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.
feature close up: meet Greg July 28, 2010
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No matter where you look, whether it’s inside the Wellness Center, leading an afternoon activity or in the dining hall, there you’ll find Greg.
Meet Greg King, Pine Tree Camp’s Program Coordinator. His outgoing and animated personality is heard every day; his eagerness to help others is incredible; and his unlimited energy truly makes him one of Pine Tree Camp’s biggest assets.
Greg first came to Pine Tree Camp in 2005 on a visit to see his mom. As he drove down the hill to Pine Tree Camp’s beautiful North Pond waterfront, he was instantly in awe. His mom, Tina, Pine Tree Camp’s Medical Assistant, was working with a camper. Greg was immediately amazed at the feeling Pine Tree Camp gave him. That same day, he introduced himself to Dawn Willard-Robinson, Pine Tree Camp’s Director of Program Management.
“When I first met Dawn, I told her I was very interested in camp, and she asked if I was ready to start next week,” Greg describes, “and … I thought she was kidding.”
“Like a whirlwind,” as Greg describes, he immediately began a three-day intensive training. That following week, Greg became the newest member of Pine Tree Camp’s team as a counselor in cabin 5. Greg’s unique circumstances were unlike the traditional training processes for Pine Tree Camp staff. At the start of each summer, all Pine Tree Camp staff members arrive one week prior to opening day to participate in a highly demanding training. Coming on board midway through the summer, Greg’s first session as a counselor was during a session for children with physical disabilities.
Through the years, Greg has worn many hats at Pine Tree Camp, gaining an incredible amount of experience. He’s seen both sides as cabin counselor and program director of the nature and drama programs. Pine Tree Camp really hit home for him during the summer when Pine Tree Camp’s accessible tree house was unveiled. Watch the video to hear about Greg’s “Pine Tree Camp” moment in his own words.
“I love when campers come running up to me because they remember me from last summer.”
This year Greg celebrates his sixth summer at Pine Tree Camp. Today, he is in charge of program planning and scheduling for each session, as well as evaluating program quality to ensure programs are consistently evolving to meet the needs and requests of campers. In addition, Greg is still very hands-on and visible to campers. You can see him out and about, always helping out wherever possible, freeze pop in mouth, giving high-fives to campers. As a certified EMT, Greg also helps with training staff at Pine Tree Camp on safety procedures.
“Campers are incredible here. It really puts things in perspective,” says Greg. “All the little challenges and issues you face in your life don’t even come close to what one campers face each hour of their life.”
Scavenger hunts then and now: scrapbook image of the week! July 26, 2010
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Campers in 1945 learned the importance of manners by participating in evening scavenger hunts. Today, Pine Tree Camp keeps this tradition alive by incorporating scavenger hunts into a variety of camp activities.
Pine Tree Camp’s lifeguards offer fun, team building activities during the aquatics program. Campers are able to take part in a treasure hunt in North Pond, while enjoying the freedom the water brings. Campers participating in the aquatics scavenger hunt work together on a quest to find various “treasures” that are hidden on the beach and in the shallow swimming areas on Pine Tree Camp’s waterfront. Sometimes, the lifeguards will even have floating rafts in the water that campers can use to help find their treasured objects. These “hunts” teach campers to work together toward a common goal while enjoying swimming and spending time with friends.
In addition, campers often participate in scavenger hunts during Pine Tree Camp’s boating trips. Campers and staff work together to identify different sites during the North Pond scavenger hunt. While on the water, the boat will search for different sites including loon’s nests, Maine wildlife, and even a hidden painted rock! After the team of campers and staff have discovered all the sites needed to complete the scavenger hunt, the boat will cruise over to stop for ice cream on the water to celebrate their findings before returning back to camp.
These scavenger hunts allow for a unique twist to some of Pine Tree Camp’s most beloved activities, while challenging campers in a fun and light-hearted way.
Have you ever participated in a Pine Tree Camp scavenger hunt? Share with us your experience!
Young children also recieve traditional summer camp experience at Camp Pine Cone! July 23, 2010
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In 2006, Pine Tree Camp created a day camp program for younger children to help continue to serve the needs of all Maine people with disabilities, regardless of their age. Camp Pine Cone was designed for children with disabilities who could benefit from the summer camp experience, but were not yet ready for overnight camp or who have special needs that make attending an overnight camp challenging. Camp Pine Cone is located at Pine Tree Camp’s beautiful 285-acre barrier free facility on North Pond. This extraordinary day camp has helped young children discover their abilities from a very early a age by creating an environment that is both challenging, motivating, and fun for each child.
Nicolas Alexander has been attending Camp Pine Cone since he was 5 years old. As Nicholas was making his way down to the water for this morning’s swimming time, he expressed his feelings toward camp.
“I love camp. I love camp! I love boating!”
Children from ages 5 to 12 are welcome to attend day camp throughout the summer. Children come to Camp Pine Cone from morning until dinner time for their five day session. Camp Pine Cone provides the same high quality, innovative programming people have come to expect from Pine Tree Camp. Camper’s activities vary from day to day and include activities that are both challenging and fun for campers. Whether swimming, boating, arts and crafts, or story time on the front lawn, all activities are completely adaptive to meet each camper’s special needs.
Camp Pine Cone’s counselor to camper ratio is much lower than traditional day camps, a minimum of one staff to three campers. Caregivers and families are welcome to attend the day camp for children who require one-on-one support. Camp Pine Cone staff participate in a week-long training prior to Camp Pine Cone, similar to the training required of all Pine Tree Camp staff. Our staff are special people who are committed to providing individualized support to each camper so that he/she fully participates in every activity.
Many Pine Cone campers are very eager to start attending Pine Tree Camp’s overnight sessions as well. To help families better prepare for the transition, Pine Tree Camp offers each Pine Cone camper the option to spend one night in a cabin while they are at camp. With the families’ permission, campers will stay overnight to help make the transition period easier for both the young camper and their families. Through caring support from trained staff, campers will have the opportunity to try new things, experience success and increase their self-confidence alongside new friends in a safe, caring environment.
Adaptive kayaking provides campers a new type of freedom July 21, 2010
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Kayaking on North Pond has become one of Pine Tree Camp’s most desirable and exciting camper activities. For many campers, kayaking provides an opportunity to experience a new type of freedom and independence, regardless of their disability. It is an opportunity for each camper to work toward an end goal through hard work and cooperation. Campers are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and participate in kayaking during the time at camp. This encouragement has helped campers build courage and realize that they can be just like any other kid. Kayaking opens their eyes to opportunities they may have never thought were possible.
According to Greg King, Pine Tree Camp’s Program Coordinator, kayaking brings a great deal of excitement to campers.
“Kayaking is a huge hit with the campers. It is so huge because most campers don’t and won’t get the chance to kayak at any other time during the year,” said Greg.
Kayaking is accessible to each camper regardless of their disability. Before setting foot in kayaks, each camper participates in a safety session where they learn safety precautions and proper paddling procedures. After completion, each camper will sit in a tandem kayak with a camp staff member. The camp staff member is there to help make sure each camper is safe and provide a fun and liberating experience. Each camper is able to experience the same feeling and excitement of paddling in the water with the help of the Pine Tree Camp staff. Some campers kayak for the majority of their ride, while others receive help from their tandem staff member. For those who do not have the ability to use their arms, camp staff will help paddle the kayak for them. This individualized attention and care helps campers realize that they are capable of participating in an activity they may have never dreamed possible.
“We hate saying no to campers, so the staff will really do anything to make sure each camper has the opportunity available to them,” adds Greg.
In addition to camper training, Pine Tree Camp’s staff participates in an extensive training. To become a tandem kayaking paddler, each staff member is required to pass the “tippy test” where they master safety measures and procedures that may occur while on the water. In addition to the tandem training, each kayaking group is directed by three certified guides that paddle alongside the group. The guides sit in the front, rear and side and lead the group along the water banking in areas where the water’s depth will not exceed each staff member’s height.
Once on the water, campers paddle and enjoy the beautiful sights North Pond has to offer. Campers explore Maine’s wildlife hands-on as they paddle by loon’s nests, turtles and cranes. With the therapeutic benefits water provides, kayaking helps challenge each camper’s abilities, build self esteem, and open new doors.
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
A tribute: to the Pine Tree Camp nurses July 16, 2010
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Behind the laughter, and the sports, and the smiles, and the songs, there stands the backbone of Pine Tree Camp. Inside the Wellness Center, there resides a group of heroic people that help make Pine Tree Camp truly the safe and loving environment that is today. There stand the nurses of Pine Tree Camp.
Each day Pine Tree Camp’s nurses help and cater to each camper’s specific needs. Their selfless and inspiring attitude helps campers and their families feel at ease from the moment they arrive for their first day of camp. The nurses sit with each family to make sure that all medical and safety concerns are fully addressed, enhancing the comfort level of each camper’s family. By doing so, the nurses are helping families, especially those of first time campers, feel that they are leaving their child in a safe environment.
Tyler Daigle, a veteran camper, has loved camp since the very first time he was dropped off eight summers ago. When speaking with his mom, Sue, her feelings toward the camp staff and nurses are incredible.
“I feel so comfortable dropping Tyler off every year, because everyone there is just so compassionate. They really are, and it means a lot,” comments Sue.
One nurse in particular has truly dedicated her life to camp, and has become a significant part of the Pine Tree Camp family. Sue Zittle has been working at Pine Tree Camp for seven years and has considered camp truly her ‘home away from home.’ As one of the head nurses at Pine Tree Camp, Sue has been returning each summer excited to see the familiar faces of campers and staff.
In fact, through the years Sue has altered her career path to help accommodate camp’s summer schedule. A few years ago Sue switched from being a full time nurse over to a traveling nurse in the off season. This new schedule allows Sue to have the leisure of taking her summers off to dedicate her time to Pine Tree Camp.
“I just can’t describe it. There is an incredibly contagious, positive and inspiring attitude always in the air here. Always,” describes Sue.
The nurses at Pine Tree Camp are completely selfless and dedicate their lives to helping others. And it is truly an experience that is just as rewarding for them as it is beneficial for the campers.
“It all came to life for me at opening day for my third summer at camp. It was the first time a camper came running up to me. He remembered me, and it really was my ‘it moment.’”
The nurses strive to support campers without taking away from the joys of summer camp. When each camp session’s evening dance is held, the nurses make sure that distributing nightly medications does not take away from the excitement of the dance. As campers enjoy an evening of dancing and music, the nurses actually bring their medications to the dance for campers. There, the medications are distributed from the nurses to the campers through dancing! This fun and quirky exchange helps make sure the campers do not have to miss any part of the evening’s festivities.
“I love being part of a place where these kids can spread their wings,” says Sue. “I can’t even imagine not spending a summer here.”
Pine Tree Camp reaches out! July 14, 2010
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Pine Tree Camp is on a quest. With all the buzz surrounding its 65th anniversary year, Pine Tree Camp is on a mission to reconnect with former campers and staff, and has been making extraordinary strides. Pine Tree Camp is reaching out through media across Maine to invite camp alumni to help celebrate 65 years of discovering abilities together. All alumni are welcome to reconnect with Pine Tree Camp and attend its 65th anniversary reunion event set for Sunday, August 8th.
Recently, Pine Tree Camp was featured in both the Bangor Daily News and the Morning Sentinel. Since being published, camp staff and campers across the state of Maine have been reaching out to reconnect with Pine Tree Camp. In addition to establishing a medium where campers and staff will be able to reconnect with one another for years to come, it has also become a means for deep-rooted alumni to share their stories and reminisce. Penny Plourde, Pine Tree Camp alumni camper from 1967, will be attending Pine Tree Camp’s alumni event in August with excitement to build ties with camp once again.
“As I became a young adult I realized I wanted to fit in with the fabric of the universe; I wanted to be like everybody else,” Penny quoted to the Morning Sentinel. “At camp, I was able to do that. I was one of the campers, not one that stood out.”
Through newspaper articles, radio broadcasts and reaching out through social media such as Facebook, Pine Tree Camp is setting up for great success in reacquainting former campers and staff and celebrating its 65th year.
Pine Tree Camp feature close up: Meet Al July 12, 2010
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Fifty-six years ago, Allen Barter was a typical six-year-old boy who loved dogs and loved to fish. In 1954, Al came to Pine Tree Camp for the first time after receiving treatment for childhood polio at the Hyde Home, a program of Pine Tree Society that was located in Bath, Maine.
For Al, that “fairy tale, love at first sight” feeling toward summer camp was surprisingly missing. Two weeks into his eight week session, Al left Pine Tree Camp early, describing his first experiences as “simply unenjoyable.”
However, two years later Al decided to give Pine Tree Camp another shot. In 1956 Al came home from a new camp session singing a very different tune, and found a new favorite summertime tradition; attending Pine Tree Camp. From then on, Al returned to Pine Tree Camp every summer to visit one of his favorite fishing spots and to say hello to some dear friends.
Always incredibly confident, and his own words “a bit cocky,” Al has a fearless passion for life. As he reminisced on old camp memories, Al recalls a time where him and his friends put rules aside, and were typical young boys.
“The attempt to steal the Governor Muskie Al entitled one of his fondest memories from Camp.
At least two times each summer while Al attended Pine Tree Camp, he and his friends would stare across North Pond at a neighboring summer camp, Sunset Camp. Across the pond, Sunset Camp would host a Carnival on its beach, in perfect line of vision to Pine Tree Camp. The boys would sit on the dock those nights, with envy and jealousy watching the ferris wheel and listening to the music coming from across the pond. After summers of watching the carnival from afar, Al and his friends decided they had enough. It was time to stop sitting and daydreaming of the carnival, and to put a plan into action.
That night Al and his three friends came together in an effort to plot their escape to Sunset Camp’s carnival. Phil Ham, then the Assistant Director of Pine Tree Camp, had a boat that was his pride and joy called the Governor Muskie. As Al and his friends looked out their cabin window at the boat floating in the water, Al immediately had a “brilliant” idea.
“You know guys, I know how to drive a boat,” Al said as he looked at his three friends.
At that moment, a plan was in place. The following evening, four boys would board and steal the Governor Muskie and make the trek across North Pond to Sunset Camp. That night, the boys headed down to the dock, ready to break all of camp’s rules to experience a joy ride on the ferris wheel. However, as they began to get on the boat, Al stopped dead in his tracks when suddenly he realized that all four friends didn’t even have a penny to their name.
“How are we going to go on any rides without any money?” Al asked.
And with that, the boys safely remained at camp, with a failed plan and continued envy as they watched the carnival roar on without them.
Al’s memories of Pine Tree Camp are remarkably descriptive and inspiring. As he shares his recollections of camp, friends and activities, Al comments on the efforts and improvements he has experienced first hand throughout the past 56 years. While Pine Tree Camp was truly the first time Al had a chance to be a normal boy, the constant innovation and change of Pine Tree Camp through his years continuously impresses him.
“It was a different time in history for disabled people. It constantly amazes me how many people have the opportunity to come to Pine Tree Camp nowadays,” Al describes.
Today, Al comments on the different improvements in Pine Tree Camp’s campus, safety measurements and staff trainings that have happened through his years at Pine Tree Camp. As Al looks around camp reminiscing on the changes and “what used to be,” two camp counselors walk by him.
“The camp’s staff today are truly outstanding. They are very knowledgeable and very prepared.”
Now retired at the age of 62, Al enjoys spending time with his family and his two dogs. Al still returns to Pine Tree Camp each summer to enjoy a little R&R and participate in his favorite passion; fishing on North Pond.
P-I-N-E T-R-E-E C-A-M-P!! July 9, 2010
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We are continuing to celebrate Pine Tree Camp’s 65th year all summer long!
With the recent buzz over Pine Tree Camp’s 65th anniversary alumni reunion event, please celebrate with us and take a look back in time to the very first summer at Pine Tree Camp. On July 9, 1945, Pine Tree camp staff and campers adorned themselves in quirky hats as they celebrated a new week at camp. From buckets to bowls and even socks, silly headware was on every person at Pine Tree Camp! Campers start to cheer one of the very first Pine Tree Camp chants:
“P-I-N-E T-R-E-E C-A-M-P!”
Today, Pine Tree Camp traditions and celebrations remain the same. Although the song you hear in the air may be a little different, next week the same spirit and energy will be throughout Pine Tree Camp as we welcome a new session of campers!
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