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V O L . X X X N O. X X I I 72 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 24 – 2 0 2 5 N O N P RO F I T P RO F I L E WHO WE ARE Maine Summer Camps (MSC) is the public face of the Maine Youth Camping Foundation (MYCF), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, and the Maine Youth Camp Association (MYCA), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Since 2008, MSC has been organized as two nonprofit organizations with different purposes. MYCA focuses solely on governmental relations and advocacy, engages year-round on regulatory concerns, and updates camp professionals on the many forces that can affect them. MYCF creates networks and provides professional development and support for camps at a time when such support is greatly needed. A primary goal is to provide free camp information to the public. Founded as the Maine Camp Directors Association (MCDA) in 1934, the organization helped create the Junior Maine Guide ( JMG) program in 1937. To this day, JMG continues to provide certification for teens who master a specific set of wilderness skills. MCDA enlarged its membership in 1982 to include individuals, businesses and other organizations supportive of children's camping and incorporated as the Maine Youth Camping Association (MYCA) reflecting the wide diversity of camps (private, nonprofit, religious, resident, day and specialty). A pioneer in youth camping, MYCA created the first state camp licensing law in the country. Many of those original standards are still used in the accreditation of youth camps nationally by the American Camp Association. Since 2008, MYCA and MYCF have worked closely together for the benefit of summer camps in Maine and the benefit of children from Maine, New England, the United States and around the world. WHAT WE DO MSC serves 140-plus member camps and adventure programs across the state. One hundred and twenty-five Business Members specialize in providing goods and services to member camps. We maintain a searchable website of Maine camps, provide a print camp directory, and assist families in seeking summer opportunities for their children, including those with special physical or financial needs. Using our online presence and publi- cations, we enhance the public's under- standing of the value of attending camp in Maine. We assist camp and business members by offering in-person and virtual training and a broad range of resources and updates, including legis- lative and regulatory news and updates on best practices. FUNDRAISING EVENTS/ OPPORTUNITIES Join us for our annual Business Member Networking Extravaganza. e event, FREE for Business Members, will be held in Greater Portland on Jan. 29, 2025. is mini-trade show is a fantastic opportunity to meet with Camp Leaders (directors/owners, executive directors and administrators) face to face and present your services and products directly to camp decision makers in an informal setting. e Extravaganza follows MSC's major educational event of the year – a three-hour workshop on a timely topic. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES ere are numerous ways to support the mission of Maine Summer Camps: Sponsor • Business sponsorships of MSC educational offerings for camp pro- fessionals are available. • Support our educational opportuni- ties and impact the lives of 60,000+ campers and 20,000+ staff members in Summer 2025. Contact camps@mainesummercamps.org. Become A Business Member • Be listed in the special 2025 print and online editions of Maine Sum- mer Camps Directory • Access camp contact information Visit mainecamps.org/business-members/ membership/ Donate • Scan the QR Code on the facing page today! • Support one or more of our programs. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Camps in Maine are thrilled to have volunteer work groups. Contact camps@ mainecamps.org to coordinate a customized opportunity for your business team. MAINE YOUTH CAMPING FOUNDATION (MYCF) BOARD MEMBERS 2023-2024 Officers: President: Matt Pines – Maine Teen Camp Immediate Past President: Beigette Gill – Fernwood Cove Vice President: Terri Mulks – Camp Susan Curtis Treasurer/Finance Chair: Fritz Seving – Camp Fernwood Secretary: Karen Malm – Camp Agawam Elected Board Members: Garth Altenburg – Cape Elizabeth, ME Steven Bernstein – Camp North Star of Maine Matt Cornish – Camp Beech Cliff Richard B. Deering – Birch Rock Camp Mike Douglass – Camp Bishopswood Jessica Decke – UMaine, 4-H Camp at Tanglewood Anna Hopkins Buller – Friends Camp Alex Jackson – Camp Runoia Kathy Jonas – Camp Walden Peter Kassen – Lincolnville, ME Mike Katz – Casco, Maine Andy Lilienthal – Camp Winnebago Mark Lipof – Camp Micah Laura Ordway – Winona Camps Arleen Shepherd – Camp Skylemar Catriona Sangster – Camp Wawenock Lisa Tripler – Kamp Kohut Appointed & Ex,Officio Memberss: Business Representative: Jim Chalmers – Chalmers Insurance Group Business Representative: Jack Day – Norway Savings Bank Counsel: Nancy Savage Marcus – Curtis Thaxter LLC Clerk: Tyler Costello – Curtis Thaxter LLC Jack Erler – Emeritus Lucy J. Norvell Executive Director Matt Pines MYCF President AT A GLANCE Established: 1934 / Employees: 2 / Annual revenue: $438,308 TOP FUNDING SOURCES 34.6% Dues 30.8% Corporate donations 20.8% Program revenue 9.2% Foundation donations 3.2% Individual donations 1.3% Other revenue CONTACT 550 Forest Ave., Suite 203 Portland, ME 04101 207-518-9557 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1861, Portland, ME 04104 mainecamps.org MaineSummerCamps mainesummercamps AWARDS/ACCOLADES In February of 2024, Maine Summer Camps Indigenous Neighbors Working Group received a Special Recognition from the American Camp Association at its national conference. The award recognized the working group's focus on positive change and its sustained, inclusive efforts to bring attention to issues relating to camps and Indigenous communities. MISSION STATEMENT Maine Summer Camp's mission is to support and promote meaningful developmental, educational, environmen- tal, and recreational experiences for children. SERVICE LOCATIONS Statewide Maine Summer Camps MAINE YOUTH CAMP ASSOCIATION (MYCA) BOARD MEMBERS 2023-2024 Officers: President: Laura Ordway – Winona Camps Vice President: Peter Hirsch – Camp Androscoggin Treasurer and Past President: Steve Sudduth – Wyonegonic Camps Secretary: Pam Cobb – Camp Runoia Elected Board Members: Fritz Seving – Camp Fernwood Tracy St. Onge-May – The Summer Camp Mark Standen – Camp Kawanhee Norm Thombs – Camp Mechuwana Dawn Willard-Robinson – Pine Tree Camp Appointed & Ex-Officio Memberss: Nancy Savage Marcus – Counsel, Curtis Thaxter, LLC Newell Augur – Government Relations and Lobbying, Pierce Atwood, LLP Tyler Costello – Clerk, Curtis Thaxter, LLC Matt Pines – Maine Teen Camp Mary Ellen Deschenes – Emeritus Jack Erler – Emeritus