What We’re Into: Fall Faves 2025
Camp-in-fall might be our favorite season - leaves turning golden, crisp walks on the Lower Road, and extra time to dream for next summer. Closing Day feels like ages ago, but we’re still buzzing here at camp; we love reading your surveys and scheming for next summer, while also soaking up some fall moments with our co-workers, friends, and families. Since you can’t be here for a fireside chat, here’s what our Head Staff is loving right now.
Jimboy
The most underrated fall view at camp is: Horses grazing on the Apple Hill pasture as the sun is setting
A project you’re tinkering with now that campers will notice next summer: Tentalow 6-10 bathrooms, Bungalow 4-6 bathrooms…nice renovations in the works!
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: Cooking in the garden (especially on “Fry-Day”)
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: Maple trees lining the road at Landsports and on Apple Hill (they are beautiful with their fall colors)
What you learned from this summer that’s shaping your plans for next summer: English Riding just makes camp more inspiring…even for non-riders! The new rings will be a great addition.
Best 30-minute comfort dinner on a chilly weeknight: Beef Bourguignon
Favorite board/card game for a cold night in: Blokus
What’s on your Christmas list under $25: HYCH Hot Sauce
Your family’s most chaotic holiday moment or tradition (Thanksgiving or Christmas): White Elephant Gift Exchange with the extended family
Holiday lights: tasteful twinkle OR go-big Griswold? Classic Large incandescent colored lights on a big tree!
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? Watching the parade, for sure!
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Pecan!
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? Hallmark Movie, always a winner!
Margaret
The most underrated fall view at camp is: from the River Trail and pastures looking back toward camp
A project you’re tinkering with now that campers will notice next summer: the Health Hut porch renovation - can’t wait!
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: SALAD BAR!
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: Every spot feels different in the fall!
Favorite board/card game for a cold night in: I prefer a puzzle to a game…but we like Rummikub or Yahtzee
Your family’s most chaotic holiday moment or tradition (Thanksgiving or Christmas): Family Talent Show and White Elephant gifting
Holiday lights: tasteful twinkle or go-big Griswold? Go BIG, lots of big, colored lights
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? The Parade followed by the Dog Show
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Pecan Pie!!! Is that even a question???
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? BOTH. Movie in one room. Football game in another.
Catherine
The most underrated fall view at camp is: The trees that line the road as you drive up to the front gate - their colors are the BEST!
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: wearing shorts and a t-shirt every day and being away from my phone.
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: The FORT becomes boat and vehicle storage. Not quite as fun as Challenge Day volleyball!
What you learned from this summer that’s shaping your plans for next summer: The simplest things at camp are oftentimes the best (s’mores while the sun is going down!).
Best 30-minute comfort dinner on a chilly weeknight (share the link): Pinch of Yum’s Date Night Rigatoni is one of our faves - simple, comforting, and delish!
What’s on your Christmas list under $25: Goodr sunglasses!
Holiday lights: tasteful twinkle OR go-big Griswold? Go big for sure - give me all the colored lights!
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? Neither - Thanksgiving Day Dog Show!
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Leftover pecan pie for breakfast the next day.
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? Neither - but love a cozy Youtube fire on the tv.
Peter
The most underrated fall view at camp is: Facing Lake Edith from the Hostess Cabin
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: Pickled okra from the salad bar
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: The Dining Hall porch
A prayer you’re praying over next summer right now: Safety, fun, lots of growth!
Holiday lights: tasteful twinkle or go-big Griswold? Twinkle!
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? Trot! (Even though Cat is not a fan.)
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Pecan pie
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? Football game
Laura
The most underrated fall view at camp is: The view from my office is the best!
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: The fruit/salad bar!
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: The River Trail
A prayer you’re praying over next summer right now: For the staff to be hired and feel loved and supported.
Best 30-minute comfort dinner on a chilly weeknight: Chicken and Mushroom Bake
What’s on your Christmas list under $25: $24
Your family’s most chaotic holiday moment or tradition (Thanksgiving or Christmas): We have “Hamburger Thanksgiving” with my whole family (45 people) the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Holiday lights: tasteful twinkle OR go-big Griswold? Twinkle!
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? Parade
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Pumpkin Pie
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? Football Game!
Ellen-Anne
The most underrated fall view at camp is: The zipline birdhouse - SO GOOD! You can see all of camp. It’s truly magical!
A project you’re tinkering with now that campers will notice next summer: New things happening with ENO reading. Keep your eyes peeled!
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: Ice huts AND having my vegetables washed and cut for me.
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: River Trail! The leaves are GLORIOUS!
What you learned from this summer that’s shaping your plans for next summer: That people LOVED Mahjong, and learning something complicated with friends is fun! Teaching skills are something core to who we are, but it was a good reminder that no matter the generation or depth of class, learning something new is super important!
Best 30-minute comfort dinner on a chilly weeknight: This coconut curry lentil soup. I’ve been making it for over 10 years and it hits every single time.
Favorite board/card game for a cold night in: Cribbage! Nothing cozier :)
What’s on your Christmas list under $25: This lotion is a Chistmas favorite. Not only is it on my list to GET, but I also buy a bunch to stuff stockings with. It’s made on the Island my grandmother lives on and has been a family staple for 20 years!
Your family’s most chaotic holiday moment or tradition (Thanksgiving or Christmas): My mom’s side of the family always hosts a big Thanksgiving together and we have a “Turkey Bowl” (complete with trophy and everything). The cousin’s get matched together and the games begin. Our family is competitive (and that’s putting it lightly), so it’s a BIG DEAL who wins!
Holiday lights: tasteful twinkle OR go-big Griswold? GO BIG! My kids get to pick a new decoration every year for the yard, and it’s so fun. We cover the house in full big bulbed colored lights with small white light details. So far we have Snoopy on a plane, Bluey, and an inflatable gnome that sits in the front yard. Excited to see what they pick out this year. Lowes here we come!
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? Neither - we are practicing for the Turkey Bowl (no joke). Maybe the parade is on in the background - but nobody is really watching.
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Neither. Give me that dressing (not stuffing) ALL DAY.
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? Football for sure - go Dawgs!
Sarah
The most underrated fall view at camp is: Looking back into camp from the River Trail; camp looks glorious!
A small camp luxury you secretly miss in the off-season: Being surrounded by so much joy everyday; I miss all the laughing!
A spot at camp that feels totally different in fall vs. July: The Health Hut; IYKYK. Empty, cold, no icee-pops, no nurses.
What you learned from this summer that’s shaping your plans for next summer: Pivoting our plans often leads to amazing memories (cue the 4th of July fireworks out in the river pasture)
Best 30-minute comfort dinner on a chilly weeknight: We love this soup right now!
Favorite board/card game for a cold night in: Been playing Flip 7 with the family a lot these days
What’s on your Christmas list under $25: Hope Santa brings this new Christmas puzzle before Christmas; we like to do the new Christmas Ravensburger puzzle each December
Your family’s most chaotic holiday moment or tradition (Thanksgiving or Christmas): We love doing a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day; last year, a local Christmas tree farm ran a promotion that if you ran the entire race carrying a Christmas tree, you were then able to take the tree home (for free!). We loved it and can’t wait to run with a tree again!
Watching the Thanksgiving parade OR participating in a turkey trot? BOTH
Pumpkin bread OR pecan pie? Pecan pie
Hallmark movie OR football game in the background? Football game