Snowmobile clubs come together for Pine Tree Camp

BATH, Maine (January 17, 2007) – Five Bangor area snowmobile clubs are working together to raise money for an organization that holds a special place in their hearts.  

The eighth annual Five Club Poker Run on Sat., Jan. 20 from 8 to noon is hosted by the Hungry Hollow 76’ers of Levant, Glenburn Lakeside Riders, Goodwill Riders of Hampden, Penobscot Snowmobile Club of Hermon and the Carmel Snowmobile Club.  People participate by sled or by car.  Check-in time runs from 8 a.m. to noon at any one of the five clubs.  The cost is $5 per hand with no limits on hands purchased.  Each club will sponsor their own breakfast, lunch, dinner, raffles and door prizes.  All proceeds from the event will go to Pine Tree Camp, an extraordinary summer camp for Maine children and adults with disabilities located in Rome. 

The event has taken place for the past six years and has raised more than $6000 for Pine Tree Camp’s campership fund.  This ensures that all Maine children and adults who can benefit from Pine Tree Camp are able to attend, regardless of their family’s ability to pay the $1,700 tuition. 

“This group of clubs is unique in that there are at least one or two Pine Tree campers who are active in each of their local communities,” said Harvey Chesley, Pine Tree Camp’s director.  “The Poker Run gives the clubs a chance to work together on something that is important to them.”

Pine Tree Camp, located on the shores of North Pond in Rome, was established in 1945 as a summer therapy outlet for children with disabilities. Over the years, Pine Tree Camp has evolved into an innovative barrier-free environment offering fully-accessible recreation to people with disabilities throughout the year. 

For many campers attending Pine Tree Camp is their only opportunity to experience all the outdoor recreation activities Maine has to offer.  During their stay campers spend time taking part in typical summer time activities including boating and fishing on adaptive pontoon boats, kayaking, participating in adaptive outdoor games including archery, soccer, baseball and basketball and enjoying the new accessible nature trails leading to a scenic dam.

For 70 years, Pine Tree Society has been providing Maine children and adults with disabilities the opportunities and the means to create better lives for themselves and their families.  For more information, please call (207) 443-3341 or visit our Web site, www.pinetreesociety.org.

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