Hive

Archery is set in a beautiful spot in the woods. Campers learn and practice skills on both beginning targets and regulation distance targets. Experienced counselors provide individual and group instruction, including all safety procedures. Campers quickly progress to enjoy informal tournaments with each other and fun activities. Hivers can choose to shoot for fun or work on ranks.

The Arts and Crafts building provides campers with a wide variety of activities. From sitting on the dock weaving a basket to painting on the back porch, campers develop skills they already know as well as learn new ones. Each summer the talented arts counselors bring enthusiasm and new ideas. With jewelry making, weaving, beading, painting and sketching, pottery and so much more, a camper’s imagination is the only limitation in this very creative department!

In Canoeing, beginners learn basic strokes while paddling around Lake Fairlee. Intermediate and advanced canoers learn and practice skills like portaging boats solo, distance paddling, and trip planning with an emphasis on safety and fun. These skills are practiced at Hive and out on trips. There are many different day trips for campers of all skill levels to choose from and two-day canoe trips that go out to local lakes and the Connecticut River. Campers and their counselors also take advantage of cool camp mornings to have breakfast in a canoe out on the lake.

The Camper’s Kitchen is a favorite spot for many campers who get great joy out of trying their hand at cooking and baking yummy treats. Talented counselors set up ingredients for a different recipe each day and guide small groups of campers through the cooking process. Whenever possible, ingredients are sourced from our own farm and garden. A sampling of past dishes have included pesto, bread, cookies, salsa, brownies, and animal crackers.

At Exploring, campers learn to stop, look, and listen to the world around them. Learning the names of trees and ferns, birds, and bugs, they begin to see the environment around Hive differently. Whether going on an exploration of the woods, making tea with edible plants, or creating art with natural materials, campers gain knowledge that can foster curiosity for, excitement about, and understanding of the natural world.

Farm and Garden offers Hivers the opportunity to practice caregiving and problem solving in a safe and structured environment. For many campers, visits to the barn or to the garden are their first introductions to being responsible for plants and farm animals, and we work to create a loving environment with guidelines that reinforce thoughtful treatment of all living organisms, including each other. Through handling animals, learning to use a range of hand tools to perform chores, growing vegetables and herbs, campers have the opportunity to practice these skills.

Hive has a beautiful building called the Green House which houses our Gymnastics Department. The variety of equipment (high and low beams, vaults, mini tramps, floor mats and more) meet the needs of campers at many different skill levels. Hivers can work toward individual goals as well as work together to do a performance for the entire camp. The thrill of soaring over a vault for the first time can be just the confidence booster some children need to take other measured risks in and outside the gymnastics realm.

The Kayaking department offers campers the chance to learn beginner to advanced kayaking skills. There are lake kayaks that provide the stability needed for beginner kayakers to learn paddle strokes and other skills needed to have fun around the Lake Fairlee. After mastering skills such as how to roll an overturned kayak, campers may venture out on flat and white water trips throughout New England.

Our large playfield and basketball courts offer the perfect spot for campers to get involved in many different Landsports. From Ultimate Frisbee to Yoga to Dodgeball, campers head to the activity of their choice for maximum fun! Soccer, Softball, Lacrosse, Basketball and Rugby are just a few of the sports talented counselors come to camp ready to teach Hivers. Landsports strikes the perfect balance for campers with goofy group games and spirited athletic competition with each other and other camps.

Music and singing are at the heart of the Hive experience for every camper and counselor. We sing in the dining room, during morning assembly and you never know when you might be serenaded by a group of canoers. From loud, big times to quiet reflective times, music and song find their way into all our hearts at Hive. 

The Comb is home to Performing Arts. Each summer during the first half of camp, all campers have the opportunity to try out for and be a part of a full scale musical performance. From being on stage to helping with sets and stage management, there is something for everyone if they want to be a part of the show. During both sessions, Performing Arts offers music and acting activities as well as opportunities to learn new dance moves and American Sign Language.

Set deep in the woods at the top of camp property, Hive has a low ropes course that emphasizes physical and emotional safety, positive support, and decision-making. Our trained staff helps campers learn all the skills necessary to take on the individual and group challenges a ropes course can provide. Older campers can journey to our high ropes course at Lanakila or the climb tower at Aloha for even more adventure and challenge!

In Sailing, Hivers enjoy navigating Lake Fairlee’s waters in Hive’s fleet of sailboats including sunfish, JYs, and a Hobie. These boats are used by novice sailors under the supervision of counselors and soloed by experienced camper skippers. Campers acquire basic to advanced skills and confidence with each new voyage from the Hive boathouse. Whether out for an afternoon free-sail or competing in a regatta, sailing is a great way to spend time on our beautiful lakes.

From the beginner to the advanced swimmer, counselors are trained to help campers develop and advance their swimming skills during regular swim lessons. Campers have many opportunities to put their skills to work by training for long distance swims, like the "Rainbow Trout", and to participate in swim meets with other local camps.  On the weekends, Swimming offers fun water games, free swim, and water polo!

Tennis is played on two beautiful hard surfaced tennis courts. Through fun games and 1:1 to small group instruction, campers have the chance to learn beginning to advanced skills in Tennis. Each summer campers participate in a fun Camper / Counselor tennis tournament! There are also opportunities for campers to compete in a tennis tournament with one of our other camps.

Hive is tucked in the middle of New Hampshire and Vermont and our Tripping department takes campers out of camp to explore the beautiful mountains of our region. On camping, hiking, and backpacking trips, campers learn to cook over a fire, set up tents, read maps, and enjoy the natural world around us. In camp, Tripping offers activities to practice fire building, knot tying, and first aid so that campers have all the skills they need to feel confident and comfortable when they go out on trips.