Kids Need Bishopswood More Than Ever! Children only have one chance at childhood! It is important for children to simply be kids. Bishopswood Summer camp made simple is a perfect opportunity for children to experience childhood at its best! Camp Bishopswood Summer Program www.bishopswood.org
The primary goals of Bishopswood are to live in community and to affirm the uniqueness of each person as a being created by God in God s image. Traditional Youth Camp 7 weekly sessions starting the first full week of July to the middle of August Ages: 8-16 Camp Bishopswood Nestled on the midcoast of Maine on the shores of pristine Lake Megunticook, Bishopswood offers one of the best summer camping experiences found anywhere. For more than 50 summers, kids have been coming to Bishopswood to have the time of their lives. Bishopswood offers a summer experience rich in fun, friendship, learning, and adventure. Campers range in age from eight to sixteen. Campers are encouraged to attend for two or more sessions. The Bishopswood program provides a blend of structured scheduling and flexibility to allow for group and individual program choices. 1 2
Mini Camp Ages: 6-8 Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Age: 16 Mini Camp for boys and girls is a premier experience for younger, first-time campers. It is the first step for campers who are ready for their first extended stay away from home. We pack the excitement of a traditional youth camp into three fun-filled days where campers get their first taste of all that sleep-away camp has to offer! The Mini Camp program is designed as a highly structured experience with a strong camper-to-staff ratio (less than 4:1). Children move through all scheduled activities with the same cabin group and leaders, ensuring that there are always familiar faces nearby. The CIT s role at camp is to learn about the program, Bishopswood mission, and how to effectively teach, coach, and counsel children. Typically, applicants should turn 16 years old in the calendar year of the summer for which they are applying and have finished their sophomore year of high school. CIT s will learn about various aspects of camp, such as programming, leadership, group process, health and safety, and take part in a community project. The CIT program is intense and it is not for everyone. CIT s are selected through a comprehensive application process. Most CIT s have had previous camping experience at Bishopswood. Enrollment is limited. It is also recommended that applicants register for youth camp in the event they are not accepted into a leadership training program. Their youth camp tuition deposit can be transferred to the leadership training tuition. There are scholarship monies available. Application material is on the web page, or contact the Director. 3 4
Open House Weekend Open House is held the second weekend of June. This is a great time for families to come and spend one or two nights and experience camp with their children. This weekend, highly recommended for kids attending Mini Camp or for first-time campers, is a great opportunity for campers to learn the routines and try some of the fun activities, all with the comfort of their families. All are welcome. Sunday from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. will continue to be our traditional open house. Bring your own picnic lunch; desserts and beverages will be provided. This is an opportunity to tour the Bishopswood facility and meet Bishopswood friends, trustees, staff, parents, and campers old and new. All are welcome. 5 6
General Activities Our 70 wooded acres provide the setting for campers to learn camp craft skills, environmental studies, and the joy of just being a child in the Maine woods. Other program activity areas include: Sports and Games Archery Low Ropes Challenge Course Arts and Crafts Performing Arts (dance, music, theatre games) Cooking in the Camper Kitchen Swimming Kayaking and Canoeing Hiking and Boating trips around Lake Megunticook 7 8
Faith Exploration A strong commitment to Christian community living, exemplary habits of good stewardship, respectful relationships with others and our world, and sincere thankfulness are the guiding principles of life at Bishopswood. We celebrate the God within each of us in all aspects of our work and fellowship together. The Eucharist is celebrated weekly and each cabin group spends at least one activity period in our faith exploration program called TYCS. Campers of all faith are welcomed and respected at Bishopswood. Waterfront Located on Lake Megunticook, campers may enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and rowing. Waterfront staff members are certified to teach swimming and lifeguard all waterfront activities. Waterfront staff always put safety first. Swimming lessons take place daily. Boating is contingent on mastery of appropriate swimming skills. The lakeside also provides a place for pond study and fishing as well as a delightful place to relax. 9 10
Activity Choices Activities in each program area are scheduled for campers the first two days of each week. During the remainder of the week, campers have lots of opportunity to choose the activities in which they will engage and further develop their personal interest. Period F stands for free period. Each day during period F campers will choose what activity area they would like to go to. Facilities The Great Hall, Dining Hall, Chapel, Nature Nook, and camper cabins provide plenty of space for indoor programs, all camp special events, evening programs, worship, and rainy day shelter at Bishopswood. The Art Barn houses a variety of craft and other creative opportunities, and G s Camper Kitchen is perfect for special cooking projects. Campers live with their counselors in cabins. All buildings are rustic and cozily arranged along the lakeside in the woods. A soccer/allpurpose field provides an excellent space for sports, archery, and other wide area games. Camper Housing Campers are generally housed in cabins with others of similar grade and age. Cabin groups are decided based on the needs of the whole camp community. Requests are accommodated to the best of our ability at the discretion of the Director. 11 12
Registration You can now easily register your child for camp three different ways. 1. Go to www.bishopswood.org and follow the simple steps for online registration and payment (the green option)...or 2. Print out all the forms from our web page and send them to us...or 3. Contact the Director to have a registration packet sent to you. Camper s Acceptance Rules for acceptance and participation in the Bishopswood program are the same for all campers and staff members without regard to race, color, national origin, or religion. Scholarships Campers needing financial assistance are encouraged to contact their local priest. Most congregations have scholarships available. If you do not have a priest and would like information about scholarship help, please complete the scholarship application on our web page or contact the Director. If you are able, gifts to the Scholarship Fund are always deeply appreciated. The Staff Staff members at Bishopswood are the BEST. Most are college age and have been campers and CIT s at Bishopswood. All are carefully selected on the basis of their dedication to working with children and commitment to the values of Bishopswood. As well as cabin counselors/activity leaders, the staff includes a nurse, cook and kitchen assistants, maintenance people, and program specialists. Staff members come from all over the country and bring a rich variety of experiences, gifts, and skills. Together the staff forms the hub of the Bishopswood community To learn more about being a staff member at Bishopswood, contact the Director or visit our web site at www.bishopswood.org. ACA Accredited Bishopswood is proud to be accredited by the American Camping Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally recognized program focuses on program quality, health and safety issues, and requires us to review every facet of our operation. Bishopswood has voluntarily submitted to this independent appraisal done by experts and has earned this mark of distinction. The Director Originally from central New York, Mike started working at summer camps at the age of 19. He comes to Bishopswood with over 15 years of summer camp experience and nearly 10 overlapping years in public education. Hanna, Mike s wife, is a school counselor at Fryeburg Academy and can t wait to be at camp for the summer. Mike has served in a variety of roles including counselor, unit leader, CIT trainer, waterfront director, and year-round program director at Camp Calumet in Freedom, NH and Lake Chautauqua, in western NY. Questions: If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Director. October-May: Camp Bishopswood 143 State Street Portland, ME 04101-3799 (207) 772-1953 x 127 Fax (207) 773-0095 13 14 June-September: Camp Bishopswood 98 Bishopswood Road Hope, ME 04847 (207) 763-3148 Fax (207) 763-4488 E-mail: mike@bishopswood.org www.bishopswood.org