Category Archives: Camp News

Lochearn News

At Lochearn, part of the experience of living in cabins and being surrounded by the beautiful Vermont mountains is learning how to respect and appreciate nature. We are always looking to improve our Lochearn_2014Highlights_428 programs to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Last summer, we reaped the benefits of our garden by growing vegetables to use in the kitchen and planting seeds that sprouted the tallest sunflowers we’ve ever seen.

With this goal of sustainability comes responsibility. Lochearn is using these best practices throughout camp. All light fixtures have been outfitted with LED lightbulbs. We increased our recycling by moving to a zero-sort dumpster where plastic, glass, paper and cardboard can all be recycled together. All food waste is being recycled by a local Vermont compost company. With a farm-to-table philosophy, Lochearn has partnered with local farms to bring the freshest, most nutritious locally grown food to our dining hall for out campers.

New Lochearn Webstore!

The new Lochearn Webstore is now available to start ordering camp gear and Lochearn attire! Get ready for the summer by easily shopping for items from the packing list and placing orders online through Amerasport. Find your riding and sports gear, sleeping bags and backpacks, and all Lochearn swag. You can get to the Lochearn Webstore by visiting the Camp Store section of our website.

Get to Know…

Lisa

Name: Lisa Malcolm

Birthplace: Fife, Scotland

School: University of Edinburgh

Activities Taught in 2014: Soccer, Water Skiing, Archery, Canoeing and Climbing

Fun Fact About Yourself: I represented Scotland in the 2008 Youth Olympiad Games

Not-So-Secret Passions: Teaching is my main passion and I am currently about to finish my final year of a Physical Education teaching degree, but in my free time I love to run long distance and train for events such as 10ks and half marathons.

Favorite Camp Dish: Meatball Subs!!!

Favorite Camp Song: Magic

Favorite Camp Activity: SOCCER

Favorite Memory of Lochearn: There are many, from cabin nights with cabin 20 to the pinecone ceremony! However, my favorite must be celebrating with the girl’s soccer team as they scored against Aloha in the inter camp game. Seeing all their hard work pay off made me a very proud coach!

Advice to new members of the Lochearn family: If you come to camp with an open mind and willingness to try new things, then I know you a re going to have a blast at Lochearn! Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Whether it’s performing on stage or tearing it up on a wakeboard, make the experience your own! We as staff love to see you succeed but most importantly we love to see you having fun. So, embrace camp life, pack those tie-dye shorts and prepare to have the best four weeks of your life!

Claire Lochearn

Claire

Name: Claire Quinn

Birthplace: Baltimore, MD

School: University of Maryland (Go Terps!)

Activities Taught in 2014: Swimming, Snorkeling, Paddleboarding, Climbing

Fun Fact About Yourself: When I worked at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, I got to name their baby sloth. His name is Camden, after the stadium where the Baltimore Orioles play!

Not-So-Secret Passions: Wearing bows and anything to do with the Maryland flag.

Favorite Camp Dish: Chicken Patties!

Favorite Camp Song: Lochearn Spirit & the Red Team Song

Favorite Camp Activity: Swimming (especially to Watermelon Island!)

Favorite Memory of Lochearn: Receiving my Five Year Pin from my good friend Eliza Kennedy last summer!

Advice to new members of the Lochearn family: Lochearn is the perfect place to make new friends and try new activities, so be open to both! Each year I’ve been at camp, I’ve been lucky to become friends with plenty of campers and counselors, especially those who were in my cabin or classes. And I’ve been able to try things I’ve never done anywhere else, like waterskiing and climbing the Alpine Tower. So, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone at Lochearn, because we’re all here to cheer you on!

2014 Character Awards

Congratulations to these awesome Lassies for receiving a Character Award! These campers stood out not only by excelling in these activities but also by trying new things, being enthusiastic, helpful, courageous, stepping out of their comfort zones and encouraging their fellow Lochearn Lassies.

For a full list of 2014 Character Award winners please check out the most current issue of the Bagpipe!

Connect with Lochearn All Year

Lochearn Winter Gatherings

This year’s Lochearn Winter Gatherings are right around the corner! Returning and interested families from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are invited to reconnect with camp friends and learn more about Lochearn!

New Canann, CT – February 28, 2015

New York City – March 1, 2015

Don’t forget to put this important date in your calendar as well!

Final Tuition Payment due April 1st.

Lochearn Alumnae

2016 marks the 100th Year since Lochearn’s establishment on the shores of Lake Fairlee. Alumnae can stay up-to-date on all that is happening and connect with camp friends and cabin mates by registering in our Alumnae Guestbook. Visit today and let us know when you attended or worked at Lochearn and what you’re up to! If you are still in touch with your friends from your time at Lochearn, please encourage them to register also. We do not want any one to miss the exciting times that are coming up in the near future at Lochearn!

Connect with Lochearn!

We are constantly updating our website and social media with news for both parents and campers. Did you know that you can now take a Virtual Tour of camp and see our new Video Series right from the home page?!

Check out all of this and more today at CampLochearn.com! Or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest!

Directors’ Message

Dear Camp Families,

We were very fortunate to be able to spend another Thanksgiving week in Vermont. Pulling up to camp and driving through the gates felt like we were coming home. The holidays are a time to revel in the magic of Lochearn. The snow gave our family the opportunity to appreciate the winter treats in Vermont! Grilling a turkey while enjoying the view of Lake Fairlee has now become a family tradition. It was great to see the year-round maintenance staff. After enjoying our days at Lochearn, we made the short trip to Stowe to enjoy some time as a family skiing and snowboarding. The conditions were perfect!

The fall and winter have have been busy, as we have been meeting with new families who are looking forward to joining Lochearn. Tony has made trips to New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. While in Boston, Tony was able to have dinner with Lindsey Howe and to meet with Lochearn’s new clothing provider, Amerasport.

We are counting down the days to having “an amazing day in the beautiful state of Vermont!”

One Stop Shopping for New Year’s Resolutions!

Among the top resolutions that are made at the start of each New Year, some of the most common goals can be met while having an AMAZING experience at Camp Lochearn:

Get Moving: Being a fixture on the couch is not an option this summer. All of us are active at camp and get plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. We use our feet to take us just about everywhere we need to go!

Reduce Stress: Camp is a great way to “unplug” from the constant flow of text messages, emails, and other social media. It is also a time to put the pressures of school and grades aside and just enjoy living in the moment. Above all, camp is FUN!!

Try Something New: With a variety of physical, recreational, and creative activities to choose from, campers have the opportunity to explore a wide range of interests. Who knows what spark will ignite and become a lifelong career or hobby?!

Spend More Time With Friends: Imagine spending 24 hours a day each week with a group of your closest friends…how AWESOME is that?! We believe in true “face time” versus “screen time”!

New Year’s Resolution:
Enroll your child at Camp Lochearn for 2015…
we are VERY EXCITED about the upcoming summer!

From the Directors: Recommended Readings

The following is a list of books and articles that I have collected over the years. I highly recommend these readings to parents who are unsure or nervous about sending their child on their first-ever sleep-away summer camp experience.

The magic of summer camp is a powerful thing that I have had the joy of being a part of for 35 years. When I went to camp as a child, I learned social and practical skills that have made me who I am today. I made life-long bonds with people who have grown to be my best friends. I still look up to the counselors and directors who have become my mentors.

As parents, we strive to do what is best for our children, and sometimes that’s not always the easiest decision to make. I hope you find the time to look over these readings and that they are as insightful to you as they have been to me in my life and passion in children’s camping.

We hope you enjoy reading these books and articles.

HomesickandHappy

Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow

By Michael Thompson, Ph.D.

The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children

By David Elkind

Articles from the American Camp Association

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s that time of year when life is as busy as ever, but we still find time for family, friends and a pumpkin spice latte here and there. So let’s give thanks!

We’d like to take a moment to reflect on the experiences we have at Lochearn. We realize that we are so blessed to have had the opportunity to join the Lochearn community this past year. The all-girls atmosphere at Lochearn is a powerful force that allows young women to celebrate each other’s individuality and differences, all while becoming more confident in themselves.

Even with the changing of seasons and the colors of fall surrounding us, we always go back to thoughts of a Vermont summer, of our wonderful time on Lake Fairlee, and especially the Lochearn motto. The values of the motto are shared and lived daily with Lochearn’s staff and campers.

We keep these lessons close to our hearts when summer is over and we reflect on the joys of spending our shared summer experiences with such an incredible group of campers.

Remember to appreciate the little things in life and notice the beauty around you. We wish you a wonderful and gracious Thanksgiving!

Positively,

Connect with Lochearn All Year

Connect with Lochearn!

We love featuring Lochearn Lassies on our Facebook and Instagram account. Send your photos, accomplishments and stories to Tony (tony@camplochearn.com) and you may find yourself featured on our social media profiles! Check back weekly for fun new social media contests on Instagram, announcements on Facebook and Lochearn recipes and quotes on Pinterest. As always we welcome your likes, comments and shares! Thank you for being part of the Camp Lochearn community!

Important Dates

Lochearn_2014Highlights_295 Meet Tony on the road!

Tony will be traveling during the school year and might be coming to a city near you! Do you love Lochearn and want your friends to join in on the magic? Kids, parents, family and friends welcome!

Puerto Rico – November 7-9, 2014

New York Area – December 5-7, 2014

Boston – December 12-14, 2014

Don’t forget about these important dates also!

Deadline for Payment in Full Discount – November 1, 2014

Session 1

Opening Day – Wednesday, June, 24, 2015

Closing Day – Sunday, July 19, 2015

Session 2

Opening Day – Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Closing Day – Saturday, August 15, 2015

For additional Lochearn news please check out the most current issue of The Bagpipe.

Congratulations!

2014 Five Year Club Inductees

We are so excited and honored to announce the new members of the Five Year Club! Upon their induction, the Five Year Club celebrated with an ice cream and mini-golf trip. Thank you for being a part of Lochearn each summer!

Activity, LC and Spirit Awards

Additionally we would like to congratulate all Activity, LC and Spirit Cup award winners on their achievements this summer!

Blue/Green Competition Winner

Congratulations to the Blue Team! On Banquet night of Session 2 the Blue Team Captain and Cheerleader accepted the plaque on behalf of the team, as the Blue/Green competition winners of Summer 2014. Each team sang their banquet songs in anticipation of the announcement. Both Green Team and Blue Team rocked the competition throughout the summer – dressing up in festive attire, cheering on their teammates and putting everything they had into the games. It wouldn’t be Lochearn without Blue and Green!

For a full list of all 2014 Five Year Club Inductees and Activity, LC and Spirit Award winners please check out the most current issue of The Bagpipe.