Visiting Day at Maine Camps: Pro Tips

It’s hard to imagine that Visiting Day could be upon us when it feels like camp just started; however … when you think about how many things our campers have already learned and experienced, it does make sense. Some Maine Camps will have Visiting Day during the weekend of July 15. Some will be during the weekend of July 21. Some camps, with sessions, have visits the day before the session ends or day-of, and others have a couple different date options of when parents can visit for a special event like a cookout and campfire.

No matter when Visiting Day may be, it’s a nice time for parents and non-camp age siblings to get to visit and see what their camper has been doing. Families get to see directors, meet the camper’s counselors and friends, and may get to enjoy some of the camp’s facilities like swimming and boating in the lake, and playing tennis. It’s exciting for parents to get to visit the cabin, and to visit activity areas where their kids can show their stuff. For example, parents may visit arts and crafts to see pottery and other projects their campers made. Parents may go by the cooking studio to taste some camper-prepared treats. They can go to the lake to see their camper waterski, and they can go to equestrian to watch their camper ride. Parents may visit gymnastics to see their camper’s new tumbling skills, or go to the music room/studio to hear a song their camper may have recorded. Families can visit ropes courses, rock walls, sports fields, and more. And, families often enjoy a lunch provided by the camp where they can sit, talk, and enjoy. It’s a great way to see campers and enjoy the camp. 

Here are a few useful tips for Visiting Day:

- You can bring your camper some treats, but don’t go overboard. Most camps take leftover food that night or the next day to avoid attracting unwanted critters to the cabins. - Let your camper set the tone and guide the day. S/he is excited to see you, but is also being pulled out of their “normal” camp environment. They may want to show you everything, do a lot of activities, and tell a lot of stories, or they may want to have a more chill day of just spending relaxing, quality time together. - Obviously don't "talk up" what's going on at home. You don't want your campers to feel like they're missing out on fun happenings, trips, and quality time with family and friends back home. - At the end of Visiting Day, it’s always best to do a quick goodbye so campers can get quickly reengaged by counselors in a fun camp activity. And, if they do get a little teary - it's okay. It's normal to both be sad to see you go and also be very happy at camp!

And, as long as you’re visiting campers, enjoy Maine too! One of the benefits of kids going to camp in Maine, is that their parents and siblings also get to enjoy the “Pine Tree” state. Maine (aka “Vacationland”) has so many incredible beautiful sights and areas, amazing restaurants, and great places to stay. Below are just a few of the many suggestions parents and siblings can pursue while in Maine:

- Where to stay? Some families like to stay in Portland and walk around Old Port. There are so many amazing places to eat, stay, and play! Here are just a few: - Hotels including: The Press Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place, AC Marriott and so many more - Restaurants including: Fore Street, Scales, Street & Co, Eventide Oyster Co, Duck Fat, Central Provisions, Miyake, and many more - Other families prefer to stay at a resort destination. A few options include: Inn By the Sea, Hidden Pond and The Tides, Black Point Inn, Cliff House, Harraseeket Inn, and The Samoset. While other families choose to stay at small inns closer to their camp or hotels in the area closest to their child's camp. - There are endless adventures to enjoy! Families can spend a day on a boat for waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and tubing from Sun Sports+ located in Naples or book an exciting whitewater rafting trip with Moxie Outdoor Adventures, both are valued MCE business partners who work with several of our Maine Camps. Or, take a lobster boat tour with Lucky Catch Cruises in Portland or Rugosa Lobster Tours in Kennbunkport. Other fun activities include a food tour with Maine Day Ventures (available in many areas of Maine) or a Duck boat tour in Portland. Summer Feet Cycling offers great bike tours. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor is a fun and beautiful place.  - And, if families want to head north, there are amazing things to see and do in Bar Harbor like hiking in Acadia National Park. With stops along the way in coastal towns like Camden. - If lobster rolls are your thing - there are tons of great spots in Kennebunkport, Portland, and beyond. Some favorites include: Mabel’s and Nunan’s (both in Kennebunkport), and The Clam Shack in Kennebunk; High Roller Lobster Company and Luke’s Lobster in Portland, and Reds Eats in Wiscasset. There are also great lobster pounds for steamed lobsters in a casual setting at places like Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company in Freeport.  - There are also plenty of breweries to enjoy such as Allagash Brewing Company and Shipyard Brewing Company. - And, some of our favorite stores around Maine include: L.L. Bean, Cool As a Moose, Coastal Maine Popcorn Company, Wilbur’s, Fiore Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars, Wicked Whoopies, and Stonewall Kitchen, just to name a few.

We wish all our Maine Campers and their families a great Visiting Day with each other and enjoying the beautiful state of 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.