Swim at Maine Camps

While summer camp may be over, the season itself is still hanging on, and with warmer temperatures this week, we’re getting a sweet, extended taste of summer. It’s the perfect time to think about one of the things we love most about a Maine Camp summer: swimming!

At Maine Camps, lakes are the heart of the action. Campers dive into vast, beautiful, natural lakes - not only for fun and friendship but also to build an essential life skill. Learning to swim is woven into the fabric of a Maine Camp experience.

Swimming isn’t just about splashing around (though there’s plenty of that!). It’s a critical safety skill. Knowing how to swim can prevent drowning by teaching kids how to float, tread water, and swim many strokes to navigate themselves confidently in the water.

It’s also a fantastic form of exercise! Swimming is a full-body, low-impact workout that strengthens the heart and lungs while improving overall fitness. Best of all, it’s a skill kids can take with them into adulthood, supporting a lifetime of health and activity.

Each summer builds on the last, with swimmers gaining strength, skill, and confidence year after year. Some campers even like to participate in swim meets at camp against other camps and practice to build skills for their swim teams at home.

And it’s not just physical benefits … swimming supports mental well-being, too. It helps reduce stress and boosts mood. After a busy school year, time in the water offers campers a welcome chance to reset, recharge, and feel strong in both body and mind. Instructional swim also builds self-esteem; it empowers campers to set goals, build their skills, and reach new Red Cross swim levels.

Swimming also opens the door to other exciting water activities that campers love - from kayaking and paddleboarding to sailing and waterskiing. Once kids are confident in the water, the possibilities for fun and adventure expand dramatically.

So as we soak in these last warm days of the season, we’re reminded of the joy, growth, and lifelong benefits that come with learning to swim at camp. Here’s to making the most of the sunshine - and to the magic of Maine Camp summers.

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.