Pine Tree Society

Pine Tree Society Blog

Riders have an ‘egg-cellent’ time raising money for Pine Tree Camp

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On Sat., Feb. 2, spectators at Dysart’s in Hermon welcomed a parade of Q106.5 Egg Riders and snowmobilers – including some antique sleds – as they concluded the 25-mile trip from the Hungry Hollow ‘76ers Clubhouse in Levant.  WABI-TV 5’s Emily Tadlock and Pine Tree Camp director Dawn Willard-Robinson were among this year’s celebrity riders.

Dysart’s has sponsored the Ride-in for more than 20 years.  This year, for the very first time they hosted the benefit lunch.

“Pine Tree Camp is a very worthwhile cause and all the funds we raise go back to local people,” said Tim Dysart, Vice President of Dysart’s. “Pine Tree Camp is such a beautiful spot and I like seeing how much the campers enjoy being there.”

The riders continued the fundraising tradition of the Q106.5 Egg Ride by stuffing raw eggs down their snowmobile suits before hopping on their sleds.  Scott Miller and Cindy Campbell host the Q106.5 Morning Show and the Egg Ride is a major focus for them every January.  Each egg represents a $50 pledge from their listeners to help send Maine children with disabilities to Pine Tree Camp.

“The kids are the beneficiaries and our listeners drive the train and we are on board to help make it happen,” Miller remarked.

New additions to this year’s Ride-in included a vintage sled show at the Penobscot Snowmobile Club in Hermon and silent auction at the annual benefit breakfast at the Hungry Hollow clubhouse in Levant.  Members of the Penobscot, Levant, and Carmel snowmobile clubs planned months in advance for ways they could raise funds for Pine Tree Camp and their support was absolutely sled-tacular!

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Ride-in support Pine Tree Society’s Campership Fund.  Donations can be made here: www.firstgiving.com/event/pts/2019-ride-in

Register for the 2019 Southern Maine Autism Conference

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Pine Tree Society and Spurwink are pleased to present the 11th annual Southern Maine Autism Conference on March 16, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in South Portland! The conference is designed for parents and family members of children with autism spectrum disorders, as well as their educators and other service providers.

Learn more about the event by visiting www.maineautismconference.org.

Register for the conference here.

 

Camper Bradley riding in the 2019 Q106.5 Celebrity Egg Ride

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CamperAmy Simpson has been participating in the Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-in to benefit Pine Tree Camp for over 15 years.

Her son Bradley will be there this year, riding along in a special enclosed vehicle.

For Amy and her whole family, it’s a feel good day and one that they look forward to all year.

Bradley has attended Pine Tree Camp for over 15 years and they got involved with the Ride-in after the first year he went to camp.

“Bradley really enjoys supporting Pine Tree Camp and I’m really proud of him for that,” she said. “It means a lot to him.”

For Amy, the Ride-in is also about community and giving back.

“We really, truly believe in the spirit of Pine Tree Camp,” she said. “The Ride-in is a community event the surrounding areas really embrace it.  It’s always nice to see what everybody else has done.  So many good people step up and support it.”

Support Amy and Bradley’s Egg Ride at: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amy-simpson-dysarts/2019-ride-in

Antique Sled Show to benefit Pine Tree Camp

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You won’t want to miss this. The Penobscot Snowmobile Club will be hoantique snowmobilesting a new event during the 2019 annual Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-In to benefit Pine Tree Camp: an Antique Sled Show!

The show will be from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Penobscot Snowmobile Club in Hermon, where you can expect to see a variety of antique snowmobiles, with the vehicles ranging from the 1920s to the 1970s.

The Carmel Snowmobile club will be helping during the event, selling doughboys to benefit Pine Tree Camp. The Penobscot Snowmobile Club will also be selling various refreshments.

A silent auction starting in Levant at the Hungry Hollow 76ers Snowmobile Club will be moved to this location following theirantique snowmobile 2 community breakfast. Learn more about the silent auction here.

The Q106.5 Celebrity Egg Riders will make a pitstop at the event during their messy ride, where several antique sleds will join them in the final ride to Dysart’s in Hermon for a benefit luncheon, with proceeds going to Pine Tree Camp.

For questions related to Ride-In events, please contact Stevie Bonnevie by email at sbonnevie@pinetreesociety.org or call 207-386-5915.

 

Join us for a silent auction to benefit Pine Tree Camp

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The Levant Hungry Hollow 76ers and the Penobscot Snowmobile Club are teaming up to cohost a silent auction at the 46th annual Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-In to benefit Pine Tree Camp.

The silent auction will begin at 7 AM during the all-you-can-eat breakfast at the Hungry Hollow 76ers club in Levant, where the items will be on display for bidding.

Can’t make it to breakfast? Join us at the Penobscot Snowmobile Club in Hermon at 10:00 AM where the fun and bidding will continue! Enjoy refreshments put on by the Carmel Snowmobile Club. Plus, check out the Antique Sled Show.

Bidding will close at 2 PM – winners do not need to be present.

The generously donated prizes are:

  • Precast wood burning fire pit and free delivery of the item within a 25 mile radius (if install is desired, there will be an extra fee) from JL Landscape and Granville Lumber
  • 1 ton of wood pellets from Dysart’s
  • A gift certificate for Chelsea & Ben Photo + Films ($250 value)
  • One night’s stay and $25 to the restaurant at Wildwoods Cabin and Restaurant
  • Free safety check and alignment from Pomeroy’s Garage
  • Alignment and discount cards from Twin City Tire
  • Vehicle Jump-starter from Advance Auto
  • Leonard Automotive One Free Vehicle Wax Undercoating ($250 value)
  • Oakley glasses from Smart Eye Care
  • $50 gift certificate to Jacklyn Barclay Photography
  • $50 gift certificate to Trailside Performance
  • $50 worth of gift cards to Hannaford
  • $25 gift certificate to Moosehead Motorsports
  • $25 gift card to Hermon Subway

For questions related to Ride-In events, please contact Stevie Bonnevie by phone at 207-386-5915 or email sbonnevie@pinetreesociety.org.

Top 10 reasons to work at Pine Tree Camp

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10. So. Much. Fun.

9. The impact you will make on our campers, staff, and even yourself.

8. Become the best version of yourself!Opening Day

7. The fashion: Hello comfort, creativity, and Teva tans!

6. A rent-free summer with three square meals a day, plus free fitness, singing, acting, swimming, art, and camping!

5. The people: from our campers to your fellow peers, we have the best of the best from all over the world converging in one beautiful, accepting and exciting place!

4. Build skills that you can take with you no matter what path you travel in life.

3. Be a part of something bigger…this is more than just a summer job.

2. Challenge yourself in ways you never thought possible!

1. To look at yourself in the mirror at the end of a summer knowing that you’ve done meaningful, life-changing work.

Check out our InstaCampersgram and Facebook for more reasons to work at Pine Tree Camp, as told by our staff alumni. Want more information? Please contact Camp Director Dawn Willard-Robinson or Assistant Camp Director Mary Schafhauser

Ready to start your adventure with Pine Tree Camp? Apply now!

Mark your calendars to come see us! Pine Tree Camp will be at two camp-specific career fairs in 2019. More information coming soon.

February 4th, 2019—University of Maine Farmington

February 5th, 2019—University of Southern Maine

October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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During October, we celebrated National Disability Awareness month, dedicated to raising awareness about employment issues for disabled individuals, and celebrating the valuable contributions of workers with disabilities.

More than 29,000 Maine students, about 16% of the state’s student population, are identified as having a disability.

According to the American Community Survey, just over 15% of work-age Mainers has a disability – and yet only 38% of these people are employed and only 20% are employed full-time.

Pine Tree Society’s Career Development Services are designed to address an emerging critical need among individuals with disabilities, while meeting a growing need for employees.

Read about Robert reaching his employment goals here.

Sign Tree Camp 2018

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Last weekend, Pine Tree Society’s Interpreting Services staff traveled to Pine Tree Camp to host Sign Tree Camp.Sign Tree Camp 2018

Sign Tree Camp is a unique retreat designed for adults who are deaf and have an intellectual disability.

Many of our campers live in communication isolation as the only deaf person living in group homes scattered throughout Maine and beyond. Sign Tree Camp offers a fun, language-accessible camp experience in a barrier-free environment.

Over the weekend, campers enjoyed fall activities like pumpkin painting, nature walks, and a Halloween Sign Tree Camp 2018costume party!

“We always love to see old friends in an environment where everyone can communicate,” said Maura Nolin, Director of Interpreting Services. “Campers asked if they could come back for seven days next year.”

Learn more about Sign Tree Camp.

View more photos here.

Seeking presenters and exhibitors for the 2019 Southern Maine Autism Conference

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The 11th annual Southern Maine Autism Conference will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in South Portland.  We are gearing up for what promises to be another successful conference focused on practical tools, strategies and support for families, educators and other providers.

Applications for exhibitors are now available. Applications are processed when payment is received on a first come, first service basis. Visit http://maineautismconference.org/ to download your application.

In addition to exhibitors, we are currently seeking presenters. Requests for proposals are available at http://maineautismconference.org/ as well. Proposals must be returned by December 31, 2018 for consideration. Presenters will be selected upon committee review.

The Southern Maine Autism Conference is focused on sharing evidence-based resources with families and providers.  We reserve the right to decline exhibitors who fall outside out of the conference focus.

If you have any questions, please contact Stevie Bonnevie at sbonnevie@pinetreesociety.org.