hours a day. A nearby experienced physician is on call. Three hospitals are within twenty to forty-five minutes of Arcadia. Everyone at Arcadia has a daily rest hour, after the midday meal. For relaxation, reading, writing, or napping.

“When you live with someone for a summer,
and experience so many different things,
the s’mores over the campfire and the
laughter over the skits, you realize how
new friends become old friends in one summer”
–Arcadian camper, age 11

CONTACT & REGISTRATION INFORMATION

If you would like more information or are interested in registering your daughter for A Week at Arcadia, please contact:

Louise Fritts Johnson
Executive Director


Winter Address:

42 Goodwives River Road
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 655-CAMP

Summer Address:

Camp Arcadia
Box 158
Casco, Maine 04015
Telephone: (207) 627-4605

Email: office@camparcadia.com

A TYPICAL DAY

 

7:25am Rising Bell
7:30am Waking Bell
7:55am Flag Raising
8:00am Breakfast
8:30am Clean up in lodges
9:30am Assembly (a time for the entire camp to gather for songs, fun facts, and any exciting information we need to share that day)
10:00am Activity period #1
11:00am Activity period #2
12:00pm General Swim (spend time in the lake, enjoy time with friends in the lodge, or take a shower)
12:45pm Dinner (the mail meal of the day, hot food and a full salad bar)
1:30pm Rest Hour (quiet time in the cabin to read, receive mail, or nap)
2:45pm Bell to end Rest Hour and an afternoon snack
3:00pm Activity period #3 (concentration activity)
4:00pm Activity period #4 (concentration activity)
5:00pm General Swim
5:45pm Supper (a lighter meal and a full salad bar)
6:30pm Flag Lowering and Evening Announcements
7:00pm Evening Program (participate in a planned activity or enjoy free time)
8:00pm Warning Bells and Lights Out begin for the youngest campers.


 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. When is A Week at Arcadia?
A. Sunday August 15th - Saturday August 21st, 2010.

Q. Where is Arcadia?
A. One mile north of Casco, ME, on Route 121. Less than one hour north-west of Portland.

Q. What activities are available?
A. Archery, Arts & Crafts, Boating, Campcraft, Canoeing, Dance, Dramatics, Gymnastics, Hiking, New Games, Riding, Swimming, Sailing, Tennis

Q. What type of lodge will my daughter live in?
A. Each lodge is a screened in summer cabin. There is limited electricity. The majority of lodges have cold running water and toilets. The shower house with private showers is a short walk from all cabins. Each lodge has two counselors for 4 - 6 campers. Campers sleep in bunk beds.

Q. Does Arcadia have a uniform?
A. We do not have a specific uniform during our one week session. However we ask girls to bring blue and white, if possible.

Q. What are meals like? Where will my daughter sit in the dining room?
A. Meals are plentiful and healthful. Breakfast consists of a juice, fruit, yogurt, a hot selection such as bacon and eggs, and a variety of hot and cold cereal. Our noon meal is the main meal of the day. It is a delicious hot meal that provides energy for our campers' active days. A full salad bar is available at dinner and supper. Fruit is available throughout the day and an afternoon snack is provided. All meals are served family style where a counselor at the table ensures a healthful serving. At breakfast, each lodge sits together at their designated table, while dinner and supper will have the lodge's counselors remaining at the table but the campers may sit at any table of their choice.

Q. Is Camp Arcadia a TOPS scholarship camp?
A. Yes, Camp Arcadia is recognized as a camp that is eligible for a TOPS scholarship. Please contact the United Way of Greater Portland for more details.

Q. Is Camp Arcadia certified by the American Camping Association?
A. Yes. To learn more about the ACA visit http://www.acacamps.org

Q. What is the camper to counselor ratio?
A. Our current camper enrollment is approximately 100 girls. In 2006 we had a staff of 50. This gives us an outstanding camper to counselor ratio of 2:1.

Q. Will my daughter be the only new girl in her cabin?
A. No, each lodge is carefully planned to include both new and returning campers. If you have a lodge request you may submit it to the director in writing.

Q. Can I send and receive letters to and from my daughter?
A. Of course. Mail is an exciting part of the day at Arcadia. We encourage you to write to your daughter and will encourage her to let you know how she is enjoying camp.

Q. How old are the girls at Arcadia?
A. Campers range in age from seven to fourteen years.

Q. May my daughter and I come to Arcadia for a tour?
A. We would be happy to arrange a tour for your family. Please phone (203) 655-CAMP before June 1st or (207) 627-4605 after June 1st to make arrangements.