JOHN COUTTS

Why did you choose ALC for your daughter?

We heard of ALC through a family friend and thought it would be a great place for our girls to experience. We heard that it was a good place for girls to spend the summer. We later found out it was a whole lot more. That was 9 years ago and they all have absolutely loved it.

 

What is special about ALC?

ALC has really helped our daughters get out of their “comfort zone” and try things that they normally would never have a chance to try at home. It’s a place where everyone is equal. There are no outfits, electronics, social media stresses or cliques. It’s not about who has the best phone, car, friend, etc.. It’s an environment where all girls are accepted not for their fancy lifestyle, but for who they are as human beings. There is not a day that goes by that our daughters do not speak of a special time, event or funny thing that happened at ALC. One of our daughters tried acting in the ALC play one year and now she had the lead role in our town production. Our other daughter tried tennis for the first time, now she helped create the first girls squash team in our town (they went to the nationals this year….) Our other daughter now is taking up cooking and has become quite a chef at only 15. Our daughters are now not afraid to lead, or try new activities at school that frankly, they would have never tried before ALC.

 

What do you like most about ALC as a parent?

I like the mixture of independence and how the girls come together as one solid group by the end of the session. From the start of the session, all the girls are encouraged to wear the uniform. I thought this was strange at first. Although, it’s from the 1970’s… It makes everyone the same. No one needs to be “better” than someone else. The elimination of classes, gadgets or material possessions allows the girls to interact and use their personalities to become acquainted. I believe this creates better friendships. Not friendships that are forced or faked through social media or material possessions.

 

You can see it on parents weekend.  The girls actually begin to speak the “same language” and are all together as one. It’s very hard to explain but it’s a beautiful thing. The girls at ALC become one gigantic, holistic group that watches over each other and knows each other. It’s almost spiritual. The world is a better place because of ALC.  The impact on the girls lives is tremendous. There is something special about this place in Maine. If only more people could experience it, we would all be better off in this world…

 

What do your daughters like most about ALC?

Friendships.  They are constantly keeping in touch with their friends from ALC.  In fact, a few of my daughters friends even drove 5 hours to see her perform in the town play this year.  These kids will never forget their friends.

 

What do you think your daughters gained as campers at ALC?

One is long-lasting, intimate friendships that nothing will ever interrupt. And the other is independence. All of our kids try new things at ALC. Whether it’s swim across the lake, or drama, or traveling to foreign countries, the independence that ALC teaches is tremendous. I guess “teaches” is not the right word. Nothing is actively or forcefully “taught” at ALC, the girls teach themselves which is even better. It’s through the programs and activities where the kids learn, not from any structured lessons. (this is my opinion)

 

I would encourage parents who are considering ALC to speak with other parents who have sent their kids there. Speaking to kids and parents who have experienced ALC is the best resource.  A brochure or video will not do it justice.