Camp Shady Birch
Our fictional campground is nestled deep within the rolling hills and forests of New England. Somewhere between New Hampshire and a distant memory you aren’t sure is even real. The towering pine trees provide just enough shade to keep you cool while you dodge the occasional squirrel ambush. The lake, though not entirely crystal clear, has a mysterious charm of its own and is home to our inflatable blob.
Located next to the dock, you’ll find a creaky old shed- home to the canoes. These trusty vessels will take you and a friend on a peaceful glide across the lake where you can gossip, tell secrets, and maybe even confess something you swore you would take to the grave. If you see too much algae, don’t worry. The Counselors shock the lake frequently. For those who prefer more grounded activities, archery is available—and by “available,” we mean the targets are somewhere downrange, though most arrows seem to mysteriously end up in the trees. Our motto is, “If you hit anything, it’s a win!”
The tennis courts have some cracks that have sprouted weeds, but thanks to the donation of tennis balls from Teddy’s Tennis Depot you can have hours of fun with your racket.
Feeling creative? Head over to the craft cabin, which hasn’t been updated since the 1980s and is full of retro charm. It's a cozy little leaky shack where the glue is a bit crusty, googly eyes are in endless supply, and there’s glitter. So much glitter. Whether you are making a dream-catcher or an impressive stoneware gravy boat, we’ve surprisingly got all the supplies you’ll need. Read more about our program goals here.
But what is a camp without a cabin? Each camper is assigned a shared cabin which are all unique. A few have a door that sticks, others have a window that whistles ominously in the wind, and the beds offer the firm embrace of a wooden plank- but hey, it’s all part of our camp’s quirky charm.
Every night campers gather around the campfire to roast marshmallows, sing songs, and share ghost stories that are just as scary as the state of our plumbing. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the raccoons joining in, sitting just outside the ring of firelight, plotting their next heist on the vending machines
But for all its quirks and semi-functioning facilities, Camp Shady Birch is a place like no other. It’s where friendships are forged over shared bug spray, where every day brings a new surprise, and you’ll find yourself in the middle of stories you’ll end up retelling to your friends before saying “you just had to be there.”
Camp Shady Birch is a state of mind. Where the summer never ends, and saying goodbye to your best friends never seems to happen. Even when our campers wander a bit too far into the woods, or leave the grounds for a while, Camp Shady Birch will always be here with a cabin key whenever you need it.
