A Rainy Start to Boys' Camp

Happy rainy second day of camp! Today we woke up and enjoyed delicious lemon poppyseed bread and oranges. Once campers finished their orange juice, they got to enjoy hot cocoa!

The campers went back to their cabins and cleaned all the mud away for hopes of winning cabin clean up. With some free time before first period, our awesome extra staff lifted the rainy day spirits with music and dancing!

Campers played games with their swimming classes inside, a fun game of camp related jeopardy for boating, and some exciting new activities in sports class! Even with the weather, campers were always smiling and willing to try new things, like ranch on their baked ziti! (Our dinner today)

After dinner, we had a nice cozy rainy rest hour, where campers are given the opportunity to rest, write letters, read, and engage in other calming activities by themselves.

In place of general swim, we did a camp wide game of cabin feud! Counselors and campers alike had a blast guessing the answers. Campers then went off to fourth period, then activity period! Card games, knock hockey tournaments, Tetherball, and other games filled the air with laughs and smiles.

For supper we had a camp favorite: chicken melts! Followed by a classic drizzly evening program of Murder by Midnight! Our Leadership Trainees (LT’s) got to practice their skills and lead groups around camp to figure out who “killed” a counselor! We enjoyed s’mores and songs before we all got ready for a good night’s sleep. So excited for the sun tomorrow!

Love from the lake!!!!

Alexa, Olivia, and Colleen

Time for Boys' Camp!

Boys’ camp started today! Our Leadership Trainees helped to welcome campers in the parking lot, and assisted families in carrying their belongings to cabins. There were lots of excited campers!

After reviewing general camp and waterfront rules, our new campers completed their swim test - they did a great job! We even had enough time to enjoy a General Swim afterwards. Campers wasted no time jumping off the tower for the first time this summer.

For supper, we had our traditional first day meal: hot dogs, tater tots, and baked beans with delicious brownies for dessert. Following supper, we went to the A-Field for a highly competitive game of Medical War! We were able to cool off with a quick dip before bed, which was great since everyone worked up a sweat during evening program. Our cabin 4 trumpeter did a great job playing Taps this evening, and we’re off to bed!

Until tomorrow!

Day Four of Coed!

We woke up to another beautifully sunny (and very hot) day! Our Hydration Stations were ready to go before breakfast to ensure that everyone was drinking plenty of water. For breakfast, we enjoyed blueberry bread and then returned to cabins to clean up and get our bathing suits on in preparation to cool off in the lake during morning swim classes.

Everyone enjoyed swim class this morning! Before going into boats, campers were able to dunk their lifejackets to help stay cool as well. During counselors’ swim, several campers took advantage of the weather and went fishing or boating with friends. For lunch, we had a camp favorite - lasagna with baguettes and salad - it was delicious!

Prior to Rest Hour, campers enjoyed the Asto Wamah “car wash” (i.e. being sprayed with cold water from the hose - pictured below - it was great!) before going to Store and then heading back to cabins. We had a short Rest Hour today so that campers could enjoy an extended General Swim. Many campers stayed in the water with their friends for the full hour!

During fourth period, the Hilltop sports class put on lifejackets and played games in the deep water swimming area (picture below). There were lots of laughs!

Activity Period offerings included many water activities to help campers stay cool as well. We definitely spent a lot of time in the lake today.

For supper, we enjoyed chicken patties with lettuce and tomato and then apple crisp for dessert! The apple crisp was delicious! After supper, campers played Pirates and had a great time before cooling off with a quick dip before bed.

Until tomorrow!

Day Three of Coed!

We had another beautiful morning on the lake today! After Chicken Fat, we enjoyed French toast for breakfast and then headed back to cabins to clean up and get ready for the day. During morning announcements, campers were reminded to fill up their water bottles - they did a great job utilizing the Hydration Station throughout the day.

Morning classes were great! Campers had fun cooling off in the lake while working on their swimming skills. We even had two boys in Level 2 pass today! Campers also worked hard in their smallcraft classes to strengthen their rowing skills (picture below). We even had a visitor, the resident blue heron (also pictured below), who decided to go fishing off of main dock before flying over to the cove.

During the noon-time counselors’ swim, we again had several campers elect to go fishing. They are very enthusiastic!

For dinner, we enjoyed Texas Hash (protein, rice, vegetables) and then cooled off with some raspberry sorbet. Campers then went to Store and headed off to Rest Hour. After Rest Hour, we had a slightly longer General Swim, which was a great way to cool off!

After the last class of the day, campers participated in various activities offered by counselors. Activities included hair braiding, Gaga ball, tower jumping, and aquarium games. Campers had a great time playing games in the water (picture below)! They asked if aquarium games will be offered tomorrow because they had so much fun!

Since today is Wednesday, our kitchen crew has a day off, which means that cabins choose a special location to eat their meal. Almost every dock was occupied! Following some free time to play games near the Lodge, campers enjoyed a competitive game of King Dodge on the A-Field. Afterwards, they cooled off with a dip in the lake and freeze pops for a snack before heading off to bed.

We are looking forward to another fun day tomorrow! There will definitely be a lot of swimming and floating in the lake to keep cool!

Day Two of Coed!

Hi, everyone!

This morning started a little foggy; however, the fog quickly burned off and we enjoyed a perfectly sunny morning with a light breeze!

Prior to breakfast, campers participated in Chicken Fat, which is our morning exercise routine. Anyone who has attended camp in the past 50 years probably remembers that! Once everyone was energized for the day, we enjoyed cereal, lemon poppy seed bread, and cantaloupe for breakfast. Campers then returned to their cabins to clean up and get ready for another great day.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather this morning. Campers enjoyed working on their swimming skills, rowing and canoeing around the lake, and playing games on the A-Field. Below is a picture of some campers working on their flutter kicks! They had fun swimming like a school of fish.

For dinner, we had a camp favorite - baked ziti with mozzarella and baguettes. We also had vanilla pudding for dessert - it was delicious! Campers had some down time during Rest Hour and then checked in for General Swim with their friends. Afterwards, campers headed off to their last class of the day: hilltop went to sports class, lakeside went boating, and seniors went to arts and crafts. Just like yesterday, several campers took advantage of the opportunity to fish - I think a total of 10 fish were caught!

Campers enjoyed chicken melts for supper and then played Spies and Smugglers before a light rain shower came through.

We are off to bed and looking forward to another fun day! We are very lucky to have the lake given the incoming heat wave!

First Full Day of Camp!

Campers and staff woke up to a beautiful sunny morning today. For breakfast, we enjoyed waffles and fruit. Many campers decided to put peanut butter on their waffles, which is a camp favorite!

Our first day of classes went well. The lake was cool and a refreshing break from the heat. Campers were introduced to their swimming and boating instructors, and started arts and crafts projects as well. During sports class, campers learned names while playing Nuk’em.

After morning classes, we had meatballs and gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans with pears for dessert. The campers then selected candy to enjoy during Rest Hour, and then we had General Swim. We were lucky enough to participate in General Swim on Sunday afternoon after swim classification tests for new campers, so instead of listening to rules today, we were able to get right into the water.

During Activity Period, many campers took advantage of fishing off the docks - we have a lot of avid fishermen! Campers also enjoyed other activities, including jumping off the tower, playing Gaga ball, and playing basketball on the A-Field.

For supper, we had grilled cheese with tomato soup. Campers had quite an appetite after our busy day!

Our Evening Program was Capture the Flag - we had so much fun! Several campers successfully captured the opponents’ flag, making for a competitive game! Afterwards, campers enjoyed a quick dip in the lake to cool down before bed.

Until tomorrow!

Sunday, March 22nd

The signs of spring are all around us. At Camp Asto Wamah, we’ve been knee-deep in preparation since registration opened on February 1st.

It’s been a busy winter! Beyond clearing significant snowfall, our caretaker has completed major upgrades:

• Efficiency: All old fluorescent lighting was replaced with high-efficiency LEDs, in partnership with an Eversource program.

• Cabins & Huts: Huts near the A-Field have new doors and fresh stains. Cabins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 received structural repairs and new gutters, with Cabins 1, 2, and 3 getting fresh paint.

• Grey Mansion: Now features a new roof, entry door, and screen door.

• Waterfront: Both the Main and Floating docks are undergoing vital structural repairs. Most noticeably, we’re in the process of installing a new fence and sliding gate at the main Waterfront area.

As the snow runoff fills the lake, we are shifting our focus to the "people" side of camp— processing paperwork and finalizing staff contracts.

Enrollment Update:

• Full: Coed and First Girls sessions are at capacity with waitlists.

• Nearly Full: Only a few spots remain for Second Girls.

• Openings: Our Boys’ Camp is still looking for campers. If you know a young man who would benefit from two weeks of "unplugging" in nature, please send them our way!

We look forward to seeing everyone at our May Open House for staff-led tours!

Wishing all our campers a successful end to the school year. See you soon!

Jen and co.

Camp Road

Chapel

Waterfront

Friday, August 8th

Happy last full day of camp!

We started off the morning with a camp classic waffle breakfast. The race for cabin cleanup was tight, so campers had to clean extra well today while also beginning to pack up.

During morning classes, campers finished up testing and learned if they passed boating and swimming. In arts and crafts everyone participated in a nature scavenger hunt, and in sports campers had the option to fall off the trust fall!

Dinner today was Shepard’s pie and dessert was brownies. After dinner, the store had one day only flash sale, buy one get one half off on candy, thanks David!

After fueling up on candy and relaxing during rest hour, general swim was super exciting because many campers were able to swim in a new area after passing swimming earlier in the day. Campers who just passed level 4 also had the opportunity to jump off the tower!

Following general swim, all campers played a fun kickball game called “Run Around Town” while the boats and lifeguarding equipment were being cleaned and put away.

For our last supper we chomped away at some delicious meatball grinders and devoured jello cake for dessert.

Tonight’s evening program was campfire. While enjoying s’mores and singing songs, campers received their swimming, boating, and track meet awards. Some campers were also presented with arts and crafts, kitchen, and cabin clean up awards. We ended the night with the traditional last song of linger. We then stood up and faced the lake for the last goodnight songs of the 2025 camp season.

Thanks for following along this summer, have a great year, and we will see you next summer!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Thursday, August 7th

Happy Banquet!!

Today breakfast was English muffins with the camp favorite, cinnamon butter!! Morning classes started the same, with many campers finding out if they passed swimming and or boating!

Lunch was smaller today, we had egg salad, tuna salad, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Lunch was smaller to save room for our big banquet supper later in the day.

After rest hour, we started general swim by watching a synchronized swimming routine to the song “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, choreographed and performed by our seniors super star swimming class!

After 4th period many swimmers who just passed into level 4 enjoyed jumping off the tower for the first time during activity period.

The big excitement today was banquet! Banquet is our big Thanksgiving dinner where we move all the tables into the inner lodge so we can eat together. Campers dress up and wear their white tops and green pants (or their cleanest clothing). We also enjoy Shady Glen ice cream for dessert!

After we finish eating we sing songs, watch the slide show of pictures from the session, campers get their year awards, and the LTs get their clipboards for if they work on staff! The pictures are so sweet, and sometimes funny to look back on!

To end the night we have a candle light reading. Tonight was a rare, but special occurrence. Because the wind was so low we were able to put the candles, in styrofoam bowl boats, into the lake to float away. The candles looked so pretty as they floated across the lake!

Don’t worry though, staff members (us) rowed, to what seemed like was all the way to Denmark, to collect and clean all the candles up.

All in all it was a perfect last banquet of the summer! We can’t believe tomorrow is the last full day of camp. See you tomorrow for campfire!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Wednesday, August 6th

Happy Wednesday!

We started off the day with our daily morning exercises known as chicken fat, before having french toast and melon for breakfast.

All of the morning classes went smoothly. Many boating classes went to Frog Island today and many swimmers began to get tested to see if they would move up a level at the end of the session.

Dinner today was Texas Hash and for dessert we had butterscotch pudding with sprinkles! Everyone enjoyed a relaxing rest hour before going in for general swim. During fourth period, campers worked on gifts for their secret sister during Arts and Crafts, sailors practiced capsizing as there was no wind and at sports they played spud.

There were many options for activity period. The Hunter, our largest sailboat, went out, campers went paddle boarding or played GaGa. Counselors also offered aquarium games, where Henrietta, the blue heron, helped lifeguard the campers.

Tonight was another day off for the kitchen staff. We sat with our cabins on different docks around camp, eating deli sandwiches on pretzel buns, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Tonight for evening program was talent show. There were a lot of great acts such as cabin skits, songs and dances. Everyone had a lot of fun! See you tomorrow for banquet!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Tuesday, August 5th

Happy Tuesday!

We started the day with banana bread, which was a new top breakfast for many campers. We picked names for Secret Sister today, the camp version of Secret Santa.  This morning was our Frog Island swim for those in superstars or level 6 swimming, or if they are 14 years old and in Water Safety. These swimmers got to swim all the way across the lake, take a rock back with them and sign their name in the Frog Island book.

Morning classes went smoothly and everyone was super excited for today’s dinner, ravioli and baguettes. We had pears for dessert before the campers grabbed store and headed back to their cabin for rest hour. After a peaceful rest hour, campers went in for a refreshing general swim. During fourth period, the sailors took advantage of the windy weather while in arts and crafts, many started their gifts for their secret sister.

Supper tonight was tacos, and dessert was another camp favorite, apple crisp! For tonight’s evening program, it was LT carnival! The LTs put on a skit revealing the theme of the carnival as zombies before introducing their stations. Campers enjoyed all of the stations including accessorize seabrook (pin the accessory on the zombie), seabrook spot walk (musical chairs), zombie explosion (water balloon toss), and seabrook salon (hair chalk and face paint). We had ice pops before singing songs and heading off to bed. We’re looking forward to another fun day tomorrow!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Monday, August 4th

Happy Monday!

Today was a nice rest from track meet with a 30 minutes tomorrow sleep in. Then, waffles for breakfast!

It was a normal day, with normal first period classes. Campers were swimming, boating and canoeing all over the lake!

Dinner was chicken tenders, followed by sherbet for dessert.

Rest hour was very restful and general swim went swimmingly before campers headed off to fourth period. During activity period some campers did yoga, or went out on paddle boards, but most of camp went to the dance party where we played music ranging from descendants to Miley Cyrus throwbacks!

Supper was English muffin pizzas, but the real excitement came with dessert. Dessert was our personal favorites, chocolate pudding pie! It is a graham cracker base covered in chocolate pudding, with graham crackers sprinkled on top! We definitely recommend!

Evening program was also a camp favorite, pirates! In this game campers run all throughout the woods searching for the hidden treasure, while at the same time engaging in gun battles, by throwing flour “guns” at each other! To make this game even more special, the counselors dressed up in pirate hats and eye patches, it was so fun!

See you tomorrow for another great day!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Sunday, August 3rd

Happy track meet!

Today was a break from the normal schedule, but we started with egg bake and cereal for breakfast. Since today was track meet, after cabin cleanup and camp duties everyone headed up to the A field. The first part of the day consisted of the standing long jump, running long jump, and softball throw. Campers competed against each other, either on the green team or the white team.

After these events campers competed in both the 50 yard dash and a mid distance run before cooling down with a general swim. Campers were jumping off the tower, playing categories, naming animals like “GIRAFFE!”

After general swim we had a classic track meet lunch of ham and noodles with green and white cake for dessert, depending on what team each camper was on.

After rest hour campers had the option to run the marathon down camp road! Following the marathon was the best event of the day, the team triathlon. In this event the whole camp works as a team. Each camper was either assigned as a runner, swimmer, boater, canoer, or passenger. They all worked as a team to pass a baton throughout camp.

After we finished cheering the last swimmers on, it was time for another optional race, swim races! Campers competed against each other based on their swim level.

Swim races were followed by pickup for supper. Pickup is our form of leftovers, a camp favorite! Pickup was also for dessert!

The busy day was finished with multiple different relays for evening program. Campers competed with their teams in soccer relays, ping pong relays, obstacle courses, and more!

Today was a busy day with many activities, so we are looking forward to sleeping in 30 minutes tomorrow!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Saturday, August 2nd

Happy Saturday!

We woke up to another beautiful day on the lake! Breakfast was waffles with peanut butter, a camp favorite. After breakfast, some cabins switched bunks for the halfway point of the session, allowing campers to be on the top or the bottom bunk if they weren’t before.

The morning was perfect for classes! Many boating classes practiced oar retrieval today and swimming classes kept working on improving their strokes. For dinner, we had chicken parm and spaghetti, and vanilla pudding pie for dessert.

Everyone went in for a refreshing general swim before fourth period. For activity period, campers went paddle boarding, played aquarium games, got their hair braided and made friendship bracelets.

Tonight was another one of the kitchen staff’s day off so for supper we had hot dogs, chips and cookies. Instead of eating inside the lodge, campers were able to eat in the gazebo, on the benches and picnic tables with their friends from any cabin!

Evening program tonight was King Dodge, a dodgeball game similar to medical war. Campers headed off to bed, ready to rest before a busy track and field day tomorrow. It’s hard to believe the session is already halfway over, but we’re looking forward to the week ahead!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Thursday, July 31st

Today was a nice break from the heat which was much appreciated. Breakfast was blueberry bread and cereal.

Morning classes were business as usual as kids painted Red Sox logos on rocks in arts and crafts (sorry Yankee fans). It was very windy during boating which made it great for sailing!

Lunch was lasagna with a side of baguettes, and dessert was butterscotch pudding.

The afternoon looked a little different because of rain. After rest hour instead of general swim we played board games like headbandz and uno. 4th period sports and boating were both indoors but kids were able to go outside for activity period! Many campers played volleyball or did yoga on the A field.

For supper we had chicken patties and yummy apple crisp for dessert. After supper we played a fun basketball like game called garbage collector. In this game campers try to score dodgeballs into baskets for different point values. We were able to sing good night songs before the rain started again as the campers headed off to bed!

We are excited for another cooler day tomorrow!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Wednesday, July 30th

Happy Wednesday!

We woke up to another beautiful day today. We had french toast for breakfast before getting ready for the day. Campers love to listen to music as they clean their cabins such as songs by Taylor Swift or the Glee cast.

Everyone was excited to jump into the water for swimming class today as it was another hot day. Campers had fun in their boating classes, starting projects in arts and crafts and playing various games at sports.

Dinner today was meatloaf and mashed potatoes, with sherbet for dessert. Rest hour was a much needed break, but everyone was more than excited to get back in the water for general swim. The lake was calm this afternoon, so both canoeing and sailing classes practiced un-capsizing boats.

For activity period today, there were unique options such as jet roulette, where counselors picked a random number and campers got to spray them with a setting on the hose, with their favorite being jet!

For supper tonight, the kitchen staff had their day off, so campers got to eat sandwiches on pretzel buns on different docks around camp. The pretzel buns are always a big hit!

We ended the day with triad on the field, a three-way soccer game, before cooling down with quick dip! Campers enjoyed watermelon before heading off to bed.

We have been making the most of this hot weather, but are looking forward to a break from the heat tomorrow!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Tuesday, July 29th

Today was another hot one that started off with lemon poppyseed bread for breakfast. It was super hot so swimming was very refreshing. The boats were finally able to go out today and campers had so much fun row boating, canoeing, and sailing!

Lunch, which we call dinner was a fan favorite of baked ziti, with pears for dessert. Rest hour was a nice break for the campers before cooling down again for general swim! The sun was so bright, and the water was as blue as Cookie Monster!

After having fun splashing around campers headed off to 4th period where the kids who had sports played Gaga ball. Activity period was filled with campers jumping off the tower and playing aquarium games.

Supper was another fan favorite of chicken melts with chocolate cake for dessert. Then, the evening program game was spies and smugglers. In this game campers hide pieces of paper on them and try to smuggle them up the hill. We ended the night with songs and a slightly extended quick dip so the campers would be nice and cool before bed!

See you tomorrow for another hot day!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Monday, July 28th

Good morning and happy Monday!

We woke up to waffles with peanut butter and syrup for breakfast. Everyone then went back to their cabins for cabin cleanup and to get ready for the day.

We then started our first three classes of the day. Swim class was very refreshing for everyone as it was very hot out today. Sports played the classic first day game of nuk-em and campers started their first projects in Arts and Crafts.

For lunch today, we had Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes with peaches for desert. After lunch was the campers’ favorite part of the day… store! They grabbed a candy of their choice before heading back to the cabin for rest hour.

General swim was a big hit today with the heat. Campers loved swimming with their friends, diving for rings and floating on noodles. Fourth period was next, followed by activity period. Campers could choose to do various activities such as jumping off the tower, making friendship bracelets and playing Gaga ball.

Tonight for supper, we had grilled cheese and tomato soup. For dessert, we had chocolate chip cookie bars, which everyone loved! We wrapped up our evening on the field, playing capture the flag for evening program before singing songs, listening to vespers and eating snacks. Afterwards, campers went in for quick dip to cool off from this hot weather before going to bed. We’re looking forward to another beautiful day tomorrow!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Sunday, July 27th

Happy first day of second session girls camp!! Today was a great day to welcome both the new and returning campers! This afternoon was filled with old friends reuniting and getting to know new ones.

After swim testing all the new campers, supper was hotdogs and tater tots, with brownies for dessert! Our typical first night game is medical war, which is a dodgeball games. The girls were split up into teams with their cabin and tried to get girls on the other team out. After all the running around in the humidity, campers were able to cool down with a quick dip in the lake before heading off to bed. So excited for the first full day tomorrow, and to see what fun things this session will bring!!

Logging off from the lodge,

Melissa and Kyleigh <3

Friday, July 25th

Happy Friday everyone!

Today marks our last day of First Girls 2025! We had English muffins with cinnamon butter and jelly for breakfast. Then, we got right to our morning classes. We had lots of happy swimmers and boaters who passed their classes today. New level 4s got to jump off the tower and have a fun Friday class.

Despite the heat we all enjoyed Shepard’s pie for dinner today. Lots of tired campers headed back for extended rest hour so that we could avoid the storms rolling in this afternoon. We played board games in the upper lodge for general swim and then played fun games for sports and boating too. Unfortunately, the rain stopped us from having general swim but the thunder stopped and we got to have the tower open for activity period.

We had so many first timers and it was so fun to see so many nervous and happy campers. Afterwards, there were lots of hair braiders like always, and then we all headed up for enchiladas for supper. A newer meal at camp that turned into a favorite already.

Then campers headed back to pack up all their stuff to get ready for tomorrow morning. It was a busy evening before we headed to the council ring for campfire. We sang so many songs, ate smores, and everyone got their swimming and boating awards. Kitchen staff gave out their best manners award and we heard all the winners from the Track Meet events.

We sang Linger as our last song for tonight. Campers and staff headed to bed thinking about what a great session this was, and counting down the days till next year.

It was such a blast writing the blog this summer. I hope to see you all next year!

With so so much love from Wamah,

Jocelyn