Reflecting on a summer of exploration, friendships at Camp Otter

By Elizabeth Covino
MethuenLife Writer

Last year, Methuen’s Isabelle Jade enjoyed her third summer at the Merrimack Valley YMCA’s Camp Otter in Salem, N.H.

When her parents, Steve and Mary Jade, heard her affectionately referred to as the Mayor of Camp Otter, they shared: “Isabelle is so comfortable at camp. It’s her second home. She’s putting herself out there. She’s not shy. She wants to make friends and we feel like a lot of her camp friends will be her forever friends.”

Mom Mary added, “It’s so nice that there’s an outlet other than school and home where she’s so comfortable being at and feeling loved. We know she is safe and well taken care of when she’s at Camp Otter. Isabelle starts counting down to go to camp as soon as it ends each August! She’s ready to go back. We also love that camp starts right after school ends in June. As two parents who work over 40 hours per week, it’s great for us.”

Mary is especially appreciative of the communication with Camp Director Steph Doherty: “She emails us everything, including what the weather at camp will be so we can prepare.”

Isabelle is in third grade at St. Augustine’s School in Andover. Last summer, she recruited a half-dozen of her school friends to attend Camp Otter.

Isabelle has grown attached to many of the counselors.

“The CITs (counselors-in-training) and counselors are great role models for the campers. A lot of them are in college for Education, which we really love. They are teaching our kids more than just to have fun at camp. The Y knows how to pick the right staff to work with our children,” Mary said.

Isabelle gets excited when she talks about camp activities. Among her favorite are Gaga Pit, Carpet Ball, Arts and Crafts and swimming. Mary and Steve are pleased that Isabelle has learned to swim at Camp Otter. Last summer, she was proud of riding the zip line.

“Climbing up was the hardest part!” she said.

“She’s not afraid to get dirty at camp and her fear of bugs has gone. She comes home filthy, which tells me it was a fun day at camp!” Mary said. “She showed herself how brave she was by doing the zip line and she tells us she’s not scared of bugs anymore from being in nature all day.”

At age 9, Isabelle’s goal is to be a CIT at Camp Otter.

“I didn’t even know what a CIT is! Isabelle is a lifer at camp. If we could sign her up now, we would. We set an alarm in our phone to register her for summer camp as soon as registration opens!” Mary said.

“Camp Otter is the best camp in the world,” Isabelle shared.

Steve added, “The easiest way to show how much she likes being at camp is she gets upset with me if I pick her up early!”