Poem by Joyce Larson
A Lochearn Lassie I have been since nineteen sixty one
The influence it’s had has shaped the woman I’ve become
The smell of pine is all it takes, and I’m transported there
Back to Vermont, and memories of summers free from care
There really are no words to say what Lochearn’s meant to me
Eleven summers spent on “Rocky Shores of Lake Fairlee”
The motto – it still resonates – each phrase a work of art
Be honest, kind, and keep an open mind and caring heart
And when I see a fire lit – “Kneel Always” comes to mind
Each week atop Campfire Hill, where we would always find
A time to share with friends – “look up, and laugh and love and lift!”
In our own ”Green Cathedral” – Sunday nights were such a gift
Camp days brought new activities, with crafts and sports galore
I learned to do so many things I’d never done before
With counselors to guide me – so I’d learn to do things right
And help if I got homesick, saying ”Sweet dreams” every night
And – OH! – The Blue/Green rivalries! I’m Green – yes through and through
And though I am no athlete – There is one thing I can do
If you would like to know the words to every Lochearn song
Just call me up – I’ll fill you in – it won’t take very long!!
Yes, it’s been true each summer for a century – and more
That Lochearn Lassies gathered on Lake Fairlee’s grassy shore
Until this COVID 19 came and blew across the world
And blocked the road to Lochearn Camp, and broke the hearts of girls!
There’s NO ONE wants to miss one day of Lochearn’s summertime
A time with friends, to get away – it really is sublime!
To think a little germ so small could close our Lochearn’s gate
Well – this can’t last!! Camp WILL be back next year – Why you just wait….
And THEN – Oh yes – the singing will be heard ‘cross Lake Fairlee
Out to the hills and through the pines from campers filled with glee
That life on earth has normalized and camp – Won’t it be grand?!
Will open up – and Lassies can form circles joining hands
And as the “Council Fires burn” and “sun sets in the west”
These “hours spent at Lochearn – yes – the times we love the best”
Can once more ring with sounds of singing “Peace” and “Taps” each night
And life as we all know it will go back to being right!!!!
Lovingly written by Joyce Larson (Pictured on left in last photo, with sister Linda Larson)
Anyone who has gone to summer camp understands that the friendships made in your own camp bubble are some of the most powerful connections you will make throughout your life. Each summer at Lochearn, campers and staff travel from every corner of the world. We each have an incredible opportunity to meet people we may not have met otherwise. Connections like these are unmatched, and allow girls to be exposed to new people, cultures, and experiences. Although many girls start the summer as strangers, by the end, they walk away as best friends. 
Being a camp photographer has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. My days were filled with laughter, sunshine and making memories with campers and staff. I learned how to make friendship bracelets alongside campers, spent hours on the ski boats and enjoyed the s’mores bars more than anything this summer 
From FaceTiming each other for hours a night to seeing each other on Opening Day, you truly know they are there for you and will never leave your side even if they do live on the other side of the country. The friends I have made at Lochearn have made me who I am today, and I will always love them for that.” – Kate, Norwich, VT 
Camp is a wonderful experience for everyone who is a part of a camp community. Many counselors come to camp simply to help create everlasting bonds between campers. Helping a camper to make new friends is the most important part of a counselor’s job. Meeting someone new and learning more about their likes, dislikes, values and culture, while also getting to share their own, is the best way to expand one’s understanding of the world around them. Campers view staff as role models and they often form strong bonds together. Not only do campers look up to staff, but staff greatly appreciate campers as well. The campers I met at Lochearn made my whole experience worth the while. 
When we think of Campfire Hill at Lochearn, we think of the serene, reflective space that allows us to look back on our experiences at camp and treasure the memories we make every day. Surrounded by hemlocks and white pines swaying in the wind amongst the breathtaking Vermont scenery, Campfire Hill is often referred to as a “natural wonder.” Past and present campers and staff are connected by the thousands of footsteps that have traveled the path to Campfire Hill, making it one of the most special places at camp. 
Musical Theater Production
1st–4th grades
We want to build real relationships, incite genuine growth, build confidence, and, rather than force someone to find their passions, give everyone the time to fall in love with the camp experience in her own way. We at Camp Lochearn believe it’s much tougher to develop these connections – both with others and within yourself – in just two weeks, where the outside world continues to call you back, as do family and friends from home. For everyone on the shores of Lake Fairlee, it’s just you and camp, which is built around our core values: Leadership, Mentoring, Initiative and Passion.
A two-week experience gives girls an opportunity – an excuse, even – to stay in the background and be a seer rather than a doer. We often say “We don’t have invisible campers,” because it’s true. We know it’s tough to open yourself up to others. We’ve been there. It takes confidence, strength and time. We don’t want to rush that growth or inhibit it in any way. Some arrive at the gates ready to conquer those 27 days, and that’s wonderful. But others can’t. It’s not that they’re incapable – we’ve yet to meet anyone who arrives at Lochearn and is – but they often need someone to lead them there. That’s why the relationships built in the cabins on Lake Fairlee are key, and we often see campers emerge with life-long relationships.
Realizing you have more in common with others – things you often can’t see in the first few days of meeting someone – is an invaluable experience, and it’s one that can only develop naturally. There’s no time limit on it.
and we hope our campers and staff alike bring a kind and caring heart to give every girl the opportunity to grow together.
Dear Journal,
At first I was nervous about a month away from home, but now it feels like I can’t imagine leaving Cabin 13…
After a month at Lochearn, it’s the feeling you get when you long for everything that made camp special. You miss the lifelong friendships you made, your inside jokes and the camp songs. These are the things that stay with you, but you miss the little things, too. Like the unforgettable smell coming from Highland Hall when there’s warm tacos for lunch, or the screams of excitement that come with the reveal of camp’s evening program. And you just long for the daily routine, from waking up to the bugle and catching the sunrise over Lake Fairlee, to the harmonious calls of the loons that seem to echo across the water. But most of all you miss who you could be at Lochearn – yourself. 
You explored new passions, from beads and bracelets to archery and water sports. You miss how you felt when you won your first blue award in an activity you’d never tried before. You miss the sound of the wind filling your sailboat as you take a deep breath of the cool Vermont air. You miss your new best friends, who in just a month have become as close as sisters. Campitis is when you find yourself missing camp and everything that came with it, and you might find yourself feeling it when you least expect it. 
back to camp and leave your worries at the gate! The school year may seem like an eternity, but we suggest glancing back at all of your camp photos, wearing your Lochearn gear to school and keeping in touch with your cabin mates from the summer. They could be experiencing some Campitis of their own and are hoping you’ll reach out!
At Camp Lochearn, girls have the chance to learn all kinds of skills from sailing to sewing and everything in between. But they’ll also learn skills that extend far past their summer activity schedules. Abilities and opportunities gained as a camper are those that weave through all facets of life, making girls well-rounded, confident individuals that shine in school and, later on, in the workforce.
As writer Michael Thompson wrote in his book Homesick and Happy, “The only way children can grow into independence is to have their parents open the door and let them walk out. That’s what makes camp such a life-changing experience for children.” At Lochearn, girls can be completely themselves, whoever they may be. They have the opportunity to challenge themselves in many ways — from striving to earn a purple in Archery to practicing good teamwork and sportsmanship. Being able to complete these challenges while away from home boosts self-esteem, builds a sense of empowerment and strengthens independence.
Girls who go to summer camp, especially an all-girls program, are often better prepared for the future than other girls their ages. Because camp is all about making lasting connections with peers as well as staff members — and maintaining those connections year-round — the girls learn how to network at a young age. This puts our girls at an advantage when it comes to making connections in school or later when applying for a job. In fact, one of the greatest advantages of joining us at Lochearn is that our girls develop communication skills they’ll use throughout their entire lives. 
Campers are put into a situation that’s not typical for people their ages. Each summer, whether first-time or returning campers, they have the opportunity to meet new people and make connections that extend across the globe. This also adds to girls’ knowledge, interest in and acceptance of other cultures.
Coming to camp gives you the opportunity to learn all about yourself. You not only learn skills like how to shoot a bow and arrow or make a mug in ceramics, but you also learn communication and independence — things that will stick with you long after the final sunset of summer. Whether you’re a first-time camper or a Lochearn veteran, there are always plenty of new faces on the first day of camp. One of the best parts of summer is creating relationships with campers and staff members while practicing good decision making and discovering how to be independent. There’s so much to learn about yourself and the world around you, and we encourage stepping out of your comfort zone to get the best Lochearn experience.
Campers and staff come from 20 countries around the world to spend the summer in Vermont at Lochearn. It’s easy to fit into our close-knit community of nice girls. Through the good times and the bad, you know there will always be a Lochearn Lassie somewhere who will be there for you year-round, whether you’re at camp or back at home. We grow together over the course of camp, celebrating each person’s uniqueness and encouraging one another to strive to be our best. And when summer comes to an end, we know we’re not saying goodbye for good, because camp friends are for life.
Lochearn’s lakefront cabins and welcoming facilities provide the perfect backdrop for all of the wonderful memories made at camp. It’s easy to call beautiful Vermont your home away from home. Your Lochearn memories are different than any memories made at home or while traveling elsewhere because you can be totally you, no matter how silly or spunky you are. Plus, you’re unplugged. Instead of worrying about posting on social media, texting or Snapchatting photos, we focus on being in the moment and communicating face-to-face. As we saw from generations of Lochearn Lassies last summer during our 100th year celebrations, your camp memories truly stay with you for a lifetime.
We’re just under seven months from opening day, and we couldn’t be more excited! Knowing you’ve always got somewhere to come back to is such a cool part of Lochearn, because your favorite things will still be the same, but you’ll be a year older. You experience things in a different way year to year and can set new camp goals for each summer. Maybe this will be the summer you finally earn a purple in gymnastics or work up the courage to try wakeboarding for the first time. And if not this year, you know you’re always welcome back for the summers to come.
