National Camping and Great Outdoors Month

Before Maine campers arrive on the fields, trails, courts, and waterfronts that will soon be filled with activity, June provides an opportunity to celebrate the very thing that makes camp possible: the great outdoors.

As both Great Outdoors Month and National Camping Month, June is a celebration of the natural spaces where children grow, explore, and thrive. From lakes and forests to playing fields and campfires, the outdoors provides the backdrop for adventure, friendship, independence, memories, and the transformational power of summer camp.

For generations, Maine has been a place where young people disconnect from screens, reconnect with nature, and discover new strengths through camp experiences. With thousands of lakes, miles of coastline, towering pines, and endless trails, Maine offers an outdoor classroom unlike any other.

Why the Outdoors Matter More Than Ever

Today’s children are growing up in a world filled with digital distractions, packed schedules, and constant connectivity. Camp provides a rare opportunity to step away from those pressures and engage fully with the natural world.

Whether it’s paddling across a lake at sunrise, hiking a wooded trail, learning to sail, gathering around a campfire, or simply watching the stars appear overhead, campers gain something that can’t be replicated indoors. They learn resilience, independence, problem-solving, and an appreciation for the environment around them.

Research continues to show that time spent outdoors benefits physical health, mental well-being, creativity, and social development. Camp brings all of these benefits together in a setting designed specifically for young people to grow.

National Camping Month: More Than Tents and Campfires

While National Camping Month celebrates the tradition of camping, summer camp offers something even deeper. Campers become part of a community. They learn to live alongside others, try new activities, and challenge themselves in supportive environments. At camp, every day presents opportunities to:

• Build confidence through new experiences
• Develop leadership and teamwork skills
• Form meaningful friendships
• Discover personal interests and talents
• Create memories that last a lifetime

Many campers arrive feeling nervous about trying something new. By the end of the summer, they leave with greater independence, stronger self-esteem, and friendships that often continue long after camp ends.

Why Maine Is the Ultimate Camp Destination

Maine’s natural beauty has made it one of the country’s premier camp destinations for more than a century. The state’s clean lakes, expansive forests, mountain landscapes, and fresh air provide the perfect backdrop for adventure and personal growth. From waterfront activities and wilderness trips to arts programs and team sports, Maine camps offer experiences that help children thrive while enjoying everything the outdoors has to offer.

It’s no surprise that families from across the United States and around the world choose Maine for their summer camp experience. More than 65,000 campers attend Maine camps each summer.

A Month Worth Celebrating

As we celebrate Great Outdoors Month and National Camping Month, we’re reminded that some of life’s most meaningful lessons happen outside. They happen on the dock before breakfast. On a trail with friends. Around a campfire under the stars. During moments of challenge, discovery, laughter, and growth.

This June, we celebrate the outdoors, the traditions of camping, and the Maine camps that continue to help young people build confidence, character, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child? Try out our helpful Select-A-Camp 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.