On our way back from the Montreal Gathering, Mark and I stopped at camp so that he could show me all of the great new improvements going on there. When I got out of the car the wind almost ripped the doors off the hinges. It was such a cold and blustery day and it smelled like winter in the air.

Camp was beautiful covered with snow, but it honestly felt lonely to be there without all of you. I could almost hear the laughter and the singing still echoing in the trees. It was strange to be at camp without the most wonderful part of what Walden really is… our campers and staff. Camp without its heartbeat is barely camp at all. We can continue to build and build but until we all return to our home away from home it is missing its spirit, warmth and love.

When we arrived I could already see the new staff housing building between 6A/7A and G6 which will provide us with the staff housing we need to grow the number of adults on camp. When we drove up to basketball I could see the brand new bleachers (enough to fit the entire camp) on either side of our main court. Our soccer and football fields are being expanded to encompass an Olympic Size Soccer Field which is wide enough to contain three multi sport fields. For everyoneís convenience there are now four new bathrooms next to upper hockey. Finally, on the way to archery I saw our brand new Climbing Tower and an 11 Element Continuous Belay High Ropes Course which will accommodate over 10 campers at a time.

During my drive home to New Jersey, I found myself reminiscing about 2013 and dreaming about next summer. As I thought of my wish for all of you, I was drawn almost like a magnet to the very same wish I wished for you when we ended last summer. I challenge you to remember the strength that is within you and the kindness and empathy that makes you special. Remember to stop yourself every once in a while and ask yourself what kind of leader you want to be – how to use your personal power for good ñ and how to be kind and true to yourself and those you love.

Happy New Year, dear friends. We canít wait to be together in 2014.

With lots of love and best wishes from Mark, Julia, Michael and me,
Lauren

Can you believe it’s already January??
Before we jump into the excitement of next summer, we want to share and remember the special moments that made 2013 one of our BEST summers yet!

To put it simply, summer 2013 was INCREDIBLE! We saw so many amazing new additions to camp: dining hall extension and kitchen renovation, three new basketball courts, two new tennis courts, a new softball diamond, a new lacrosse field, a new pump track, a new paved go-kart flat track, and last (but certainly not least) a new mountain boarding program! It seems like just yesterday we were singing around a camp fire, playing our favorite sports during free play, dancing in the rain on Donald Day, and anxiously waiting to hear the winners of our newest Walden tradition…the Instant Wow! And who could forget all of our amazing evening programs and special event days?
Summer 2013 really was incredible!

We know missing camp can be hard, but don’t worry–summer 2014 is just around the corner! We are counting down the days and can’t wait to share the Walden magic with both new and old friends!

Emily Purcell
Hometown: Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Chemmy, Purcell
Pets : No pets
Favorite Camp Food : Taco Night (everyone loves the guacamole)
Favorite Stewart’s Ice Cream Flavor : Brownie Cookie Sundae
Favorite Song : “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
Favorite Evening Program at Camp : Walden Auction (it is a classic)
Favorite Subject in School : Chemistry
Person You’d Most Like to Meet : It is a toss up between John Krasinski and Jennifer Aniston (love my comedians)
Place You Would Most Like to Visit : South Africa
Favorite Sport : Tennis to Play, Ice Hockey to watch on TV
Favorite Camp Song/Cheer : “I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain…”
Favorite Camp Memory : Unintentionally finding the Hatchet in the U.S. Mailbox with Kate Andriola for Blue Disney during Color War 2008!
Favorite Quote : “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” – Audrey Hepburn

Matt McNeil
Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
Nickname: “The Great One”
Favorite Camp Food: Taco Night
Favorite Stewart’s Ice Cream Flavor: Mint chocolate chip
Favorite Song: “Tommy” by The Who
Favorite Evening Program at Camp: Rope Burn
Favorite Subject in School: Philosophy
Person You’d Most Like To Meet: Bob Ross
Place You’d Most Like to Visit: Spain
Favorite Sport: Hockey
Favorite Camp Song/Cheer: “Oh Grey, Oh Grey, Oh Grey, Oh Grey…”
Favorite Camp Memory: Meeting the sailing instructor my first year at Walden!
Favorite Quote: “Different, not less.” -Temple Grandin