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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.

A Maine tradition for over 50 years: Pine Tree Society holiday cards keep people connected during Covid-19

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The holiday season might look a little different this year, but many traditions remain the same, such as the simple joy of sending – and receiving – a special card from a friend or family member.

“We are getting orders from all over the country,” said Erin Rice, chief development officer for Pine Tree Society. “We are seeing first-hand how people are getting back to basics and realizing how much a hand written card means and how it forges connections with loved ones during this time of physical distancing.”

Pine Tree Society’s holiday cards have been a Maine tradition for 50 years. In the 1960s, Pine Tree Society had the idea that a Maine-themed holiday card would be a perfect fundraiser. Since that time, annual sales have raised over $3 million dollars to support and transform the lives of Maine people with disabilities.

One hundred percent of proceeds from annual holiday card sales support Pine Tree Society’s programs and help Maine people with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives.

This year, Pine Tree Society brought back two of its most popular cards, Sandy Crabtree’s “Winter Sunlight” and Carlton Plummer’s “Dover-Foxcroft Village.”  These cards are beautiful renderings of one of Maine’s most photographed lighthouses and a quintessential Maine village during the holidays.

Sandy Crabtree’s paintings have been featured on Pine Tree Society’s holiday cards 12 times. She is a noted children’s book illustrator and a longtime Bath resident who taught at Morse High School for nearly 30 years.

Plummer, who passed away in February, was born in Brunswick and spent his childhood on his grandparents’ farm outside Augusta before attending art school in Boston.  He served as a combat artist during the Vietnam War before going on to become a full-time painter and professor of art.

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

Dover-Foxcroft village scene featured on Pine Tree Society holiday cards

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Bath, Maine (November 16, 2020) – The holiday season might look a little different this year, but many traditions remain the same, such as the simple joy of sending – and receiving – a special card from a friend or family member.

Pine Tree Society’s holiday cards have been a Maine tradition for 50 years.  One hundred percent of proceeds from annual holiday card sales support Pine Tree Society’s programs and help Maine people with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives.

This year, Pine Tree Society brought back one of its most popular cards featuring Maine artist Carlton Plummer’s painting “Dover-Foxcroft Village.”

“Dover-Foxcroft Village” is a captivating rendition of this quintessential Maine village during the holidays with neighbors coming together to share a sunny and brisk winter’s day amidst the snow-covered roads, trees and homes.

Plummer, who passed away in February, was born in Brunswick and spent his childhood on his grandparents’ farm outside Augusta before attending art school in Boston and becoming a full-time painter and professor of art.

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