September 30, 2020

Finding Our Light

The weather in Maine is changing. It’s crisp and clean, still with a hint of summer breeze and not yet with the deep chill of winter. This time of year, the change of seasons, signals us to lean into the summer ahead. This past summer, indeed, was one for the history books, and we are so excited to take many of the experiences with us when we return to Eastwood next June.

Last fall, Lesley and I committed ourselves to learn as much as we could as first year owners. In our second year, we are committed to taking what we have learned and putting it into action. We are both dedicated to camp as a year-round business and commitment. We work together daily, meeting new families, connecting with you, and learning from our peers in the camping industry. We joyfully begin each day with Acting Manitou at the forefront of our minds and work tirelessly for this community.

Lucky for us, we are surrounded by an incredible group of longtime staff and leadership who also want to see camp become a beacon of hope and joy in a world that all too often seems darker than it should be. Together we are dreaming and creating a program for 2021 that will be like none that have come before, focusing strongly on the following areas of camp life:

Year-Round-Programming – Evening activities, campfires, and small gatherings became an instant way of life for us last spring. We have the opportunity to harness the technology at our fingertips outside of camp to keep us together and tighter as a community.
Alumni Engagement – We are dedicating resources this year to meaningful connections with all of our alumni through social media and intentional gatherings and engagement. With 18 years of alumni, this part of our community will be instrumental in supporting our mission.
Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity – Together, we are examining practices, policies, and culture, to deeply explore and improve the spaces we create for our campers to learn and make theater.
Summer Programming – With a summer like SuperSummer, we saw just how willing our campers and staff are to try new and creative programming. We are taking this opportunity to ask if how it’s been done is the best way to do it, from classes to rehearsals to trips to dining! Don’t worry, productions aren’t going anywhere, and we can always guarantee, “No Line For Toast!”
Community Relationships – Our campers benefit from the connections our staff bring with them. From Broadway guest artists to local artisans and theater-makers in Maine, we are building more relationships to bring those experiences and stories closer to our campers next summer!

This work is thrilling for us. From a small group of ten campers to the community we have today, our camp has seen its share of change and growth. We are here to build on what we do well, listen to our community, learn how we can improve, and to be a camp that shines its values, our Ghost Lights, not only inward but outward as well.