Puffins, Owls and Herons (ages 8–12)
Campers select three different activities during four separate "blocks" of three days each. There are two activity periods in the morning and one in the afternoon, followed by a General Swim or free-choice period. Campers are not rushed from one activity to another but realize the satisfaction of achievement while still having time for reading and quiet enjoyment of Chewonki Neck. Campers in the seven-week session are able to progress through a number of activities at different skill levels, and are able to concentrate in areas in which they have particular interest. Within the first few days of camp, each cabin spends an overnight at a Chewonki campsite, working on their wilderness skills and enjoying encampment living. All cabins go on an age-appropriate two- to six-day wilderness canoeing, kayaking, sailing, or hiking trip. Seven-week campers who display particular interest in a certain wilderness activities may be invited on an additional, more challenging trip.
Ospreys (ages 13–15)
Ospreys follow a challenging program of wilderness trips combined with in-camp activity. While in camp between trips, Ospreys are offered a refined activity schedule as well as activities designed especially for them. Seven-week Ospreys will have the opportunity to engage in projects such as lean-to building, trail maintenance, wooden boat building, and other service projects. Each full-session cabin will go on two wilderness trips during their seven weeks. A combination of sailing/rowing, canoeing and backpacking trips are offered each summer. Three-and-a-half-week Ospreys go on a weeklong canoeing, hiking, whitewater kayaking, or sea kayaking trip, which they must select upon registration to camp. The Ospreys are expected to provide leadership as older campers and to take a mature interest in their own growth.
Ten-Day Camp for Boys (ages 8-11)
Chewonki’s ten-day introductory program is ideal for new campers because it provides an opportunity to experience a taste of summer camp before committing to the full three-and-a-half-week or seven-week experience. The ten-day campers partake in all of Chewonki's traditional activities, including sailing, kayaking, woodworking, photography, nature, farm, tennis, and pottery. Participants live in their own summer cabin with two counselors and participate in activities and eat meals in the dining hall with other Chewonki campers. Additional activities may include an overnight canoe trip to nearby island, day trips to local beaches, ropes courses, renewable energy lessons, and more. Families from Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor are encouraged to inquire about camp scholarships made by the Libra Foundation.
Counselors in Training (ages 16-17)
For a limited number of selected returning male campers, Chewonki offers an 8-week counselor-in-training (or Guides) program for 16-17 years olds, giving young adults the opportunity to become trained as future counselors at Chewonki. Special application required.
Goals and Outcomes for Camper Development
The following list details goals and outcomes for Camp Chewonki.
To grow individually; to provide situations for each camper to set goals and learn new skills while reflecting on their camp experience.
- Each camper will review his choices and select his own activities each activity block.
- Staff will provide the campers with positive comments and encouragement throughout their stay and focus the experience on the campers' needs.
- Campers will participate in a candlelight ceremony at the beginning and end of the camp session.
- Each camper is asked to write a letter to the camp director at the end of the session, reflecting on his experience and plan for next summer.
- Each camper will participate in at least two activities during the week that will personally challenge the camper, such as the Barn Climb, hiking, outdoor living skills, arts and crafts, watercraft activities, or group challenges.
To help each camper appreciate their natural surroundings and take an active role in the stewardship of our environment.
- Each camper will work torward the idenification of the ten most common birds on Chewonki Neck.
- Each camper will have the opportunity to participate in some nature activity, in addition to the camp nature activity period, which could include one of the following: hiking, farm dinner, renewable energy lunch, overnight on the Neck, working in the camper garden, participating in an Outreach presentation.
- At the beginning of each session, the campers will discuss as a group the importance of taking care of their camp and the type of things that they need to do - such as picking up litter, staying on trails, not picking flowers, recycling cabin waste, respecting property (no graffiti), and conserving water.
- Campers and staff will participate in composting and slopping food at meals, which in turn will nourish the animals and vegetables on the farm.
- Campers will participate in a cabin overnight and/or wilderness trip. They will have the opportunity to work in small groups during wilderness trips and overnights while they plan, prepare, and clean up after the meal as a group, with each camper taking on different roles.
- On cabin and special wilderness trips, campers and staff will practice Leave No Trace methods.
To allow each child to experience the joys of living in a small community.
- Each camper will attend Saturday night campfire and Sunday Service during their stay at camp.
- Campers will live in a group with other campers in cabins or yurts. Within these groups, campers will be part of community-making decisions and keeping the area clean.
- Each session of camp will have at least one all-camp activity that encourages the participation of all campers. Examples include Talent Show, Treasure Hunt, Carnival, Nature Scavenger Hunts.
- Campers will participate in meals served family style.
