It feels like only yesterday that this marvelous group of campers stepped off of the bus, hugged their families as they exited their cars, greeted our staff at the airport - and yet here we are on the last day of camp. And while that feeling is so present, we can confidently say that the campers who arrived 5-7 weeks ago are not the same campers we sent off today. The first day of camp is filled with excitement and nervous anticipation. For some  of our campers, this is their first time spending an extended time away from home, and they wonder “will I adjust,” “will I have fun,” “will I make friends.”

Throughout the summer, relationships are built and memories are made. As campers grow used to the routines of camp, they equally grow more confident trying new things. They step up, volunteering for responsibilities around camp – be it in the cabin, at meals, and in their sections each week. There is a reason that many people say that they feel most like themselves at camp, and it’s all part of the pride and sense of self-worth that comes from trusting themselves, trusting others, living intentionally in the open air, and we love to see this transformation in action.

As this last week began, we felt a definite change in the vibes around camp. Knowing that the end is near, our campers and staff try to soak up as much time as they can! Week 7 brings back daily morning activity choices, so that campers can squeeze as much variety into this final week as they can. And with only a handful of days left on the clock, campers chasing rank advancements are digging in and giving it everything they have, and we could not be prouder watching weeks of steady, determined practice finally pay off. Archers who started shooting at 15 yards are now up to 30 or more, trying to get just one more arrow in that prized yellow center. Horseback riders are focused and driven, tennis players are taking solid swings to send the ball soaring where they will it, and our swimmers are slicing through the water with a confidence and technique. Down at the waterfronts, Whippoorwill campers sailed up into the Augur, which is the “tree” portion of our lake (fun fact: the camp logo of a tree in a canoe was created before our founders realized that our lake is shaped like a pine tree in a canoe!), catching long, steady stretches of wind that let them stretch their tacks farther than ever and really feel what it means to read the water and the wind. At Lincoln the annual sailing race (the Chief’s Cup) was won by one of our older seniors with the help of his sturdy crew, continuing in the footsteps of his brother before him. Yesterday, our campers and staff gathered to hand out patches and handmade awards, all to celebrate the achievements our campers had made in activities all around camp. It’s a testament to the hours of practice, the willingness to fall down and get back up, and the encouragement of counselors and cabin-mates cheering one another on. It’s proof that at camp, growth is something the whole community builds together.

Out on trips, our campers continued to trek and paddle into the Adirondacks, with an overnight canoe trip on a nearby lake and a 3 day hike in the Mount Marcy range, along with a day hiking trip almost every day. All of camp Lincoln climbed our own personal mountain, Pinnacle. For the first time in many years we got all of camp to the top of the mountain and it was a perfect way to spend an afternoon. On top of Wright Mountain, the 16th highest peak, two of our Workgroup were thrilled to have achieved their years-long goal and toasted with a bottle of root beer that was snuck up the mountain by staff. They arrived back at camp to cheers and hugs from a swarm of fellow campers and staff, what a perfect way to wrap up their time as campers at North Country Camps! All in all, our campers climbed 38 of the 46 high peaks this summer!

The final week of camp brings a variety of events that we have referred to in our earlier blogs, and which campers have been building, training, and creating toward for the last two weeks. The pinewood derby at Lincoln commenced on Saturday, with campers of all ages racing the cars that they so meticulously crafted in the woodshop. All of Lincoln gathers to cheer each other on, an energy that can be heard all the way across camp as the winners’ cars eke out ahead to win the race!

Saturday night brought about our final concert in the Red Barn and in true form, our campers overjoyed the audience with their wit, musical skills, and humor. As the staff “Weezers” took the stage at the end, the whole room joined in exuberant song as they sang old favorites for the last time, and there were few dry eyes by the end of the night. 

Thankfully there is more fun to be had, summer’s not done yet!! Sunday morning brought about our Gymkhana (horse show). Riders signed up to participate and spent the weeks honing their skills in the saddle. On Sunday morning, all of camp gathered at the horse field to cheer on their peers as they barrel raced, hurdle jumped, or simply showed off their confidence in the ring. The cheering section matched the energy in the ring stride for stride – every clean pattern and every cleared hurdle met with applause, and our riders walked away with ear-to-ear grins, proud of just how far they’d come in a few short weeks. Staff MC’s kept the audience entertained during points of transition, and our riders made us so proud!!

And this brings us to Sunday evening, Final Banquet!!! Both camps filled their dining halls with decorations to match their themes. Campers and staff had been working away in the art shops, cutting cardboard and plywood, building props, and painting signs and backdrops. While the campers were cheering on their friends at the horse show, several staff stayed behind to completely transform the dining halls so that the final product would be a surprise by dinner. Leading up to dinner, campers and staff alike got into costume (thanks to the bounty held in the costume cabins) and met at their respective dining halls, to be greeted by staff who, in full theatrical attire, led them in a raucous skit to start off the night. It was a boisterous and glorious party in each lodge – at Lincoln they feasted on ribs and roast chicken, roast veggies and corn from a local farm, fresh baked rolls and brownie sundaes for dessert. At Whippoorwill they started the feast with charcuterie boards, followed by roast drumsticks, a medley of roast veggies and potatoes (huge thank you to Juniper Farm), Shirley Temples, and molten lava sundaes for dessert. We applaud our staff for their creativity, our kitchen staff for their culinary skills, and our campers for their love of the fun. A grand time was had by all, with dancing, singing, silly awards, and skits throughout the evening. In the words of Director Tess, “I can’t tell you how unbelievably joyful it was – my dream would be to bottle the happiness and dancing in the lodge and send it to parents.”

After a week full of activity, joy, and reveling in all that we have built this summer, we slow down Monday night and come together for our final council fire. Throughout the summer, council fire acts as a time to come together, to be quiet and reflective, perhaps throw wishes stuffed into the scales of a pinecone into the fire and watch the smoke curl up into the the pines as the entire camp lifts its voice in song.  At Whippoorwill, one by one, campers rise to surprise their "peanut" with the gift they have been crafting over the last two weeks. It's alwasy fun to see the suprise on faces when one realizes their best friend had been crafting something for them all along, and the thoughtfulness of the gifts never ceases to amaze. 

And now we find ourselves on the final day of camp, as each camp unveiled the design secretly carved into the center of the 2026 initial boards at breakfast. Every camper and staff member has left their mark, and the board will be hung up to preserve the history of this summer and everyone who made it possible. Our campers gathered on the Whip field to say their goodbyes, and amongst the smiles and tears we see all that we accomplished, who we became, and we will hold these memories close through the coming months.  It was a wonderful summer. A fun, adventurous group of campers and staff combined with beautiful weather and the amazing setting of the Adirondacks to create this delicious marvel of summer enjoyment. We know that the campers who attended North Country Camps this year are already dreaming of the fun to come next year and so are we! We are counting the days until next summer!