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September 19, 2024 2024 Giving Guide

Maine Summer Camps

Who We Are

Maine Summer Camps (MSC) is the public face of the Maine Youth Camping Foundation (MYCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the Maine Youth Camp Association (MYCA), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Since 2008, MSC has been organized as two nonprofit organizations with different purposes. MYCA focuses solely on governmental relations and advocacy, engages year-round on regulatory concerns, and updates camp professionals on the many forces that can affect them. MYCF creates networks and provides professional development and support for camps at a time when such support is greatly needed. A primary goal is to provide free camp information to the public.

Founded as the Maine Camp Directors Association (MCDA) in 1934, the organization helped create the Junior Maine Guide (JMG) program in 1937. To this day, JMG continues to provide certification for teens who master a specific set of wilderness skills. MCDA enlarged its membership in 1982 to include individuals, businesses and other organizations supportive of children’s camping and incorporated as the Maine Youth Camping Association (MYCA) reflecting the wide diversity of camps (private, nonprofit, religious, resident, day and specialty). A pioneer in youth camping, MYCA created the first state camp licensing law in the country. Many of those original standards are still used in the accreditation of youth camps nationally by the American Camp Association.

Since 2008, MYCA and MYCF have worked closely together for the benefit of summer camps in Maine and the benefit of children from Maine, New England, the United States and around the world.

What We Do

MSC serves 140-plus member camps and adventure programs across the state. One hundred and twenty-five Business Members specialize in providing goods and services to member camps. We maintain a searchable website of Maine camps, provide a print camp directory, and assist families in seeking summer opportunities for their children, including those with special physical or financial needs.

Using our online presence and publications, we enhance the public’s understanding of the value of attending camp in Maine. We assist camp and business members by offering in-person and virtual training and a broad range of resources and updates, including legislative and regulatory news and updates on best practices.

Fundraising Events/Opportunities

Join us for our annual Business Member Networking Extravaganza. The event, FREE for Business Members, will be held in Greater Portland on Jan. 29, 2025. This mini-trade show is a fantastic opportunity to meet with Camp Leaders (directors/owners, executive directors and administrators) face to face and present your services and products directly to camp decision makers in an informal setting. The Extravaganza follows MSC’s major educational event of the year – a three-hour workshop on a timely topic.

Giving Opportunities

There are numerous ways to support the mission of Maine Summer Camps:

Sponsor

• Business sponsorships of MSC educational offerings for camp professionals are available.

• Support our educational opportunities and impact the lives of 60,000+ campers and 20,000+ staff members in Summer 2025.

Contact camps@mainesummercamps.org.

Become A Business Member

• Be listed in the special 2025 print and online editions of Maine Summer Camps Directory

• Access camp contact information

Visit mainecamps.org/business-members/membership/

Donate

• Scan the QR Code on the facing page today!

• Support one or more of our programs.

Volunteer Opportunities

Camps in Maine are thrilled to have volunteer work groups. Contact camps@mainecamps.org to coordinate a customized opportunity for your business team.

Leadership

 

Lucy J. Norvell
Executive Director

Matt Pines
MYCF President

 

Maine Youth Camping Foundation (MYCF) Board Members 2023-2024

Officers:

President: Matt Pines – Maine Teen Camp

Immediate Past President: Beigette Gill – Fernwood Cove

Vice President: Terri Mulks – Camp Susan Curtis

Treasurer/Finance Chair: Fritz Seving – Camp Fernwood

Secretary: Karen Malm – Camp Agawam

 

Elected Board Members:

Garth Altenburg – Cape Elizabeth, ME

Steven Bernstein – Camp North Star of Maine

Matt Cornish – Camp Beech Cliff

Richard B. Deering – Birch Rock Camp

Mike Douglass – Camp Bishopswood

Jessica Decke – UMaine, 4-H Camp at Tanglewood

Anna Hopkins Buller – Friends Camp

Alex Jackson – Camp Runoia

Kathy Jonas – Camp Walden

Peter Kassen – Lincolnville, ME

Mike Katz – Casco, Maine

Andy Lilienthal – Camp Winnebago

Mark Lipof – Camp Micah

Laura Ordway – Winona Camps

Arleen Shepherd – Camp Skylemar

Catriona Sangster – Camp Wawenock

Lisa Tripler – Kamp Kohut

 

Appointed & Ex,Officio Members:

Business Representative: Jim Chalmers – Chalmers Insurance Group

Business Representative: Jack Day – Norway Savings Bank

Counsel: Nancy Savage Marcus – Curtis Thaxter LLC

Clerk: Tyler Costello – Curtis Thaxter LLC

Jack Erler – Emeritus

 

Maine Youth Camp Association (MYCA) Board Members 2023-2024

Officers: President: Laura Ordway – Winona Camps

Vice President: Peter Hirsch – Camp Androscoggin

Treasurer and Past President: Steve Sudduth – Wyonegonic Camps

Secretary: Pam Cobb – Camp Runoia

 

Elected Board Members:

Fritz Seving – Camp Fernwood

Tracy St. Onge-May – The Summer Camp

Mark Standen – Camp Kawanhee

Norm Thombs – Camp Mechuwana

Dawn Willard-Robinson – Pine Tree Camp

 

Appointed & Ex-Officio Members:

Nancy Savage Marcus – Counsel, Curtis Thaxter, LLC

Newell Augur – Government Relations and Lobbying, Pierce Atwood, LLP

Tyler Costello – Clerk, Curtis Thaxter, LLC

Matt Pines – Maine Teen Camp

Mary Ellen Deschenes – Emeritus

Jack Erler – Emeritus

At A Glance

 

Established: 1934

Employees: 2

Annual revenue: $438,308

Top funding sources

34.6% Dues

30.8% Corporate donations

20.8% Program revenue

9.2% Foundation donations

3.2% Individual donations

1.3% Other revenue

Contact

550 Forest Ave., Suite 203

Portland, ME 04101

207-518-9557

 

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1861, Portland, ME 04104

mainecamps.org

Facebook: MaineSummerCamps

Instagram: mainesummercamps

Awards/Accolades

In February of 2024, Maine Summer Camps Indigenous Neighbors Working Group received a Special Recognition from the American Camp Association at its national conference. The award recognized the working group’s focus on positive change and its sustained, inclusive efforts to bring attention to issues relating to camps and Indigenous communities.

Mission Statement

Maine Summer Camp’s mission is to support and promote meaningful developmental, educational, environmental, and recreational experiences for children.

Service locations

Statewide