Greetings from the shores of Pleasant Lake,
The 2024 season will be the 108th summer our Camp family has gathered together for an unparalleled experience for girls aged 7-17.Â
In the previous post in this series, we shared with you our philosophy that guides our Activity Program. We believe to feel confident in the world, campers need to feel comfortable living in the out-of-doors. Therefore, we ask each camper to attend Campcraft, Canoeing and Swimming until they achieve second level (of four). This also affords each camper the opportunity to participate in our Trips Program which is one of the best in the country.
Campers explore the rivers, lakes and mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. Canoeing and mountain trips are developmentally appropriate and are an optional part of our program starting with our youngest campers.Â
Second and third grade hikers explore Rattlesnake Mountain (pictured right) for a day trip that has gorgeous views of the Lakes Region with Mount Washington in the distance. After enjoying lunch at the top of the mountain, campers hike down and stop at the ice cream store on their way back to camp.
As you get older the trips get longer and farther away from Camp. This group of 6th graders are climbing Cannon Mountain. Aren't the views breathtaking? This is a two day, 1 night trip in New Hampshire. Many of our mountain trips are on the Appalachian Trail and are maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). The AMC has huts at the top of the mountains where you get delicious meals, running water, bathrooms and a bunk room. There is something magical about watching a sunrise or sunset from the top of a mountain and the stars are out of this world! This trip is a two day, one night adventure. Our oldest campers hike Mount Washington for three days and two nights; this is highest mountain in New England.
Arcadians are never afraid of an outdoor adventure. As you age through the Trips Program at Arcadia, opportunities to go on the Pack Trip become available. Campers bring everything on the trip with them - tents, sleeping bags, food, etc. Trips vary each year so that campers can go on multiple adventures. Recent trips have gone to Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine and the northern terminus of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This trip is five days and four nights.
Our canoe trips are structured very similarly to our mountain trips. Our youngest campers explore our lake and have an overnight stay at The Villa, our campsite about ¼ of a mile from our main campus. Fourth graders enjoy a trip to our neighboring lake after paddling through the tunnel shown in this picture. They then sleep overnight on Peanut Island where there is a great jumping rock for swimming. As you age through our canoeing program, you can go on Songo-Sebago where you paddle through the Songo Lock! Paddling Moose Pond in Bridgton is also a popular trip destination.Â
The trips to Rangeley Lake and Lake Umbagog are our most advanced lake trips before campers get to experience the long awaited River Trip! In recent years, our oldest campers paddled the Allagash River in northern Maine and the St. Croix River which is the eastern border between Maine and Canada; both include whitewater canoeing.
All trips end with a trip to an ice cream store and the writing of a trip song to share with our friends back at camp!
What's a trip song you ask? Click the video below to learn more about this long-standing Arcadian tradition!
Memories from all trips are sure to last a lifetime! See a listing of our recent trips below this post.Â
Interested in learning more? Let’s connect! Would you like to set up a time to have a virtual tour over Zoom, talk on the phone, or text about the Arcadian experience? We can also visit you in your home if you would prefer.Â
What feels like the best next step for your family? Let us know; we look forward to connecting.
Warm Regards,
Julie Vincentsen
Head of Family Engagement and Programming
Did you miss our previous post in this series? If so, click here.
Canoe, Mountain, and Kayaking Trips
Unit | Type | Name | Difficulty | Length |
Juniors | Canoe | Pleasant Lake | Some Challenge | Day |
Mountain | Douglas Mt. Rattlesnake Mt. | Easy Some Challenge | Day Day | |
Plebes | Canoe | Pleasant Lake Peanut Island Moose Pond Crescent-Sebago | Easy Some Challenge Challenging Challenging | Day Day/Overnight Overnight Overnight |
Mountain | Twin Mt. Mt. Will Blueberry Zealand Sugarloaf Mt. | Some Challenge Challenging Challenging Challenging Challenging | Overnight Day Day Overnight Overnight | |
Seniors | Canoe | Peanut Island Moose Pond Crescent-Sebago Umbagog* | Easy Some Challenge Some Challenge Challenging | Overnight Overnight Overnight 3 Days |
Mountain | Hedgehog Mizpah* South Baldface East Royce Cannon* Mt. Lafayette* | Challenging Challenging Challenging Challenging Challenging Most Difficult | Day Hut Day Day Hut Hut | |
Kayaking | Peanut Island | Some Challenge | Day/Overnight | |
Point, Club, & CTG | Canoe | Crescent-Sebago Songo-Sebago Swift Water* Rangeley* Umbagog* Allagash River* St. Croix River* St. John River* West Branch Penobscot* | Some Challenge Some Challenge Most Difficult Challenging Challenging Most Difficult Most Difficult Most Difficult Most Difficult | Overnight Overnight 2 Days 3 Days 3-4 Days 5-6 Days 4 Days 5-6 Days 3 Days |
Mountain | Hedgehog South Baldface Mt. Chocorua Mt. Lafayette* Mt. Washington* Mt. Katahdin* Pemigewasset Wilderness Hike* | Some Challenge Some Challenge Most Difficult Most Difficult Most Difficult Most Difficult Most Difficult Most Difficult | Day Day Day/Overnight Hut 3 Days Hut 5 Days 3-4 Days Varies | |
Kayaking | Cub Cove | Challenging | Overnight | |
Hike and Canoe Trip | Flagstaff/Bigelow* | Challenging | Overnight |
