Circle Program kicks off summer camp, expanding impact for New Hampshire girls

PLYMOUTH — Circle Program’s summer camp returns to beautiful Spectacle Pond this month, continuing a mission that has served New Hampshire girls since 1993. The Circle Program, based in Plymouth, is a year-round program supporting socially and economically disadvantaged girls from Concord to the Lakes Region through one-on one mentorship, year-round enrichment programs, and residential summer camp experience, all free to the participants.

The program’s unique, long-term model is designed to enrich, empower, and transform participants’ lives. Over nine years, girls build strong relationships with peers, mentors, and staff while developing the skills needed to become confident, engaged members of their communities. Ultimately, Circle Program aims to help girls and young women grow into confident, independent and resilient adults equipped to build strong, self sufficient futures.

By bringing together girls from different towns who share similar life experiences, the year-round structure fosters a lasting sense of belonging and connection.

Executive Director Beth Dever said, “The program’s long-term structure is what sets it apart. Our model works because relationships come first. When girls know they are supported over time, they’re more willing to take risks, build confidence, and see new possibilities for themselves.”

This summer, Circle Camp will welcome 93 campers across three age groups: ages 9-11, 12-14, and 15-18. Among them are 31 girls attending camp for the first time, joining returning campers who come back each year for friendship, growth, and confidence building. Campers take part in a variety of traditional activities, including kayaking, archery, arts and sciences, as well as new experiences designed to broaden their horizons.

Circle’s oldest campers take part in an Eastward Bound–style travel program called the Teen Adventure Program. This year, they will travel to Rhode Island for an experience they planned together throughout the school year. This program provides teen participants with the opportunity to apply their leadership and teamwork skills in a real-world setting.

Circle Program’s summer camp experience blends beloved traditions such as swimming, hiking, and campfires with new and enriching opportunities. Guest speakers and specialized programming introduce campers to topics like art therapy and wildlife education, while field trips provide exposure to new environments such as museums and water parks, places that many campers may not otherwise have access to.

“Summer camp is where everything comes together. Girls step outside of their daily environments and discover new strengths in a space that’s built entirely for them to succeed. Every summer, we see girls leave camp more confident, more connected, and more ready to take on the world and that’s why this work matters so much," said Dever.

To learn more about Circle Program, visit circleprogram.org.