When Winaukee re-opened its gates to the larger community after the challenging summers of 2020 and 2021, one of our biggest goals was to ensure our Alumni knew they were welcome to visit anytime.

Take a little trip down memory lane with one of our Alumni (Max: 1998 - 2004) during a trip he made to Moultonborough this Winter.

Even though it has been almost 20 years since I was lucky enough to step foot on Camp Winaukee’s beautiful campus, that drive down Moultonboro Neck Road, past JoJo’s, still made my heart pound. What seemed like a forever drive in old Chevy vans and Bluebird school buses in the early 2000s as a young boy, was much shorter as an adult.

My first stop was obviously at JoJo’s for a sub. Disappointed to find it closed, but not deterred, I went to Murphs at Greens Corner instead for the next closest bodega-like sub.

By mid-afternoon I was driving past the sports complex and in awe of the property covered in a blanket of snow. Memories came flooding back with each building and area of camp that I passed. Bunk 11 was the first bunk I ever lived in. Standing outside of it, with a cool breeze blowing in off the lake, it was almost as if I could hear the laughter echoing from inside.

After wandering through camp, smiling at the incredible memories this place holds, I took a drive to all my local favorite spots. I looked for Harbor Scoops (our favorite ice cream spot of the day) and passed the movie theater where we saw many summer blockbusters. Weirs Beach has a dramatically different feel this time of year, much more ghost town than bustling summer hot spot where we used to hang during ‘Hubba Hubba’ trips. The Fun Spot and Pirates Cove were welcome sights too.

What a wonderful reminder, in the depths of adulthood and winter, of the impact those young years on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, and at Winaukee, had on my life. I can’t wait to swing by one summer and see it all in action!