Fun For the Whole Family at Family Camp in Maine!

_ By Kimberly, the Campcierge™ _ Who says that overnight camp is only for kids?  Grab your family and enjoy an authentic Maine Camp Experience at one of our premier Maine camps this August.  It’s the perfect getaway, whether you already have kids in camp and want to share in the experience, you want to explore what camp is like for your future campers or you are just looking for some relaxed fun family bonding time.  Check out our guide to Family Camp to see if it might be right for your family! WHAT IS FAMILY CAMP: After the traditional camp season ends, many of our Maine camps open their facilities to families looking to take advantage of those last weeks of summer. Camps range from a few days to a week at a time. Families live in individual cabins, enjoy recreational activities, including arts and crafts, waterskiing, fishing, rock climbing, zip lining, archery, tennis lessons, and participate in traditional camp experiences, such as campfires, lobster bakes and even the camp favorite - Color War!  Families bond together in a relaxed and “unplugged” environment and enjoy quality time, great food and good, old fashioned fun! HOW DOES IT WORK: Each family is given their own cabin or platform tent to live in. Days begin with a flag raising and end with Taps. During the day family members participate in their choice of organized camp activities either individually or as a family and then come together for meals and an evening activity. WHAT ARE THE LIVING CONDITIONS LIKE? Facilities differ based on the camp.  Accommodations range from cabins to platform tents and can sleep 2-12 people, depending on the size of your family group.  Some camps offer cabins with electricity and in-cabin bathrooms.   Other camps are more rustic and only offer electricity in the common areas, such as the dining room and lounge.  Most camps will provide sheets, blankets and towels. WHAT ARE MEALS LIKE? While “Bug Juice” is available for those who dare, the food served during family camp is delicious and plentiful.  Mornings are kicked off with hearty breakfast buffets, followed by picnic and lakeside cookout lunches and summer dinner favorites served family style, including the much-anticipated lobster and clam bake! Snacks are available throughout the day and some camps even offer a family-friendly “social hour” with fresh ice tea and hors d’oeuvres.   Of course, camps can also accommodate most dietary restrictions. WHAT SORT OF ACTIVITES ARE THERE? All of our Family Camps are located on beautiful lake front properties and offer an array of waterfront activities, including swimming, water skiing, sailing, canoeing, fishing. In addition, there are landsports, gymnastics, hiking, ropes courses, zip lines, tennis, archery and mountain biking.  For those looking for a more “creative activity”, there is cooking, jewelry making, wood working and even stained glass.  A few camps even offer hiking trips and horseback riding. WHAT ARE THE EVENING ACTIVITIES LIKE? All of the camps work with their staff to create different and engaging evening activities.  From the traditional campfire and S’mores to entertaining scavenger hunts and talent shows to fun family friendly game nights, each evening is guaranteed to leave your family smiling and excited for the next day’s adventures. HOW CAN I STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD? One of the great things about Family Camp is the ability to unplug and have one-on-one bonding time. Many families come to camp to escape the outside world and truly enjoy the remote surroundings that the Maine landscape offers.  For that reason, cell service can be spotty.  Recognizing that some parents might still require access to the “outside world,” many camps will offer business center hours in their office. IS FAMILY CAMP EXPENSIVE? Family Camp is an affordable, all-inclusive experience.  Camps charge a per-person fee by the session or day – and that fee includes lodging, meals and activities. Some camps even include trips to local events or outdoor adventures. WHO IS THE “RIGHT” FAMILY CAMP FAMILY? Any family looking to enjoy a relaxed, unplugged getaway in the Maine outdoors. Whether its lounging by the lake, scaling the climbing wall or having a fierce match on the tennis courts, families can choose how active or relaxing their experience will be. With so many activities, it is the perfect spot for both younger and older families.  In fact, many families look forward to this annual camp week and return year after year.  It is a wonderful tradition for families to be able to “grow” with their kids. WHEN SHOULD I SIGN UP? Now is the time families are planning summer vacations and Family Camp is a great vacation to consider! Sign up early to assure a spot, given the limited availability and number of repeat families returning year after year. HOW CAN I FIND THE RIGHT FAMILY CAMP FOR MY FAMILY? Maine Camp Experience can help match you with the perfect family camp.  Click here or call our Campcierge at 877-92-MAINE. — Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our  website.

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.