At Raquette Lake Girls Camp, some traditions are so special they live in campers’ hearts forever — and “Camp Sisters” is one of the most magical of all. In fact, we have been told by alumni that they can list every single one of their camp sisters through the years.
Suddenly, the unmistakable beat of “We Are Family” blasts through the loudspeakers. That’s the signal. Instantly, girls leap from their bunks, sprint from the courts, and race to gather outside the dining hall. Screams of joy echo across camp as they form one enormous circle — hands linked, faces lit up with anticipation and pure joy.
This is the moment they’ve been waiting for.
The Camp Sisters tradition at Raquette Lake is a rite of passage — a cherished reveal where older and younger campers are paired together for the summer in a bond of friendship, guidance, and sisterhood. The older girls become mentors, cheerleaders, and sometimes even a shoulder to lean on. The younger girls get a role model, a buddy to look up to, and someone to share in the magic of camp.
Names are called one by one, and squeals of excitement fill the air. Sisters find each other, embrace tightly, and take a photo together to mark the beginning of their special bond. That night, Camp Sisters share dinner together. They ate, they cheered, they made a conga line!
At Raquette Lake Girls Camp, Camp Sisters isn’t just an event. It’s a celebration of friendship, support, and the unbreakable bonds you can only find at camp.
It’s one of the many reasons why Raquette feels like family — and always will.
