Mission 

The Summer Camp is a nonprofit, residential summer camp for urban and rural girls, ages 7-18, from low-income and foster homes. We provide an inclusive, supportive and safe environment in which campers explore fun, challenging and educational experiences, learn from positive role models, and have the opportunity to build skills for life year after year. We stand against discrimination and celebrate the diversity of our campers and staff. Donor support provides full camperships for each girl every summer.

Vision

To create a rich, multi-faceted, continually evolving program where girls learn about themselves, develop vital skills, and realize their intellectual potential and leadership abilities.

Impact

Many of our campers struggle with adult issues and responsibilities daily. Camp offers a ten-day reprieve for children to escape personal burdens such as parental divorce, domestic violence or neglect. Girls can forget about “real life” for a while, just have fun and make friends. More than 60% of our campers return year after year, truly finding a home away from home at camp.

Through our unique curriculum, The Summer Camp, provides a safe and supportive atmosphere; values each girl as an individual; offers affirmative guidance and encouragement; builds personal power and self-esteem. Our counselors create a wonderful camp culture based on caring and a true sense of community. They teach the girls that a smile, a word of encouragement or a helping hand positively impacts those around them. Summer Campers learn to communicate with their peers and authority figures. Individually and together, they set goals and recognize their potential to succeed. We strive to help each child discover her talents and learn to share them with the larger community. The social, emotional, academic and athletic skills acquired at The Summer Camp enable girls to believe in themselves and contribute to making choices that provide them with opportunities for self-advancement.

Community

We proudly serve 350 girls from low-income and foster families each summer, providing fully paid camper scholarships for all participants and transportation for those living outside the state of Maine. Partnering with 75 social service agencies and school guidance counselors from urban and rural areas of New England and New York state, we have welcomed over 10,000 campers since 1986. 

Tracy St. Onge-May
Camp Director

Tracy grew up in Minnesota and started her camping life as a kitchen kid at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota. There she also held a counselor position, working with campers of various ages and physical challenges.  

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a double major in Psychology and Therapeutic Recreation, Tracy continued her camp employment working at a private camp in Denmark, Maine for 15 summers.  For seven of those years, she worked year round as part of the administrative team.  

In 1994, Tracy joyfully joined The Summer Camp family as the first year round Camp Director. Together, Tracy and the TSC Board of Directors have created a meaningful, life changing experience for campers, counselors and staff.

Tracy has lived in beautiful Maine for the past 34 years, raising three (now adult) children. In Tracy’s free time she enjoys all outdoor activities, especially hiking, backcountry canoeing, swimming and swinging a tennis racket.  Winter brings additional wonderful activities: downhill skiing, cross country skiing, winter hiking and playing hockey. 

Jessy Stacy
Development Manager

Jessy joined The Summer Camp family in October 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Although her official title is Development Manager, she offers support in many additional capacities. Along with providing administrative and daily operational support, Jessy happily fills in wherever a need may arise to ensure our campers have the best overnight camp experience possible. She became a certified American Red Cross CPR and Babysitter Training Instructor, providing essential training to our counselors and older campers. She led our Outreach program, planning year-round events for campers to reconnect and supporting older campers as they transitioned from high school to post-secondary education.

Jessy’s favorite activities include riding her horses, adventuring in the woods with her dogs, relaxing by the water, and spending time with her children, ages 22, 20, and 16. Jessy's dedication and diverse skills make her an invaluable asset to our camp community.

Summer Staff

Each spring we hire an amazing group of talented, caring young women to join our team. These individuals play a significant role in providing a memorable summer adventure for low-income and foster girls. Their compassion, strength and optimism have a lasting impact on the lives of the hundreds of girls we serve. Would you like to make a difference this summer?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS