Home
Since 1895, Pasquaney has pursued the goal set by its founder, Edward Simpson Wilson: “To provide a healthful and natural life in the woods, a life which will make boys strong, confident, …self-reliant and efficient, able to do and think for others as well as themselves.” We pursue this goal beneath towering white pines, on a mountainside above Newfound Lake, one of the clearest lakes in the United States.
Pasquaney concentrates in three areas: competence, character, and community. With their days full of skits, sports, hikes, singing, shop projects, and nature hikes, boys learn from the example of their counsellors and fellow campers in an atmosphere of challenge and fun. These counsellors and campers encourage each boy to develop his best self and show him how both he and his community benefit from that effort. Counsellor talks, mealtime announcements, individual conversations, and dorm discussions link timeless principles to their use in our daily lives. Honesty, integrity, humor, initiative, thoughtfulness, respect, positive attitude, and “doing for others” are stressed at all times. These values are the goals of all our activities.
The busy daily program builds substantial skills both in activities and in dealing with others. This growth gives a boy confidence in himself and in his ability to learn and to teach. It also gives him pride in completing long-term projects, be they finishing a chest in the shop, performing a play, or rowing in a crew race.
Pasquaney encourages boys to appreciate the beauty of New Hampshire’s lakes and White Mountains; to understand the forbearance and self-control necessary in the give-and-take of group living; to grasp the chance, at all levels of competence, to be a participant rather than a spectator; and to learn the satisfaction of contributing to a community. In the words of a recent counsellor, “Pasquaney takes boys seriously.”
Campers and counsellors often mention the difficulty of explaining Pasquaney to family and friends. It must be experienced to be understood. A visit before coming as a camper helps a boy and his family to get a sense of our community.