11 Moments Seen and Heard

Each summer, we spend time at several Maine Camps to check in, see what’s new, hear about trips and traditions, and speak with directors, counselors, and campers. It gives us great insight and joy to see that campers are thriving during these life-changing summers. They’ve successfully unplugged from technology and decompressed from the school year. They’ve learned new skills and built resilience. They’ve formed meaningful relationships that may last into college and life beyond. They’ve taken memorable trips. They’ve experienced incredible camp traditions. And they’ve become integral to the camp community. Here are a 11 things we saw and heard:

1. Active, engaged campers! Campers were sailing and waterskiing, walking llamas and alpacas,and cooking and eating delicious food like pizza and shakshuka. They were hitting big serves on tennis courts, riding horses, doing back walkovers in gymnastics, and mountain biking through terrain parks. Campers were interviewing each other in on-air podcasts, rehearsing for a High School Musical theater show, modeling clay in ceramics, playing instruments and digitally producing music, and so, so, so much more! We also saw campers happily occupying themselves - without screens - with hand clap games while waiting for lunch.

2. Community - Boisterous singing and cheering filled the dining halls. Camps were getting ready for weekly all-camp campfires where everyone will sing camp songs, talk about values, and bond. Other happenings - campers and staff receiving and proudly wearing their 5-year milestone t-shirts. Campers, directors, and staff nominating others for special recognition for being kind, helpful, and more.

3. Achievement - A camper ringing a bell - signifying that she passed her swim level onto the next. A boy proudly presenting a set of intricate glass-blown figurines he made. Campers climbing to the top of the high rope challenge course and ziplining down from the top of a rock wall.

4. Problem solving - 8-year-old girls working out who goes first at tetherball outside their cabin between activity periods. At first, each said “I go first.” They worked it out by deciding to do Rock, Paper, Scissor to see who would go first. They accepted the outcome, and went along with their tetherball game.

5. Friendship - We joined a group of girls in their final camper summer as they reflected on years of shared memories. At a local ice cream shop, we met teenage boys — former bunkmates turned counselors. When another camp’s boys arrived, introductions effortlessly ensued and new friendships formed.

6. Intercamps - We caught an exhilarating 7-camp invitational basketball tournament. Great energy, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.

7. Brother/Sister Day - Several camps bringing together brothers and sisters from different camps for carnival, lunch, lake, sports, and hanging out.

8. Enjoying downtime - Campers rested peacefully on docks after swims, played ping pong after lunch, and simply enjoyed time to chill in between structured activities.

9. Kindness and good values - A director shared that one day a kid was a little snarky to another camper - before a counselor could even intervene, another kid quickly said: “Hey, we don’t do that here.” It echoed what another director shared last summer: “Be a good person for yourself - and for others. Don’t ruin it. Help make it great.”

10. Giving back - Campers engaged in social action initiatives with organizations including World of Change, Camp Sunshine, Linclusion, and STRIVE.

11. Camps investing in new infrastructure (showing us plans of what’s to come) while preserving their history.

There’s so much exciting stuff happening at Maine Camps. From extended trips throughout Maine and New England, to rookie/discovery sessions coming up for prospective campers, to camps’ milestone reunion celebrations (ranging from a 25th to a 120th!), family camp, and more! Camp tours are in full swing, and enrollment is now open for summer 2026 at many camps. Check it out at www.mainecampexperience.com or email: laurie@mainecampexperience.com for more info.

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.