Reflections
by Trevor

© Anna Rich 2009   For many, one of the biggest highlights of last year's camp session was the return of my parents, the Rev. Dr. Wm. R. "Pop Woof" and Louise Dole "Mom Woof" Woofenden. Both in their 80's, they've been unable to attend camp for several years; but spearheaded by kid #5, Ian, and with around-the-clock care from attending offspring, Mom & Pop were back at camp in their own cabin for three delightful days. Everyone who knows them was very glad to see them again.

   The Flames gave a morning lecture presentation again this past year. It was very intense. One by one, about 10 Flames spoke about something joyful, funny, or just plain heart-wrenching that changed their lives. There were big smiles, big laughs, and big tears from teens and adults alike.

   The Saco River continued its recent pattern of not receding enough before camp began. Campers carpooled to nearby lakes daily. It wasn't until Thursday of second week that we were able to swim and canoe and use the waterfront at camp to our hearts' content.

© Jon Cousins 2009   On of our most popular --- and funny!--- events each year is the annual Sales Table Auction. Towards the end of second week, we auction off stuff that's left on the Sales Table as a fundraiser for camp. You'll find mother bidding against daughter for those special earrings. Farmer bidding against clergy for that special mug. Three people all in animated competition for some valued item... and then the winner donates it to a fourth person who obviously wanted it the most but dropped out when the bid got to be too much for their budget. You'll even find people outbidding themselves!
© Nancy F. Little 2008  Special thanks to Alex Dyer, auctioneer; MaryBeth Bernier playing the part of Carol Merril; and Caleb Woofenden, runner, for their excellent work. Thanks, too, for the following special donations: Lois Dole (refinished and re-caned old camp chair rescued from certain decay under a building); Betty Guiu (Anne Carey Bradley painting); Bob Perry (gift certificates to his Boston-area Elephant Walk restaurants); and artist Anna Rich (her beautiful book and three original oil paintings... one of which sits beside me as I type this!) Thanks to our skillful auctioneer and these top-dollar donations, the 2009 Sales Table Auction set a new camp record, raising an amazing $953.75 for camp at this delightful, laugh-filled event!

   Other campers' highlights of last year include: the young adults joyfully playing games in the Dole Wing; Heidi Woofenden's slide show of her trip to Jordan; the Rev. Susannah© Nancy F. Little 2009 Currie's presentation on angels; the  baptism on the front lawn of a fifth generation camper (who is a direct descendant of FNCA founder Rev. Louis A. Dole); the "first annual" Flames water balloon fight on the back lawn [video on Jason Greenwood's Facebook page!];
© Cassie Young 2009 Colgate Searle's miniature village, "Colgateville", that he's been working on at camp for decades; the Gathering Leaves dvd showing; the 18- to 22-year-olds' enthusiastic acceptance of the Board's proposal to reclassify them as "Senior Flames"; the inter-generational camaraderie; fresh flowers on the dining tables; Sparks Games; Flame Games; nearly the entire camp going to the ocean at Scarborough Beach State Park for Outing Day first week; adult soirees after-hours in Adrienne Frank Fellowship Hall; and the daily Polar Bear Swim [watch "The FNCA Polar Bear Song" on the FNCA Camp Activities page].

© Beki Greenwood 2009   These and many other treasured moments are what made FNCA 2009 another terrific year at camp! It was enjoyed by all in attendance. Young, old, and everyone in between simply had a delightful FNCA experience last year.

   We hope you and your family and friends will join us at the good old Fryeburg New Church Assembly in 2010 to help us create even more wonderful memories!