This summer the YMCA Camp of Maine is celebrating 50 years of co-ed camping on Saturday, July 27 with an open house from 2-5 p.m., dinner, dance and silent auction event at the camp at 5:30 p.m.
Established in 1915, the YCamp of Maine has provided access to the outdoors and camping to countless youth from Maine and beyond. The camp was one of the first YMCA facilities built in the state and served as the overnight camping program of the State YMCA of Maine. Before cities and towns had swim and gym facilities, boys from “Y Clubs” spent summers learning leadership skills, how to work with their hands in the wood shop, on agricultural fields and swimming and boating on the lake.
Youth and staff from around the world continue to gather together along the shores of Lake Cobbosseecontee each summer. While a large contingent of campers come from Maine, many come from across the country and internationally, making for a robust experience rich with diverse cultures and languages from around the world. YCamp offers co-ed traditional camp sessions ranging from four days to two weeks for youth ages 7-15, as well as leadership programs for teens.
With leadership from Dave and Jean Dellert and Larry Guardella, the camp admitted girls for the first time in 1974. This equitable access, which we take for granted today, was a novelty back then. Because of this leadership, thousands of girls and young women have had wonderful experiences at YCamp. Women and girls have been able to partake in skill building, leadership development, increased confidence and sense of self. Girls at YCamp forged Lifelong friendships on the sports field, at the waterfront, at the pottery wheel and across tables at dinner time. For many, these experiences and relationships have been fundamental in their lives and careers.
Julia Munsey, alum, former staff and board member, said, ”From my first summer as a camper in 1974, YCamp gave me the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the state of Maine, the country, and the world. To this day as a YCamp alum I am still connected with so many of them and it has made my life richer in so many ways. As campers we were given the opportunity to learn outdoor skills, sports and arts skills, and to develop leadership skills based on core values and character development. My experience at YCamp was so impactful and to this day I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend.”
Jeff Gleason, CEO and camp director shares that he’s, “thrilled to celebrate 50 years of co-ed camping. The YMCA Camp of Maine was founded in 1915 as the ‘Camp of Character.’ We have always believed in leading with integrity. We know that everyone can bring grace, talent and perspective to our world. That is why we strive to create a place where people can grow and thrive. Co-ed camping helps youth learn to work collaboratively with individuals of different genders and challenge and break down gendered stereotypes. Progress is a shared responsibility that requires us to listen and learn, while sharing the actions we take as we move forward.”
While we celebrate 50 years of girls and women at camp, accessibility for all remains fundamental to our mission. Proceeds from this celebration event will go towards the camp’s capital campaign, to preserve camp for the next generation. The campaign addresses three initiatives of growing the endowment to $1M, funding the completion of a list of necessary capital improvements and fully funding our annual ‘fill the beds’ campership program. Over 60 percent of campers receive partial or full scholarships. More about the campaign can be found here https://www.maineycamp.org.
Tickets for the event can be purchased here: https://www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/AlumniDinnerDance50thanniversary.
