A letter from a parent to a parent

Dear Prospective Mowglis Parent,

The decision to send your child to a sleep-away camp is a big one!  As parents, my husband and I were in your position five years ago.  We now have two boys (ages 16 and 14) who are recent Mowglis graduates and one boy (age 12) who will be returning for his third summer.  Mowglis has been a wonderful experience for our sons.  We are appreciative and thankful for all they have gained. 

Mowglis is a traditional boys’ camp, where the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty and standing firm against temptation are emphasized.  The result, over time, is the development of an inner strength of character.  At Mowglis outdoor experiences are also emphasized over competition.

Camp days are filled with a wide variety of activities in a safe and structured setting and the boys choose from many rich offerings.  They can try sports like archery, riflery, sailing, and windsurfing (just to name a few) that they may never have the chance to experience…except at camp.  Mowglis is also one of just a few camps to offer crew…a uniquely cooperative sport, where the synergy of the group is more important than the strength of one individual.  Like most boys, our sons love team sports and play them throughout the school year. However, at Mowglis they spend their summer days doing a variety of activities, rather than be limited by the now popular specialty “camps” that emphasize only one sport or hobby.

 At Mowglis our sons have gained a real appreciation and respect for nature because of the beautiful lakefront setting and through the many off-site day hikes and overnight trips.  Our older boys have even climbed to the top of Mt. Washington!  In the current age of technology and materialism it is wonderful for children to leave all of that behind and have fun and learn in an atmosphere free of electronics – TV, computer, cell phones, video games -- that can be so enticing and all consuming to boys of that age.  I am thankful my older sons were happily ensconced at Mowglis as they approached their early teen years, and relieved that my youngest son will be filling his summer days and evenings with worthwhile activities, for at least a few more years. 

Most of all, we appreciate that our boys have set goals for themselves and have had the satisfaction of reaching them.  They have gained a great deal of independence and become more personally responsible.  They look up to the older boys and to the staff and they have worked hard to earn their awards.  We feel the camp experience is playing a key role in helping to prepare them for the future.  And, we know they are forming friendships that will last a lifetime.

All of this is gained from the seven-week camp experience.  We know it is difficult to let go of your son for this length of time.  We live in a culture that puts enormous pressure on parents to be involved in EVERY aspect of their children’s lives…school, sports, extra-curricular activities, social life, friends, etc.  We believe allowing our sons to have their own experiences, apart from us, is enormously beneficial.

We are happy to speak with any prospective parents who have questions or concerns they wish to direct to another parent.  We are confident that given the opportunity to participate in the Mowglis experience, your son will learn and grow in ways that will benefit him for a lifetime.

Sincerely,

Meg & Charlie Hurdman (Parents 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07)

P.S. We can be reached at the following phone & e-mail: (207) 781-7478 & hurdman@maine.rr.com