Summer's End (was New Hampshire Highlands)

Summer’s End, formerly New Hampshire Highlands, is held the fourth full weekend in August at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT.

This is a camp run year-round by the Aloha Foundation, which also runs a number of other camps in the area. It is set overlooking Lake Morey, where swimming, boating and fishing are available. There are hiking trails nearby.

Housing is in modern bunkhouses, divided into four rooms, each housing four campers. Just down the hall, you’ll find sinks, flush toilets and hot showers. Platform tents are also available for a lower cost.

For dancing, there are two larger spaces, one of which hosts the evening parties, and several smaller spaces, suitable for classes.

The camp session runs from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning, and includes five meals. There are three class sessions on Saturday where you’ll have the choice of a graded or special-interest class. On Sunday morning there’s another, mixed-level class, open to all. There is live music for all classes and the two evening dance parties. There is an evening ceilidh on Saturday, where participants are encouraged to contribute a short musical or dance performance, skit, story, or joke. In addition, there’s a welcome party, an ice cream social, and an afternoon tea.

The original, “ancestor” Scottish Country Dance weekend began in late 1980’s at Hillsboro Camp and was called “Summer’s End,” and with the move to Vermont, we’re returning to that name. In 1995 a new, separate organization began running a similar weekend event at the same location called “Hillsboro Highlands.” One of the goals of that organization was to provide live music for all classes and evening parties. When Hillsboro Camp closed to outside groups in 2007, the event was moved to the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, run by the Boston Archdiocese of the Greek Orthodox Church, in Contoocook, NH, and the name was changed to New Hampshire Highlands.