A note from Jackie (Pelton) Hoglund, a member of Robin Hood’s first girls group

true

Greetings Robin Hood Alumni – It’s hard to believe that 27 years have passed since my first summer as an “official” Robin Hood camper, and the first summer of Robin Hood Sports for Girls. Many of you know that my years at Robin Hood actually began even earlier, as the daughter of a camp doctor I have spent summers in Freedom, NH since I was 2. My brother, Erik, started at Robin Hood when he was 6 and my sister and I at Hiawatha (Robin Hood’s sister camp for many summers) when we were 7.

I have so many fond memories of Robin Hood. In some ways, I feel my experience was unique. I started so young and built relationships with many campers and counselors over the years. I returned summer after summer until I graduated college and needed a real job (but not before I was a Green & White captain, of course!). I continued to return as a judge, and also to visit as my parents continued to keep a vacation home in the area.

When DC and Woody took over as owners/directors, I was thrilled they asked me to come spend 3 summers with them as the Waterfront Director. Many counselors and group leaders during those three years (2003-2005) had been TPJs and Tumblers/Jesters when I was a Group Leader and Green Team Captain. Now, I come back to visit often (bringing my children to see what camp is all about) and some of the current Group Leaders were junior campers when I ran the waterfront. It is the never ending cycle of camp friendships – I was a counselor for many campers whose parents I interacted with when I was a young child at Robin Hood; and I fully expect some of these campers to soon be counselors to my 3 children.

There are lots of camps to choose from, when I think about sending my own children to camp. But for my husband Brad (who was known for visiting on weekends when I ran the waterfront) and I, we can’t imagine sending our children anywhere else. My parents STILL keep a vacation home close-by, we want a camp where our children will be together (we have 2 girls and a boy, including boy/girl twins), and we know they will shine in their own right. Besides, they’ve already experienced Cozy Corner, Pizza Barn, Freedom Old Home Week and so much more!

I am really looking forward to bringing Ellie (6) and Tessa & Drew (2 1/2) to Family Camp/9th week this August, and I hope you’ll consider joining us! We can’t wait for campfires on the beach, island swims, the “magic in the trees” and enjoying the sandy beach on the shores of Lake Ossippee, it’s just the introduction our children need to the true Robin Hood camp experience.

– Jackie (Pelton) Hoglund, RH 1987-1997, 2003-2005

Rachel Podl, 13, sat down with her grandfather who shared with us some Robin Hood history

Leave a reply

71-years

My grandfather’s first summer at Camp Robin Hood was in 1943 when he was 14. Though many things about camp have changed, whenever he goes back, he can still remember his many summers very clearly and fondly. As Andy Friedman’s nephew and the first cousin of Miles, Drew and Major (Andy’s children), my grandfather came to be known at camp as “Stanley Brown Friedman.” Before he went to camp he had only played team sports, so he loved all the new activities that were available at camp. For example, he went on a boat for the very first time. World War II was going on when he was a camper and because there was a shortage of gasoline, all of the boys biked out to local farms to help pick crops. He also competed against other camps, like West End, whom we still play today. After winning the Big Cup in 1945, Stanley returned back to camp in 1947 to be a counselor. The year that camp burned down, my grandfather went early to camp and spent his time replanting trees and cleaning up camp so that it could open that summer. With the locals’ help, Camp Robin Hood reopened for the summer of 1948. He continued to work there until 1951, when he went into the Air Force. Upon his return from the service in 1957, he attended dental school during the school year and worked at camp in the summers until he graduated, bringing along my grandmother, who worked as Duff’s assistant. All of my grandparents’ sons attended Robin Hood (their daughter – my mom — went to Hiawatha), and my Uncle Steve won the Big Cup when he was 14. Then, my grandparents came along with us to Family Camp in 2005 and have visited my brothers and I while we’re at camp. Meanwhile, my brother Matthew won the Big Cup in 2011, making three generations of Master Campers! My grandfather could have gone on for hours telling me stories about being a camper and counselor at Robin Hood. I can really tell he meant it when said, “I love camp; I really do.”

Healthy Healthy Campers

Leave a reply

We all have great memories of physical accomplishments achieved in the Realm. From taking the courts for a fierce win against West End, to surviving one of Jamie’s Abs Classes, to successfully summiting Mt. Washington, many of us come home from the summer sporting hard-earned RH Dog Tags which we now wear with pride.

We understand the importance of exercise and activity, and know that sound nutrition further enables these physical feats.

According to a recent article on NPR.org, “Children around the world are less aerobically fit than their parents were as kids”. In addition, it goes on to explain that children today take 90 seconds longer to run a mile than kids did 30 years ago and children’s aerobic fitness has declined by 5% since 1975. Weight and body mass index have also increased.

So what’s changed since the 1970’s? Well, a lot has changed, but when it comes to the physical activity of children, one of the biggest changes has been the global presence/invasion of computers, internet access and video games. A stagnant lifestyle with little to no aerobic activity has been the consequence.

But this is not the case at Camp Robin Hood.

We are a health-minded leadership team that leads by example. We participate in (and lead) many of the activities, encouraging and celebrating campers and staff alike every step of the way in their physical endeavors. Nutrition is also a big focus in the Realm. Food is plentiful with ample choices, but unbeknownst to many of the campers, it’s fantastically healthy. Fruits and vegetables are abound at all meals, meat is lean and whole grains are dominant. Nothing is fried, and sugary treats are offered typically just once a day. Hydration is also strongly emphasized. We fuel our bodies well to support the active culture we have created.

Good health extends past food and nutrition. We have a smoke-free camp, sunscreen is applied liberally and often, and sleep is valued. To ensure that our staff is well-versed on our health philosophies, we screen them before hire to ensure they are active and health-oriented, plus they receive a thorough training on this topic during pre-camp orientation.

Want to know what kinds of things we do at camp? Check out our lengthy and amazing list of camp activities.

What do you think about this current health trend? What are you or your children’s favorite camp activities? Don’t forget to LIKE Camp Robin Hood on Facebook and get the inside scoop on Camp Robin Hood year-round!

How to Prepare Your Bags for Camp

Leave a reply

Tis the season to begin preparation for your child’s next camp adventure!

As the anticipation mounts, it’s especially important to ensure your camper is prepared as possible for their stay away from home. All the amenities your child has handy around the house will not be as readily available at camp unless they complete that one all-important, oft-neglected task: plan ahead in packing their bag.

Here are some tips to ensure your camper’s bag is up to par come departure time:

As camp approaches and your child goes throughout their daily routine, encourage them to pay attention to the things they use so they know what to pack. The last thing we want is stressed-out parents running around last-minute, trying to think of things their camper may have forgotten.
Make a list. This may sound rudimentary, but you’d be surprised how many people fly by the seat of their pants when it comes to packing and then forget what they put in the bag and what has yet to go in. Make a list and then check items off as they disappear into the labyrinth that is your camper’s bag. Organization is key!
Categorize your list. This makes it easier not to accidentally pass things over in one long running list. Suggested categories include clothes, outdoor gear, and toiletries.
Download our suggested packing list to double-check for items that may be missing from your camper’s pack.

The One All-Important Thing You Must Not Forget!

The most common mistake we find with packed bags is that they are not labeled with names or group names.

It is essential for all parents to write in big, dark letters the name of their child and the name of their group on all packed bags.

In addition, the packed bags (that you label) should be soft trunks or duffel bags – this will accommodate for limited storage space at camp.

All campers traveling to camp via airplane or bus need to ship their bags via Camp Trucking, a delivery service like UPS and FedEx that services the entire country plus Canada. Camp Trucking is much more affordable than these other carriers and will pick the bags up from your home and drop them off at the end of the camping session.

We hope your camper is as excited as we are for new and exciting experiences this summer! Just remember: the organized camper is a prepared camper, and the prepared camper is a happy camper.

For more information on camper baggage and preparation, in addition to Camp Trucking sign-up forms, check out our camper baggage instructions.

How to Make Your Child a Happy Camper

Leave a reply

We are looking forward to welcoming your child to Robin Hood this summer! We imagine he or she is experiencing all sorts of emotions as travel day approaches, as you probably are too!

Hopefully, the predominant feelings are those of anticipation and excitement; but, it’s also natural to be apprehensive and a little nervous about a few issues including the incidence of homesickness. It’s important to establish the distinction between “missing home/parents/pets/friends” and “homesickness” as they are in fact different.

It is normal to miss people and things we love while we are separated. While at camp, your child will certainly miss you – that is expected. However, he or she will be able to have great fun and be fully involved in camp life despite that.

Homesickness, however, is a condition akin to anxiety or depression in adults, and is a result of lack of security. It is a lonely feeling to which there seems no end.

While in the home environment, your child lives within a ‘safe circle’ – he/she is surrounded by people and things that are familiar and comfortable, including rules and routines. When a child comes to camp, they are stepping out of that safe circle into an unknown world – the people are unfamiliar, the rules are new, and the surrounding environment is drastically different.

But there is a safe circle at camp complete with wonderful and caring counselors, great friends, a beautiful setting and endless fun. The homesick child is the one who is struggling to let go of the ‘home’ safe circle and transfer to the ‘camp’ safe circle. He/she is in that ‘no mans land’ in between the two. We are determined to build that safe circle around your child as soon and as seamlessly as possible.

We will:

Show we care – by empathising with them, and offering our love and support.
Keep him/her busy and involved – focussing attention on the fun things that they are doing and will be doing.
Help them cope – letting them know their feelings are normal, and offering strategies and advice on how to feel better.
Give special attention to him/her at ‘vulnerable’ times (e.g. rest time, bedtime)
Keep YOU informed of how he/she is progressing

During our staff Orientation we spend time discussing homesickness and the various methods of combating it.

The vast majority of children cross that zone between the two ‘safe circles’ with little problem. Some children, especially returning campers, are virtually in the camp safe circle before they get here!

Prevention is better than cure…

Through our own experience and supported by studies, it is evident that most homesickness can be prevented. If your child is well prepared for camp then transition can be seamless and exciting.

A well-prepared camper is one who:

Has experience sleeping away from home/in company of others.
Has been involved in and supports the decision to go to camp.
Knows about the camp, some of its people, its facilities and basic routines.
Has parents who show pride and confidence in their child’s ability to rise to the challenge of camp.
Has parents who may be anxious and worried about how THEY might cope with the separation, but do not let their child be aware of these anxieties.
Knows that his/her counselors can and will help in times of need.
Knows that low feelings associated with separation are normal.

Here are some tips and advice on how YOU can help to ease the transition in the few weeks prior to camp, and also during the first few days of camp.

If it is going to be a first time sleeping away from home, arrange for your child to sleep over at a friend’s house, or even have friends sleep over at your house – have everyone sleep on the basement floor, or even in the yard! Create a ‘mini-camp’ at home!
At the end of this article is some basic information about the Robin Hood routine. If they haven’t seen the Robin Hood DVD, sit down and view it with them. One of our counselors or older campers will be in touch with your child (if they haven’t already!) to help prepare them for camp. Encourage them to reply with questions.
Be positive – let them know how proud you are that they are setting out on this adventure, and how you share their excitement. Discuss the fact that there might be ‘low’ times when they feel sad. Emphasise that they can always talk to their counselor if they feel sad; that the counselor knows plenty of special ways to make them feel better, and that it is perfectly OK to feel low sometimes.
Avoid the ‘get out clause’: “If you don’t like it, you can come home.” This can be amazingly damaging, and actually sends out some confusing and counter-productive massages.It undermines your confidence in your child’s ability to cope with adversity. It questions whether you really are ready to send your child to camp.Your child will be quick to use it, even when the smallest things go wrong, and you will have the choice of either carrying it through, or backing out of it; both of which will be extremely stressful. Make it clear that whatever period they have signed up for will be seen out. After that, they can make the decision on whether or not to return, or even extend their stay.
As camp time approaches, YOU will become anxious. Try not to transmit that to your child. Don’t emphasise the fact that you will miss them while they are at camp. This may sound harsh, but the message here is avoiding the emphasis on missing them. Support words like “we will miss you so much” with “but we will be so proud and happy that you will be having so much fun making friends and learning new skills.”
If you can, avoid long, protracted goodbyes, whether you are dropping your child at airports, buses or bringing them to camp. The longer it takes to say goodbye, the more anxious your child becomes, and actually he/she is picking up on YOUR anxiety during this time.
After camp begins, you will be anxious to know how well your child has settled. Feel free to call DC or Jamie, or any of the administration. We will be happy to let you know how he/she is doing.
We discourage verbal contact between you and your child, particularly if they are having problems adjusting. We have found that phone conversations with parents create a ‘virtual’ home safe circle that is very short-lived, and in fact makes the problem worse. This is why we have a ‘no phone calls’ policy for the fist two weeks. Both you and your child will find this tough, but it will make that “I am happy and having a great time” phone call so much more special when it comes!
Be wary of that tear-stained letter pleading for you to come and pick them up. Three or four days will have elapsed since the writing of said letter, and it is highly likely that things will have markedly improved in the interim. Feel free to call us just to make sure! When you reply to such a letter, make sure the emphasis is on how proud you are of your child, and how you understand how it must have been difficult to adjust. Encourage your child to let you know in their next letter about the activities/friends/counselors etc.

There is no magical cure for homesickness, but we will work together to make your child a genuinely happy camper. Indeed we have many existing campers (and staff!) who were miserable for the first day or two of their Robin Hood lives, who have been returning ever since.

The polar opposite of homesickness is ‘campsickness’, and yes it really does exist! It’s when a camper struggles to return to the ‘home’ safe circle after camp finishes. Parents of seasoned campers will know exactly what I mean. In a bizarre sense, our aim is for a camper who experiences homesickness at the beginning of the summer to experience campsickness at the end of it!