Maine Camps Collaborate for 2021 Summer Success: MCE Fall Meeting

Just as kids grow from the experiences and the bonds formed at Maine overnight camps, so, too, do our camps as directors collaborate in a unified Maine Camp Experience community. Maine Camp Experience (MCE) was formed nearly a decade ago and continues to grow stronger with every day, year, and situation that our 30+ premier Maine overnight camps tackle together. Our MCE camp directors met (virtually this year) for our annual Fall Meeting to share our best practices and discuss the coming summer. We were joined by Dr. Andrew Brooks of Infinity BiologiX, a leader in COVID testing. Additionally, Commissioner Heather Johnson of the Maine Department of Economic Community Development spoke with the group. She led the efforts this past spring allowing Maine Camps to safely open and thrive in summer 2020. And all 36 MCE Camps, with the continued support of the State of Maine, are preparing and fully focused on operating safely in summer 2021. Some key takeaways for summer 2021:

• 15 Maine Camp Experience camps ran successful camper summers in 2020, mitigating any COVID outbreaks. Success is attributed to: diligent planning, layers of mitigation, medical expert guidance, creative and smart thinking, and lots of hard work. This provides a roadmap for our 36 camps for 2021.
• Maine’s Governor supports Maine camps opening – a vital component.
• Maine Camps have direct access to and speak regularly with top epidemiologists – the best public health professionals who provide counsel to our camps – and experts in testing. With experience running successful camps during COVID, support from the State, expert medical guidance, and top-notch operations PLUS incomparable beauty of our vast lakes and grounds, a 100+-year history of camps in Maine, and incredible directors and staff … we know that thousands of kids will be able to attend and enjoy camp in 2021 – even if COVID is still with us. We know that providing kids with the opportunity to be outside, with peers, and enjoying “normal” activities is more important than ever for their mental health. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy fall season. — 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.