The desired outcomes from a summer at Moosilauke are simple and timeless: a fun and positive experience in which campers
are comfortable to be themselves, try new things, and gain confidence and self-esteem in the process.
One of the reasons Moosilauke is able to create these outcomes year-in and year-out is because of our adherence to a few simple but powerful philosophies:
There is No One Definition of Success
Moosilauke's program has three primary areas of focus: land sports, waterfront activities, and outdoor adventure trips and classes. By placing equal importance on all three areas, within an environment in which boys are comfortable to be themselves, Moosilauke is able to create a community in which there is no one definition of success. Whether a boy’s interests include competitive sports, the natural world, reading, hiking and camping, or swimming and boating, he will find a home at Moosilauke.
The Importance of Positive Risk Taking Within a Supportive Atmosphere
Typically, a boy comes to Moosilauke with experience in some of our many activity offerings — but not all of them. Thus, every boy will try new activities at Camp. We believe that positive risk taking within a supportive peer group is essential to the development of confidence and self-esteem. No matter how hard we try, parents cannot give children self-esteem. Children must earn it within their peer group.
Zero Tolerance for Teasing
In the old days of camping,
teasing and pranks were the norm at many camps. Even today, we are amazed to hear stories about mean-spirited
activities that still occur at other camps—sometimes with the blessing of counselors. At Moosilauke,
there is zero tolerance for teasing and bullying. Staff undergo an intensive eight-day orientation
in which, among other things, they learn how to spot and manage teasing type behaviors. From the
first day, campers learn that teasing is not “cool” at Moosilauke.
Beyond The Call of Duty
After every meal at Moosilauke, campers and counselors alike stand-up and talk about a wide range of issues and events, including upcoming competition and trips, recent adventures, the news of the day in the outside world, and most special of all, who went “B.T.C.O.D.”— “Beyond the Call of Duty.” At Moosilauke it is par for the course for campers to publicly recognize when their peers go out of their way to help each other.