Giving Tuesday - Social Action and Maine Camps

It’s Giving Tuesday, the global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. People can make a donation, volunteer, or support with their voice and activism. Giving Tuesday enables people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Tuesday, December 3 is the ninth annual Giving Tuesday.

The Maine Camp Experience community observes today with donations to Camp Sunshine and to World of Change, and throughout the year. Maine Camps engage campers in social action at camp and instill a lifelong commitment to giving back and helping others. Many campers take these experiences and causes home to their communities. Maine Camps work with a variety of causes from food pantries to animal shelters to environmental conservation and beyond. Campers participate in swim-a-thons, runs, baseball hit-a-thons, can and toy donations, and more. Read more here: https://mainecampexperience.com/why-camp-in-maine/social-responsibility

We’d like to spotlight some worthy organizations, starting with: Camp Sunshine, an MCE member camp that provides experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families (read more detail below, including matching donations information), and World of Change, an organization that which more than 20 MCE camps partner. Campers donate spare change that provides basic essentials and support to children and families to help them succeed and thrive. See below for more details about each.

World of Change founder, Matt Hoidal, shares: “As a founding partner of World of Change seven years ago, MCE and its member camps have led the way as champions of youth engagement, fostering social responsibility and community impact. We hold our relationship in highest regard, and remain grateful for their steadfast support.”

Some MCE Camps are non-profit or offer non-profit camp sessions, including: Camp Agawam, O-AT-KA, Birch Rock Camp, and Camp Walden. Special programs at these camps like “The Main Idea” provide an opportunity for boys and girls who might otherwise never have the chance to attend camp to experience all the wonders and benefits of overnight summer camp. Many other MCE Camps also have campership programs to help offset tuition for campers in need such as Fernwood Cove, The Camp Runoia Alumnae Organization, Wyonegonic Camps, and Indian & Forest Acres.

We also want to highlight additional camp-related organizations our Maine Camps support. We encourage families to support these or any others that resonate with you. Here are some great camp-related causes: ACA New England, Experience Camps, Project Morry, Seeds of Peace, SCOPE, and Wildflower Foundation

About Camp Sunshine: All donations made to Camp Sunshine on Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024) will be generously matched, dollar-for-dollar up to $70,000! In celebration of their 40th anniversary, help CampSunshine raise $140,000 to support their Family Fund, and have your contribution go twice as far in support of the children with life-threatening illnesses and their families Camp Sunshine serves. https://www.campsunshine.org/giving/givingtuesday

In 2024, Camp Sunshine is celebrating 40 years of providing hope, joy and community through unique experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Since 1984, more than 60,000 ill children, siblings, parents, and caregivers from all 50 states and 27 countries have come to Camp Sunshine.

Thanks to the generous support of donors and volunteers, Camp Sunshine’s programs are 100% free. At Camp Sunshine, families have a special place to focus on recharging, together, in a safe space with medical support available. They discover a community who understands them. CampSunshine is where families find family.

So as we observe Giving Tuesday, we’re renewed in our sense of giving back and inspiring others to do the same.

Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

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 contact our Maine Camp Guide, Laurie to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.