2019 YMCA of Southern Maine Camp Brochure

YMCA OF SOUTHERN MAINE • 2019 SUMMER CAMP

SUMMER FUN!

“The whole staff is very understanding.

They build up and encourage the kids to challenge themselves. ” —Camp Parent

Our camps are exciting, safe communities where children explore, build confidence, and make lasting friendships.

LEARN, GROW & THRIVE Through physical, social, and educational activities, YMCA summer camps help foster self-reliance, a love for nature, character, and leadership skills in hundreds of children each year.

Camp counselors at the Y are mentors and role models. All complete a comprehensive training program to prepare them to care for your camper, and they are caring, fun, energetic, and responsible people. All counselors are certified in First Aid and CPR, and we perform background checks on our staff over the age of 18. We are dedicated to making sure every camper has an amazing, growth-filled summer experience.

CAMP HOURS

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Camp: 9:00am–4:00pm Before Care: 7:30–9:00am After Care: 4:00pm–5:30pm

While each day is unique, you can expect your child to stay busy, active, and engaged at camp.

Before and After Care is available at no additional charge.

To encourage summer learning, every camper reads for at least 30 minutes daily and we hold STEM lessons weekly.

9:00am: Opening Circle 9:30am: Outdoor Adventures 10:30am: STEM Activity 11:00am: Camp Games 12:00pm: Lunch 12:30pm: Camp Readers 1:00pm: Arts & Crafts 2:00pm: Swimming 3:45pm: Closing Circle

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IN-TOWN CAMP

Located downtown at our Greater Portland branch.

Our days are filled with arts, crafts, swim lessons, games, plus trips to the beach, park, art museum, and more! Lunch is provided daily. American Camp Association accredited.

Greater Portland Branch WEEK

WEEK THEME

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June 17–21 Come One, Come All!

DESCRIPTION Welcome to In-Town camp! We’ll spend time getting to know each other while exploring the city! Field trip: Fort Williams

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June 24–28 As the Seasons Change

Join us for a week full of changing seasons! We celebrate Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring with art projects! Field trip: Portland Ice Skating Arena

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July 1–5 Pajama Party in the USA!

Let’s celebrate America! Wear your best red, white & blue pajamas to camp! There might even be a camp BBQ! No camp July 4. Field trip: Funtown USA

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July 8–12 Mad Science

Make slime, conduct science experiments, and explore the world of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Field trip: USM Planetarium

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July 15–19 Anteaters to Zebras

Roar! It’s animal week here at In-Town camp.

We’ll learn about ALL types of animals, big, small, short and tall! Field trip: York’s Wild Kingdom

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July 22–26 Back Yard Games

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July 29–August 2 Slip, Slide and Splash!

Beat the heat as we slip and slide our way to the water park! Campers will participate in other wacky water activities this week. Field trip: Aquaboggan

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August 5–9 Camp Carnival Extravaganza!

It’s carnival time! Bounce house, popcorn, games & more!

Bring your pennies to help kids through the J. Philip Denison fund! Field trip: Deering Oaks Park

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August 12–16 Kings and Queens

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August 19–23 That’s a Wrap!

CHEYENNE GEYER, CAMP DIRECTOR 70 Forest Ave., Portland, ME cgeyer@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org 207.874.1111 x 121

OPEN HOUSE

6/12, 5–7PM JOIN US!

This week campers face off for favorite backyard games. Join us for kick ball, soccer, capture the flag, and more! Field trip: Portland Sea Dogs

Like dressing up? Wear your snazziest outfits to camp and be treated like kings and queens all week long! Field trip: Deering Oaks Park Close out summer with a camp-wide Talent Show!

Sing, juggle, and wow your way to “see you later” with camp friends. Field trip: Willard Beach

“He has a solid grasp on fairness, teamwork, and being kind to his peers. I think the summer YMCA program has been influential in all of this.”

—Camp Parent 3

CAMP OSPREY Casco Bay Branch WEEK

WEEK THEME

DESCRIPTION

First Chance

June 10–14 Camp Kickoff!

Vacation is finally here and so is camp! Come enjoy all that summer can be with games, swimming, arts and crafts and making new friends.

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June 17–21 School’s Out, Camp’s In!

Join us as we kick off summer! We’ll be setting the pace and starting to enjoy the sun!

Field trip: Maine Wildlife Park

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June 24–28 Aloha Summer

How low can you limbo? Join us for our Luau Friday! Field trip: Crescent Beach

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July 1–5 Star Spangled Banner

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July 8–12 Ninja Warrior Week

Do you have what it takes to become a black belt?

Join us as we knock out a week of training!

Field trip: Pine Point

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July 15–19 Harry Potter

Huge fan? Us too! Are you a Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor, or Hufflepuff? Field trip: Funtown

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July 22–26 Squirt, Splish, and Splash!

Get your goggles for a wet and wild week of fun activities ahead! Field trip: Water Country

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July 29–August 2 Summer Olympics 2019

Are you strong enough to make it through the courses? We’ll train before the big competition!

Field trip: Range Pond

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August 5–9 Camp Osprey’s Got Talent!

Dancing? Singing? Juggling? Our campers have the chops! Dazzle friends and family at our talent show Friday at 1:30pm. Field trip: Aquaboggan

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August 12–16 Camp Carnival

Spend the week preparing for our carnival with decorations, games, and booths!

Field trip: Reid State Park

August 19–23 YMCA Week!

This week we’ll be working on team building and exploring our four core values.

Field trip: Willard Beach

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“This is the happiest she has ever been. She did not want camp to end.

We should have sent her years before. A great experience.”

—Camp Parent

OPEN HOUSE

6/7, 4–6PM JOIN US!

Explore America from coast to coast! We’ll finish the week with a Backyard BBQ! No camp July 4.

Field trip: York’s Wild Animal Kingdom

Located at our Casco Bay branch in Freeport, campers will enjoy the Y’s swimming pools, open air gymnasium, playgrounds, and 25 acres of woods and trails, plus weekly field trips.

JOHN LEE, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 14 Old S. Freeport Rd., Freeport, ME jlee@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org 207.865.9600 x204

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OTTER POND CAMP Pineland Branch WEEK

WEEK THEME

DESCRIPTION

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June 17–21 Wilderness Warriors

Welcome to wilderness! Campers will earn badges by exploring everything that Otter Pond has to offer like archery, wild critters, ropes and more!

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June 24–28 Games of Life

Will you be a knight or a rook in our life-sized game of chess? Build a board game. Then, find the missing core values in our camp-wide game of Clue.

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July 1–5 Roll Out the Red Carpet

Look out Hollywood! Sing, act and dance your way into a short movie with your fellow campers! VIP Screening will be held at the end of the week!

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July 8–12 When I Grow Up...

Doctors, architects, hairdressers and fire fighters!

Explore future careers with special guests and a “When I Grow Up” dress-up day.

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July 15–19 The 2019 Otter Pond Games

Got camp spirit? Show it proudly at the 2019 OP Games! Chickadees, Otters, Porcupines, Fishers, Lynx, Bobcats or Moose... Who will win?

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July 22–July 26 Witchcraft & Wizardry

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July 29–August 2 Survivors Ready... GO!

Will you outwit, outplay and outlast in the wilderness? Work with your tribe to make a flag, find the Otter-munity Idols and claim victory.

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August 5–9 Backyard Bash

Enjoy the sweet sunshine and classic summer activities like kickball, lawn games, and a picnic bash with our friends from Camp Pineland!

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August 12–16 Otter Pond’s Got Talent!

Songs, skits, dancing - show off your best tricks and see what others have to offer! Dazzle friends and family at our talent show at week’s end.

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August 19–23 Color Wars

Spirit week at camp! Compete in fun camp activities all week long. The winners will get a proud display at camp for years to come!

“My son is completely in love with fishing and can’t wait to go again next year. Can’t say enough about this camp and the staff my son has grown to love just after one summer!” —Camp Parent

Put on your robes, wave your wands, and be sorted into houses by the OP Sorting Hat! Cast the right spells to rise above all the rest!

OVERNIGHTS AT THE Y! This is your chance to sleep under the stars and enjoy evening swim time at Otter Pond! Learn to put up your tent, build a fire, and cook on an open flame. Tents can be provided upon request; campers should bring sleeping bag, pillow, and other overnight gear. Ages 8–16. Cost: $82.

Dates: 6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/2 (all camps invited!), 8/8, 8/15

LIT ONLY OVERNIGHTS! Leaders-In-Training get the chance to sleep under the stars and spend time with fellow LITs! This will be an incredible team building experience to end their session. Ages 13–16. Cost: $82.

Dates: 7/23, 8/14

Located on 500 acres of wooded wilderness in Standish.* Camp includes canoeing, archery, fishing, ropes courses and climbing wall, nature education, and daily swimming.

Breakfast and lunch provided daily. *Free bus service available from Portland, Westbrook, Cumberland, and New Gloucester. See back cover for more info.

LIZA STRATTON, CAMP DIRECTOR 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester, ME lstratton@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org 207.688.2255 x609 In-season location: 101 Chadbourne Rd. Standish, ME

OPEN HOUSE

6/15, 2–4PM JOIN US!

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CAMP PINELAND

“My child was kept active all summer and built wonderful friendships. She also learned how to navigate relationships and understand others’ feelings.” —Camp Parent

Pineland Branch WEEK

WEEK THEME

DESCRIPTION

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June 17–21 Surfs Up!

Kick off summer by making new friends and celebrating the warm weather of a Hawaiian vacation with our camp ‘ohana! Field trip: Pineland Farms

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June 24–28 Game Show Mania

Pineland for $500, Alex. It’s game show week!

Spin the Wheel, Let’s Make a Deal, Family Feud, and more. Field trip: Range Pond

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July 1–5 Stars and Stripes

Celebrate America’s birthday as we explore what makes our country unique. We’ll end the week with our Camp Pineland BBQ! No camp July 4.

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July 8–12 Wild Water World

Stay cool this week with wet-n-wild adventures, including water-filled games, activities, and more!

Water you waiting for?! Field trip: Splashtown

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July 15–19 Camp Carnival

Spend the week building a carnival with decorations, games, and booths! Field trip: The Yarmouth Clam Festival

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July 22–26 Ocean Above and Below

Calling all mermaids, pirates, and sea life! Explore the ocean as we play Capture the Pirate Flag, Fishy Fishy, and more. Field trip: Aquaboggan

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July 29–August 2 Leaves, S.T.E.M. & Petals

Explore Pineland’s campus with a scientist’s eye.

Learn about the gadgets and gizmos that make Funtown so exciting. Field trip: Funtown

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August 5–9 Backyard Bash

Enjoy sweet sunshine and classic summertime activities like kickball, lawn games, and a picnic bash with our friends from Otter Pond.

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August 12–16 Pineland Survivor

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August 19–23 Color Wars

Enjoy a week of fun competition with classic camp activities. The winners will get a proud display at the Y for years to come! Activity: Camp BBQ.

August 26–30 So Long Summer

For you dedicated campers, we present an extra week of fun-filled games and summer activities!

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Test your tribe with challenges and obstacle courses, and make tribe flags, buffs, and immunity idols.

Who will win? Field trip: roller skating

Located at our Pineland branch in New Gloucester, campers will love our swimming pool, bowling alley, gymnasium, field trips, and 20 miles of trails, open fields, and frog ponds.

KARA PHILLIPS, CAMP DIRECTOR 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester, ME kphillips@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org 207.688.2255 x611

OPEN HOUSE

6/1,10AM–12PM JOIN US!

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CAMP SOKOKIS Northern York County Branch WEEK

WEEK THEME

DESCRIPTION

First Chance

June 10–14 Camp Kickoff!

Vacation is finally here and so is camp! Come enjoy all that summer can be with games, swimming, arts and crafts and making new friends.

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June 17–21 Grossology

Don’t be afraid to get a bit SLIMEY and discover your inner scientist! Field trip: Biddeford Pool Beach

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June 24–28 It’s a Jungle Out There

Escape into the wild. Come explore amazing animals, from bugs to bears. Field trip: York’s Wild Animal Kingdom

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July 1–5 Freedom for All

We will celebrate the USA and explore what makes it great! No camp July 4th. Field trip: Fort Williams

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July 8–12 Sokokis Cinemas

Become a star by creating movies, plays, or skits that portray the Y’s core values.

Field trip: Maine Wildlife Park

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July 15–19 Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead

Enjoy hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math.

Field trip: Funtown

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July 22–26 Splishin’ & Splashin’

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July 29–August 2 Sokokis Carnival

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August 5–9 A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Explore the far reaches of the galaxy and learn to use the Force, you will. Field trip: USM Planetarium

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August 12–16 Time Traveler

Travel back in time to ancient civilizations as we study how they thrived. Field trip: Happy Wheels/Children’s Museum

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August 19–23 Sokokis Games

Got camp spirit? Let it shine at the annual Sokok’athon games! Celebrate your achievements at the awards ceremony.

August 26–30 So Long Summer

For you dedicated campers, we present an extra week of fun-filled games and summer activities!

Last Chance

“I have been sending my children to Camp Sokokis for 10+ years and love the fun memories of summer they have made!”

—Camp Parent

Let the water games begin! Be prepared for a wet and wild week! Field trip: Aquaboggan We’re putting on a carnival! Help us make games and activities, all to benefit kids through the J. Philip Denison Fund.

Located at our Northern York County Branch in Biddeford, Camp Sokokis includes a rock wall, ropes course, archery, sports fields, outdoor amphitheater, volleyball, swimming, and hiking trails on 26 beautiful wooded acres.

CHEYENNE GEYER, CAMP DIRECTOR 3 Pomerleau St., Biddeford, ME cgeyer@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org 207.874.1111 x 121

OPEN HOUSE

6/8,10AM–12PM JOIN US!

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SPECIALTY CAMPS

FOR ALL

The Y offers special-interest camps in outdoor education throughout the summer.

Space is limited, so sign up early.

Financial Assistance & Subsidies

OTTER POND CAMP SPECIALTIES CAMP INFO

WEEK

DESCRIPTION

ADVENTURE GIRLS

4: July 8–12 8: August 5–9

Learn how to build a fire, paddle a canoe, and climb to the top of our high-ropes course!

Girls will work together, building confidence, and overcoming challenges, while exploring our 500 acre wilderness. Camp is filled with STEM activities, water adventures & fishing!

$255.00 Girls Ages 9–12 Limited to 16

CREATURE CATCHING

$255.00 Week 5: ages 6–9 Week 7: ages 9-12 Limited to 16

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SKILLS

5: July 15–19 7: July 29–Aug 2

6: July 22–26 9: August 12–16

$255.00 Ages 9–12 Limited to 16

We believe all children deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve through educational programs like summer camp. That’s why we’re committed to serving everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

If affording camp is challenging for your family, you have a number of financial assistance options, including the Y’s income-based sliding scale, plus Aspire and other State subsidies. To learn more about these options, speak to our Membership team or visit us online at ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/camphelp.

Note: Completed financial assistance and subsidy applications are due two weeks prior to the start of your camp week.

FEES & FINE PRINT

You’d be amazed at how many interesting creatures live in the forest and the water of Otter Pond!

Campers will capture (and release) specimens to study and scientifically investigate! This week will be full of fishing, frog catching, bug hunting and many other creatures! Create a nature journal to document your discoveries at camp!

Our innovative program highlights primitive skill building. Kids will learn to orienteer, fish, climb, hike, and handle a canoe, even when flipped.

They’ll build shelter, cook on an open fire, make their own lures, learn to identify local flora and fauna, and they might eat a cricket or two!

TEEN LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY Leader-In-Training (LIT) is offered at all camps.

Weekly Fees

Camp Osprey, In-Town Camp, Camp Sokokis, & Camp Pineland: $235 per session, per child.* Week 3 adjusted to $205 (Closed July 4).

Otter Pond Camp $255 per session, per child.* Week 3 adjusted to $220 (Closed July 4).

Specialty Camps $255 per session, per child.* *

$50 deposit per session due at registration.

Incentives (may be combined, no registration fee) Early Bird Register by May 1, save $10 for each week of camp!

Multiple Sessions Register by June 1 for 7+ weeks of camp, save $10 for each week!

Sibling Weekly fees reduced by $10 per session per child for the second and every subsequent child from the same family attending the same camp session.

Example: 1st Child= $235.00; 2nd Child= $225.00; 3rd Child =$225.00

Cancellations & Refunds

For teens ages 13-16 looking to become strong leaders. We’ll focus on team building, community inclusion, and stewardship practices, while engaging in activities and discussions about leadership styles, communications methods, and team building.

A service project will help you hone your new skills while benefiting your camp.

All deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Weekly program fees for campers who leave for behavioral reasons will not be refunded. For cancellations other than verifiable medical reasons, tuitions paid in advance (minus deposit) will be refunded if we receive written notice with reason for withdrawal at least two weeks before the start of the sessions.

$385.00 (3 week session)

Special Needs

Session 1: June 24–July 12 Session 2: July 15–August 2 Session 3: August 5–23

If your child has any special behavioral or medical needs, including allergies, please speak with your Camp Director to determine if we can safely accommodate them.

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New Gloucester Standish

Cumberland

Freeport Portland

Westbrook

Biddeford

Bus stops to Standish

(Otter Pond Camp)

Camp locations

YMCA OF SOUTHERN MAINE 5 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS! Plus, bus service to and from Otter Pond is available from locations in Portland, Westbrook, Cumberland, and New Gloucester at no additional charge.

For details, visit: ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/op-bus ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/camp

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