Below you will find comments from current campers, parents, staff, and alumni. It is their dedication that builds our community day by day and year by year.
One thing I LOVE
about FA is that there are SOOOOO many different activities. There
is no other Camp like FA.
Mindy
Bernstein
A summer of
fun a lifetime of
memories
Ben, Linwood NJ
For eight years of my life, I have been tied to a place in which I cannot imagine every having to leave, Camp Forest Acres. Maine has been my home for as long as I can remember. This past summer, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the C.I.T. Program. I taught swimming.
Perfected the girls strokes and played fun
games. For so many years I was on the camper side, and this summer
I got to experience it half and half. Being a counselor is
tremendously different, in a good way to say the least. Forest
Acres has taught me leadership and dedication. It is a place where
you can be whoever you want to be and not have a care in the world.
I am the woman I am today from what the Forest Acres philosophy has
taught me, effort, commitment, and kindness.
Carly, Chicago, IL
Forest acres is my home away from home. I wait 10 months 2 every year just so i can go back to Fryeburg, Maine and smell the pines. Camp is one of the best things that ever happened to me. i don't know why! maybe the people, the friends i make, or just the feeling of watching the sunset over the saco river. Camp means everything to me.
Logan, Briarcliff Manor, NY
"I feel like I've grown up this summer, I'm much more responsible". Little does she know, she really hadn't changed that much. But the security and self confidence she gained while at camp, helped her grow emotionally and socially, being able to do for herself without a parent around made her feel more grown up.
Beth, Naples FL
"Camp makes you a better person". Barrie Cohen McMullen, Ridgewood NJ
"Tradition".
Corey . Ridgewood, NJ
Having children at both Forest Acres and Indian Acres, we have
always been able to enjoy our summers knowing that our kids are
safe and happy with their summer families. No matter what day of
the year it is, Andy is always able to tell us exactly how many
days until camp starts.
Amy and Jeff , Livingston, NJ
"The" best time for my five kids in life!!!!!!!!
Nothing is better than FA and IA.....Mercedes my daughter changed a trip to Europe to go to" her" camp.
Dedication and love makes you ...simply the best.!!!!!!!!!!
Shelena, Venezuala
Indian Acres is a fantastic place, where every person is
valued. I haven't felt a stronger sense
of community in any experience since my time at camp, and I
remember countless moments like they happened
yesterday.
The inspiration of a grownup can really influence a kid. My most powerful inspirations came from counselors at IA -- most of whom are still there today, almost 30 years after my last summer at camp.
I never questioned whether I would send my kids to IA and FA. The experience changed my world as a child and the memories have never faded -- I knew I would want the same for them.
Thanks for the chance to thank you.
Jimmy, Verona NJ
My daughter, Heather, always said that Camp Forest Acres taught her how to be a better friend. The ethos of the camp stresses the importance of making and keeping friends for a lifetime, being considerate of others, and always putting yourself in someone else's shoes. When we moved abroad and Heather was thrown into a new school with new people and unfamiliar customs, she knew how to adapt, make friends and succeed at becoming a leader... thanks to FA.
Ariella, Newton MA
My experience at Indian Acres as a camper and a counselor was, without a doubt, the single most meaningful, important, and long lasting chapter in my life so far.
Adam, Pittsburgh PA, Portland, ME 1976-2008
"IA is a place that never stops giving back. Over the 9 summers I have spent there, I have met so many great people, learned life lessons that I couldn't have learned anywhere else, and I have found a place that I truly can call Home."
Thank you again for this great opportunity..
David Litwin, RI
"Being a counselor at FA was an experience that will be
eternally engraved in my thoughts."
Anna-Maria, UK
Forest acres has been home to me ever since I first arrived there. Thinking of it everyday while I'm away, making friendships that I know will last me a life time.
Dana Heyman, Chicago, IL
The camp experience enriched Mason's life. He became more responsible,
independent and learned how to live and respect kids and adults. Mason has made
life long friends.
Laura, Chicago IL
-Words can not express my feelings for camp. Due to some unexpected circumstances I had to miss a year of camp after attending for 4 years. Since I had to miss a year my appreciation is so much more of a passion to do everything I can at camp. Summer just wouldn't be the same without it.
Cameron, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indian Acres has been an incredible experience for my son. Besides having a beautiful property, a loving staff and great activities...the friendships he has made will be lifelong. He is in constant communication with his friends from camp. He counts the days till he returns next summer. I could not have wished for a better camp experience.
Cheryl, Chicago, IL
At Forest Acres we have learned the meaning of true friendship. The bonds we have created here are sure to last us a lifetime, and the memories are unforgettable. F.A. has made us the confident and caring young women we are today.
By: Emily. Key West, FL and Tory, New York, NY
The strength in personal development at camp (for both children and staff) is truly remarkable. I know first hand that Indian Acres has helped me see life 'another way'. Furthermore I've seen camp help others see 'another way' too. Thank you Indian Acres, thank you.
Steven,. Second Year Returner Counselor. England.
"IA is like home away from home for me. I never thought anyone could have that much fun."
Jake , Columbia, MD
Now that the craziness of the end of camp has calmed down for you, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how this summer has changed my daughters' lives forever. I sent to you two scared girls knowing three people at FA(yes, I now know the lingo and am learning the songs!) and you sent me home two young ladies with a ton of new friends ,new interests(Sydney in lacrosse and basketball and Amanda in horseback riding) and an increasing phonebill ,which I welcome. WOW!!!! How lucky we are to have found FA, to have had you and Neal come to our home and get them excited about camp and now Hunter will probably go to IA for 4 weeks because of his incredible experience on visiting weekend!
Lisa, Boca Raton FL
As parents what we most appreciate about IA is the opportunity for our boys to escape the fast and furious pace of everyday life and decompress in a natural, peaceful and nurturing environment. Each summer they return home with a better sense of self.
Joyce, Boca Raton FL
Indian Acres is my true home away from home. I spend all year thinking about the next time I will be getting on the bus to depart for Fryeburg and as I am in camp, I think of nothing else but the world that surrounds me, contained inside the totem poles. The friends I have made at IA are my best friends in the world. Camp is my home, my sanctuary, and the subject of my dreams for 10 months of the year.
Alex, Bellingham, MA
Choosing Indian and Forest Acres has been one
of the best choices that we have made for our children.
My daughter's best friends are her camp friends.
Summers at Indian Acres and Forest Acres have become much
more than camp to us. It is where you go to reconnect
with those that you have grown to love. It is more like a
family reunion.
Marianne, Providence RI
"I have found my second home"
"TAN-always in my heartV-I-C-T-O-R-Y"
Amit. Israel
My experience at Camp Forest Acres is one that will last a lifetime. This will be my second summer, and I plan to spend many more there. I have made best friends who will be in my heart forever. I'm sure that everyone that spends their summers at Camp Forest Acres will feel the same way. I love you FA!!
Abby age 13, Wilton CT
"Our daughter has become a walking billboard for FA. She thinks about it every day, posts information about it on her facebook, keeps in touch with camp peers and counselors throughout the year. She simply oozes camp spirit. We are thrilled that she considers FA not just a zip code, but her home away from home."
Carol, Baltimore MD
"It is really hard to be bored at camp because there is so much to do, like playing sports. It is also very exciting because you can make new friends very easily and quickly!"
Everett, Potomac Falls, VA
This will be Brooke's third year at Forest Acres and she can't say enough about her experiences there. FA exemplifies what camp should have- fun activities, community, and opportunities for personal growth and development in a healthy, supportive environment. Thanks!
Roz and Scott, Scarsdale NY
When I think about the 37 years that I have spent at I.A. I don't look at it as just being at a seven week camp. But rather I look at it as a seven week family re-union. For I. A. has become my extended family. I truly believe that no other camp has such a caring community.
Gary McClurg, Fryeburg. ME
From the time that camp ends in august until it begins again in June, there isn't a day that goes by without a call to a bunkmate, without a lyric from a camp song, without a sigh from a wonderful memory, without the countdown until the day when she will be back at her Forest Acres home again. Tory will always have a special place in her heart for her beloved camp--the staff, her counselors, her bunkmates.....for every part of one of the true loves of her life...Forest Acres Camp for girls. She'll be back in June as a CIT and we are as happy as She is.
Lorna, NY NY
Indian Acres is the
greatest place on Earth. If only it was all
year.
Noah, IA J-4, 2006
I
love Forest Acres so much because my
friends there are so amazing and we have so much
fun all summer.
Elizabeth, PA Cabin 19, 2006
Camp is simply
great!
Lauren, Westchester
NY, Log 1, 2006
I will never forget
the best years I had at camp. Love you
all.
Nathalie
Once you're a camper at either FA or IA,
you're one for life.
Jo
Forest Acres is an
amazing camp. I have been going there for about 9 years now, and it
is such a big part of my life. It's a small community of 150
campers, so you get to know nearly everyone. We have so many
traditions at Forest Acres, all that have been done since the start
of the camp in 1927. Forest Acres, through its traditions,
community, and the ideals it promotes, truly makes campers into
great, giving people. Not only that, but it has extensive
facilities, and a number of activities to choose from. Forest Acres
taught me how to shoot archery, ride horses, canoe, kayak, swim,
play softball, play soccer, play tennis, do gymnastics, and, well,
be myself. We have a 75% camper return rate, with some girls having
mothers and even grandmothers who went to Forest Acres. I know
everyone says this, but you really do make friends that last a
lifetime at Forest Acres. I will remember my camping days for years
to come, and think about nothing else from mid-August to late June
of the next year, when I am finally back with my friends at our
summer place.
Log Camper, 2006
Everybody has an important place they want to return to. I happen to return to my important place every summer.
With the pine trees looking over the campfire flames, I return to Forest Acres with a big smile on my face. I have met some very special people at F.A. and have made hundreds of friends there.
I know that in the winter F.A. is sitting there covered with snow waiting for the summer sun to help open its gates to all the girls who have come to love and care for all the acres of land that make up the magnificent place we call home for weeks throughout June, July, and August. Many memories lie within her soil and float among the clouds.
As time
passes we will be getting older and the songs that we've sung will
fade from memory, friendships will be forgotten, and the scent of
the pine trees will be erased from our thoughts, but never for the
generation to come. When we leave for good somebody has
to be there to take our place. Our daughters, granddaughters, and
even great granddaughters, or maybe a total stranger.
Nevertheless someone, somewhere will always be waiting for the snow
clouds to disappear and for the sun to rise so they can return to
Camp Forest Acres and like many before them make memories they will
never forget!
Johanna, Cabin 7, 2006
My first
year at camp was amazing! I made so many friends and memories. I
told my mom when I got off the bus that I wanted to stay until Log
2, maybe even longer! When I got the camp yearbook, I looked at
every picture and I look at it over and over. Can't wait till'
2008!!
Carrie, Cabin 17,2007