Traditional Camp

Our traditional overnight camp offers one- and two-week sessions for boys and girls ages 8 - 16 years. Our program offers campers a variety of activities, from waterfront based, field and court sports, arts and crafts and outdoor adventure. Since 1915, we have been providing enriching experiences to children from across the United States and from around the world.

Cabin Life

Campers are assigned to cabins based on gender and age. Each cabin has two or more counselors who act as role-models, mentors, parents, and confidants. Cabins become "home" while at camp - the place to connect with friends, learn about responsibility and cohabitation, and have fun.

Cabin groups are given the opportunity daily to care for part of camp, and to maintain the cleanliness of their own cabin. Campers also have responsibilities in the Dining Hall throughout their session. They travel to their skill classes each day independently and are responsible for their own schedule. In all of these activities, under supervision from our staff, life skills and our community are strengthened.

Villages

Who Are Our Counselors & Staff Members?

Each year, we recruit staff members from the U.S. and around the world to come together and create our staff team. Counselors and staff members are chosen because of their talents, unique personalities, and desire to enrich the lives of young people at camp. All staff members complete an application, provide references, and are background checked annually. Many of our staff are former campers, who have completed our Leader-In-Training (LIT) and Counselor-In-Training (CIT) programs.

Under the guidance of our year-round Directors, all staff members and counselors at YMCA Camp of Maine participate in a 10 day training program, before our campers arrive. Counselors are taught strategies for building community, cabin management, managing homesick campers, and helping campers build positive relationships. Ensuring everyone's safety at camp is our top priority, all staff are trained in Child Abuse Prevention, Bullying Prevention, First Aid and CPR. All YMCA Camp of Maine staff members are Mandatory Reporters of abuse, and we have a zero tolerance approach to bullying.

Life Skills

YMCA Camp of Maine is founded on Christian principles that confirm the importance of each individual. Using the Core Values (Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility), the camp experience of growing, learning and helping others, provides memories that last a lifetime. Increased social growth, awareness, and experiences help campers assume leadership roles at camp with skills that transfer to school and community groups.

Check out the video below to learn more about how we incorporate the Four Core Values everyday at camp as well as more general camp information!