University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point in Washington County recently received funding from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Onion Foundation and Kate Svitek Foundation to support summer camp scholarships for Maine youth. With this and annual contributions from the Penobscot County Conservation Association and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Greenland Point can offer scholarships to most youth who register for camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Extension\u2019s 4-H camps, our goal is to create life-changing experiences that are accessible to all young people in Maine,\u201d said Ryder Scott, executive director of UMaine Extension 4-H Learning Centers. \u201cWe can\u2019t do that alone. The generous support we receive from our partners is critical to our mission to ensure all youth have an opportunity to learn and grow in some of Maine\u2019s most incredible landscapes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Summer camp at Greenland Point consists of 6 weeklong overnight camp sessions, which focus on a wide variety of interests, from art exploration and science adventure to wilderness survival and hunter safety. A typical weekly routine for campers includes hiking, swimming, canoeing, campfires and outdoor skills development. Most sessions are geared toward youth ages seven to 15, with a day camp for ages five to nine. New this year is a counselor-in-training program for youth ages 16 and 17.<\/p>\n
Greenland Point also hosts a UMaine Early College Outdoor Intensive program for 16- to 18-year-olds. This 10-day course centers on canoeing, bouldering, climbing, hiking and orienteering with additional instruction in wilderness medicine. Students who complete the course receive Wilderness First Aid certification and four college credits which are transferrable to most colleges and universities, including UMaine. Tuition for the course is free for Maine public high school students and scholarships are available to help offset the residential fees.<\/p>\n