Support Bryant Pond 4-H

 

More Than a Camp — A Place That Shapes Lives

For more than 50 years, the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond (formerly the Maine Conservation School) has been a place of discovery, adventure, and growth. Image of a group of campers, gear and staff all in canoes wearing PFD's

For many, Bryant Pond is remembered as a first summer away from home, a school trip filled with laughter and challenge, or the moment they learned they were capable of more than they imagined. Around campfires, on the archery range, in the woods, and on the water, young people build confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships.

As part of the University of Maine 4-H system, we combine inspired outdoor fun with hands-on conservation education and practical, woods-wise skills. Our mission is simple and powerful: to help young people care for themselves, for others, and for the natural world around them.

These life-shaping experiences are made possible by the generosity of individuals, families, alumni, and community partners who believe in our work.

When you give to Bryant Pond, you ensure that the next generation can create memories and discover strengths, that last a lifetime.

Ways to Support Bryant Pond 4-H

🌲 General Gift Fund

Support Where It’s Needed Most

Gifts to our General Fund provide flexible support that keeps our programs strong and responsive. Your donation helps:

  • Upgrade essential equipment
  • Purchase program supplies
  • Maintain high-quality learning experiences
  • Support emerging needs throughout the year

This fund allows us to adapt, innovate, and continue serving youth at the highest level.

Make a gift today to strengthen Bryant Pond from the inside out.

💛 General Scholarship Fund

Open the Door to Life-Changing Experiences

Camp changes lives. It builds leadership, independence, courage, and lifelong friendships. Group of campers at the summit of a mountain with the sun setting behind them

Our General Scholarship Fund ensures that cost is never a barrier for a child who wants to attend camp or participate in school-year programs.

With increasing school budget cuts, many students are losing access to leadership and outdoor learning opportunities. Your gift helps provide:

  • Summer camp scholarships
  • School-year leadership program access
  • Outdoor education experiences

No gift is too big or too small — every dollar helps a child say “yes” to opportunity.

⭐ Boswell Scholarship Fund

Honoring Legacy. Creating Opportunity.

Established by a former camper and their family, the Boswell Scholarship Fund ensures more youth can attend summer camp, especially those participating in our Wilderness Survival program path.

Your contribution helps carry forward a tradition of generosity and adventure, giving campers the chance to:

  • Build resilience
  • Learn outdoor skills
  • Grow through challenge and teamwork

Help continue this legacy of access and adventure.

🏕 Building Bryant Pond’s Future

Our facilities are the foundation for every safe, transformative experience we offer.

Thanks to generous supporters, we recently completed construction of a modern shower house an important step in strengthening camper comfort and safety.

Now, we are launching an ambitious capital campaign to meet the needs of the next generation.

Our vision includes:

  • A new dining and community facility, featuring a health center, expanded storage, and office space to better serve campers and staff

  • Restoration of our historic Stone House, preserving an important part of Bryant Pond’s legacy

  • Future renovation of Rogers Hall into a pack-out space and science center, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning and exploration

These projects will ensure that Bryant Pond remains a place where youth can grow, explore, and thrive not just today, but for decades to come.

Your support helps turn this vision into reality.

🎯 Maine 4-H Shooting Sports

Supporting Youth Across the State

Bryant Pond 4-H proudly serves as Maine’s center for 4-H Shooting Sports. In addition to offering camp programs in archery, rifle, shotgun, and other disciplines, we:

  • Train instructors statewide
  • Provide equipment access
  • Support local 4-H shooting sports programs

Donations help fund:

  • Camper scholarships
  • Updated equipment
  • Statewide youth program support

Your gift reaches far beyond camp — it strengthens 4-H communities across Maine.

🌄 NorthStar Youth Mentoring Fund

Give the Gift of Adventure

Want to support local students?
Believe every child deserves the chance to explore, grow, and imagine a bigger future?

NorthStar is a long-term youth mentoring program led by the University of Maine Bryant Pond 4-H Center in partnership with SAD #44 (Telstar) & MSAD #17 (Oxford Hills).

The program helps students:

  • Expand their horizons
  • Build confidence and leadership skills
  • Develop resilience
  • Engage in community service
  • Experience outdoor adventure
  • Connect with caring adult mentors

NorthStar is provided free of charge to participating students and depends on community support.

Your donation gives local youth the gift of adventure, mentorship, and possibility.

💚 Why Give?

When you support Bryant Pond 4-H, you’re not just funding programs — you’re shaping confident leaders, compassionate citizens, and capable young adults.

Every gift creates ripple effects that last a lifetime.

Join us in making a difference. Give today.

Make a Gift Today

When you give to Bryant Pond, you help preserve Maine’s outdoor heritage while shaping confident, capable young leaders for the future.

More than 60% of the young people — and teachers — who attend the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond receive full or partial scholarship support. Your generosity ensures that cost is never the reason a child misses out on camp, leadership development, or transformative outdoor learning.

Every gift matters. Every donor makes a difference.

Thank you for investing in Maine’s youth.