Celebrating 90 Years
For nine decades, Pine Tree Society has been a pioneer empowering Maine children and adults with disabilities to discover lives of passion and purpose. 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of Pine Tree Camp, a milestone that celebrated eight decades of barrier-free independence and life-changing outdoor experiences on North Pond. Building on that legacy, Pine Tree Society reached its own significant 90th anniversary milestone in 2026.
Founded in 1936 during the Great Depression, our history spans nearly half of Maine’s existence as a state and more than a third of American history itself.
Our organization began 36 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act and we have since evolved into a statewide provider serving all 16 Maine counties.
Statewide Impact
Pine Tree Camp is one of many programs we offer to create opportunities and break down barriers for Maine people with disabilities. Our services include: Speech-Language therapy and assistive technology, community support, case management, occupational therapy, sign language interpreting, a special-purpose preschool and an audiology program which we are proud to be reimagining in 2026.
Giving opportunities
Our work is made possible through the generosity of sponsors, foundations and individual donors.
Pine Tree Camp receives no state or federal funding and, each year, must raise over $2 million to cover operating expenses and tuition for campers. No camper is ever turned away due to their inability to pay. 98% of camper families require tuition assistance.
- Individual Donations: $2,300 will send one Maine child or adult with a disability to camp for a life-changing week of fully accessible, barrier-free outdoor fun.
- Corporate Sponsorships: From supporting a fundraising event, to sending a child to camp, to sponsoring a special project, or funding specialized programs for Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth or for kids learning how to use high-tech devices to communicate, corporate sponsorships are an investment in our community that changes lives.
- Foundations and Grants: Provide critical funding for specialized programs, adaptive equipment, pre-school classrooms, our unique Leadership in Training Program for Maine youth and summer training for college students that creates the next generation of service and health care providers.
- Gifts of Stock: If you’d like to make a gift of stock, please contact Chief Development Officer, Adria King, at (207) 386-5915.
- Bequests: By including Pine Tree Society in your will, children and adults with disabilities will get to experience the life-changing magic of Pine Tree Camp for years to come.
Volunteer opportunities
- Individual Opportunities include serving on our Board, volunteering at events and assisting with our 90-year anniversary archive project – cataloging and preserving our pioneering service to the state of Maine.
- Group Opportunities include coming “upta camp” to get the docks and boats in and out for the season, clean up days, trail work, landscaping and gardening.
Upcoming Events
- October 10: Pine Tree Palooza 90th anniversary celebration at Lost Valley
- October 24: Flutie 5K at Pine Tree Camp
- December 9: World premiere screening of Pine Tree Society’s new documentary in Bath
- February 5-6: Pine Tree Camp’s legendary Egg Ride, Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-in and Carmel Electric Auction for Pine Tree Camp
Full details at www.pinetreesociety.org.
