Gatherings, Events, and Camp Improvements!
Heidi and Reed had a great time traveling this month to visit with Wohelo folks! It was awesome catching up with current and future campers, alumni, and families. Big shout-out to the families who hosted gatherings and helped us all stay connected. We have one more get-together coming up – a joint event with Timanous on Thursday, February 6th. Let us know if you can make it!
On Wednesday, January 29th, Heidi, Mark, and Reed attended the Maine Summer Camps winter workshop on camp climate change impacts. After the presentation, Mark and Heidi got a picture with Jim Chalmers of Chalmers Insurance, Wohelo’s longtime insurance agent and another fourth-generation business. We were happy to see Jim receive the Jack Erler Award for outstanding contributions to organized camping, as exemplified by Jack’s long-time invaluable contributions to Maine Summer Camps.
The cold weather isn’t stopping our maintenance projects! We’ve got the siding up on the Little Wohelo Dining Hall and will be putting in windows soon. The crew has also started on the front deck – a new, much-anticipated feature of Swallows 2.0. Cam has been busy rebuilding the Go Dux boats, and we can’t wait for summer to see them in action!
One last time this winter, help Wohelo spread the word to interested potential campers through our fun and informative slideshows. Join us, bring a friend, and spread the word! Even if your potential camper is a little young to start camp, our gatherings are a fun way to introduce the camp idea and to meet other families in your area.
Falmouth, ME Thursday, February 6th, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
This is a co-gathering with Timanous.
For details and to RSVP, please contact heidi@wohelo.com or 207-655- 4739.
Register for the 2025 Wohelobration
Camp is back in session! Pack up your red swimsuit and uniform—dust off your Frog Pin and Bug Paddle. Join fellow former Wohelo campers and counselors for a weekend back at camp to rekindle old friendships, enjoy activities, and make new memories. Go to our Wohelobration page for more information. To register, please click the button below.
Wohelo Camps Campership Fund - Updated Webpage
The mission of the Wohelo Camps Campership Fund is to provide financial assistance to girls who would otherwise be unable to attend Wohelo. The Fund is supported by the generosity of donors like you. Thank you for giving the gift of camp.
We have updated the Giving Page on our website to answer frequently asked questions and make giving easier. Thanks to those who have already donated to the Campership Fund. With your help, we can introduce the joy of summer camp to more k
Meet a Counselor - Laura
Each month Reed sends a newsletter to Sebago Wohelo enrolled families and for February’s newsletter, she interviewed Laura (Camper ’16–’17, TG ’18, Staff ’19–’25) for the “Meet a Counselor” series. Laura graduated from Dickinson College in 2024 and it was wonderful to catch up with her and hear about her experiences since leaving camp in August. Read on to learn more about Laura, her passion for being a counselor, and her love of camp.
1. What are you up to these days?
I’m currently in Spain, working as an au pair for two children, ages 10 and 12. This experience has been truly unique, and I don’t think I could have done it without the skills I developed as a camp counselor. Living in a country where I don’t speak the language and traveling around Europe have pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me gain a great deal of self-confidence and independence. I’ll be staying in Spain until I return to Wohelo for my tenth summer.
2. What’s your role at camp and why do you like being a counselor?
I am a Head Counselor and the Director of Tennis. Being a counselor has been the most special and rewarding experience of my life. I love being a counselor because I know I am making a difference in young campers’ lives and working in a place where everyone can be their most authentic selves is incredibly fulfilling. It’s rewarding knowing that camp is such a safe place not only for the campers but the counselors as well. We work together as a close-knit family, building the lifelong friendships that Wohelo creates.
3. Can you share a favorite memory from camp?
One of my favorite camp memories is from this past summer when I worked toward earning my Witch Swim, the highest swimming, canoeing, and diving award at camp. I’ve dreamed of doing this since I was a TG, but as a counselor, I was honestly nervous about taking on the challenge. Luckily, my campers encouraged me to do it with them, which made the experience even more special.
Working for my Witch Swim was incredibly rewarding—it pushed me to become both physically and mentally stronger. The ultimate goal is to swim 2 ½ miles, and by the end of the summer, reaching that milestone was unlike anything I’d ever felt. Climbing the ladder onto the Lewa Dock with everyone there cheering me on made me feel so proud and deeply loved. It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.
4. What are you looking forward to this summer?
I can’t wait to be back on Sebago Lake and swim some laps—social laps, too! I am really excited to see all the familiar faces, both campers and counselors, and I can’t wait to make some new friends with the new counselors.
5. What elements from Wohelo have helped you in life?
I truly believe that Wohelo has transformed me into the person I am today—in the best way possible. Since I first started coming to camp, I’ve gained tremendous self-confidence, developed leadership skills, and learned how to navigate the realities of life, like living independently and being away from home.
One lesson from camp that has been especially impactful is the idea of “be where your feet are,” which means being fully present in the moment. Summers at Wohelo fly by, and those seven weeks are incredibly special. Making each day count while knowing that everything back home will still be waiting for you when summer ends is a perspective that has stayed with me and enriched my life.
6. Anything else you want us to know?
Send your daughter to camp, you will not regret it! Lastly, Wohelo is my second home and I am extremely grateful for everyone whom camp has brought into my life. Work, Health, Love, Forever!
