At Maine Camps We Believe in Summers Full of Fun and Friends-Not Bullies

_The End of Bullying Begins with Me: _that’s the message during PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month in October. It’s a time when communities can unite nationwide to raise awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities, outreach, and education. This month-long effort encourages everyone to take an active role in the bullying prevention movement. Maine Camp Experience and our 33 member camps are proud supporters of the National Bullying Prevention Month, and are committed to make Maine summer camps a bully-free experience. There is a zero tolerance bullying policy at all MCE camps. Though camp may be a safe haven from bullying, children can still face it back at school. And the affects of bullying can often times reverberate from the school year and affect campers emotionally during their time at camp. Bullying is something that most people experience; whether they witness it, inflict it, or are a victim of it, it affects lives. According to the American Camp Association: “Bullying is the most common form of violence in our society. Between 15 percent and 30 percent of students are bullies or victims.” Let’s not stand by and let bullying happen in our homes, classrooms, playgrounds, and especially not camps.  In our minds, The End of Bullying Begins with Camp. At Maine Camps we believe in summers full of fun and friends-not bullies. We suggest that you ask your camp director about their camp’s bullying policy, its staff training in this area, and what they suggest you speak to your child about regarding bullying throughout the school year as well as prior to the camp season. There are also many online resources and the bullying prevention web page on the American Camp Association site has a number of resources for both camp professionals and parents on this important subject that can help children and parents better understand, and possibly work through bullying. Remember: The End of Bullying Begins with Camp. – Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.