Prospective Families
November 2010
Dear Prospective Mowglis Parent,
The decision to send your child to a sleep-away camp is a big one! As parents we were in your position nine years ago. We now have three sons (ages 20, 18, and 15) who are Mowglis graduates. Our two older sons are now working at Mowglis as counselors, and our younger son participated in the Yearling program last summer. (Our 12-year-old daughter is currently a camper at Onaway.) Mowglis has been a wonderful experience for our boys. We are appreciative and thankful for all they have gained.
Mowglis is a traditional boys’ camp where values, character, and outdoor experiences are 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 & windsurfing (just to name a few) 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 special “camps” that emphasize only one sport or hobby.
At Mowglis our sons 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 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 (especially social network sites), texting, and video games – that can be so enticing and all-consuming to boys of that age. I am thankful my sons were happily ensconced at Mowglis as they approached their teen years and their summer days and evenings were filled with worthwhile activities.
Most of all, we appreciate that our boys set goals for themselves and had the satisfaction of reaching them. They gained a great deal of independence and became more personally responsible. They looked up to the older boys and to the staff. and they worked hard to earn their awards. We feel the camp experience has played a key role in helping to prepare them for the future. And we know they formed 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 that 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, given the opportunity to participate in the Mowglis experience, that your son will learn and grow in ways that will benefit him for a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Meg & Charlie Hurdman (Parents 2002-2010)
PS We can be reached at the following phone & e-mail: (207) 781-7478 & hurdman@maine.rr.com
Welcome! This part of Mowglis web site has been designed just for boys who want to learn more about what camp at Mowglis will be like.
Below are some FAQs about Mowglis
What kind of camp is Mowglis?
Mowglis is a traditional camp where boys learn a variety of different outdoor activities. Although we play sports for fun, we are not a sports camp. We offer a broad spectrum of activities (Industries) to allow the boys to find something they excel at, and thus can gain confidence from that experience.
What is it like to live at camp?
You will live with other campers your age in an open air dorm. The food is terrific with menus that are made to be kid-friendly but healthy: for example, burgers, mac and cheese, pizza, and tacos. You’ll have the chance to swim every day. We have a campfire circle every night Click here to learn more about what a typical day is like.
Do I get to choose what I want to do?
Yes! We offer 16 different activities, and what you do is your own choice. Click here to see what activities we offer.
Will I go on trips?
Yes! Campers go on different types of trips depending on their age and ability. We go hiking, camping, backpacking, canoeing and kayaking. It doesn’t matter if you have never done these things before, and we will not ask you to do more than you can handle. Click here to learn more about trips.
What about uniforms?
The Mowglis uniform includes shorts, tee shirts, polo shirts and a fleece jacket. We will give you a uniform on the day you arrive. There is nothing better than not having to think about what you’re going to wear on a given day, and knowing that whatever you wear will be just as “cool” as what the other boys are wearing. The uniforms take “clothing stress” out of your vocabulary.
Can I bring TVs, computers, radios, cell phones, CD players and video games?
We do not allow electronics at Mowglis because we believe they interfere with the outdoor experience that we work so hard to provide. Don’t worry … after the first few days you won’t miss them!
What if I get homesick?
It is normal for boys to sometimes miss their family and friends, but you will be so busy that you won’t have much time to think about them. And if you do, we’ll make sure that you have someone to talk with. We schedule several visiting weekends for parents, you can receive mail daily, and the summer will go by so fast.
