Glen Brook

A 10-day session for campers who have completed 3rd or 4th Grade. Program: Our special 10-day program introduces campers to the joys of sleep away camp and our core camp activities including archery, arts & crafts, farm-life, nature, swimming lessons & games, woodworking and a whole variety of games. The boys and girls fox cabins have a maximum of six campers to give children all the attention and support they need. Activities: Foxes will engage in pre-scheduled, camp activities 3 periods a day. In addition, they take part in the all-camp a free swim and boating time and free time in the meadow where they have the chance to choose what they will do. The whole camp community sings together after supper and plays an evening activity before cabin groups retire to their bunks for bedtime, including reflections on the day and a bedtime story.

Our Otter program is for children who have completed the 3rd or 4th grade at the beginning of camp. It is a three-week program in which campers share a bunk room with five other boys or girls. Otters will do a one-night camp-out at a unique location on Glen Brook property. Our Raccoon program is for children who have completed the 5th grade at the beginning of camp. It is a three-week program in which campers share a bunk room with seven other boys or girls. Raccoons will do a one night and two-day wilderness trip away from Camp. Activities: Otters and Raccoons enjoy archery, arts & crafts, farm-life, nature, swimming lessons & games, woodworking and a whole variety of games together. During General Swim and Free Time before supper, they may choose what they do. The entire camp community sings along after supper and plays an evening activity before cabin groups retire to their bunks for bedtime, including reflections on the day and a story.

For campers who have completed 6th – 8th grade. The program runs for 3-week sessions. Activities: Eagles, Deer & Lynx enjoy more choice in their daily activities. They will still have the opportunity to engage in our core camp activities: archery, arts & crafts, farm-life, games, nature, and woodworking during 3rd period each day. However, the first period they will choose between a variety of electives that change daily and second period each day they will delve into a concentration of their choice which will be an opportunity to develop a new skill over the three weeks. Concentrations may include a variety of crafts including woodworking, pioneering and primitive skills, farming, painting and drawing, performance skills, etc. These middle school age campers also enjoy the challenges of our ropes course. Each afternoon includes General Swim and Free Time before supper. The whole camp community sings together after supper and plays an evening activity before cabin groups retire to their bunks for bedtime, including reflections on the day and a story. Trips: Eagles, Deer, and Lynx each go on a three to five-day wilderness trip, either canoeing or hiking in the wilds of New England away from Camp.

For campers who have completed 9th & 10th grade. The program runs for 3-week sessions. Bears (9th Grade) and Falcons (10th Grade) are the next step in the Glen Brook journey, further into independence, leadership and outdoor living. The Bear Program: The Bear program is integrated with the rest of camp while still fostering their own autonomy and rhythms. Bears develop skills in bushcraft, cooking, facilitation and more. They live in simpler accommodations and their daily routine provides more opportunities for them to take responsibility for each other and themselves. Bears take on more roles around camp during special events, taking care of the grounds and farm and creating their own special projects. The Falcon Outdoor Leadership Program: Our Falcon Outdoor Leadership program instills in participants a sense of personal responsibility through wilderness experiences in northern New England and through stewardship of Glen Brook’s forest and farm landscape. The Falcon program runs independently from the rest of the camp. A permanent campsite at Glen Brook is used as a base camp from which to plan and prepare for multi-day expeditions. Teambuilding: The program begins with teambuilding and each participant carving their own canoe paddle while preparing for a 4 – 5 day canoe expedition, where days are spent learning the fundamentals of paddling and camping and end with reflective practices such as music, art, and writing, and observing wildlife. The group returns to Glen Brook to debrief, regroup, and prepare to head out on their 4 – 5-day backpacking trip. Trips: Falcon trips are rigorous yet no previous experience is required, and the leaders are careful to ensure that each participant is well prepared, safe, and a contributing member to the group’s progress. Preparation focuses on understanding the importance of adequate gear, the imperative of clear communication, first aid basics, and basic leadership skills. The “Solo”: The program culminates with the “Solo”, a pivotal experience, where each participant spends 24 hours in the woods at Glen Brook alone to reflect on the experiences of their explorations. Adventures often bring forth many new life lessons. The solo time is a time to think about how you can apply what you have experienced to your everyday life.