Help camp help kids

To the Editor:

Calls of two resident loons reverberate over Stoneham’s Trout Lake, home to Camp Susan Curtis, but the sounds of busy children are absent now.

The 481 campers who spent two weeks here during the eight-week season are back in schools across the state - Portland, Norway, Camden, Bangor, Lubec and towns in between.

The camp offers unique opportunities for Maine children whose families could not otherwise provide a summer camp experience.

Through a variety of fun and challenging outdoor games and activities as well as quiet time with counselors and peers, children are encouraged to grow in self-confidence, fitness, responsibility and kindness.

Comments from campers attest to its importance in their lives. Julia, a friendly and capable counselor, describes herself as a chubby, shy, homesick kid when she first came to camp nine summers ago.

Counselors in the LIT (leaders-in-training) program, she says “helped me to know who I am, to realize that I want to be a counselor and do the same for other kids.”

Stefi says, “You saved my life by letting me come to camp this year.”

Another camper stated, “I felt safe at Camp because I know there are counselors who will help me.”

Another camper commented, “On the ropes course, I got over my fear of heights and of trusting people.”

Travis, now 23 and a security guard, was a camper for seven years. In addition to a lot of fun kayaking and swimming, he says the camp experience gave him the self-confidence to pursue his dream of becoming a Marine.

Afterwards, he returned to camp as a counselor for two years “to give something back to the camp that has been so important to me.”

Camp Susan Curtis was established in 1974 following the death of their daughter, Susan while Ken Curtis was governor.

For nearly 40 years, it has remained tuition-free for Maine children who qualify for subsidized lunches. Terri Mulks, camp director, meets with school counselors “to let them know what we do and how to refer students.”

Work of the Susan L. Curtis Foundation is ongoing to raise $1,000 per camper. Phone 774-1552 or e-mail info@susancurtisfoundation.org for more information.

Joyce White

Stoneham