I am writing to share an urgent challenge facing the YMCA’s summer camp program and to ask for the community’s support. Last week, we were notified by the Town of Camden that the Snow Bowl will not be available for day campers in 2025 due to renovations they hope to schedule for the lodge and grounds.

While we understand the importance of these upgrades, the timing of this decision poses significant challenges as we work to identify an alternative location and finalize registration materials, which are shared in early January.

For years, the YMCA summer camp, in partnership with the Camden Snow Bowl, has been a trusted resource for families, providing safe, affordable, and enriching childcare during the summer. Parents depend on our program to work in local businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities, fueling our local economy while their children enjoy opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. The loss of the Snow Bowl as a venue not only impacts the children who rely on our camps but also creates ripple effects throughout our community.

Town officials have shared that the renovations at the Snow Bowl are essential to safety for all visitors. Long-term, they have also indicated that camp makes it challenging to accommodate mountain bikers and wedding rentals, both valuable uses of the space. However, we hope there is a way to balance these priorities with the needs of our community’s children and families. While our immediate focus is finding a location and funding for additional transportation for the 2025 summer camp, we remain uncertain about the Town’s future plans for the Snow Bowl.

We hope there is an opportunity for Parks and Recreation to plan for shared use of the site that includes summer camp children alongside mountain bikers and weddings.

We are actively seeking an alternative location that can accommodate 72 children each week for eight weeks this coming summer. The ideal location will have outdoor fields, shade, coverage for severe weather (pavilion or indoor space), bathrooms or port-a-potties with handwashing stations, and potable water, within a 15-20 minute drive of the Rockport Y.

As of this writing, we have yet to confirm a suitable site, and the clock is ticking. Parents have already begun inquiring about next summer’s options, highlighting the urgent need for a solution.

We need your help to ensure summer camp continues to be a cherished resource for local families. If you know of a potential location or a property owner willing to host in 2025 or longer-term, please contact us at info@penbayymca.org.

If you believe that the future Snow Bowl should be home to both summer campers and mountain bikers, please share your thoughts with the Town of Camden.

Together, we can ensure that Y summer camp remains a vital resource for families and a positive force in our community. Your ideas, connections, and support are crucial as we work to overcome this challenge. Thank you for joining us in creating a solution for the children and families who depend on this program.

Whitney Files is CEO of the Penobscot Bay YMCA