The pleasures of North Pond August 26, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Waterfront Activities.add a comment
The beautiful shore of North Pond is one of Pine Tree Camps most appealing locations. With over a mile of waterfront, Pine Tree Camp is ideal for a variety of aquatic activities including swimming, boating, fishing and kayaking. At any time, campers can find something to do to cool off during hot summer days. In addition to enjoying themselves, campers often find a true passion and appreciation for being near the water.
“It’s just really incredible to see campers that aren’t able to walk on land, but then you just put them in the water and they just are free to go where they want. They swim around, have a good time with each other. It’s really amazing,” said former Waterfront Director Liz Baker.
With each aquatic activity comes a sense of freedom. The activities can be challenging, relaxing or just plain old fun. For many campers swimming just can’t be beat.
“My favorite activity would have to be swimming,” said Kelley Handy, Pine Tree camper. “I just love to swim.”
For others it is the thrill of catching the biggest large mouth bass they have ever seen.
“I caught the biggest fish ever. It was like this big,” said former camper Alex Hooper, holding his hands out six inches.
While kayaking on North Pond, campers can see some of the most picturesque views, wildlife and unbelievable sunsets. For campers who use wheelchairs, kayaking offers a unique opportunity to experience a new type of freedom and independence.
For a number of campers, Pine Tree Camp is the only place they have to enjoy activities on the water. According to many parents and caregivers, Pine Tree Camp is one of the few places that offers their child the safety requirements and individualized support necessary to spend time in the water. At Pine Tree Camp, the facility is fully equipped and adapted. The staff is trained to provide campers with typical summer camp waterfront activities, regardless of their ability level.
Until next year Camp Pine Cone August 7, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Campers Experiences.add a comment
Camp Pine Cone’s last session has ended, but the memories continue.
This summer 25 children ages 5-12 were able to enjoy a week-long day camp program at Pine Tree Camp. Known as Camp Pine Cone, the day camp’s goal is to give younger children the opportunity to experience traditional summer camp activities in a fully accessible setting.
“Camp Pine Cone has been an amazing addition to Pine Tree Camp’s programming,” said Dawn Willard-Robinson, Director of Program Management at Pine Tree Camp. “Camp Pine Cone is perfect for children who may not be quite ready to sleep over, but can still enjoy all that summer camp has to offer.”
Similar to the overnight camp, day camp provides valuable summer recreation with opportunities for growth and personal development. Children can play with friends, explore their natural environment and participate in a wide variety of summer activities. A few of these activities include swimming, boating, fishing, playing in the treehouse or hiking on Pine Tree Camp’s accessible nature trails.
“Tristan talks about Camp Pine Cone all winter long and tells people how he drives a boat, goes fishing and has lots of friends,” said Amy Bouchard, mother of day camper Tristan Bouchard.
In addition, Bouchard commented that she and her daughter were able to make some lasting summer memories of there own while Tristan was at Camp Pine Cone.
“Ashley and I had fun together. Sunset Camps was a perfect place for us to go during the day,” she said. “Ashley had a blast and I got to relax.”
Thanks for joining us Camp Pine Coners! See you next summer!
Batter Up! July 27, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Athletics, Campers Experiences.add a comment
It is the top of the ninth, 3-2, bases loaded, Andrew is up to bat. The pitch is thrown.
“Strike one!” yells the umpire.
As the second pitch is thrown, feelings of both nervousness and excitement take over the two teams. This time the bat and the ball make contact.
“Foul ball!” shouts the umpire.
Now with full concentration, Andrew is back at the plate and ready to make a game winning hit for his team. He looks at the pitcher as if it’s just the two of them on the field. The pitcher winds up, looks over his left shoulder and throws the ball. The baseball field is silent. It’s a pop up to center field right over several of the campers’ heads. Two campers race after the ball. Tyler picks it up and throws it to home plate, hoping for the out.
“Safe!” the umpire exclaims.
Cheers, laughter and a few victory dances later, both teams shake hands and walk away, arm in arm to their next activity.
Baseball is one of the outdoor games that can be adapted to meet campers’ special needs. In this particular game, bases were placed a little closer together and the bat was made out of a light weight plastic rather than aluminum. More importantly, each camper was provided with individualized support from the counseling staff. For instance, one camper who had limited arm strength ran the bases in his motorized wheelchair. In one play, he even stole a base to bring in a run for his team. Another camper had the opportunity to play catcher for the first time in his life. Together they celebrated their abilities.
Friendships are born at Pine Tree Camp July 14, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Experience.add a comment
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” ~ Flavia Weedn
Pine Tree Camp is not just about participating in summer camp activities, but maybe even more importantly, it is about making friends that will last a lifetime.
Just ask Kelley Handy.
“I met my best friend here, her name is Kayla and we both have Cerebral Palsy, she been the best influence on me,” said Kelley. “We mostly talk about having a disability… I have a couple of friends in my hometown where I talk about my disability, they try to understand but they can’t completely. Kayla understands cause we’ve been there and we’re both gonna be there so, it’s really nice to have her.”
This will be Kelley’s fourth summer at Pine Tree Camp, she has been coming since she was twelve.
Kelley says they do not have the opportunity to talk so much during the school year, but once they get to camp they are inseparable.
A best friend can cheer you up when you are down or make you laugh until you cry. A best friend can tell you the same story twice or say nothing at all. The feeling of a best friend is a universal. Here is to wishing all of 2009 Pine Tree campers a great season. We hope you all have fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones too!
A Magical Place July 8, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Accessible Treehouses, Campers Experiences.add a comment
“A treehouse is all about freedom and the joy of living,” commented Anne Marsh, Executive Director of Pine Tree Society, at the June 2008 ribbon cutting of Maine’s first fully accessible treehouse.
The treehouse is right at home, nestled in the woods at Pine Tree Camp’s 280-acre, barrier free facility. Pine Tree Society designed and built the treehouse in partnership with Forever Young Treehouses, an organization based in Burlington, Vermont. Forever Young builds accessible treehouses for schools, camps and towns throughout the United States. Their goal is to build one in every state.
“Being up in a tree, inside a living thing, is a spiritual experience,” says Bill Allen, co-founder of Forever Young Treehouses. “A part of their beauty is that they’re like snowflakes – no two are the same.”
The treehouses built by Forever Young are wonderful and whimsical structures that reach into the canopies of the trees and are accessed through a series of ramps and decks.
The feelings of joy and freedom associated with climbing a tree are unknown to people with mobility challenges. With a fully accessible treehouse at Pine Tree Camp, Pine Tree Society is pleased to offer new and exciting adventures to campers and visitors who come to camp to experience recreational activities.
For some campers, this is the first opportunity they have had to experience the freedom of being in a treehouse.
“Who wants to go check out the treehouse?” asked Greg King, Nature Program Director, to a group of campers.
The reaction was priceless. With a pause, one camper answered “A treehouse, like up in a tree? I’ve never been in a treehouse before.”
“Well then let’s go,” replied King.
As the campers made their way up to the treehouse, they were in awe. Smiles of excitement and glee appeared on everyone’s faces. There was no hesitation, just pure enjoyment. One eager camper, Kathryn Spencer, asked, “Am I really in a treehouse?”
Never in her thirty years had Kathryn thought she would have the opportunity to know what it feels like to be in a treehouse. Even though Kathryn cannot see what it looks like to be 10 feet off the ground, she can certainly feel the magic of being in a treehouse designed for her and her friends.
So much to do at Pine Tree Camp June 29, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Campers Experiences.add a comment
Rain or shine, nothing can bring down the mood at Pine Tree Camp. For the past week everyone has been wondering if the rain will ever stop. Fortunately, when campers are here, there is so much to do and so many people to see, the rain doesn’t seem to get in the way.
“Thankfully we didn’t have to cancel too many activities because of the weather,” comments Dawn Willard-Robinson, Pine Tree Camp Programming Director, on last week’s camp session. Campers participated in a number of activities such as rock and roll bowling, 80’s dance night and one evening a magician took the stage. Friday night they performed in a talent show titled, “Pine Tree Camp’s got Talent.” “They really enjoyed getting up on stage and showing fellow campers and staff their musical, dance and comedic talents,” smiles Dawn. “We all had a really good time.”
Saturday turned out to be beautiful, allowing campers to enjoy the outdoor life that Pine Tree Camp has to offer. Many campers took a ride on one of the pontoon boats, went for a swim in North Pond’s still chilly waters, took a hike on the accessible nature trails or spent time in the treehouse.
Saturday night campers enjoyed a celebratory picnic-banquet and dance to wrap up their six-day session. The theme was “An Evening by the Lake.”
Opening day at Pine Tree Camp June 26, 2009
Posted by ktherrien in Uncategorized.add a comment
“Coming down the hill is Mike from cabin three!” shouts Melanie, Program Leader for Pine Tree Camp. This is Mike’s 13th year attending Pine Tree Camp. Many of his friends are at the bottom of the hill clapping their hands to welcome him. A feeling of excitement takes over at Pine Tree Camp…opening day is here and everyone is ready. By 9 a.m. everything is in full swing.
* * * * * * * * * *
As campers arrive, family members, caregivers and counselors help them check in. A few important and necessary steps need to happen prior to campers saying good bye to their loved ones. First, they need to register, check in with camp staff and get a name badge. Second, campers and their families will sit down and discuss medical and emergency information with the nursing staff. This ensures all medication and health information is current and clear. Lastly, campers proceed to their cabins and settle in. Camp Counselors and Cabin Leaders spend time with the parents or caregivers of each individual to learn about the camper’s habits, care, likes, dislikes and home routines.
With a hug and a kiss goodbye, family members begin to leave.
“It’s not like the first year, I was sobbing driving down the road,” comments a Pine Tree Camp parent. “Now, he is pushing me out the door and smiling, ‘Bye Mom, I love ya.’ He absolutely loves this place, and he loves all his friends he has met here.”
Seventy adults ages 35 and older with developmental disabilities are participating in Pine Tree Camp’s first session. For the next six days they will participate in a wide array of recreational activities while spending time with a few of their friends.
Training begins for Pine Tree Camp counselors June 19, 2009
Posted by pinetreesociety in Counselors.add a comment
Pine Tree Camp counselors are arriving by plane, train, and automobile! Thirty-three counselors are getting ready to spend their summer working at Pine Tree Camp in beautiful Rome, Maine.
Camp counselors arrive one week before camp opens for intensive training on disabilities and the campers’ special needs. Throughout the week guest speakers from various organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Spina Bifida Clinic, will visit camp to educate counselors about the disabilities they will encounter over the summer. They will learn how to adapt activities to meet camper’s specific needs, communication strategies to use with campers who are unable to communicate verbally and how to assist campers with basic needs including transferring, dressing and eating.
The counselor’s role is as challenging as it is rewarding. It has been described as the “hardest summer job I’ve ever loved.” Counselors live with campers and are expected to assist with personal care activities and ensure campers’ safety around the clock during their six-day stay. At its foundation, Pine Tree Camp exists to a traditional camp experience fully adapted so that all campers can safely participate regardless of their disability. Our counselors are on the front lines of making that happen.
The counselors who live and work with the campers are mostly college students studying for future careers in social work, rehabilitation, education or special education. They are intelligent and caring people who have the maturity necessary to adequately handle the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for campers with disabilities.
We are grateful to have them here and ready for our summer season to begin!
Pine Tree Camp’s Leadership Team gets started June 19, 2009
Posted by pinetreesociety in Counselors.add a comment
Leadership teambuilding
Pine Tree Camp’s 2009 Program and Unit Leaders began training for the summer season on May 29. Throughout the three days of intense training, Dawn Willard-Robinson, Director of Program Management at Pine Tree Camp, says her primary focus was to educate the team on what it means to lead.
“The staff understands that the quality of our camper’s experience is directly related to their standards of excellence and how they develop their team of counselors,” she said.
Another area of focus was to get to know teammates. They shared ideas of characteristics that create a strong team and participated in an array of team building activities. True to Pine Tree Society’s tagline, they discovered abilities together!
“It really brought us together. It showed that we all want to help. However, sometimes you need to take a step back, you can’t always be the leader,” said Theresa Koplin.
Theresa has been working at Pine Tree Camp for three years. She worked as a camp counselor her first year. This will be her second year as a Unit Leader.
A Unit Leader’s job is to make sure that the goals of Pine Tree Camp both in terms of camper goals and camper health safety are delivered each day. The Unit Leader is responsible for the day-to-day supervision, training, support and leadership of the cabin counseling staff. The Unit Leader must demonstrate all of the qualifications required of Pine Tree Camp counselors and have at least one year of experience as a successful Pine Tree Camp counselor.
As a Program Leader the main focus is to ensure that time spent in each program fosters the achievement of each camper. Pine Tree Camp’s programs include swimming, boating, drama, arts and crafts, outdoor games, nature and overnight camping. Program Leaders work with campers to develop positive attitudes and increase independence and self-confidence while having the time of their lives. Program Leaders are continuously doing whatever it takes to encourage and allow campers to fully participate in each program area. They also train, supervise and provide specific tasks for counselors assigned to camper groups to ensure that each camper is participating to the highest level of their ability.
Each member of the Pine Tree Camp Leadership Team adds to the camper’s experience. It is a privilege to have them here.
