Hope Explorers Camp, other locations offered by Penobscot Bay YMCA in 2025
ROCKPORT — The Penobscot Bay YMCA adds a new camp location to its 2025 summer camp season to bring adventure, education, and excitement to local kids.
"Hope Explorers Camp, now located at Hope Elementary School, will deliver the same high-quality, safe, and fun summer programming that families have come to expect from the Y," said the Y, in a news release.
Late last year, the Y learned that long-time home base for camp, the Camden Snow Bowl, would no longer be available. Years ago, the Camden Parks & Recreation Department and the Y merged their two summer camp programs into one program – Snow Bowl Camp - in order to better serve local families and keep camp prices affordable.
"As this long-time partnership with the Town of Camden comes to an end, the Y is grateful to the administration at Hope Elementary School for quickly answering the urgent call for a 2025 camp location," said the Y.
“Hope Explorers Camp will allow the Y to continue to serve hundreds of working families who rely on affordable, full-day summer camp programs during the school break, while also providing life-changing adventures, new friendships, and happy summer memories to local children,” said Whitney Files, CEO of the Penobscot Bay YMCA. “We are so grateful to Principal Danielle Fagonde and her team for opening their school to camp.”
Hope Explorers Camp’s new base will offer children access to natural outdoor spaces including sports fields, wooded areas, and proximity to local ponds and beaches – all with the indoor amenities of the school building. This eight-week camp is broken down into two age groups: Juniors (children entering Grades 2-3) and Seniors (children entering Grades 4-5). Activities will include field games, swimming, arts & crafts, nature hikes, STEM projects, including field trips to local parks, beaches, and other fun destinations three times each week. Before & After Care is also available for parents and guardians who need extended hours.
Hope Explorers Camp is just one of the camps that the Y will offer again this summer:
- - Discovery Camp for kids entering Grades K-1 (Lincolnville)
- - Camp Wonder for kids entering Grades 2-5 (Thomaston)
- - Hope Explorers Camp for kids entering Grades 2-5 (Hope)
- - Adventure Camp for kids entering Grades 6-8 (Rockport)
- - Plus, speciality program, Competitive Swim Camp for ages 8 to 12 (Rockport)
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With Summer Camp Registration opening on February 5 for Y Members (and February 12 for Non-Members) – and summer right around the corner – visit www.penbayymca.org today to learn more about these programs, including how to access financial assistance. The Y anticipates higher transportation costs this year with the relocation to Hope, as well as an increase in need this season from lower-income families to anticipated cuts to the Maine State Child Care Affordability program (CCAP) funding.
"We believe that no child should be turned away due to inability to pay," said the release. "Please consider a gift to the Penobscot Bay YMCA’s Summer Camp Campaign today to ensure every local child can experience camp."