Why do you come to Pine Tree Camp? July 9, 2013
Posted by pinetreecamp in 2013 summer, Athletics, Campers Experiences, Crafts, Drama, Experience, Facility, Hiking, Interviews, Meal Time, Overnight Camping, Waterfront Activities.Tags: accessible, adaptive, adaptive summer camp, assistive, barrier-free, camp, campers, campership, developmental, disabilities, kayaking, Maine, pine tree, Pine Tree Camp, Pine Tree Society, summer, summer camp, waterfront, wishboats
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As session three of Pine Tree Camp started today, we asked campers what kept them coming back each year. Here are some of the responses:
“I am so happy to come and be on vacation!”
“I get to do activities I can’t do at home.”
“Pine Tree Camp rules, that’s why!”
“Playing sports, reading, swimming and having someone else cook – it’s the best!”
“Hearing your name called and the cheers as you drive in makes me feel like a rock star. It’s amazing!”
“I get to see my friends, people I love to laugh with and have the best time ever.”
Pine Tree Camp is an open book June 26, 2012
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At 27, Jessica Littlefield has experienced a lot. After a car accident seven years ago left her paralyzed from the chest down, she refused to let that hold her back.
“I worked really hard at my rehab,” Littlefield said. “I knew I could do something great.” 
And great she was. In 2010 Littlefield was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maine.
“It was amazing to travel to Michigan for the nationals and meet so many wonderful girls who had similar and different disabilities than me,” Littlefield recalled. “I made so many connections and friends that I still have now.”
Littlefield went through the process with an open mind, knowing that each event was a chance to advocate and build relationships.
Since transitioning the crown, though, Littlefield has felt a little bored.
“I’m such a social butterfly,” Littlefield smiled. “I love being around people and talking and learning about them.”
So after several years of her friends begging her to go, Littlefield agreed to give Pine Tree Camp a try for the first time this year.
“I’m excited for the vacation with my friends,” Littlefield said. “We’ll get to do things together we wouldn’t normally get to do.”
And just what those things are, Littlefield doesn’t know.
“I have no expectations or set activities that I want to do,” Littlefield said. “I just want to sit back and enjoy the experience of being here and what it will bring.”
Before her accident, Littlefield enjoyed swimming, kayaking, boating and waterskiing – all activities she hasn’t participated in since.
“I am open to trying them all this week at camp,” Littlefield said. “I’m excited at the chance to try them all. I’m just going to see what each day holds and let the week flow.”
It’s the sunsets that force me back to camp each summer July 18, 2011
Posted by pinetreecamp in 2011 summer, Accessible Treehouses, Anniversary Year, Athletics, Buildings, Campers Experiences, Counselors, Crafts, Drama, Experience, Facility, Hiking, Meal Time, Overnight Camping, Uncategorized, Waterfront Activities.add a comment
Throughout the summer, Pine Tree Camp has asked those close to camp to write a guest blog. Here is the first guest blog from veteran camper Mike Reynolds.
Camp is a second home, it’s filled with friends I have had since childhood, friends who are also disabled, friends who understand when your body is not working well, friends who remember the 
various inside jokes and can commiserate over memories of friends who no longer attend camp. Camp is where people live; despite whatever diagnosis they may have. Camp is a place where a guy who uses an assistive device to speak is given a main part in Drama and it isn’t an issue; he’s the guy who wanted the role. The fact he uses technology to speak is about as important as his hair color, with wheelchairs and walkers as plentiful and as normal as shoes and socks, it is a different place with different priorities. Lives are changed here. I met that force the first time I stayed up and watched the sunrise, as my friend and I chatted all night about the death of his older brother, with a counselor sneaking us chocolate chip cookies and Coke, the rest of the cabin lying asleep. It is still one of the most poignant memories of my life.
The adult session works to meet the needs of a diverse group of campers. Some campers require much more supervision or care, and there are cabins where staff is very attentive to those needs. There are campers who live independently or have family come and care for them, and there is a cabin for those folks. Activities are structured so everyone can go at their own pace, choose what they want to do, or, just choose to not do an activity at all; I try and always “catch up on reading or work or some writing,” often with little success. Camp is not a vacation; camp is an escape into disability culture. The focus isn’t on the disability, but the collective experience of being disabled. There are campers who find their voice, confidence and courage at camp, then bring that confidence in the rest of the year. The slogan of “discovering abilities together” isn’t just a clever slogan, it lies at the core of what makes Pine Tree Camp one of the leading camps for individuals with disabilities in the nation.
It is the sunsets that force me back to camp each summer. The glorious sunsets and the tranquility of North Pond are constants in my memory of nearly three decades here. Camp staff changes, Campers come and go each session, but the sunsets remain extraordinary. I can not imagine life without looking forward to another summer of sunsets.
Check out check-in July 15, 2011
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Devon Libbey lives in Portland. The hour and a half drive to Pine Tree Camp on opening day is full of excitement and pure joy.
“He can’t stop talking the whole drive up about friends, stories, things he wants to do,” friend Dan Chalaby said. “It’s contagious though. It’s my 
first time bringing Devon and I found myself just as excited.”
As Devon and Dan pull in to camp, they are greeted with quite a welcome – the announcement of where Devon will be staying and a thunderous cheer from all the camp staff as they line the road. Window down, Devon high fives some of the staff members as he rides through, his contagious smile spreading to Dan.
“This is really cool,” Dan beams.
Once parked, staff from Devon’s cabin greets him at the car and walks him to the Wellness Center for check-in.
Chris Easterling, second year staffer, lets Devon know that he’ll watch for him to be done checking in then will take him to the cabin. Devon is staying in the highly coveted Shack this year.
“It has a/c. That’s the coolest,” Devon smiles.
As he stands in line, Devon talks about his favorite part of camp – the drama program. He loves doing skits, voices for animation and comedy shows. Devon is interrupted by the first station of check-in – name tag picture. This is a quick station and he’s on to the second station – forms. Dan is given a few forms and a clipboard to fill out. Most of these are follow-up questions to the application and going through them is fairly fast.
“I can’t wait for the overnight and to hear the ghost stories,” Devon says as he’s waiting for Dan to finish up. 
Paperwork complete, Devon is free to head to the Shack. He gets to skip the medical station because he doesn’t have any medication. This station allows parents the chance to talk with a nurse about the medications needed during the week and the regime.
Devon’s off to the car to grab his bags and as promised, Chris meets him. Devon and Dan decide to drive over to the Shack and Chris walks. At the door, Chris is there and pitches in carrying Devon’s bags into his room. Once inside, Dan starts unpacking while Chris shows Devon around and tells him who his roommates will be.
“This is so cool,” Devon says. “I want to kick back and relax now.”
Chris explains he has a few more things to talk to Devon about and then Devon can do all the relaxing he wants. Chris goes over a questionnaire that asks questions about allergies, bathing, medical conditions, and favorite foods.
“It’s a lot of similar information as in the application. It just allows us to ensure there’s a consistency with the forms and talk to the camper firsthand about the information,” explains Chris. “Finding out from the camper that they’re afraid of thunderstorms, you can hear in their voice how they really feel. Reading what mom or dad wrote, you can’t really gauge it.”
Chris wraps up the questionnaire and let’s Devon know he’s free to do what he’d like now.
“Let’s make the bed, Dan!”
After the bed is made, Devon and Dan walk to the deck for a quick camera lesson and a quick call to mom to let her know Devon arrived and is settled in. A hug and a wave, and Dan is off, driving back to Portland, and Devon is standing on the deck of the Shack, waving, smiling from ear to ear.
“When’s the overnight? What is going on Sunday night?” Devon is excited for the week to begin.
Opening Day Session 3 – Welcome Campers! July 12, 2011
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What do you remember about opening day at camp? How did it make you feel when everyone cheered for you?
Drama! at Pine Tree Camp July 30, 2010
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Each activity program at Pine Tree Camp is created specifically to offer its campers traditional summer camp experiences that are adapted to meet their special needs. The drama program was established during the very first years of camp, and still holds to be a popular choice for campers. Unlike other activity programs though, drama is the only program that asks campers to commit through the entire week. It is also one of the few activities in which campers use self-expression and creativity.
While many campers say they love either participating or watching the final performance in front of all of Pine Tree Camp, the camp staff commit to providing additional encouragement to campers that are considering participating in the play.
“Staff hype it up and really encourage the play,” says Greg King, Pine Tree Camp’s Program Coordinator. “This is really huge for them because for most campers, this is the first, and maybe only time, they will participate in dramatics, and get in front of a crowd.”
Last week during the children with physical disabilities session, campers had the opportunity to participate in a tribute to the High School Musical movies. Click to see the video footage during one of their very first practices.
Similar to other traditional summer camps, Pine Tree Camp requires that any camper interested in joining the play come to a first audition. It is here where any camper interested in a speaking part will audition in front of the drama program director. Offered in the afternoon sessions, campers who decide they want to join the program are asked to attend rehearsal every afternoon leading up to the big performance at the end of the weekend. However, everyone who attends the first audition is welcome to have a part in the play. For campers who are not interested in having a leading role, they simply attend the first audition to learn about the week’s rehearsal schedule and plans for the play.
On the last day of camp, all Pine Tree Camp staff and campers come together in the Rec hall, following their last camp breakfast, to attend the drama program’s debut performance. Through the years, the drama program has morphed from a full production play into shorter musical tributes. These musical tributes have received a great response from campers, as the performance theme is always determined based on the age group of the camp session. This half hour performance is the perfect cap to a great week at camp.
Scrapbook feature of the week: July 19, 1945 poem July 19, 2010
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The clouds came up on a summer day and covered the clear blue sky,
They hid the face of the sun away while the sudden storm swept by.
And stricken the flowers, when the fierce wind blew, bent low to the tempest’s power,
But they smiled in spite of their tears of dew, in the rainbow, after the shower.
The clouds come up when our life is bright and covered the sun away,
And the heart grows chill in the sudden night, and longs for the vanished day.
But the clouds pass by with the summer rain, and then like a storm-tossed flower,
The heart looks up and is glad again, in the rainbow after the shower.
– May Hayden Taylor, Pine Tree Camp 1945
When the sky is really the limit June 25, 2010
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“I love being involved with a place that allows campers to spread their wings and be free.” – Sue Zittle, Pine Tree Camp’s Registered Nurse
Each day, Pine Tree Camp strives to provide new opportunities for campers to challenge themselves. In line with Pine Tree Society’s mission, to provide Maine children and adults with disabilities the opportunities and the means to create better lives for themselves, Pine Tree Camp is constantly breaking down barriers to offer new experiences for campers.
And this belief holds true through all aspects of camp’s daily routine. With both morning and afternoon activity sessions, campers are encouraged to push their limits and participate in opportunities they may have never experienced before. Camp’s staff support campers through each day and try to accommodate all of their wishes and requests, truly making campers feel that nothing is impossible and enriching their overall experience at camp.
Some activities include adaptive tennis, kayaking, swimming, and even drama. Having such a wide variety of activities helps provide a place where campers really do feel they are free to participate in anything, and are not confined to the restrictions that may have been a roadblock to them in their lives.
In addition to learning new activities, campers also learn life skills throughout camp.
“Activities not only challenge their abilities, but also teach campers how to work together and to share”, said Kim Bucciantini. “A perfect example of making anything happen is the new treehouse.”
In 2008, Pine Tree Camp became home to Maine’s only fully accessible treehouse. Here, campers of any age are able to experience the magic of make believe, and spending time high up in the woods. For most campers, it is their very first experience of being inside a treehouse, making it a highlight of Pine Tree Camp, and a memory they will take with them.
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Have you ever had the opportunity to experience something new that you never thought possible? Share with us…
Pine Tree Camp is Unbelievable! 
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