The Joys of Childhood

A joyful childhood includes time well-spent with good friends, laughter, learning and playing, and the opportunity for a child to stretch herself as she becomes a confident, independent person. Today’s world is a busy one, and children are also inundated with the influences of modern technology - whether or not they are on social media - using computers and other forms of technology at school and throughout their daily lives, so it is easy for these simple joys of childhood to slip into the background of everyday lives.

Camp gives children an uninterrupted opportunity to find their inner joy. For weeks at a time, campers at Alford Lake Camp spend their days with friends - laughing, playing, singing, and learning to trust one another, while also working through challenging moments. True friendship is not always smooth sailing, and camp gives campers time to work through those rough moments. At ALC, campers learn to make independent choices through our choice-based schedule, following their individual passions and also gaining the confidence and skill needed to make decisions. Throughout our summer days at Alford Lake, we are able to take the time to be present with and for one another, to dare to let others know who we truly are, and to laugh. A lot.

Days at camp are overwhelmingly filled with laughter and chatter as campers

and counselors learn and play together. Camp is a joyful place. And what a gift it is to give our campers this uninterrupted opportunity. As we continue the countdown to Opening Day 2025, we can’t wait to hear and feel the buzz of energy our campers bring to each day as they embrace this opportunity to be joyful, to play, to learn, and to laugh.