It Never Feels Like "Groundhog Day" at Maine Camps

Today is Groundhog Day, which, according to popular tradition, will tell us if we have six more weeks of winter or if spring will arrive early if the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow. We also think of the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, where he plays a weatherman in Punxsutawny, PA trapped in a time loop and forced to relive the same over and over again. This stands in stark contrast to life at Maine Camps where every single day is different and brings new adventures. 

While there are some routines and traditions at camp that help structure the summer, each day features new fun activities.

Daily activities: Many Maine Camps have “regular day” schedule of five or six activity periods where campers get to enjoy different activities each period. For example, on one day, a camper’s schedule could include: sailing, soccer, ceramics, swim, photography, and biking. On an alternate day, that camper’s activities could include: waterskiing, lacrosse, golf, equestrian, ropes course, and radio station. Their schedule may rotate every other day or every week.

Meals and snacks: Maine campers enjoy three meals and snacks every day. Breakfast could include cereal, eggs, and pancakes. Lunch could be grilled cheese, soup bread bowls, or pizza. Dinner could be meatballs and spaghetti, tacos, and chicken parmesan. Salad bars packed with many choices of veggies and proteins are abundant. Afternoon and evening snacks include cookies, apples, Goldfish crackers, smoothies, popcorn, ice pops, and more. Many kids come home even more adventurous eaters than before because they’re willing to try things their friends are eating.

Evening activities: Capping off every fun day is a fun activity at night. Every night campers gather for fun happenings. These include: the camp play, talent show, magic show, sports night, movie night, and beyond.

Special events: On a regularly scheduled day, there are different elements woven in like a fun big sister/little sister tubing on the lake activity or a carnival complete with rides and games. Then, there are special event days that completely replace the “regular schedule” like Olympics, Quest, Jamboree, College Days, and more.

Trips: Trips are always fun days for having adventures and making memories. Younger campers may do a blueberry picking trip, a day trip to explore a Maine costal town like Boothbay Harbor, or enjoy a one-night overnight (complete with S’mores!) at a more remote part of the camp’s grounds or at the camp’s outpost. As campers get older, trips often get longer and further like a canoe or rafting trip on the Allagash River, a hike up Mt. Katahdin or seeing the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain.

Variety is the spice of life and Maine campers experience this in spades as they enjoy each unique camp day. 

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.