Pine Tree Society

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Safely back on the Kennebec River: June 5th Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp

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The 25th annual tradition of the Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp returns as an in-person event this year as paddlers reunite on the Kennebec River to support Pine Tree Camp.  On June 5th, paddlers will set out from Solon for a seven-mile kayak trip to North Anson with one goal in mind: to raise money for Maine people with disabilities to experience Pine Tree Camp year-round.

“Coming together safely to enjoy the Maine outdoors embodies the spirit of Pine Tree Camp,” said Noel Sullivan, president and CEO of Pine Tree Society. “There will be complete Covid safety precautions in place, including drive-through check in and staggered start times.”

Paddlers can also opt to participate virtually.

“For 25 years, this Paddle event has raised vital funds for Pine Tree Camp,” Sullivan continued. “This year, asponsorship from Central Maine Power in partnership with the Avangrid Foundation energizes our fundraising goal.”

In 2020, Pine Tree Camp expanded programming to year-round; safely keeping Maine people with disabilities and their families active and engaged outdoors in all four seasons.  All proceeds from the paddle help keep Pine Tree Camp’s Open Door Policy firmly in place, providing funds so all who wish to come to camp may do so.

What: The 25th Annual Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp is a seven-mile, two-hour paddle down the Kennebec River. This event is family-friendly and perfect for all ages, skill levels and abilities. Registration is required. Capacity is limited and full Covid safety precautions will be in place.

Register at this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/PineTreeSociety/2021Paddle.html

When: Saturday, June 5

There will be two start times: 8:30AM and 11:00AM

Drive through check-in opens one hour prior to launch

Full details at this link:

https://www.pinetreesociety.org/events/paddle-for-pine-tree-camp/

Where: The Paddle begins at The Evergreens Campground in Solon (202 Ferry Street, off Route 201A) and ends in North Anson on the Patterson Bridge Road.

Why: All proceeds from the Paddle ensure that all who can benefit from the Pine Tree Camp experience are able to attend.  Learn more about Pine Tree Camp’s nationally recognized programming at this link:

https://www.pinetreesociety.org/children-and-families/pine-tree-camp/

More about Pine Tree Camp:  Every year, hundreds of Maine children and adults with disabilities arrive at Pine Tree Camp in Rome and their lives are transformed. Driving down the camp road, campers enter a world that is barrier-free, leaving behind the confines of their disability thanks to the camp’s 285-acre, fully accessible year-round campus. Campers actively participate in all the activities for which Maine is famous – kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, biking and snow shoeing – experiencing freedom and independence. Since 1945, Pine Tree Camp has welcomed all who could benefit, regardless of their ability to pay.  Pine Tree Camp receives no state or federal funding.

Pine Tree Camp delivers a fully accessible April staycation for Maine kids with disabilities

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Parents of kids with disabilities are looking for safe staycation alternatives for school break, and Pine Tree Camp has stepped up to fill that need with its first ever Pine Tree Camp to You Spring Week.  All campers need is a spirit of adventure, an Internet connection, a mobile device or computer and a free Zoom account. Pine Tree Camp will provide the rest.

Here’s how it works:

Families will receive a curated activity box containing everything they need to fully participate in five days of activities from April 19th through April 23rd.  The week is specially designed for all ages and abilities and Kids will come together via Zoom to connect for group activities and can also participate in self-guided activities at their own pace. There will be an opening campfire, talent show, and dance party as well as other fun activities like seed planting, squirrel table building, disc golfing, rain sticks and painting.

“Campers will be able to join Zoom cabin groups each day to do the activities with friends old and new,” said Pine Tree Camp director Dawn Willard-Robinson.  “Keeping people connected is the very essence of what we do, and, as innovative camp professionals, we’re always thinking about what more we can do to serve our community and safely provide connection for Maine people with disabilities and their families.”

Registration for Pine Tree Camp to You Spring Week is now open.  Detailed information is available at this link.

https://www.pinetreesociety.org/pine-tree-camp-to-you/

Pine Tree Camp expands to offer winter opportunities

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On February 13, for the first time ever, Pine Tree Camp opened its gates for something really special: winter Adventure Day Pass.

Megan and her nine-year old son Trey were among the dozens of families who came for some barrier-free winter fun.

Megan and Trey weren’t able to get outside very much this winter and the chance to safely spend the day outdoors at Pine Tree Camp was a true highlight.

“We put winter Adventure Day Pass on our calendar and said ‘Yay! We’re going to our happy place!’ Trey loves to be outside and with Covid happening it’s been very difficult for us to get out,” she said.

Access to the outdoors is critical and, during this time of physical distancing, it’s more important than ever, especially during the winter months. Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass featured safe, physically distanced adaptive snowshoeing, ice fishing, sledding, nature exploration and, of course, s’mores by the fire.

Megan and Trey were ready to experience it all.

Pine Tree Camp partnered with the Equip For Living Foundation to provide accessible ice fishing. It was the highlight of Trey’s day.

“The first thing we did was head out to do some ice fishing,” Megan continued. “We took a side-by-side ATV out on the ice. They were really accommodating and had tents with heaters. We watched them drill a hole in the ice for us then baited our lures. Trey got to sit in a camp chair with me and hold the fishing pole. We sat there and bobbed away.”

After lunch, Megan and Trey enjoyed spending a little time by the fire then made snowballs and snowmen together.

“We went at our own pace and that was really nice,” Megan said. “My favorite was sledding. Trey got to sit in the sled with me and we pushed ourselves down
the hill. He loves to go fast and we just kind of flew down. It was so good to get fresh air all day.”

Pine Tree Camp’s winter Adventure Day Pass is an extension of the programming that was launched in July in response to challenges presented by Covid-19.

“The response has been incredible,” said Pine Tree Camp director Dawn Willard-Robinson. “This summer, we had waiting lists for each day we offered Adventure Day Pass, so we expanded into the fall and winter. We welcomed

lots of people who had never been to Pine Tree Camp. The success of this program really illustrates what we already know: fully accessible access to the outdoors is critical.”

L.L.Bean provided funding to ensure Adventure Day Pass continued this winter.

“The good old-fashioned remedy of getting everybody outside has huge restorative benefits,” Dawn continued. “When you want to take a break from your day-to-day routine, sometimes the best thing to do is get outside and try something you’ve never done before. L.L.Bean’s support made that possible.”

Thanks to their support, Megan and Trey created memories that will last a lifetime.

“As people continue to head outside for comfort and connection, we at L.L.Bean support ways to make the outdoors more accessible,” said Christina Semanyshyn, manager, strategic partnerships and corporate giving. “When Pine Tree Society told us about the Adventure Day Pass program and the access it provides for campers

and entire families, we were delighted to support their important mission.”

This spring, Pine Tree Camp will add a fleet of adaptive bikes and launch a biking program. From hand cycles to recumbents, kids of all ages and abilities will be able to ride on the trail system through the woods.

“We can’t wait to try the bikes,” concluded Megan. “It will be an adventure!”

WABI-TV 5 to host telethon live from Pine Tree Camp. Tune in on February 5.

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Be sure to tune in to WABI-TV 5 on Friday, February 5 at 5 p.m. as they feature Pine Tree Camp’s work to transform the lives of Maine people with disabilities and their families during this challenging time.  They’ll feature stories on our new winter programming and host a telethon live from Pine Tree Camp.  Join us!

From the team at Pine Tree Camp, our campers and their families, thank you WABI-TV 5 for your on-going support of Pine Tree Camp’s impact.

Pine Tree Camp continues to innovate, expanding programming to four seasons

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Last week journalist Deirdre Fleming of the Portland Press Herald made a visit to Pine Tree Camp for a tour of the campus and an interview with director Dawn Willard-Robinson and assistant director Mary Schafhauser. In the article that followed her visit, Fleming details the ways in which programming has been adapted to impact Maine people with disabilities and their families while also overcoming the ever-changing difficulties posed by COVID-19. The story highlights the great success of Pine Tree Camp’s Adventure Day Pass, a program which served over 1,000 people between June and October – and has now expanded to winter. Read the article here.

Made possible, in part, by L.L.Bean.

Pine Tree Camp launches winter programs

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For 76 summers, Pine Tree Camp has been the place Maine people with disabilities return to experience a barrier-free summer camp filled with traditional Maine outdoor activities.

For the first time ever, this winter people can experience Pine Tree Camp like they’ve never seen it before: under a blanket of snow!

Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass provides a safe, physically distanced and accessible way for Maine people with disabilities and their families to get outdoors and experience the restorative benefits of nature.  Activities are supported by experienced staff following covid-19 protocols to keep our guests safe.

“We will offer snowshoeing, ice fishing, nature exploration and, of course, s’mores by the fire,” said camp

director Dawn Willard-Robinson. “We can’t wait to welcome our community to see North Pond in the winter.”

The Harold and Bibby Alfond Dining Hall will be open as a warming hut complete with safe, physically distanced tables where families can picnic and take part in craft breaks at separate, assigned tables; providing

the chance to stretch their imaginations in addition to exercising outside.

Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass activities include:

  • Snowshoeing
  • Ice Fishing
  • Outdoor fire stations with s’mores
  • Indoor crafts
  • Warming hut

“Accessible access to the outdoors has never been more important and Pine Tree Camp is committed to filling that need,” Dawn continued. “Keeping people connected is the very essence of what we do, and, during this time of physical distancing, that’s more important than ever.”

Pre-registration is required and space is limited.  Register for Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass at this link: Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass Registration.

Made possible, in part, by L.L.Bean

In the news! News Center Maine features story on Dysart’s Pies for Pine Tree Camp

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This week News Center Maine featured a story on a creative way that Dysart’s is continuing to raise funds for the Snowmobile Ride-In to benefit Pine Tree Camp in this unusual year.

How do they do it?

This year you can enjoy one of Dysart’s classic chicken pot pies and for every pie sold $5 will be donated to Pine Tree Camp. This fundraiser is truly delicious!

Check out the story, featuring an interview with camp director Dawn Willard-Robinson, at this link.

Pine Tree Camp 2021 Update

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Dear Pine Tree Camp family,

As 2020 is quickly drawing to a close, we are approaching 2021 with excitement and flexibility.

To that end, we moved the Pine Tree Camp summer overnight program applications release date from January to March.  This change will allow for strong decision making on what our summer programming looks like.  Please stay tuned, and we will let you know when applications are ready.

I also want to share some exciting news with you about program expansion and new opportunities.  Pine Tree Camp Adventure Day Pass has been a tremendous success.  We are thrilled to expand Adventure Day Pass to winter starting in February 2021.  We will offer programming like adaptive snowshoeing, ice fishing, exploration and of course, s’mores by the fire.  I hope your entire family will come and visit North Pond this winter.  More details to come.

Until then, please accept my sincere best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Bath Artist Sandy Crabtree featured by Pine Tree Society: Maine tradition keeps people connected during Covid-19

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In the 1960s, Pine Tree Society, headquartered in Bath, had the idea that a Maine-themed holiday card would be a perfect fundraiser.  More than fifty years later, that tradition is still going strong and annual sales have raised over $3 million dollars to support and transform the lives of Maine people with disabilities.

Bath artist Sandy Crabtree’s paintings have been featured on Pine Tree Society’s holiday cards 12 times.  This year, Pine Tree Society went back to its archives to offer a special, limited edition rerelease of a customer favorite featuring her painting of Pemaquid Lighthouse.

Crabtree is a noted children’s book illustrator and a longtime Bath resident who taught at Morse High School for nearly 30 years.

Her painting “Winter Sunlight’ captures one of Maine’s most photographed lighthouses and its keeper’s cottage on Maine’s rocky coast.  A crisp winter day serves as the backdrop for a snow-covered landscape of twinkling lights with a festive balsam wreath adorning the cottage.

“Pine Tree Society’s art collection is wonderful and I love being a part of it,” she said.  “You never know how it strikes people’s hearts.  The holiday cards evoke feelings of nostalgia for Maine as a place where you grew up or visited.”

One hundred percent of proceeds from annual holiday card sales support Pine Tree Society’s programs. Cards are available in two formats, folding and postcards, and each purchase has a very important purpose: to help Maine people with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives.

Holiday cards can be ordered online here or by calling 207-386-5912.