Camp Agawam

Camp Agawam is located in Raymond, Maine. It is an all-boys summer camp that began in 1919 by the Mason family, and moved to Crescent Lake, its current location, in 1920.

Appleton A. Mason, affectionately known as "The Governor," founded the camp, and Directors in order after him have been:

Appleton A. Mason, Jr.

David Mason

Garth Nelson

The current director is long-time camper/counselor Erik Calhoun.

In 1985, following the retirement of former directors and owners Dave and Peg Mason, Agawam was sold to loyal camper alumni. The alumni formed the Agawam Council to govern the camp. With uncertainty of who was to be the new director because of the end of the line of Masons, the Agawam Council were fortunate to hire Garth Nelson, who went on to serve as camp director for 22 years. Nelson ran the camp the way the Masons had done, safeguarding its long-held traditions and customs. 'The Governor' would be pleased to know his vision of a nationally renowned boys' camp has been carried forward to the present day.

Camp Agawam is an accredited boys' camp by the American Camp Association.

Activities

Camp Agawam accepts boys ages 8 – 15. Activities are as follows: windsurfing for 13 & up, archery, arts & crafts, sailing, lacrosse, swimming, baseball, soccer, riflery, woodshop, basketball, tennis, photography, small craft (canoeing, boating, plyaking, and kayaking), ranger trail (nature, survival skills, astronomy, first aid, outdoor cooking, weather and clouds, knot-tying, and important camping skills), challenge for 13 & up (high ropes and climbing), Challenge for 12 & under (creative thinking skills and low ropes), badmintion, lawn games (bocce, croquet, horseshoes, and koob), volleyball and newcomb (an easier version of volleyball but still great fun), sports training (pushups, sit-ups, and pull-ups for 13 & up), kickball, and a Trip Program to name a few.

A Typical Day at Camp Agawam

At Camp Agawam, campers are at nonstop fun. Here's a look at a casual day at Agawam:

7:30 Reveille & Morning Dip

Boys are up bright and early every morning. At the bugle call, boys get dressed and can enjoy a refreshing dip in Crescent Lake to wake themselves up. Every once in a while, senior boys wait at the flag pole until reveille and get everyone in the lake that morning to beat the staff for number of dips in a morning.

8:00 Flag Raising and Morning Announcements

Boys line up at the flagpole by cabin. 'To the Colors' is played on a bugle as the flag is raised while campers salute. Staff members cover most of the morning's agenda in announcements.

8:15 Breakfast

Campers are assigned to tables with 2 staff members and 5-7 boys. Boys must help in the cleaning of the table and various other chores before and after eating.

8:45 Cabin Clean-Up and Camp Improvement

Immediately after breakfast, boys rush down to their cabins to make their bed, neaten up their shelves, organize their trunks, line up their shoes nicely, and do a chore that is different everyday. Cabins participate in the weekly race of the cleanest cabin among campuses.

9:30 Cabin Assigned Activity

Cabins are assigned to a different activity every day that helps the boys participate together as a cabin and expose to them all that Agawam provides.

10:30 Specialty Period

This is the period in which campers go to the activity they picked at the beginning of the summer. It changes into a different activity 4 times. Boys are assigned age and skill level appropriately.

11:30 General Swim

This is a free activity period, including a time where campers can choose if they would like to swim in the lake for the period.

12:10 Relaxation

This is a time that campers go back to their respective campuses. No playing tetherball, shooting hoops, or doing anything that is vigorous activity. This gives the campers time to rest before lunch and wash up before that time.

12:30 Lunch

1:20 Rest Hour

This is a time for the campers to go back to their cabins and rest for an hour. Campers must stay in their cabin, and no talking is aloud. Boys write letters, read books, and take naps.

2:30 & 3:30 Optional Activities

Campers have an opportunity to go to most of the activities listed at top, but must attend an activity. Planning ahead of time is a skill needed and will be enhanced with this activity. Sometimes inter- and intra- camp games are scheduled for these periods.

4:30 General Swim

Same as 11:30 General Swim, but on Saturday afternoon 2nd General Swims, boys have an option to attend Catholic mass in a nearby church.

5:45 Dinner

7:00 Evening Activities

There is no formal activity period in this time slot. Most evenings allow campers to choose different activities or just hang around in their campuses, and staff-organized games are played such as Cops & Robbers, Buzz Ball, and Pom-Pom Pullaway. These games are only known by Agawam campers and staff! Soccer, basketball and other informal games may be played.

8:15 Flag Lowering and Walkthrough

The flag is honored and boys have a highly-recommended option to walk through the lake before bed.

8:30 Bed Bell

A bell rings and campers are able to brush their teeth and get ready for bed. In most cabins, staff members read boys books and play other games before bed.

9:00 Taps

The traditional 'day is done' bugle call is played and another fun camp day at Agawam ends.

Camp Agawam Traditions

Agawam is noted for its many traditions and customs. Here are a few.

Woodcraft Laws The Woodcraft laws are what Agawam is based upon. These laws were compiled by Ernest Thompson Seton. The laws are:

Beauty

•Be clean, both yourself and the place you live in.

•Understand and respect your body, for it is the temple of the spirit.

•Be a friend to all harmless wildlife. Conserve the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight wildfire in forest or town.

Truth

•Word of honor is sacred.

•Play fair; foul play is treachery.

•Be reverent; worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of him by others.

Fortitude

•Be Brave. Courage is the noblest of all attainments.

•Be silent while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them deference.

•Obey. Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcrafter.

Love

•Be kind. Do at least one act of unbargaining service each day.

•Be helpful. Do your share of the work.

•Be joyful. Seek the joy of being alive.

Council Fire Every Saturday, boys gather into the tribes they are assigned to at the beginning of their career as a camper. However, if their father was in a certain Native American tribe, or their brother in a certain tribe, a new camper is assigned the same tribe as their relatives. They march into the council to the beat of the current director's tom-tom. The director is called "Chief" around camp and "Sachem" during council. Commendations are given by the staff for brave, good, or courageous works done by the boys, games are played, awards are given, the woodcraft laws are recited, and other activities take place at this time. If it rains on Saturday night, Council is rescheduled.

Ags v. Wams The annual competition of Ags versus Wams is an intra-camp competition with its events taking place on various evenings. It features most of the activities that camp has to offer including basketball, soccer, baseball, Ranger Trail, riflery, and archery.

Staff names Each staff member is assigned a nickname at the beginning of their tenure at camp. To be a full staff, the age requirement is 18 or older. Staff members have the option to be a Senior Club at 16 and a Junior Counselor at 17. They do not get a nickname until age 18. Many of the common nicknames are "Dodger", "Corp", "Bowman", "Inspector", and "Ace".

Vespers & Weekly Awards Vespers is held for 30–40 minutes on Sunday mornings. Songs are sung and a staff member that is selected every week does an inspirational talk with the campers. The staff member talks about his/her life and different aspects about Agawam. After Vespers, the Weekly Awards ceremony is held. This is a time where outstanding accomplishments in different camp activities are recognized.

External links

• Official website
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