“Last year I called every day. This year I didn’t.”

Aryia’s mother Sheila was much more comfortable the second year she went to Pine Tree Camp.

“I think we both were because we knew what to expect. Everyone really understood her requirements and I could tell she was in such good hands.”

When Sheila first learned about Pine Tree Camp a few years ago, she didn’t think Aryia was quite ready to be away from home for a week.

“Then I kind of forgot about it until one day when I got a call from someone who wanted to buy some goats.”

Shelia raises goats at her farm in Strong.

“They said the goats were for a camp and when I asked which one, it was Pine Tree Camp.”

Sheila visited camp and was so impressed that she knew she wanted Aryia to go.

“It’s a lovely, beautiful and loving environment.”

Aryia loves to act and perform so drama class was a real highlight for her. She learned a song and performed it with one of the camp leaders.

“She just loves it all. She’s happy there.  And it’s also a nice break for me.  To have something like Pine Tree Camp is amazing.”

As a Pine Tree Camp 100 sponsor, Franklin Savings Bank provides the financial support for Aryia to attend the weeklong summer camp.

“We’ve sponsored campers for quite some time,” said Anna Lyon, Assistant Vice President and Marketing Director for Franklin Savings Bank. “Pine Tree Camp gives people with special challenges the ability to participate in activities that are otherwise difficult or impossible.  They put a tremendous amount of effort into removing all the barriers.”

Pine Tree Camp never turns a camper away due to their ability to pay, and Franklin Savings Bank’s contribution helps ensure that open door policy stays firmly in place.

“There is a lot of financial burden for a family and we really like that Pine Tree Camp doesn’t turn anyone away because of that. We think it’s a great program.”

Since opening in 1945, Pine Tree Camp has welcomed all campers regardless of their ability to pay tuition. Thanks to the generosity of companies like Franklin Savings Bank, that tradition continues today.