Waterfront
We are one of the only camps that does not have mandatory swim classes for all campers. Instead, we have a very vibrant waterfront for which a two-part swim test is a requirement for participation. We find that this motivates campers far better than mandatory swim classes would.
Swim Tests
For safety purposes, campers must pass swim tests to participate in water sports, but do not worry. Swim test requirements are easily achievable for almost all campers. To water ski, wake board, windsurf, kayak, canoe, crew, white water raft, sail, and Scuba dive, the camp needs to know you are safe in the water. The requirement is to pas the Earl of Essex Swim test, which is approximately a little over 100 yards of swimming using any stroke, and the Deep Water Test, which requires 20 minutes of treading water, floating, or swimming around after jumping off the dock dressed in long pants, a shirt, and sneakers, and removing the excess clothing.
Waterskiing [View Video] Annually voted the most popular activity! We guarantee getting beginners up on skis their first day. With ten championship caliber ski instructors to operate our fleet of top competition ski boats, we ski up to 100 skiers daily. Tandem, slalom, knee boarding, and tubing instruction are all taught.
Wakeboarding [View Video] The fastest growing Robin Hood spot! It’s so popular that we are adding an additional specialty wakeboard boat with a platform tower to our fleet. We also have ski docks, one which is solely dedicated to advanced skiers and wakeboarders. Great equipment! Great instruction!
Water Toys Bounce on our giant water trampoline! Be launched from the inflatable camper launcher! Climb the imposing pyramid and slide or jump into the water!
Sailing [View Video] The sailing program is consistently rated one of the best junior sailing programs in the U.S. due to our championship level instruction! Our fleet consists of 420s, Optimists, British Topper 16s, Lasers, Sunfish, and Hobey Cats, which offers a wide range of sailing experiences.
Sailing Racing Racers and aspiring racers have opportunities to race in local Yacht Club Regattas, in intramural races twice a week, or challenge themselves by racing in the Maine State Championships, the New England Championships, and the Junior Olympics. We have been fortunate to have three former world champion racers on staff in recent years, and other sailing staffers one would not expect to see at a general camp.
Windsurfing Enhanced by the latest equipment technology available for juniors, and an expansive fleet of sailboards and rigs, it is common to see even our youngest campers glide by on windsurfers.
Kayaking & Canoeing Beginners receive kayak and canoe training on the calm waters of Walker Pond, and graduate to ocean excursions along the shores on Penobscot Bay. Then they move on to white water river expeditions on the famous Allagash Waterways and St. Croix River.
Crew We are on of the few camps in the U.S. to offer rowing to campers. We have a fleet of three single shells, and two four-oared racing shells.
Swimming The 70-72+ fahrenheit warmth of Walker Pond allows campers to enjoy swimming and other waterfront activity. We offer beginner to advanced Red Cross level swim classes with swim training in our Olympic length lap enclosed swim area. Campers who are interested in Red Cross training can go as high as Water Safety Instructor Aide, while others can casually enjoy our inflatable toys.
Scuba Certification We host a week-long PADI open water dive certification course in the waters of Walker Pond. Graduates of this intense clinic are able to dive anywhere in the world.