Make a difference.  Donate today.

“In every challenge lives a greater opportunity.”

That is how I started my letter to you about a month ago.  These words continue to come to life every day at Pine Tree Camp.  Why?  Because Maine people with disabilities need us more than ever.  I want to tell you about one of those families.

“It was perfect.  It was just what he needed.”

That’s how David’s mother, Michelle, described their family’s experience at Pine Tree Camp’s Adventure Day Pass.

You see, David is eight years old and was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age two. 

“He’s such a happy, sweet kid and you can’t tell by looking at him that he has a disability,” she recently told me. “The bottom line is that we can’t do the stuff other people can do even though it looks like we can.”

Her whole family has been very cautious about COVID-19 and, before coming to Pine Tree Camp for a day, hadn’t done anything outside their neighborhood since early March.

Pine Tree Camp launched Adventure Day Pass in July for families just like David’s.  The aspect of offering Pine Tree Camp to the whole family is new for us – and it has been incredible.  The response has been so positive that we will continue to offer the program through the end of the fall.

Adventure Day Pass is designed to provide safe day use of Pine Tree Camp’s fully accessible 285-acre campus.  All of Pine Tree Camp’s signature outdoor activities are available – hiking on accessible nature trails, kayaking, fishing, swimming and archery – all provided in a physically distanced manner supported by experienced staff.  David even had the chance to steer the pontoon boat – something he will not soon forget!

“As a family with a child with a disability, you feel like you miss a lot of rites of passage,” Michelle told me.  “To be able to do stuff that other families take for granted is incredible.” 

You can help.  In fact, we need you more than ever.  Your gift now will help us connect with every Maine child and adult who needs us.  You can make a difference at this challenging time. 

We thank you for your continued support.  Words cannot express our gratitude to you.