Let me share with you how wonderful camp was for both Fiona and Maeve. Tonight we were rehashing camp stories again. And we love hearing them break into camp songs cheers or share camp traditions with us. It was great for both of them. I am especially thrilled it was so great for Fiona. Fiona is older and starting camp late. One of her first letter home said: “I should have been coming here for years, and I mean years”. What a testament to your camp. By far it is in the top 5 best decisions I have ever made for my children.
Our daughter had an ABSOLUTE blast...she loved her cabin and is "DEFINITELY coming back next summer!....Success!! Thank you!!!
Olivia's time at camp was one of those experiences she will never forget. Yesterday she nearly cried telling me how much she misses camp. She cannot wait to come back next year. She was SO proud to explain her accomplishments to me. From skiing and canoeing to biking and sailing, she really built up her self-confidence by trying and succeeding at new things. Just wanted to let you know, as a mother, this experience exceeded every expectation I had. I feel truly blessed that Olivia was able to have this time at Red Pine. We look forward to seeing you all again next summer!
From a staff member: As the summer days come closer, there’s nothing I desire more than to relive those RPC days. I am so grateful for the opportunity you gave me and the potential you saw within me. I have grown so much because of it.
I am so excited for all the girls entering into another summer of sun, love, friendship, loyalty, tradition and making memories. I will be thinking of you all so fondly from home in Ireland. Wishing I could sit by the waterfront stargazing one more time but I’ll be cherishing these moments as you all make new ones.
Thank you so much for all you do for our girls. While we make sacrifices to make Camp happen for the girls, we know it's the best investment we can make in their character development! That's not even considering the fun that they're having and the lifelong friendships they're creating!
I want to thank you for all you have done for the camp. I think sending my children to summer camp was one of the top 10 best decisions I made as a parent. My children are so happy about going. My 14 year old will be joining you for the first time is even excited. She knows it will be best to get away from all the drama and social pains that she experienced this past school year. The meet and greet in Evanston was wonderful. Every single girl in the leadership group was well spoken, enthusiastic, warm, and welcoming. I can see the benefits of camp and I see the fruits of your hard work.
And a camper writes: I have loved RPC since my first summer in 2011, and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. I can’t thank you enough for training a compassionate, thoughtful, fun staff that practically raised me, and for running a beautiful camp that truly creates ladies out of girls. I am forever grateful for the people that Red Pine brought into my life, the skills I’ve acquired, and the lessons I’ve learned, not only about myself, but about the world in general. My six weeks in the Leadership program were extremely fulfilling and a perfect way to end my experience as a camper.
I firmly believe in Red Pine’s no technology policy. I think it sets Red Pine apart and that unplugging for the month is really important.
We are always thinking about you and the Red Pine Community throughout the year, and are so grateful for the positive influence you have had on Isabel as she grows up!!
Red Pine has and continues to be a place where our daughter can truly be herself. The school year seems to chip away at her confidence/joyfulness but the promise of rejuvenation at camp has been a blessing the last few years.
Our daughter is so excited for another summer at Red Pine. I am literally driving the check to the post office. That is how happy Red Pine makes her.
Grace is all signed up for next summer (2019) and I think she would leave tomorrow if she could. Thank you again for another wonderful summer at Red Pine. Also, our friends loved the tour and have signed up their daughter for camp next summer as well. We were so happy to refer another family to Red Pine!
Her first letter to us on day 1 read "Dear Family, Do not EVER make me come home!" Thanks for being SO good to all the girls!
Keeping all those RPC ladies safe, happy and healthy is such a big job! Never once have I wondered about her well-being!
We are so lucky we found Red Pine Camp. Grace had a wonderful experience as a first time sleep away camper. She is eager to return next summer and misses the many friends she made there. Grace loved her counselors and enjoyed staying super busy with a variety of fun activities, some of which she tried for the first time at camp. Her positive camp experience has had a certain degree of spillover effect on Grace’s maturity, confidence and respect for others. We thank you and your staff for doing a terrific job with Grace and her fellow campers. We were hesitant to have Grace go away to camp given her life-threatening peanut allergy. We are particularly grateful that your staff was sensitive and attentive to this. We look forward to having Grace return next year! Camp Mom
I'm so grateful for the exciting, active and safe space you have created at Red Pine Camp, and for the opportunity for my daughter Isabel to enjoy it each Summer!!! Thank you Connie and all the Red Pune Camp Team!
I just want to thank you for the wonderful summer my daughter Tessa experienced on the shores of Clear Lake this summer. Her first time away from home was perfect, with a ton of growing and learning. I couldn't be happier with our decision to send her to RPC and couldn't be prouder of her! For these things, I thank each one of you!!!!!!
Juliana cannot wait to return to RPC! Initially she was so apprehensive about attending and it exceeded all of our expectations! Thank you!
I got my first letter from Regan yesterday. She thanked me in BIG THANKS for sending her to "This amazing place."
We just heard from our 3 daughters and we want to thank you because they're
having a great summer at camp! The one that's homesick (or more exactly daughter sick) is me because I miss them so much!
There are no words to Thank You and rest of the staff for your fantastic job. Isabella came home changed.... Not sure how to describe this but I see a change in her as her mom. She can't stop talking about sooo many things from the camp. Thank You VERY VERY much for what you doing ....
From a camper: I just did the most upsetting thing in the world; I unpacked my trunk. It smells just like camp it reminds me of all of the amazing things I have done, accomplished, and learned at camp. And I thank you for that. This summer has been the best and it will be one I will never forget.
Callie talks about Red Pine all the time. It is such a part of who she is! She is going through the process of applying to independent middle schools and her father and I credit her camp experience as she navigates the school visits and interviews with confidence and poise, something that we think would have daunted her a year ago.
I can honestly say that this is the best money my husband and I have ever spent. Not enough can be said for the quality of the counselors. They are wonderful role models for my daughter and I can only hope one day she grows to be as mature, confident, poised, kind, and responsible as these girls. The tone is set from the leadership - which is outstanding! We are thrilled with Red Pine Camp and are looking forward to our daughter spending another summer there.
Our campers are very eager to know the schedule for next summer and most anxious to return to camp. You have kept the values and traditions alive like only a former RPC camper could do. I love that you work on making and setting goals and that you provide the campers with the opportunities to work toward them. As I said to Mr. Wittenkamp (Founder) “You have helped to raise and inspire many young girls who are now women still living the values you instilled in them.” Connie, you are doing the same good work, perhaps even better. Thank you for all that you do.
Hats off to the 2017 staff! First session weather left much to be desired with all rain. Regardless, I never heard one word of boredom or complaint from Emily. She loved it all. Thanks again for making it so wonderful!
We were beyond impressed. Lily tried water skiing which we did not know she was going to do. She loved it and achieved many goals. To see her so proud and self-confident is a parent’s dream come true. Thank you.
Maecie had an absolutely wonderful camp experience! She loved EVERYTHING about it and continues to talk about her friends, counselors, activities and adventures!
Red Pine has given Brecken experiences and friendships that she would not have otherwise had. She continues to gain a sense of independence in a such a well supervised, supportive environment. Red Pine has encouraged this independence and self-confidence and at the same time taught the importance of team work and the lessons of how to appreciate other people's accomplishments and strengths.
Red Pine was a dream come true for our family. It couldn't have come at a better time. Returned to us were two respectful, self-assured daughters who were ready to help out more at home, meet the challenge of a new school, and attempt things that were scary and difficult. We are so grateful to Red Pine and hope to be part of the Red Pine family for many years to come!
Thank you for a terrific experience. We look forward to beginning an RPC tradition for all of our daughters. I wish there was a mid-year refresher course for them of the RPC values
Anne had the best summer! We talked about horseback riding at lunch today. She had amazing counselors and cabin mates. She loved all of her activities and can't love camp enough! Thank you to your entire staff!
Mickey had an absolutely outstanding summer and first camp experience. She and I could not be happier with how it went!
The chemistry of Avery's cabin was supportive and happy - so hard to achieve at this age. Thank you!
Reilly had an absolutely amazing time at Red Pine and can't stop talking about how she wishes we'd let her come for even longer next summer. It was everything we all had hoped that it would be and more, which is a testament to your hard work and that of your staff.
Emily has arrived home on August 8th. She was so excited and has been telling us all sorts of interesting things about the camp. She learned a lot, learned new skills as well as enjoying the freedom and happiness you give her friendship and care. Thank you very much for the change to Emily!
Lara still misses hamburgers on Wednesday and still talks a lot about Camp. She definitely will want to go back next year, and until she becomes a Counselor!! It was a wonderful experience for her.
Kate had a great summer! Her swimming abilities have increased exponentially! I know she loved the horseback riding experience and that was wonderful.
Thank you so much...and congratulations on the wonderful staff you have there at Red Pine. It is a huge effort for us (both economically and due to the distance), but it is completely worth it !!! Warm regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Well, back at home in Costa Rica and Sarah is counting the days until next year's camp dates. I miss my daughter so much while she is gone for 2 months, but she comes back with new skills, new friends and new confidence that stand her in good stead throughout the rest of the year. I love how she has new goals every year, and that she has so much support in achieving them. Connie along with the counselors and instructors have been outstanding, supportive, funny and flexible. Over the years Red Pine has become a big part of Sarah's life, and has left an indelible and welcome mark.
Just to let you know Lara had an amazing time. She had a blast on Camp. I was anxious to see her again but specially worried about how she was doing. Well she had the best time and really looking forward to going next year and next and next and next!!!!!! She has decided to become a counselor, so that's more than a parent can expect of their child experience. I'm so grateful to all of you for making her time so memorable.
First and foremost thank you for an AMAZING summer for Regan. John and I almost get 'teary eyed,' we are so thrilled with the positive letters. She seems as if she really gained lots of independence. We love it. She adores her time at RPC.
Thanks for another great year at Red Pine. You run a fabulous camp! We are most appreciative of your professionalism and love for all the kids.
It always touches my heart when my granddaughters go to RPC and come back and share their wonderful times with me! I was so proud that Tessa was awarded her "Medallion Rider" this year! You realize she is the "3rd generation" to receive this! I received mine in 1956 & the last I checked my name is still on the board in the rec hall!
Grace had a blast. It was clearly difficult at first, but she got through it with some help from counselors and a secret handshake with Ally. I'm so pleased with the strength of character she has found as a result of camp. She misses you (and it) dearly.
Sarah is practicing her swimming for next summer, one of her goals is to boost her skills so she can do the "50 mile swim"! I just love that she carries RPC in her heart all the time.
I wanted to commend both you and your counselors and staff for creating and providing such a super environment for our daughter. She thoroughly enjoys her 4 weeks at RPC and looks forward to returning every summer. She especially enjoyed being introduced to sailing this past summer...
From an Alumnae: I am so impressed that you seemed to have kept so much of the original traditions of the camp I remember! So often these traditions are so easily lost with trying to keep up with the times. You seem to have such a great balance of old tradition that makes Red Pine Red Pine and a subtle blend of some new changes. As alumni we all know how special Red Pine is. Thanks for helping preserve this treasure!
Maddie had a great time at camp. We were impressed with her calmness and stature after her month there and she didn’t argue with her sister nearly as much- at least for a few weeks. She looks forward to the continuing on next year and progressing in sailing, swimming and horseback riding.
Our daughter enjoyed every minute of it and she dearly brings up different stories about camp on daily basis. I have noticed that she has opened up a little bit more since her camp. She was/is a very shy and closed girl but I think this summers experience at your camp will change that for good. She loved all her counselors, she loved all her cabin friends as well as other girls at camp, she loved the activities, the songs, the cookouts, the food... She keeps singing camp songs to us and her friends, she teaches everyone new games she has learned at camp. Anyway, it was an experience for my daughter that will never be forgotten and hopefully she will join you in the future to learn more while having the time of her life!! Thank you for taking wonderful care of my daughter for 4 weeks this summer and for giving her such a wonderful experience!!
Kate LOVES RPC. It is her favorite place. She again had a fantastic summer with amazing opportunities-sailing, water skiing, the lead in the play and wonderful friends. The counselors at RPC are absolutely AMAZING. Connie you are to be commended for the staff you bring back each year and new ladies you include to the counselor group. Kate looks up to each of these girls and longs to be a RPC counselor herself one day.
Our daughter returned to us having shed the “it’s all about me” attitude that we had been struggling with prior to her departure. She was happy, full of fun stories (that are still emerging and being told with laughter and enthusiasm). Thank you!
Hannah & Amelia both enjoyed camp tremendously! Their counselors were incredible role models. Their fellow cabin mates were fun and diverse. Honestly, the skills and experiences they receive at RPC go with them throughout the entire year. It is a joy to hear about the varied activities they participate in while at camp and even more exciting to watch those experiences continue to shape them at home. We truly cannot thank RPC enough for everything they provide our children.
Gabriella had a great time at Red Pine. She was nervous but excited before she went and came home so excited about her experience. She is trying to convince her younger sister to come next summer. She loved the activities she did. We have been singing camp songs all summer.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you SO MUCH for the wonderful RPC experience that Sarah had this summer (not to mention her past 2 summers). I was a little worried about her being gone all summer, but she just took advantage of every minute. I am so thrilled with her progress. She is much more sociable, and she is excited to try new things. She is also much less self-conscious, and her confidence level has soared.
Our house has been filled with songs and stories ever since last Saturday's pickup (and many, many tears) and Paul and I could not be any more thrilled.
Kate has returned to us with a smile, hugs, pleases and thank you's, wonderful stories and most of all requests to return next year!
We would like to congratulate you and your staff! Our daughters had a wonderful summer! We're traveling and each dinner they sing camp songs and every day they tell us about a new experience at Red Pine!
I want to thank you and the staff at Red Pine Camp on behalf of our daughter and our family for her wonderful experience at Red Pine. Her stories are never ending. It's evident she grew emotionally while at camp and exuded remarkable pride in her experience. I really appreciated her comments about how kind the girls were regardless of how long a camper had been going to camp.