Overnight camping is all about having fun, meeting new friends, participating in new activities and gaining independence. This is certainly true at Pine Tree Camp.

Accessible overnight camping was Pine Tree Camp’s first offering. We wrote the book on it. We are proud of our innovative programming and are constantly working on how we can do it better.

Pine Tree Camp offers seven six-day sessions throughout the summer. Sessions are geared toward specific ages (children and adults) and populations, with about 90 campers participating in each session. Children’s sessions are designed for ages 8 to 18 and adult sessions are appropriate for people 19 and older.

During their stay, campers reside in waterfront cabins along with trained counseling staff. The staff-to-camper ratio is one-to-three, ensuring that campers receive the care and support they need. A team of nurses is on-site 24 hours a day to administer medications and provide campers with medical attention if necessary.

Campers participate in typical summer camp activities. The difference is all of Pine Tree Camp’s activities are designed to allow campers to discover their abilities. Activities include swimming, hiking on accessible nature trails, drama, arts and crafts, archery, playing tennis and basketball on accessible courts, kayaking, fishing and spending time in Maine’s only fully accessible treehouse.

Our staff is committed to ensuring that all campers fully participate in all of the programming. No one is a bystander – everyone is part of the action.

During the camper’s stay with us, families have an opportunity to enjoy respite, knowing that their loved one is being well cared for in a safe, loving environment.

Camper session assignments are at the discretion of the Pine Tree Camp Director, in consultation with parents/guardians, campers and other concerned parties.

Pine Tree Camp’s tuition is $1,900. Pine Tree Society strives to make the overnight camping experience available to our campers regardless of their ability to pay tuition. Although it costs Pine Tree Society $1,900 to provide an overnight camping experience to each camper, most families pay a lot less. In fact, only about 11% of Pine Tree Camp costs are underwritten by tuition paid by campers. The remainder is made up through donations from generous friends. We ask that families contribute what they can. Pine Tree Camp’s open door policy has been in place since the doors first opened in 1945. Together, we can ensure that it remains firmly in place for years to come.

Application & Eligibility

While Pine Tree Camp is able to accommodate almost any camper with a disability, there are several requirements that must be met before an applicant is accepted.

Every applicant must:

• Have a disability
• Meet the age limit for each session (8 to 18 for children; 19 and older for adults)
• Have the ability to participate in the program and interact with other campers
• Not represent a physical danger to themselves or others

Pine Tree campers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The camp runs a flexible schedule to accommodate the greatest number of individuals who can benefit from the program, and those interested in attending Pine Tree Camp are urged to apply early.