Camps Nokomis or Nellie Huckins? Help!

[Truly]

Hi Everyone. I need some help. I'm in the process of researching camps for next summer for our daughter. I came across both of these camps and they both look lovely. Here's where you come in: I have no idea how one decides between the two camps. Does one have a better reputation? Is one more well-regarded? Do any of you have experience with either or both? I would love to hear what you know. It's not likely that we would have a chance to visit these camps beforehand. Just looking for a wonderful first sleep away experience for our daughter. Also, if you know of any other NH camps that are wonderful, I am all ears. I see that Conniston has good ratings too. Thanks a bunch.
Truly:)

[Grant]

My two daughters started at Huckins in Ossipee as juniors when they were about 8 years old. They both went all the way through the leadership program and CIT training. One of them will be there as a counselor again this year -- her 12th overall, I believe. And she is not an exception -- the vast majority of counselors and staff have been At Huckins for many years. My other daughter most likely would have continued through this time, but plays high-level club and college soccer, which ultimately pulled her away.

Both girls would tell you that the Huckins experience has been central to their lives. I can't remember ever picking them up at the end of a summer when they and their friends weren't in tears.

A former colleague and an old college friend both had daughters go to Conniston, and I've heard nothing but positive reviews.

One word of advice -- get your name in early. It's too late for 2010, but making an inquiry now could land her a spot for 2011.

FWIW -- My family has a lot of Lakes Region camp experience. Both of my sons, my brother, my cousin and I all went to Belknap for at least five years (youngest son is returning for his sixth this year, my brother was there ten years including leadership). My grandfather and his brothers attended Wyanoke as boys in the 1918-1920s.

[Truly]

WOW! That was fast! Thank you! I did find out that as a newcomer we would apply in December, and then wait to see if we get accepted for 2011. It sounds very popular. Can I ask a few questions?

I was told that most girls go for 2wks, but some go for 4. How many wks did your girls go for? Is it hard to get 4wks? I was told that it's limited.

Also, who makes up the camp? Are there girls there from many states or is mostly NH?

Did u like the environment? Was it pleasant and appealing? Pretty?

Do you think that your girls learned new things (sports, sailing etc.) from going to this camp?

Thank you so much for your reply. And sorry for all the questions.:laugh:

Fwiw, my daughter is currently in 3rd grade.

[Grant]

WOW! That was fast! Thank you! I did find out that as a newcomer we would apply in December, and then wait to see if we get accepted for 2011. It sounds very popular. Can I ask a few questions?

I was told that most girls go for 2wks, but some go for 4. How many wks did your girls go for? Is it hard to get 4wks? I was told that it's limited.

Also, who makes up the camp? Are there girls there from many states or is mostly NH?

Did u like the environment? Was it pleasant and appealing? Pretty?

Do you think that your girls learned new things (sports, sailing etc.) from going to this camp?

Thank you so much for your reply. And sorry for all the questions.:laugh:

Fwiw, my daughter is currently in 3rd grade.

My girls went for 4 weeks initially, then later for two. Same with my sons. It gets a bit costly and, yes, Huckins tries to be more inclusive by limiting the number of "monthers," although there remain some.

There are a lot of NH and MA girls, but many states represented. We're from Pennsylvania, and there's a decent alumni group down here.\

They had a blast, and definitely learned new things. Waterfront is a big part of the camp experience there. They also have an equestrian program.

It's a lovely location on Broad Bay. We made stop in February to check it out while frozen. The web site is pretty good -- check it out.

[granitebox]

Both my daughters go to Camp Nokomis and absolutely love it. I will PM you with some information.

[Kerk]

You may want to look into Camp Merrowvista in Tuftonboro . Great place and have had my grandchildren go there and highly reccommend it. If I had known about it would have had sons go there. kc

[Truly]

Thanks everyone for all your responses. Actually, I was looking at Merrowvista's website earlier. It too, looks great. Gosh, how does one decide when there are so many good choices?? It would be easier if there was only one great camp and the rest were horrible:)

[Long Pine]

If you happen to be interested in a Christian camp, you can check out Camp Brookwoods (boys) and Deer Run (girls). They are part of the same 500 acre facility with a nice location on Chestnut Cove on Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton. All the outdoor/ lakefront activities you would probably expect from a camp up here but also things like daily Bible studies with your cabin-mates. My daughter went there for 3 years (between ages 11 and 14) and loved it. Their website - www.brookwoods.org - has a lot of info you can check out if you are interested. Good luck in your search.

[Lakepilot]

Our two daughters also went to camp Nokomis and they both loved it. I can highly recommend it.

[Peter]

I second everything Grant said. My niece has gone there for 4 years and she loves it. She had made the best friends and has really grown from the experience.

[Ms Merge]

I researched both camps for my daughter now 13 and picked Nokomis. I felt that the camp management team at Huckins was too busy running a big camp. I think Debbie Parker at Nokomis is amazing. I believe Debbie has been involved with this camp for over 35 years (?). Also at Huckins they make the girls clean the bathrooms and I was not a fan of that....

[Merrymeeting]

My daughter went to both camps. She started at Nokomis and went there for 2 years. She liked Nokomis, and you won't go wrong there. If I recall correctly, she went to Nokomis after not being able to get into Huckins. Once space was available at Huckins, she switched. She loved it so much, she followed a path very similar to Grant's daughter.

She was a camper, CIT, counselor, and to this day will tell you those were some of the best times of her life. She still has many lifelong friends she made among the other CIT's/counselors, all now attending universities all over the country.

She would describe herself as a lifelong "Huckster". The only reason she isn't still there is because her major (nursing) requires her to work at a hospital during the summer.

[Grant]

Also at Huckins they make the girls clean the bathrooms and I was not a fan of that....

Never underestimate the value of a clean latrine.

[Grant]

I researched both camps for my daughter now 13 and picked Nokomis. I felt that the camp management team at Huckins was too busy running a big camp. I think Debbie Parker at Nokomis is amazing. I believe Debbie has been involved with this camp for over 35 years (?). Also at Huckins they make the girls clean the bathrooms and I was not a fan of that....

Huckins' director just marked her 40th year with the camp, and she is not the exception. Just saying.

For anyone who wants to check out the camp, simply stop by or call the office and they will gladly set up a new camper tour.

[Coolbreeze]

I agree with all that Grant said. Huckins was a great experience for both my sisters and now my nieces. Our New England friends all have children that go either to Huckins or Belknap. I went to Belknap in the eighties which was a positive life changing experience for me as a young man. FYI, Belknap is the "brother" camp to Huckins.
Fortunately for you, there are many options for camps in the lakes region. All are good choices. With research, you will find both those who loved camp, like me and my family, and those campers who sat on their bags waiting for thier parents to come and get them. It is all worth the time, research and money. Some of my best experiences and memories came from Belknap.

[Grant]

Timi Hi, Coolbreeze! (Note the cap in my photo to left...)

[Truly]

A big thanks to all of you who responded. Fortunately, we are going to tour both Nokomis and Huckins at the end of July since we are going up to Maine. We'll spend a couple of days in the area. Both camps sound great and are worth seeing for comparison's sake. Again, thanks to all of you:)