Every year parents and campers tell us what they love most about Mass Audubon camps—being with friends, making new discoveries, seeing wildlife up close, and all of the outdoor adventures from hiking and canoeing to experimenting with science and creating nature-themed art.

Campers aren’t the only ones feeling the love. A few of our Camp Directors share what they love most about their role and what they hope campers take away from their summer experience.

Discovery and Confidence

Watching children discover something they have never seen before and gain confidence from trying new things. —Elizabeth Broughton, Wachusett Meadow, Princeton 

Tradition and Stewardship

Camp traditions such as popping jewelweed, touching a frog, running down “Rollercoaster Hill,” and sitting under the “Story Tree”; all of which leads to developing an environmental ethic. —Patti Steinman, Arcadia, Easthampton/Northampton

Growth and Friendship

Seeing everyone, both campers and staff alike, grow and make incredible friendships. —Meredith Dean, Wildwood, Rindge, NH

Magic and Learning

Knowing that every day at camp is different, with “magic” moments and challenging moments—all of which I, too, am able to learn and grow from. — Amy Quist, North River, Marshfield

Wonder and Observation

Teaching campers how to see the wonder in nature and be observant of their surroundings. —Jane Higgins, Habitat, Belmont 

Ability and Leadership

Coming across a camper guiding their parents on hikes to places they visited during the camp day. They get to be the counselor and their family members are their campers. — Scott Santino, Ipswich River, Topsfield  

A Sense of Belonging

Helping campers feel that they belong; that this was the place they could be themselves while learning about nature because it’s their thing. —Melissa Hansen, Broadmoor, Natick

Knowledge and Inspiration

Giving kids the knowledge that they can take home and share with their friends and family about the outdoor world and inspire more people to want to go outside. — Shane Elliott, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton

Curiosity and Love

Knowing that our campers will take away a sense of place, curiosity to go deeper, and a love of the natural world! —Josey Kirkland, Felix Neck, Edgartown

 Awe and Encouragement

Sharing the sense of awe and thinking nature is so cool that we all feel every day! —Emily Wolfe, Wellfleet Bay, Wellfleet

Learn more about one of our award-winning 18 day camps and Wildwood, our overnight camp.

Over the next few weeks, Mass Audubon will be welcoming new and returning campers across Massachusetts and in Rindge, NH. Last week, Wildwood overnight camp hosted 140 new and returning Mass Audubon camp counselors from Pleasant Valley in Lenox to Joppa Flats in Newburyport and everywhere in between for the annual Field School.

Field School is a unique opportunity for counselors from camps across Mass Audubon’s sanctuaries to come together to share songs, stories, and experiences, and learn new skills and fun nature activities to share with their campers.

Check out photos and stories from Field School at the Word from Wildwood blog, and let us know in the comments: What are you most excited for at camp this summer?