Copper Cannon Partners with Operation: Military Kids - 04/15/10On Saturday, April 10th Copper Cannon welcomed military families from throughout New Hampshire to the first cookout of 2010. Copper Cannon partnered with Operation: Military Kids of New Hampshire to hold a free "Family Fun Afternoon", helping families reconnect and have fun together. There had been snow in the morning but the sun came out in the afternoon; just in time for an exciting game of the Copper Cannon classic, Sprout Ball. As the sun set, families hiked down to the Gale River through the sand pit and back up in the darkness. The event was a great success for all involved. Copper Cannon Camp thanks Operation: Military Kids for the opportunity to host this wonderful event. Spring Break Camp for Military Children Copper Cannon will be hosting 2 weeks of Spring Break Camp in April for children of military families. For more information on these camps please visit the links below: Spring Break Camp Registration Form Spring Break Camp Flyer Campers Support "The New Normal" - 12/18/09The Substance Abuse Coalition's Youth Leadership Project has created a new website called "The New Normal". Created by kids, for kids, "The New Normal" is a place for youth to support each other in choosing a healthy lifestyle free of substance abuse. This website got its name from a new study that shows less than half of north country youth participate in under-age drinking, drug use, and other substance abuse. Though the old perception of teens experimenting with drugs and alcohol was though of as "normal", this study shows what the real "normal" is. The majority of youth do not participate in substance abuse, and we want to celebrate that. There are great events taking place throughout the state that you can be a part of. Just click here to see for yourself. Pete's Perspective (from the Powder Keg) - 11/25/09Now the camp is quiet and the dust has settled, it gives us a chance to breathe deep and reflect on another summer. Before the leaves start dropping, I wanted to determine where the summer went? Since it has ended, supporters have asked, "how was your summer?" I think a better question would be, "where did the summer go?" Just like a great family vacation which flies by and is over before you know it, the great summer was gone in a flash. This year was a prime reflection of that concept. But, I am unable to take credit for the successes. Whether it was Indyka M. doing the ropes course for the first time or Matthew C. catching his first fish, the staff made the difference. With Stephen giving support to Indyka or Greg helping Matthew unhook the fish, these front line people built wonderful relationships and rapport with the kids and that is what it is all about. On a side note, Greg still has the picture Matthew gave him on his refrigerator at home. This year, summer staff represented a great mix of new and returning. With the addition of junior counselors, half of the staff were from the New England area and the other half from throughout the world. Sixty percent of the staff were returning and for some, it was their third, fourth, or fifth summer. Working very long hours, for very little money, makes no sense to most of the world but the life changing impact staff have on children makes it all worthwhile. Though they get frustrated, it is great to hear the staff say, "see you next year" as they depart. Next year will be a new summer, with new faces and new stories. The laughter, fun and children will remind these college kids and recent graduates, camp is the real world. We change people for the better. Copper Cannon Community Volunteers Give Back in Manchester - 10/10/09Copper Cannon campers led by Stephen Hudon, camp's Americorps Vista member, helped to sort clothes at a thrift store in Manchester on their weekend. Patrick Kiley - a Copper Cannon C.I.T, Amanda Kiley and Lillian Parotto volunteered their time to help out Families in Transition at their thrift store in Manchester. Stephen sets up volunteer opportunities around the state to help campers get involved in their communities and give back for what they have received at camp. Volunteering is an admirable pastime and one which we hope our campers will take up. They received this wonderful 'Thank You' postcard from Families in Transition: 
National Guard Family Weekend - 10/1/09Families of New Hampshire National Guard and Air National Guard service members attended Copper Cannon last weekend as part of our continued relationship with the NH National Guard Child and Youth Program. They took a few days away from distractions of work and modern life to reconnect in the fall foliage of the White Mountains. Despite the cold, 8 families from across the state enjoyed a weekend of fun, relaxation and adventure. Activities included hiking, archery, soccer, candlemaking and team-building. Saturday afternoon saw almost all participants taking a thrilling ride on our zip-line, topped off with a traditional campfire and s'mores all round. 
Picturesque Copper Cannon - 9/29/09We are lucky enough to be right at the heart of New Hampshire's Fall Foliage event. Camp looks stunning and is full of fantastic fall colors. We have posted a few pictures of camp on our Facebook page which can be viewed by clicking here. Heading into the fall..... - 8/15/09Copper Cannon doesn't end when the last camper leaves, we work year round on a variety of different projects, special events and fundraising. Keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter and via the website for updates. - School groups and businesses are starting to use our low and high ropes courses for team building.
- Stephen, our Americorps*VISTA member, is planning volunteer opportunities for campers including helping at Families in Transition in Manchester, Nashua YMCA and Littleton Elks Craft Fair. He is always open to new ideas!
- Camper reunions are currently being scheduled throughout the state for 2009/2010.
- Copper Cannon will be hosting a family camp for the New Hampshire National Guard the last weekend in September
Summer Sum-Up - 8/13/09480 campers attended Copper Cannon Camp this summer, making this our biggest season yet! - 16 teenagers participated in our Ranger High Adventure backpacking program.
- 7 sixteen-year-olds spent two weeks as Counselors-In-Training. (2 youth were initially referred to camp by the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge, 1 youth from Manchester Elks Lodge and 1 from Rochester Elks Lodge.
- 4 seventeen-year-old Junior Counselors
- Campers came from all over the state with 11 Elks Lodges helping to recruit and transport youth.
- 101 youth participated through Operation Purple Camp; a free summer camp program for children whose parents currently serve in the U.S military. 51 of these campers were teenagers and represented families from all branches of the service. They completed service projects to banefit the environment, community and Veteran's Homes in NH and VT.
- We had a large waiting list to attend camp.
Many thanks to everyone who has helped us to achieve such great success this year! Bethlehem Fire Department Hose Down Campers - 7/20/09Copper Cannon would like to extend thanks to the Bethlehem Fire Department for their visits to camp this summer. On two occasions this summer, our campers have started their afternoon program with a lesson in fire safety and tour of a fire truck. Despite the rain on one occasion, campers and staff enjoyed being soaked by the mist of 1000 gallons of water fired from the fire trucks high pressure hoses. Thanks Manchester Wolves! - 7/17/09Last Friday, an excited group of teens from Copper Cannon's Ranger High Adventure program travelled down to Manchester to watch the Manchester Wolves. The group and their counselors received the treat as a reward for their stamina and team work on a 3-day hike in the White Mountains. This would not have been possible without the philanthropic generosity of the Manchester Wolves who donated 10 club seat tickets and even mentioned the group in half-time announcements. Copper Cannon Loses Long Time Supporter
Copper Cannon Camp is saddened by the death of Maurice Doyon on June 11th 2009. For more than 25 years Maurice and his wife Cecile found it in their hearts to support the children who come to Copper Cannon Camp. Maurice served Copper Cannon in many roles, as a financial supporter building the home for the Arts & Crafts program, as Board Chair from 1983 to 1996, and chair of the annual auction committee for 13 years. Maurice and his wife Cecile have continued to support Copper Cannon with items for the auction and a contingent of Doyons at the annual event. As we begin our 46th summer our hearts are heavy with the departure of Maurice, one of Copper Cannon's greatest benefactors.  CLiF Visits Copper Cannon CampOn Wednesday, June 24th 2009 Duncan McDougal of the Children's Literacy Foundation joined Copper Cannon campers and the Boys and Girls Club of the North Country at Copper Cannon. He told an exciting story to the group and spoke with them about the importance of reading. After the talk, over 70 children between the ages of 7 and 13 received two brand new books of their choice. Since its beginning in 1998, CLiF has impacted more than 75,000 children living in rural areas or who are at a high risk of growing-up with low literacy skills. Through 15 free programs that take place in more than 320 regions of New Hampshire and Vermont. CLiF targets children from birth to age 12 to promote good reading, writing and general literacy skills. Thank You Nashua Elks! Copper Cannon would like to thank Ed from the Nashua Elks lodge for his kind donation of new shirts for our staff. Ed drove up to camp from Nashua to personally deliver his donation during staff training. 
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Spring Break Registration Form