• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Donate
  • (207) 443-3341
  • Impact Stories

Pine Tree Society

  • Home
  • Pine Tree Camp
    • Overnight Camp
    • Camp Pine Cone Day Camp
    • Family Camp
    • Adventure Day Pass
    • Pine Tree Camp to You
    • Camp On The Road: Piscataquis County
    • Camp On The Road: York County
    • Retreats
    • Special Programs
  • Children & Families
    • Audiology
    • Children’s Case Management
    • Early Learning Center
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Sign Language Interpreting
    • Speech Language and Assistive Technology Services
  • Adults & Families
    • Audiology
    • Case Management
    • Community Support
    • Sign Language Interpreting
    • Speech/Language and Assistive Technology Services
  • About Us
    • Our Roots
    • Our Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Annual Report
    • Join Our Team
    • Connect With Us
    • Pine Tree Society Blog
    • News
  • Events
    • Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-in
    • Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp!
    • 2023 Children’s Conference
    • Flutie 5K at Pine Tree Camp
    • See All Events
Home  ›  Stories  ›  Shane: Connection is key

Shane: Connection is key

This summer, Kristine and her son, Shane, were among the very first campers to stay overnight at Pine Tree Camp as part of camp’s new Family Recreation Weekends.   

“I’ll never forget it,” Kristine said. “We had our own cabin right next to the waterfront and because it was a small group of people staying overnight, we got to spend time together and also hang out with other families.” 

Shane is 16 years old and has been coming to Pine Tree Camp since he was seven.   

“Because Pine Tree Camp is a normal part of his life, that connection is really important,” she said.  “I don’t ever want it to stop because it’s a place that makes him feel so good. I see him going until he’s an old man.”   

Pine Tree Camp’s Family Recreation Weekends are designed to help families connect with each other and nature in a barrier free environment.   

“Each family is assigned their own cabin,” said Pine Tree Camp Director, Dawn Willard-Robinson. “Programming really reflects our traditional Pine Tree Camp program while giving our guests the ability to choose their own adventure.” 

“As a parent it was good to see what he experiences at camp,” Kristine continued. “The first night at the campfire they sang songs and Shane wanted to lead the group. He was comfortable enough to just get up there and do it.  I didn’t even realize he knew all those songs. It was nice to see him take a leadership role.” 

As a mom, Kristine was impacted by support and care the counseling staff gave campers and their guests.   

“Shane was having a great time and they just let him,” she said.  “The counselors were like ‘Yes! You do you!’ The whole weekend, he wasn’t shy or quiet or watching his step like he normally does. I was able to see that. It was such a gift.  He’s so comfortable at Pine Tree Camp.” 

Kristine also had the chance to unwind. 

“For me, it was very rejuvenating to be by the lake,” she said.  “As soon as I go down the hill at Pine Tree Camp, something just settles in me. I know that I’m in the most loving and special place in the world.”   

Pine Tree Camp is offering a variety of opportunities throughout the summer including Family Recreation Weekends, Adventure Day Pass and Pine Tree Camp to You.  To learn more, please visit www.pinetreesociety.org. 

Primary Sidebar

Success Stories

  • Shane: Camper to Leader
  • Evan: We don’t worry about him at all
  • Tallie: Camp opens her world
  • Milena: Accepted, happy, and safe
  • Jackson: Free to be himself
  • See More Success Stories

Footer

social

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pine Tree Camp Facebook
  • Autism Connection Facebook

connect

  • (207) 443-3341
  • Connect With Us

about us

  • Annual Report
  • Our Roots
  • Our Leadership

support

  • Donate
  • Pine Tree Camp 100

get involved

  • Support Pine Tree Society’s Impact
  • Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp!

Auburn

589 Minot Avenue
Auburn, ME 04210

(207) 443-3341 voice
(207) 777-1205 fax

Bath

149 Front Street
Bath, Maine 04530

(207) 443-3341 voice
(207) 443-1070 fax

Scarborough

Elevation Center
71 U.S. Route 1, Suite B
Scarborough, Maine 04074

(207) 443-3341 voice
(207) 510-4647 VP
(207) 885-0157 fax

Pine Tree Camp

114 Pine Tree Camp Road
Rome, Maine 04963

(207) 386-5990 voice
(207) 397-5324 fax

  • © 2023 Pine Tree Society
  • •
  • Privacy Policy
  • •
  • Donor Privacy Policy
  • •
  • Refund Policy
  • •
  • Staff Login
  • •
  • Non-Discrimination Disclosure
  • •
  • Website by RainStorm