Camp Wekeela

Ages/Grades: 7-16

Camp Season: June 21, 2014-August 9, 2014

Setting:

Camp Wekeela located in a bucolic setting on the shores of Little Bear Pond in in Hartford, Maine. Founded in 1922 as a camp for girls called We-You-Wega, our name was changed to Camp Wekeela in 1945. In 1970, Wekeela became a coed camp. Today, Camp Wekeela is owned and operated by the Ephram and Lori Caflun. Lori and Ephram have made Wekeela their summer home since 1997.
Our community reinforces the positive values learned at home; self respect, respect for others, fairness and consideration. The strength of the Wekeela community yields unprecedented opportunities for the establishment of lifelong friendships. The Wekeela community is intensely loyal and devoted. Long after camp ends for the summer, our campers and staff stay in close touch. Year after year, Wekeela campers return to renew these special bonds of friendship.
Wekeela is a place where promise and possibilities become a reality, traditions come alive, values and identity are strengthened and it’s a place that captures experiences that are held in everyone’s memory for a lifetime. Located on a mountain lake setting, Wekeela is nestled on Little Bear Pond which is a gorgeous natural lake connecting to Big Bear Pond. Its calm sheltered waters present the ideal setting for swimming, boating and exploring. Our campers enjoy taking advantage of all the water sports Little Bear and Big Bear Ponds have to offer.

Gender: boys and girls

Camp Capacity: 290

Pricing: Full session - June 21 to Aug 9: $9,000. First Session - June 21 to July 20: $6,700 First rookie session - June 21 to July 5: $3,800. Second rookie session - July 5 to July 19: $3,800 Second session - July 19 to August 9: $4,600

Activities:

Tennis, Outdoor Adventure, Land Sports, Water Sports, Water Skiing, Creative, Performing and Culinary Arts are core components of our program. In Outdoor Adventure our campers love our natural rock wall as well as the fifty-five foot climbing wall and tower and rave over the eighteen-element high ropes course and the bakers dozen low ropes course. Campers love flying through the air on the 70 yard zip-line. Campers also enjoy our nature program and camp fire cooking. Wekeela also offers an Outdoor Adventure tripping program. Our campers may cycle in Acadia National Park, explore Bar Harbor, climb the summits of Mt. Khatadin, navigate the rapids of the Kennebec River or camp out under the infinite starlit sky. The Wekeela camper is able to experience Maine’s natural beauty.
In Performing Arts, we feature an indoor and outdoor theatre as well as drama, improv, dance, guitar, piano and drum lessons, radio, video, zumba, set design and costume design. Each summer we feature a full theatre productions.
Our Water Sports program features American Red Cross instructional swimming, competitive swimming, boating, sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking, pedal boats, a climbing wall on the water as well as 24 foot water trampoline! The very popular water-ski and wake boarding lessons take place on Big Bear Pond. Camp Wekeela also offers S.C.U.B.A.! There are two courses; an introductory course and the certification course. Both courses are taught by a National Association of Underwater Instructor.
The Creative Arts department features pottery, woodworking, painting, stained-glass, jewelry, batik, model rocketry, candle making, and our new digital photography area.
The Land Sports program includes: archery, basketball, soccer, baseball, gaga ball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, gymnastics, street hockey, beach volleyball, weight training, disc golf, ultimate Frisbee, golf and karate. Wekeela also offers speed training and a strength and conditioning program. Wekeela also offers a diverse horseback riding program featuring English and Western riding, jumping trail riding, horse care, and stable management. Instruction is geared for beginners to intermediate riders.
The Culinary Arts program is very popular. It’s also known as “Fun With Food" and "The Iron Chefs” program. Campers have an opportunity to bake and cook fun treats. There is nothing better than eating your own project.
Our campers and staff come from all over the USA and the world. Campers from 22 states and 17 countries join us every season. We call our camp members “Pioneers.” We are very proud of our Pioneers diversity. Wekeela offers two sessions. The first four weeks, the second three weeks a two-week “rookie” option or campers may stay for the entire summer. We feel this flexibility in sessions is ideal for today’s families.
Our staff plays a fundamental role in the Wekeela community and are essential to achieving our goals. Our counselors are highly trained individuals with a wealth of camping and teaching experience. With a 2:1 camper-to-counselor ratio, someone is always available to talk with children, to offer them guidance and provide comfort and care.

Additional Information:

Wekeela encourages campers to make choices, take risks and accept new challenges. Young people flock to Wekeela from across America and around the globe. The rich diversity of experiences and cultures serves as a wonderful spring board introducing campers to the wider world around them and teaching them to celebrate the uniqueness of each camper.

The Caflun family and the Wekeela staff work very hard all year long to make sure that camp is truly exceptional for every child. Ephram says, “Wekeela is beautiful, the campers and staff are like family, our facilities are top notch and there is a certain magic at Wekeela. It’s the spirit of Wekeela and its community that is magical. We are privileged to have dedicated men and women return year after year. They return because they love Wekeela and they love the beautiful state of Maine. They return because they understand our camp philosophy. It's about being a role model to children. It is about being a teacher; it is about having tremendous FUN. Our staff affects, shapes, and defines our campers' summer like no other individual. Our staff understands that Wekeela is not just camp, it's a way of life.”

In 2014, Camp Wekeela will be celebrating its 93rd summer. Teaching children the skills of making and keeping friends while building self esteem and self-confidence is our mission. As proud members of the American Camp Association and the Maine Youth Camp Association, we are all partners in making a difference in the lives of children and are infused with the spirit of the Maine’s rich camping tradition. Camp Wekeela, where friends become family.

Slogan: Camp Wekeela, where friends become family.