Program & Activities — The Summer Camp

The Summer Camp offers four levels of summer camp programs for girls age 7-18, advancing from general sessions for first time participants to Hiking and Canoeing, Leadership and Counselor-in-Training programs. Living within a diverse peer group, campers experience a variety of new and traditional camp activities and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. While there are risks involved with summer camps, our counselors are trained to mitigate them and guardians will be notified by our on-camp registered nurse if an area of concern develops. Our curriculum is specifically designed to meet the developmental needs of young adolescent girls and progresses for returning campers, many of whom return for several summers, while maintaining best safety practices.

General Camp

Ages 6-12

General Camp is a 10-day fun and welcoming introduction to camp life, activities, adventures and skills. For most girls, this is their first opportunity to spend time away from home and join a community of peers who, while from different places, share many common life experiences. Counselors guide girls with unconditional acceptance and understanding, as each experiments, explores and builds self-confidence.

Summer Campers sleep in canvas-sided platform bunks in community groupings with girls their age and three counselors. Days are filled canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sailing, dance, land sports, photography, drama, archery, pottery, knitting, sewing, arts and crafts, science explorers and adventure day trips. Evening activities include talent shows, scavenger hunts and dancing. Each bunk group spends a night camping in a tent and roasting marshmallows for s’mores over an open fire.

Hiking and Canoeing

Returning Campers ages 12-13

Our 13-day Hiking and Canoeing program expands upon skills and personal growth from General Camp, by encouraging girls to trust their peers and practicing team work as they explore by foot and boat. This program focuses on social, athletic and outdoor skills as campers explore Maine's hiking trails and canoe on the Saco River. As girls complete these adventures, they feel the strength of their physical accomplishments and support of trusting bonds of friendship, that often last lifetime.

Hiking and Canoeing is specifically geared toward helping girls build self-confidence and coping skills. A Community Outreach Educator works with our Hiking and Canoeing campers in small groups of 8-10, encouraging each girl to believe in herself and abilities. Once the campers complete the Hiking and Canoeing program, they radiate confidence and look forward to embracing new challenges.

Leadership Training

Returning campers ages 13-14

Leadership Training is a 10-day program aimed at enhancing campers’ skills, knowledge, and self-awareness. Workshops include healthy nutrition, safe and effective communication, drug awareness and prevention, healthy family planning choices, financial literacy, job application, interviews and professional behavior. Leadership campers explore higher education opportunities through college visits and continuing education discussions.

Leadership trainees plan special activities for younger campers and assist the counselors. They work together as a team, volunteering with local nonprofits. In 2023, Summer Campers partnered with the Maine Island Trail Association for a beachside clean-up on Hog Island, situated off the coast of Maine. This experience was truly unforgettable for the campers as they contributed to environmental conservation efforts while enjoying their first-ever boat ride on the Atlantic Ocean! Summer Campers who complete two years of the Leadership Training program may be invited to apply to return as Counselors-in-Training.

Counselor-in-Training

Returning campers ages 15-18

Our Counselor-in-Training program (CIT) is for girls who have completed the Hiking and Canoeing program and two years of Leadership Training. Using skills learned during previous years at camp, CITs accept responsibility for providing a safe, fun and enriching environment for the General Campers. The CITs work alongside camp counselors, assisting them with their everyday duties, including caring for the younger campers. Most CITs attend two consecutive General Camp sessions.

Upon successfully completing two years of the CIT program, reaching the age of 18, and exemplifying mature decision making skills, many of our CITs return the following years as general counselors, providing guidance and support to girls in need, as they once were.

Literacy (All campers)

The Summer Camp’s Literacy program is uniquely designed to provide academic support and encouragement, assuring girls of their personal and academic strengths while specifically helping to increase literary ability. All campers and CITs, many of whom are reading below grade level, benefit from our Literacy program, which includes reading, journaling and creative writing. At the end of each session, every Summer Camper receives a book to take home.

Activities & Program