It was summer of ’96, I believe…I had met a very nice girl from New Hampshire the summer before and we kept in touch writing letters back and forth. We planned on going back to camp together the following summer. We came up with a great idea of going on a “great escape” together. It was going to be a bike trip down the coast of Maine starting in Acadia national park and finishing in Rockport…

There was four boys and four girls, plus the two counselors.The van ride to Maine was a fun ride, getting to know the other campers. We stopped to get some supplies on the way, but we all knew that we would only have our bikes and tents for the next two weeks. 

The first few days was spent riding around the national park.The sights were amazing. We cooked our own dinner every night and carried all of our food and supplies. How quickly we missed a toilet and a light switch in the bathroom. Luckily the weather was amazing… 

We biked towards our final destination which was to get a huge sailboat for two nights on bar harbor. We spent the time relaxing in the sun and reliving the trip we just had. I vividly remember a few of us jumping into the ocean. We were warned that it was very cold and to not stay in long. I think I was out of the water faster than I went in. I can still feel how cold it was when I look back on it. The crew of the boat were very friendly and made our stay a memorable one. Once back on solid ground I recall taking a shower and feeling like the building around me was swaying. What a strange feeling. This was now the end of our journey. Ten days in Maine…

I can honestly say that this trip was one of the most important two weeks of my life. It taught me some incredible lessons about living and being self sufficient.

I spent eight summers at Camp Burgess. First as a camper and then a CIT (Counselor-in-Training), then as a JC (Junior Counselor), and finally a summer as a counselor.

These are without question, some of the best memories of my life. I do truly hope that when my son is old enough he will be able to experience what camp can mean to a kid. I am forever grateful for the memories and the people I met growing up.  

-James B.

Thank you James, for sharing YOUR Camp story!

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