Summer Camps

Our goal at the Cumberland County YMCA is to provide a caring, safe and fun atmosphere that allows campers to experience a variety of activities, to try new things and to challenge themselves. Teamwork and the Y's Character Development Traits of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility play an important role in all of our programs and are incorporated into all aspects of camp.

camp

Otter Pond
Outdoor Adventure Camp 

Where Kids Can Be Kids!

Click here for complete information on how to register for Otter Pond Camp

If you have questions about Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp, please contact Erica Bartlett at 207-688-2255 or email her at ebartlett@cumberlandcountyymca.org.

Registrations will be taken in person and online. Online registrations must be completed prior to the Wednesday before camp begins. After that time you will have to register in person.

About Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp

Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp, located across from Sebago Lake, sits on 250 acres of trails and woods with a sandy beach, swimming area, ropes course, fishing pond, archery range, boating, shade pavilion and much more.  Otter Pond's traditional day camp offers aquatics, creative arts, sports, rainy day field trips, and nature education for kids ages 5 to 12.  There is also a leadership program for teens who want to become future camp counselors.  Bus transportation transports children daily from pickup locations in Portland, Westbrook, Gorham, Windham, and the Pineland Y Branch in New Gloucester.   Bus transportation and extended before- and after- camp care are provided at no additional charge.

Otter Pond's most popular program is our traditional day camp.  Campers ages 5 to 12 come to have fun and learn new skills as they participate in a wide variety of camp activities.  Campers are split into small groups, sorted by age and grade.  Campers have a choice of activities in which to participate in each program area each day, along with a theme activity and free swim period.  Each week a special activity is planned for the entire camp.

If you have questions about Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp, please contact Erica Bartlett at 207-688-2255 or email her at ebartlett@cumberlandcountyymca.org.

Our Camp Philosophy

Our goal at all of the camps operated by the Cumberland County YMCA is to provide a caring, safe and fun atmosphere that allows campers to experience a variety of activities, to try new things and to challenge themselves. Teamwork and the Y's Character Development Traits of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility play an important role in all of our programs and are incorporated into all aspects of camp.

Why Parents & Kids Love Y Camps

  • Nearly 80 years of experience in providing summer camps in Cumberland County
  • Inclusive, high quality programs with positive educational and social experiences for all children
  • Strong, consistent leadership with low staff turn over, that builds ongoing counselor-camper relationships
  • Before and after camp care, with no extra fee and much more!

Summer Camp Staff

The Cumberland County YMCA prides itself on the quality and commitment of our staff. These individuals are caring, fun, energetic and responsible people who participate in a comprehensive training program. We perform criminal background checks on all of our staff over the age of 18 years old, and most are certified in First Aid and CPR. Staff members largely consist of college or high school students and teachers.

Pricing & Financial Aid

  • One Week of day camp: $185 per session (1 week).  This rate is the same for members and non-members.  There is also a one-time non-refundable $15 registration fee per camper.  (This fee is waived for Cumberland County YMCA members.)  There is a sibling discount of $10 per child per session.  The Counselor in Training (CIT) and Leader in Training programs have alternate fees associated with those programs. 
  • Early bird discount!  Registrations received by May 1st: $175 per session per child.
  • The YMCA strives to serve the entire community, regardless of the ability to pay. We do this by providing need-based scholarships, made possible through the generous support of individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the area.
  • The Y also accepts Summer Champs, Aspire, Child Care Connections and other vouchers.

Summer Champs & Other Agency Aid

For Summer Champs participants, our identification number is 29. If another social services agency is paying for your child to attend camp, we must have information from that agency when enrolling your child in camp. Summer Champs recipients have to pay a one time $50 fee to hold their spot in camp. For other social services agencies, the fee may be waived. If you do not have a contract with an outside agency, then you must pay the registration deposit. If you have any questions, call us at 207-874-1111.

Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

The YMCA believes that all children, regardless of need, should be integrated into our programs, and will do everything in our power to make this possible. However, there may be particular needs which our staff are not trained to handle, or that our staff to camper ratio is not adequate to serve. In such an instance, the family or supporting agency will be asked to assist the YMCA in finding and providing an aide for the child, or, we may need to refer the child to a program better suited to meet his or her needs. Children with special needs are welcome to attend camp if they are within the developmental ages that we serve, and are comfortable participating in their group’s activities. Youth that require a one-on-one aide in school must be provided one at camp via family effort. Please contact the camp director if you need any assistance or have specific questions.

Extended Care

We understand that many parents need a safe, enriching place for their children outside of the 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily camp session.   Before- and after-camp care is provided for all campers as part of the weekly camp fee.  Extended care is provided at Otter Pond from 7:30 am to 9:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.  Extended care is also provided at the Greater Portland YMCA from 7:30 am to 7:50 am each morning and from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm each afternoon.  There is no additional charge for extended care or for bus transportation.

Transportation

Bus transportation for campers is available as follows

Pineland Bus
Pineland branch YMCA - Departs (morning) 8:00; Arrives (afternoon) 4:45
North Windham (Shaw's) - Departs (morning) 8:20; Arrives (afternoon) 4:20

Portland bus
Northgate shopping plaza - Departs (morning) 7:30; Arrives (afternoon) 5:10
Greater Portland branch YMCA - Departs (morning) 7:45; Arrives (afternoon) 5:00
UNUM - Departs (morning) 7:55; Arrives (afternoon) 4:50
Westbrook (Hannaford) - Departs (morning) 8:05; Arrives (afternoon) 4:40
Gorham (Hannaford) - Departs (morning) 8:15; Arrives (afternoon) 4:30

  There is no additional charge for extended care or for bus transportation.

Leaders in Training (LIT)

For 13 - 14 year olds

Do you enjoy being with children and helping them learn?  Otter Pond has a program that will help develop your leadership skills.  Participants receive two weeks of training, as well as guidance in developing team building and communication skills.  During the program, LITs will be able to assist counselors as well as participate in camp activities.  We know LITs like to hang out, too, so we'll set aside some time for LITs to have fun together by participating in group activities.  by joining this two week program, LITs will gain skills that will make them better leaders for tomorrow.

Dates:  Sessions 2/3 (June 28 - July 9) (LITs must attend both weeks) This LIT Session is now full
          - Just added! Sessions 8/9 (August 9 - August 20) (LITs must attend both weeks)
Cost:  $75 for the entire two week program

Counselors in Training (CIT)

For 14 - 16 year olds

Do you have what it takes to get into this life-enriching program?  Interested teens should have a strong desire to work with children, should be mature, outgoing, enjoy being outdoors, and want to learn while having fun this summer.  The CIT program serves as a first step into the working world by developing responsibility, decision making skills, and teamwork.  A good portion of the Otter Pond staff are graduates of this program.  Candidates must apply, be interviewed, and provide at least two community references.  Spaces are limited and competitive.  Please contact us for more information and an application.

Dates:  Sessions 4-7 (July 12 - August 6) (CITs must attend all four weeks)
Application Deadline:  May 21st, 2010
Cost:  $150 for the entire four week program

Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp Sessions

If you have questions about Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp, please contact Erica Bartlett at 207-688-2255 or email her at ebartlett@cumberlandcountyymca.org.

Session I (June 21 - 25)

Core Values
Welcome to Otter Pond! We will start our summer focused on the Core Values of the YMCA, caring, respect, responsibility and honesty. Activities will focus on taking good care of others and ourselves in our beautiful nature setting.

Session 2 (June 28 – July 2)

Red, White, & Blue
It is the week of Fourth of July! Campers will engage in activities that stress our country’s history and what it means to be responsible citizen in the community.

Session 3 (July 5 – 9)

Aqua Adventure
Every week is an aqua adventure at Otter Pond! This week we will share water safety tips and fun activities in and on water. Long distance swimmer Pat Gallant will join us to share her adventures. LITs will have an opportunity to participate in a fun water focused field trip.

Session 4 (July 12 - 16)

Earth Week
Care for our planet! During this week campers will have an opportunity to learn about the environment and what we all can do to care for it. We will put what we have learned into practice at Otter Pond.

Session 5 (July 19 - 23)

Otter Olympics
We are the Champions! Campers will be provided with instruction in many games and sports. This week we will host the Pineland camp in a friendly Otter Olympics show down.

Session 6 (July 26 - 30)

International Week
Let’s go Global! The camps’ focus for the week will be learning about a foreign country. Our events will conclude in a Penny Carnival where campers are invited to donate their pennies to a cause while enjoying a carnival experience.

Session 7 (August 2 - 6)

The Otter Extreme Experience
This is what Otter Pond is all about, orientating, knot tying, surviving in the out of doors. Campers will enjoy many activities focused on enjoying the outdoors while leaving nature as they found it for others to enjoy. We will have a visit from the Maine Rescue Dogs.  Campers over 10 may participate in a sleep over at additional cost.

Session 8 (August 9 - 13)

Island Madness
What is island life? People all over the planet live on islands, campers will learn about this lifestyle from Maine to the Far East.  The Portland In Town camp will join us in a celebratory Luau.

Session 9 (August 16 - 20)

Wild Life
There are animals amongst us! Campers will learn about local wildlife and what we do to help and harm their environment. A special speaker will help us get to know our furry neighbors

Session 10 (August 23 – 27)

Family
Bring it home! After spending the summer learning about the core values campers will focus this week on how to bring those values into their communities and their own family! Friends and Family BBQ will help us celebrate the summer end.

General Camp Information

Disclaimer: The Cumberland County YMCA implements, features, and sustains only the Camp and YMCA programs listed on this website. Any inference otherwise is untrue and should be reported immediately.