Read the most recent blog post here.

Mission:

Maine Summer Camps’ Level Ground initiative seeks to provide summer camp experiences, free of charge, to underserved populations of school aged children in Maine for whom such experiences would otherwise be unavailable, guided by a commitment to racial and economic diversity.

History:

For more than a century, youth camps across Maine have provided children with summer opportunities to appreciate the state’s vast natural beauty, develop independence and confidence, and build relationships and skills. Families from across the U.S. and around the world who send their children to Maine camps every summer recognize that the experience benefits youngsters in vital areas: social-emotional learning; 21st century skills development; living in community among peers and role models; and experiencing nature “unplugged” from screens and social media.

While Maine is home to many premier youth camps, Maine is also home to many children who face a lack of summer opportunities. The initiative was established in 2018 by a group of Maine summer camp owners, directors, and friends of camping. These camps are members of Maine Summer Camps, a 501(c)(3) membership organization whose mission is to support and promote meaningful developmental, educational, environmental and recreational experiences for children. This nonprofit, financially supported in large part by dues from its more than 150 business and camp members, provides organizational support for Level Ground.

During Level Ground’s inaugural summer in 2018, organizers facilitated a camp experience, completely free of charge, for 23 immigrant and refugee children in Maine. That number increased to 62 campers in the summer of 2019. Level Ground campers were identified and recruited by three community partners with whom the committee collaborated. King Middle School, Portland Community Squash, and Prosperity Maine each contributed extensive time and expertise in helping to identify and work with children and their families to make the camp experience possible. 

As of 2025, the Level Ground Program has expanded to include all underserved populations of school aged children in Maine. 

Expectations of Participating Camps:

• Provide a full scholarship for camper/campers. This includes supplies, equipment, uniforms, trips, travel, medical, etc. We want to make sure the Level Ground Campers have resources for a successful camp experience. 
• Long term commitment to campers; if they are successful camps would be expected to welcome the same camper following summers. 
• We ask that anyone welcoming a camper will be dedicated to learning about the unique needs of this population. Camps are expected to have commitment, capacity, and training to support a diverse population.
• Commit to providing feedback on any concerns, potential issues, challenges, and/or successes.  
• Share with Maine Summer Camps the number of campers, weeks/sessions you are able to host. 
• Share with Maine Summer Camps the number of new campers and returning campers that register. 

Expectations of Participating Partners:

• Help identify and match families and children who will benefit from an experience in accordance with Level Ground’s mission.
• Work with families to complete all enrollment forms, supporting documentation needed, let camps know what supplies, clothing, equipment they need, and to make sure all transportation to and from camp is in place, prior to arriving at camp.
• Partners would be a resource during the summer to ensure the success of each camper. In challenging circumstances in case of emergency, counseling, translation, etc.
• Follow up with campers after their experience.

Level Ground Process:

1. Community Partners (school counselors, community organizations, ESL teachers, nonprofits, etc.) identify a child in need of a summer camp campership.
2. They fill out an online form providing the name of the camper, gender, age, number of weeks requested, etc. to MSC.
3. Raine, the Level Ground Initiative Coordinator, will connect the community partner with a list of participating camps that fit the needs of their camper. 
4. The Community Partner lets Raine know of a camp decision after consulting with the family.
5. Raine will forward camper referral information to The Camp.
6. The Camp reaches out to The Partner with next steps. 
7. If the child does not start registration after a couple weeks or backs out, The Camp notifies Raine to allow for a new placement. 

Returning Campers:

Camps will reach out to enroll campers from the previous summer. If the community partner does not hear from the camp about the upcoming summer’s registration, the community partner should contact the camp directly. The camp will notify MSC with the campers that have reenrolled. 

 

Level Ground also describes a sense of accessibility to all. Through collaboration among participating camps and partners able to recommend beneficiary youngsters, Level Ground has already begun to make camp possible for deserving youngsters. There is no doubt as to the tremendous gains campers make during their summer experiences. Camp directors leading the way in the Level Ground project see these gains firsthand and are putting into action a profound commitment to making camp possible for more Maine youth.