Preserving our planet and appreciating our people … this week brings us two special observances each worth noting: Earth Day and Administrative Professionals Day.  We at Maine Camp Experience want to recognize both for without these key components, Maine Camps would not be what they are! Earth Day: Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. One of the biggest differentiating factors of Maine camps is the size and pristine nature of the setting. Many of our camps are located on several hundred acres of fields and forest with miles of lakefront shorelines. Every Maine Camp Experience camp is set on a beautiful natural lake where campers can swim, sail, and ski every day. We do not take that for granted! These huge lakes, vast fields, and forests populated by pine trees are an incredible backdrop for summers. Our directors put into practice and teach our campers about sustainability so we have these incredible camps as part of our wonderful earth now and for generations to come. We think locally and act globally. Recyling, composting, and practicing “leave no trace” camping are just a few of the ways our Maine Camps respect the earth. Our camps also partner with likeminded groups like Friends of Casco Bay for lake and ocean clean ups to keep our beaches and waters clean and clear. One MCE Camp shares that they partner with Seven Lakes Alliance and the Belgrade Lakes Association and for a program called “Eyes on the Water” recognizing invasive species. They share, “We talk about loons and wake on shore lines from motor boats (follow the rule ‘Headway Speed’ within 200 feet of the shoreline).” They even have sayings and songs to thank the earth including, “Grant we have safe and fun days, respect each other, ourselves, and our planet.” Another MCE Camp shares that beyond just the three traditional R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), they reduce consumption and waste with other R’s too, including: refuse (if you don’t need something, don’t take it), repair (fix things instead of tossing and buying new), rehome (what you no longer want, someone else may), and replant (save the seeds from the produce in the organic garden and replant next year). Great advice. Happy Earth Day to all! Administrative Professionals Day: Where oh where would we be without our ever-important camp admin staff?! For every great camp director, there is definitely a strong admin team to help! Their tasks are many and their talents are endless. While we can’t list everything they handle, here are just a few things they do … Maine Camp admin professionals run and/or support the main office, the health center, and programming details. They help schedule and organize logistics for out-of-camp trips, intercamps, and special events. And, they provide supplies like batteries, stamps, and pens for campers in need. From the beginning of camp with staff and camper arrivals (helping to organize logistics for car, bus, and plane transport), to the end of camp when the last campers head home, our admin staff are valuable team players. They help create a seamless summer that keep our campers smiling. Two thumbs up for our Maine Camps admin professionals. We thank you! 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.