Camp Mechuwana - Blog

Camp Staffers Give Back Through New All-girls Camp Program

5/31/2019

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)

Celebrating Our Seniors at May Youth Rally

5/18/2019

During the weekend of May 5th, Mechuwana hosted its last Senior High Rally event of the year. This rally, which is part of a year-round program with roots that date back more than 100 years, was an incredible celebration of both a year’s worth of ministry and also celebration of the 2019 Senior Class. The weekend was filled with a collection of fun and unique activities over the course of a two-day period.

My wife Amy and I, the youth rally leaders, along with guidance of Norm Thombs, Mechuwana’s Camp Director, were determined to make this event a fun and special one for all to remember.

On Saturday, the kids awoke to a weekend’s worth of activities, which were all to their surprise. Their first activity was an offsite adventure where the group went on a morning hike to the peak of Mt. Pisgah. Afterwards, the group went and made a special visit with the Ives family at their nearby family camp across Lower Narrows Pond. At the Ives’ camp, the group got to hear and learn about the history of Mechuwana and the importance of relationships, those particularly made while at camp.

In an effort to keep all activities on schedule, the group then made the surprise trip down to southern Maine where they all participated in team-building activities at the Brunswick Escape Room, followed by ice cream and a special visit to L.L. Bean down in Freeport.

Meanwhile back at camp, select adults worked hard to decorate and set up a beautiful luminary display for our evening worship service at our beloved lakeside chapel – Grove Chapel. Upon the group’s arrival back at camp, a pizza party awaited them along with one of their activities – “Feet On Bunk” – or as we like to call it at camp, “FOB!”

After the kids got a chance to rest following a long and busy day, the group gathered and made their way down to Grove, not knowing what was waiting for them.

The weather was perfect – it was a beautiful dusk sky transitioning to night, allowing our luminary of candles to help shine and guide their path. The worship service was powerful, filled with readings, singing, and a very special Communion service led by retired Pastor Ruth Merriam, from the Wayne United Methodist Church. Oh, and the loons made sure to attend our service by singing out their seasonal calls. As I said during my invitation for communion, “The loons are letting you know they are here and ready for you all to return to camp this summer...” For anyone who has been to Mechuwana before, we know that the loons are a sacred part to the sights and sounds of the summer camp experience.

After the conclusion of the worship service, our seniors, all of whom had their own individual candles lit during the service, led the rest of the group down the camp road where they used their combined flames to ignite our evening campfire in the Lodge. At this time, our adult leaders partook in the annual tradition of recognizing our graduating seniors. In the time, many shared personal testaments and stories, and presented each senior their own special UMC pin. This time is most sacred as it presents youth the opportunity to openly share about their experiences at camp and exemplify the value of their connections and the relationships they share with each other.

As the event came to a close, the group shared in one last special activity on Sunday after breakfast (and getting to sleep in!) where they participated in a 10-year capsule, which was buried in a secret spot on camp property. This time capsule will hold not only as a special token of remembrance of the weekend they all shared together, but also as an exploration of where they all hope and wish to be 10 years down the road.

Mechuwana wants to say a special thanks to all of the adults who helped put on this event, many of whom have grown up through this program. The work they do makes such an incredible impact on the lives of our young people. We are all thankful and empowered by you all. As Norm said it best to close the weekend, “It is now time for you all to go out and continue be the leaders we know and need you to be in this world.”

To learn more about our Mechuwana Youth Rally program visit: www.mechuwana.org/youth-events.html

—Mike Griswold

Kelsey Kennedy, Senior, Testimonial
Being a part of this program has been one of the best things in my high school career. I have become a better leader from learning essential skills through Youth Council. I am also more organized and better at planning, which are skills that will help me all throughout my life. Camp means a lot to me personally, but being a part of this program where everyone shares that, makes the connections stronger. I want to thank the people within the program and Camp Mechuwana for making it home for everyone who attends. It’s a special place that many of us couldn’t live without.

It is Time to Think Spring and Springbrook! Join Us on the Links.

4/19/2019

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!

Calling All Crafters: Share Your Talents & Send a Child to Camp

3/21/2019

Are you someone who loves to knit, crochet, woodwork, quilt, make note cards, Christmas ornaments, or other creations? Or perhaps you are part of a group that does craft items. Then this opportunity is for you!

We have been working to come up with fun new ways to get Mechuwana friends involved in ensuring that any child who wants to come to camp is given that life-changing opportunity, and we think we have one that many of you can participate in. We are inviting you or perhaps a group in your church to spend the next several months creating items for Mechuwana to sell at a few holiday season craft fairs.

We will use these opportunities to raise money for our scholarship program but also to raise awareness about Mechuwana’s many programs, and ways that people can get involved in those programs. With your crafts and our staff at these fairs we will be able to get the word out to a whole new audience, bringing more people into our Mechuwana family. As we sell your crafts we will also talk about Mechuwana and what it has to offer.

Here is how it works:-if you would like to drop off your crafts, we will collect them at camp any time between now and Saturday, October 19. (We will store them at our main office.) We will need all completed crafts by then to ensure that we have enough products for us to have tables at these craft fairs. If you are unable to bring them to camp, we would be happy to arrange with you for us to pick them up.

If you have any questions please contact us at: (207) 377 2924. Or email us: we have set up a special email address (messagetomechuwana@gmail.com) for this project. Please email us to let us know what kinds of crafts you would be willing to donate to us.

Thank you for all of your time and talents that you so generously share with Mechuwana and our ministry. We hope to hear from you as you help us get ready for craft fair season later this year!

*We have set up this special email address so that your emails don't get lost among all of the summer camp registration emails that we get this time of year. If you have questions or need to contact the camp office about something unrelated to this request for crafts, please continue to email the office at mechuwana@fairpoint.net or call the office at (207) 377-2924.

January 07th, 2019

1/7/2019

We are happy to report that despite weather reports of snow, snow, and more snow coming tomorrow, we are already thinking about the summer!

Today, we sent the 2019 summer camp brochure to the printer, which means that it will be on its way to you later this month. We will also have it posted here on the website in just a couple of weeks.

Start planning now to join us for a week or more in the summer of 2019. We have a lot of great camp opportunities, including: swim camps, sports camps, music theatre camps, family camps, and much, much more.

See you this summer at Mechuwana!

January 10th, 2018

1/10/2018

The 2018 summer camp brochure will be mailed soon, but you don't have to wait! Download the brochure and registration form today. The brochure includes fun old camp photos and information about this summer's 70th anniversary celebration happening on Saturday, July 14. Learn about all of the camps (many of our long-time camps as well as a few new ones) and then fill out the registration form and start planning for a week or more at beautiful Camp Mechuwana this summer! We can't wait to see you.

Second annual harvest supper to be on Sunday, November 5th

10/18/2017

Have you marked your calendar for Sunday, November 5? We sure hope so!

We had such a great time at last year's harvest supper that we're doing it again! Join us from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Commons for a harvest meal of chicken, green beans, potato, rolls, and more - and have a chance to tour camp to see our newest buildings and the start of our picnic pavilion!

Bring friends and family and members of your church and plan to join us for an evening of delicious food, wonderful fellowship, and a chance to spend time at Mechuwana.

Learn more and download a poster about the supper to post in your church or other community space.

Join us on Sunday, November 5th! If you are interested in volunteering before or during the event, please contact the camp office.

After 37 years....the walk-in fridge is on its way out

1/4/2017

The walk-in fridge and freezer in our Commons kitchen have served us well, but after 37 years (they have been there since the Commons was built), they are on their way out this week. Replacing them is an updated, more energy-efficient refrigeration system! This update is thanks to the generosity of so many of you - and we can never thank you enough! This new refrigeration system will save us on electricity costs and will ensure that food is kept at a safe temperature. Stay tuned for photos once the project is finished!

Mechuwana Harvest Dinner - Sunday, November 6th

9/28/2016

Mechuwana Harvest Supper on Sunday, November 6: Come see old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy a harvest supper with all the fixings! $7 for adults, $4 for youth ages 5-11, and free for children ages 4 and younger. All money raised will go toward our new, more energy efficient walk-in fridge and freezer. Join us in the Dining Commons any time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. - come early for guided tours of our new year-round buildings.

Download this poster to share with your church, community, family, and friends.

Harvest Supper
Sunday, November 6
Come anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Camp Mechuwana Dining Commons
93 Holmes Road, Winthrop

$7.00 for adults
$4.00 for children ages 5-11
Free for children ages 4 and younger

Come early for guided tours of our new year-round buildings!

After nearly 40 years, it’s time to replace our kitchen fridge and freezer with new, energy efficient ones. We hope to raise the $10,000 still needed to complete this project this fall and winter so we have the new equipment in place for our 2017 summer season. All funds from this Harvest Supper will go toward this project.

Bring your friends, family, church members for a delicious harvest supper with all the fixings!

Questions? Call the camp office (207) 377-2924

Join us for Mechuwana Alumni Day on Saturday, August 6

7/7/2016

Mark your calendars and plan to join us at camp on Saturday, August 6 beginning at 1:00 p.m. - and stay for dinner!

Come enjoy Mechuwana, tour our facilities to see what's new, swim, boat, do arts and crafts, and much more!

The day ends with dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Commons for all of our guests and participants in Mechuwana's 1st annual golf tournament.

If you are planning to come, please RSVP to mechuwana@fairpoint.net or (207) 377-2924 so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone.

Invite your camp friends, family, and people from your church who might like to visit for the first time. We welcome any and all who want to attend!

See you on August 6th!