We Are Agassiz Village
say: AG・uh・see
Here abounds the health and happiness of growing things.
Here are built sound roads from adolescence to adulthood, from the individual to society.
This is Agassiz Village!
- Harry E. Burroughs, Founder
History
The camp opened its doors to an adaptive program for physically disabled campers in the late 1950's, and girls joined the camp in 1973 when it became coed. Campers come from all over the New England area to experience this unique program.
Today, Agassiz Village serves nearly 500 children a summer. While we welcome all children ages 8–17, our focus is reaching children in Maine and Massachusetts from under-resourced communities.
Agassiz Village was founded in 1935 at its present lakeside location in Poland Maine by Mr. & Mrs. Harry E. Burroughs. Then, as now, Agassiz gave children the opportunity to escape the hardship of their daily lives. Originally the camp served boys who worked as newsboys, bootblacks, or other street vendors. The boys learned basic job skills, practiced school subjects, experienced outdoor living, and developed many life skills.
Our mission is to prepare kids for life's journey.
We offer children the opportunity, in a summer camp environment, to develop and practice leadership and life skills that will impact their future in education, family, career, and in their communities. Our programs are an investment in the future, to inspire and enable all children, especially those who need our support the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible leaders.
Meet the Board
Leslie Hoyt - Board President, Chief Commercial Officer at Olaris
Theresa M. O’Bryant - Board Vice President, Dean of Student Success and Engagement at MA College of Liberal Arts
Jonathan Gillim - Board Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer at Randolph
Ellen Corbett - Board Clerk, Realtor Hillman Homes
Allison Burroughs - Director, U.S. District Judge of the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts
Cheryl Dalrymple - Director, Chief People Officer and Head of Corporate Development at Confluent
Che Elwell, Director - AVP John Hancock Data and Integration Services
Wendy Horn, Director - Managing Director at Raymond James Financial
Ben Kern, Director - Tax Director at PwC
Jon Levy - Director, CEO & Founder American Holt
Nimish Shah, Director - Founder and CEO Tele-Therapeutics
Arnie Stewart, Director - Managing Director Committee for Public Counsel Services
Kelly Swaney, Director
Thomas Thrasher, Director - Owner Canyon Springs Landscaping
Year-Round Staff
Lisa Carter
Executive Director
Lisa has over 20 years of experience working at and leading nonprofit organizations. She joined Agassiz Village in 2020 and wants to give the greatest number of children the amazing opportunity to participate in the fun and formative experience of Agassiz.
Leanne Cordischi
Development Coordinator
Leanne has extensive experience in marketing and fundraising having worked for the Marlboro Mayor’s office and the Lincoln Sudbury Scholarship fund previously and is excited to utilize her skills to help send more kids to Agassiz Village.
Facilities Manager
Tim Pearson
Tim and his trusty companion Boots, joined the AV Team in 2020. Tim has studied and worked all over New England and has several years of experience in facilities maintenance. Our beautiful camp grounds are in great hands (and paws)!
Youth Development Specialist
Casey Thomas
Casey is passionate about helping youth. He has much experience working with kids and at camps previously as an educator at Nature’s Classroom, a teacher at Camp for Me, and as a Behavior Interventionist at the Baird School where he taught students social and emotional learning. 2021 will be his first summer supporting the kids of Agassiz Village.
