Here is a recap of last year's program:

Camp Mechuwana provided more than 50,000 meals from March through August 31, 2020, to Central Maine families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mechuwana staff and volunteers prepared and provided meals after being approved as an Emergency Pandemic Food Location. Read more about the program and the summer in Norm's latest Director's Blog at www.mechuwana.org/directors-blog/a-summer-like-no-other-at-camp-mechuwana.

Camp Mechuwana's meal sharing grows beyond Monmouth in pandemic --Kennebec Journal, April 23, 2020

College students quarantine, pack meals for kids during coronavirus pandemic — News Center Maine news video May 7, 2020

Thank you also to all of you who donated materials like sandwich bags, lunch bags, and more - your overwhelming generosity helped us reduce costs and get meals to those in need safely and quickly! We are so grateful for all of you.

- Beth Comeau, Mechuwana Site Executive Committee member

 As I write this, today is Thursday.

During my summer vacations, Thursdays are always my favorite day of the week. Especially Thursday nights after dinner. Wait a minute; I think that I should explain why with a bit more detail.

For the past almost 30 years my summer vacation has been spent at Camp Mechuwana as either a counselor or a Dean. All of those summer so far have been spent with Rally Camp. My first six were as a counselor, I then did twenty (gulp) as Dean and then the last two were as a counselor after I passed the Deaning torch. I went to Rallies in Maine through the United Methodist Church when I was in high school. The summer that I graduated from Mt. Blue High School one of my Dad’s colleagues, Joan DeSanctis called my dad and asked if I might be able to counsel a cabin of junior high girls for Rally Camp. Dad told her that I would. So when I got home from Creative Arts camp on Saturday morning Dad told me to wash all my stuff, pack up and head back to camp as a counselor. I didn’t ask any questions; I was so excited! Thus my escapades as a volunteer at Mechuwana began.

As I am sitting here writing I need to keep stopping because in thinking of Mechuwana my head is so full of memories. So many beautiful memories: all the years of spending my week at Lower Camp listening to the water lap against the shore and the loons sing us to sleep, walking all the trails…I remember walking Loon Lane from Lower Camp to swimming before it got an overhaul and how every summer I would have banged up feet when I got home. How we would wait in line to shower (who else remembers those lovely old showers down at Lower Camp?) and then go to the next bathroom to brush our teeth! I remember an awesome summer spent up at the Village when we had a Talent Night and my cabin did a live broadcast from WMEC. Julio was so surprised when we “interviewed” him! The years that we spent painting churches and helping out at the Salem Economic Ministries! And who can forget the “Summer of the Bob’s” when Mary ended up leaning against a newly painted wall and then had paint in her hair for the rest of the week! Oh, and then there is the year that we picked all of the rocks out of what is now the soccer field!

This summer was supposed to be my first summer deaning Elementary/Middle School Music Theater Camp, along with Kwamena Blankson and my very good friend Beth Wallace. This is the camp where Beth and I met, 27 years ago, before I moved to her hometown. Beth and I have been close friends, pretty much ever since. We were roommates for several summers on staff, and last summer we co-deaned Mom/Child and You and Me Camps together. Beth, Kwamena, and I have all three volunteered at the Elementary/Middle School Music Theater Camp for many years, bringing our children, spouses, and our children’s friends along for the ride. Although Beth and I deaned together last summer, putting on a musical in a week brings things to a whole new level. The three of us were looking forward to the challenge with some trepidation, but also a lot of enthusiasm. We were well supported by the dean team that came before us, we had a great staff of old and new volunteers lined up, and we were all looking forward to working together. 

Then came Covid-19. ​

I remember years of music theatre camp. I was not a talented singer or actress, but I loved that camp. I made so many lifelong friends at my two years there. And then, in 1991, I got hired to work in the kitchen. If I am not a singer or an actor, I am also definitely not a cook…but I can chop vegetables and wash dishes with the best of them. That summer changed my life. I have been involved in Mechuwana ever since – going on to work in the office, then as assistant director, and finally in 1996, I became the year-round Youth Director, running the rally program for 12 years before retiring 10 years ago this month. To say that Mechuwana is important to me is a complete understatement. I credit Mechuwana with turning my life around and giving me a life I never imagined. I found my voice, my passion, my confidence, and some of my very best and most important friends on these sacred grounds. For that, and so many other camp impacts, I am profoundly grateful.
 
What brings me hope and some moments of peace during this pandemic is thinking about camp and looking at camp photos. I think about sitting on the boat dock or waking up in my room on the Lodge porch to the call of the loons. I think of uncontrollable laughter and singing showtunes late at night with Lisa Swett the summers we roomed together…some of the biggest laughter was when we were tormenting her brother, Peter, who was on staff with us.

—Beth Comeau, former camper, summer & year-round staff, youth director, & current Site Committee member 

I have loved the Lodge since I first set foot in it at age nine, which was 40 years ago this summer. I was an Elementary Cabin Camp camper along with my sister, and my mom counseled for the week. My father volunteered for the week doing maintenance tasks, including building a new set of stairs on the lake side of the Lodge, those stairs that many of us have walked up and down hundreds of times or sat on to talk with friends. 

The Lodge porch is probably my favorite place on Earth. I spent a summer living in the room on the lake side of the Lodge, waking each morning to the sound of loons calling to each other across the lake. I listened to music theater camp rehearsals, singing in front of the fireplace, screen doors slamming as people went in and out of the Lodge during boating time, sitting in the Adirondack chairs to talk with new friends, and the sounds of lifeguards blowing whistles at the boat dock to signify that it was time for paddlers to make their way back to shore.

My camp memories of the Lodge are so clear in my mind. 

So when Norman sent me videos to show the progress that has been made on Lodge renovations this fall and winter, I was surprised. Pleasantly surprised though. My room on the Lodge porch, where Lisa Swett and I spent the summer of 1992, is now gone, but never forgotten — we had a lot of fun that summer! It has now been opened up to be a beautiful part of a screened-in porch,with windows that will let bright light into that usually dark corner of the Lodge.​

Did you see those new lights on the soon-to-be screened-in porch? I am so thankful for Kaplan Electric for their incredible work rewiring the entire building and ensuring that it is up to code. Norm said there are electrical outlets along with these wonderful new lights on the Lodge porch! How cool is that?! I can't wait to see it for myself!

I remember always looking up to the loft behind the large stone fireplace inside, wondering what it was like up there. It seems like with these renovations, after all these years maybe I will get to know what it's like up there. They are reinforcing the support for that area, and it will be used for music theater costumes and props. What a great place to be able to store everything for summer musical productions for years to come.

It is impossible to pick my favorite part of the updated Lodge, but I think that one of the most dramatic and impressive changes, to me anyway, is the very first change that I saw when renovations started. The new entrance to Lodge is awesome! There are historic photos to see as you walk through the new entryway into what was the old kitchen area. The kitchen has moved - and looks INCREDIBLE. It is now where the old laundry room used to be. I spent a lot of Saturdays doing my laundry in that little room when I was on staff in the early 1990s. Here are some views of the new entrance and kitchen:

And the final video (thanks to Norm and his son Ethan for creating these videos so we can have a virtual tour while we are all staying home to stop the spread of the coronavirus this spring) is of the room where many of us have spent time doing crafts, singing, making friends, participating in worship services in front of the fireplace, dancing, laughing, and making a lifetime of memories.

Seeing these videos and the incredible work being done to ensure that the Lodge is around for generations to come is a bright spot in these difficult times. When I need to find comfort and peace in a place, the place I go has always been camp. More specifically...the Lodge porch and boat dock. Right now, with the coronavirus, I can't go to camp because there are volunteers there helping to feed children in Central Maine, and they need to be safe and healthy. But, thanks to Norm, Ethan, and technology, even though I can't go to camp, camp can come to me — and to you through these videos.

If you watch the videos and then sit back and close your eyes, I bet you can even hear the familiar call of the Lower Narrows Pond loons. They are calling to us and know that we will all "come back again some day."

Until then, please keep camp in your prayers. Check in on a camp friend. Support camp with a donation if you are able. And know that we are praying for you and can't wait to have you join us to celebrate the Lodge and the lifetimes of memories that have been created — and will be created for years to come — inside those walls.

God bless,
Beth Dimond Comeau, former camp youth director & current member of the Mechuwana Site Committee

​Mechuwana is a special place for so many. For some of us we consider it our sanctuary. A place we feel closest to God, nature, and our friends. This is true for both Morgan and me. Morgan Huckey and I (Suzanne Kropp) began a new adventure at Mechuwana last year in order to give pre-teen girls a space to feel safe, accepted, and loved.  

As a maturing young lady, life can feel difficult at points. Both of us went through lows and highs as pre-teens. Morgan was on staff for four years, where she was able to grow within herself and foster lifelong friendships. Morgan has always found camp to be a second home; she has come back for staff campfire or she has found herself helping counsel Creative Arts camp. I have been on staff for six years as a lifeguard and waterfront director. I have come to find camp to be a sanctuary a safe place, when life seemed hard and unfair. I continue to stay connected to camp through helping younger lifeguards and with an occasional drop-in to say “hi” at summer staff campfires. This is where we find our deep connection and commitment to this program. 

We have held three events thus far and look forward to more!  We will be hosting a summer weekend for girls finishing grades 5 through 9. Our goal is to foster a community of openness, sharing, and acceptance. The girls that attend can expect to learn about each other, reflect on how God is there for us through the tough and exciting times. 

Our hope is that each girl can find a relationship with God that is unique and there own—all while enjoying the joys of camp!

Do you want to learn more? Download information and registration form, and sign up to join us July 13-14, 2019, at Mechuwana!

We hope to see you there.

Suzanne (and Morgan)

As we start feeling the warm spring sunshine, we know summer is just around the corner, and it's time to think about another Camp Mechuwana Golf Tournament! We will host our 4th Annual Camp Mechuwana Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 22 at Springbrook Golf Course located on Route 202 in Leeds, Maine. This tournament will feature a classic scramble format with a 1pm shot gun start - rain or shine! All proceeds generated from the tournament support our Mechuwana Camper Scholarship program. Like many who’ve attended Mechuwana in the past, we know how unique, enriching, and impactful the Mechuwana experience is for positively shaping the lives of both youth and adults. With this, Mechuwana believes strongly that any person, regardless of their ability to pay, should have the chance to access and experience our great camping tradition. Through your generous support over the last three years, we have raised over $6,000 from our previous tournaments. We sincerely hope you consider taking part in this great community and fundraising opportunity.
 
In preparation for this year’s tournament, we are currently seeking interested golfers, which typically take shape by teams of 4. We also accept teams of three should a team struggle to fill a whole team. The team cost is $260 ($65 per player), and includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, and a provided meal at the conclusion of play in the Springbrook clubhouse. In addition to golfers, we are currently seeking hole and prize sponsors. For any person, family, church, or supporting organization that wishes to sponsor a hole, the cost is $50. A hole sponsorship will feature your name and any other promotional information you wish to provide on a printed sign which be posted at a designated tee box. Hole sponsorship are a great way to show your support for Mechuwana, while also promoting your location organization. As for prizes, we will be awarding the following: prizes for the top two finishing teams - top gross and top net score, closest to pin challenges on all four Par 3 holes, longest men's and women's drive, and also a putting competition. 
 
To register, sponsor, or any send any inquiries you may have, we encourage you to contact the Tournament Director, and also long time former Mechuwana Permanent Staff Members, at mbgriz@gmail.com. Again, we thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing on the links this June!