A Day at Echo (2021)

Last update: 06/05/2021

A number of excited campers have asked us to describe "A Day At Echo Lake Camp - 2021 Edition". We've put pen to paper and laid out a typical experience, making sure that our covid safety policy is clear. We are adhering to State and Federal regulations, and as they change, we will change those restrictions in camp as well. On 05/24/2021 the state of Maine removed most restrictions, and we have followed suit, keeping camper experience and safety in mind.

Wake

Your morning at Echo Lake Camp begins with the melodic tones from a conch shell or a bugle being blown at 7am by a member of the Croo to announce that breakfast will be served soon, at approximately 7:30am. You and your loved ones leave your cots and open the canvas flaps on the platform tent to reveal a beautiful coastal Maine morning. You get dressed, collect your party and head to the bathrooms.

Breakfast

At the second blowing of the conch, you and your party head to the Dining Hall and join the queue, informing the Croo of your breakfast choices. After your plate is assembled (behind a sneeze guard), you take your plate and choose between the tradition family style tables and the smaller group tables offered al-fresco on the tented deck. You opt for the traditional tables, and are joined by friends from last year who regale you with their stories of last night's moonlight swim. You are brought out of your reverie by the smells of your breakfast, and dig in.

Morning

After finishing breakfast, you deposit your plates in the washbin, then head up to the water station. You fill your camelback and review the day's recommended hikes, thinking how nice it is to choose your own hike. You ask and receive some great hike selection advice from the Management team and leave for your adventure, excited to try a new hike on island. Your friends decide to explore Great Cranberry Island, and head to their car, park pass in hand.

Lunch

You return hungry after your morning of exploring, and stop in to the Dining Hall for lunch. You eat your lunch on the deck overlooking Echo Lake, swapping stories about your morning's discoveries.

Afternoon

Afternoon poses the first true dilemma of the day. Lounge on the waterfront, go shopping in Bar Harbor, or take a sailboat out on the lake? You opt for Door #4 and take a nap on the front deck.

Dinner

The conch blows again at 6 indicating dinner is served. You queue like you did for breakfast, but this time Tina's famous cooking is really reaching its stride. After arriving back at your table there's a contented quiet as everyone digs into dinner, with the discussion soon returning as the table shares their day's experiences. After brief camp announcements from the management team, your full table heads off to the Rec Hall for a rousing game of monopoly. The hall is filled with excited board gamers, all wearing their masks indoors for everyone's safety. Your group opts to take the game outdoors to play in one of the new 'free-to-use' tents. After passing a tent playing cards, another quietly reading, and a third with a serious game of Jenga, you choose a tent to play monopoly and settle in to enjoy the game.

Quiet hour arrives at 10pm and finds you satisfied and relaxed, as the soft chorus of the loons and bullfrogs eases you to sleep