Daughters grow up just once...

Selecting a summer camp for your daughter can be a difficult and trying decision. After all, you are entrusting your daughter to the care of others. Your association with Lochearn is a process that begins right now with your initial inquiry and exploration of what Lochearn can mean to you and your daughter. Parents who have made an investment in Lochearn appreciate how we foster children's moral growth through wholesome fun, friendships, laughter, and learning. Helping children grow to be honest, kind, fair, responsible, and respectful of social rules and authority are values and behaviors that we and our Lochearn families hold as similar goals and visions. As a result of our professional approach to working with children, Lochearn parents see their daughter's camp experience as an integral part of her education - as important to her development as the right school, friends, and home environment. Lochearn appeals to parents who want a summer camp to provide more than fun and recreation for their daughters. We promote a well-conceived educational philosophy which guides community living and individual character development by fostering shared values of respect and responsibility and by helping children learn and grow through their everyday social interactions.

Directors Profile

Rich and Ginny Maxson bring to Lochearn over 55 years of experience in human service including counseling, positive youth development, leadership training, and summer camping.

Early in Rich's career, he combined his law degree and Masters degree in Counseling to create effective community resources for schools, court systems and families. Specifically, he founded and directed the nationally acclaimed Friends Program in Concord, NH, and initiated a statewide effort to improve services and conditions for youth in North Carolina as the Governor's Special Assistant for Children and Youth. Rich has a Master of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and a doctorate from Harvard University in the area of children's social and moral development.

In addition to providing individual and group counseling, Ginny has worked with several national corporations to create harmonious work environments by designing and implementing programs of leadership training and staff development. Ginny holds a Master of Education degree in counseling and a Master of Arts from Dartmouth College in children's social and moral development.

Rich and Ginny work closely with campers and staff to make Lochearn a place of positive vision and hope for the future.

What Parents Say About their Daughter's Lochearn Experience
"We carefully researched suitable summer programs for Carolyn and found Lochearn to be distinctively different. Your professional approach to developing character in children is refreshing and very much in keeping with what we, as parents, strive to teach Carolyn every day."

"Your community very clearly showed Jessa that positive qualities of character are valued more than the superficial glitz in popular culture."

"Your supportive and nurturing environment was extremely successful in helping Alison adjust to camp. Under your constant care, she learned to handle her homesickness with strength and confidence."

"I feel Lochearn's emphasis on character building over the years has had a very positive effect on both girls - especially Emily. I have seen her use these skills in her social relationships outside of Lochearn and she has become much more successful and confident."

Frequently Asked Questions:

When was Lochearn founded?
Lochearn Camp for Girls was founded in 1916. It is one of the oldest private camps for girls in the country. Since 1984, Lochearn has been owned and directed by Rich and Ginny Maxson.

Where is Lochearn located?
Lochearn is located in the small Vermont village of Post Mills, Vermont (20 minutes from Hanover, NH, home of Dartmouth College, and approximately 2 ½ hours from Boston, MA). It is situated on two sheltered coves along the banks of unspoiled Lake Fairlee. The camp is separated from the main road by a half-mile long, private drive. This unique setting offers beauty, serenity, and a safe and secure environment for our campers and staff.

What are the living areas like for the girls?
Girls live in simple yet lovely lakeside cabins in one of three divisions: Junior Camp for girls 7 to 10, Sub-senior Camp for girls 11 and 12, and Senior Camp for girls 13 to 15. Older girls (15 and 16 year olds) can participated in a four or eight week leadership training program. Newly designed bathrooms are centrally located and contain individual hot-running showers with private dressing areas.

What is the food like?
Breakfast and dinner are served family style with six campers and two staff members at each table, while lunch is served buffet style. Breakfasts include fresh fruit and juice, a choice of hot and cold cereals, and a hot meal such as eggs, pancakes, or waffles. Lunch may be sandwiches, tacos, chicken tenders, etc. along with soup and salad bar. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are always served at lunch in case a girl does not like the main meal. Dinner consists of dishes such as baked chicken, turkey, pork roast, lasagna, or fajitas along with vegetables, fresh bread or rolls, and a starch such as rice or potato. A pasta bar and salad bar are always available during the dinner meal. Milk is available at all meals. We also enjoy fun meals such as cookouts, Hawaiian luaus, international dinners, and theme meals. Sunday mornings, girls love a special breakfast buffet in their PJs.

What qualities do you seek in your staff?
A successful camping season depends on a positive, enthusiastic, kind, caring, and supportive counseling staff. Lochearn has a primarily female staff with a few men hired for selected positions. Staff, 18 years and older, have a demonstrated commitment to the well being of children, have well-established skills in one or more of our activity offerings, love the out-of-doors, and can serve as positive role models for our campers.

Every staff applicant goes through a thorough application and interview process designed specifically to determine strength of character, skill competency in a particular art or sport, and the ability to work as a cooperative community member. Each staff member signs Lochearn's Code of Conduct that clearly sets forth a no usage policy regarding drinking, tobacco and drugs. Among other standards, staff also agree to adhere to nighttime curfews, support Lochearn's traditions and policies, communicate concerns responsibly, and care for children in a loving and professional manner. See our Guide for Staff Candidates for more information on staff selection.

What distinguishes Lochearn from other camps?
Lochearn is distinguished from other camps in three main ways:

• Over 90 years of history and traditions give our community a distinctive identity providing our girls with a sense of connection with the generations of young woman who have come before them and an incomparable backdrop for meaningful memories.
• Lochearn is a teaching camp. This means each of our 40+ activities utilize carefully crafted lesson plans to assure that girls learn fundamental skills in all instructed activities. Lesson plans ensure that each class maximizes fun, safety, involvement and accomplishment. Staff are hired for proficiency in one or more activity areas as well as their genuine love and commitment to children.
• At our core is a sound commitment and well-conceived approach to children's character education. Directors and staff sustain a caring community that fosters in its members kindness, respect and responsibility and helps each child move into the world with a sense of security and optimism.