• Gifts of Cash: The CARES Act allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions to qualified charities. Itemizers can deduct up to 100% of adjusted gross income. As of now, this only applies to 2020.
• Stock or Securities: Make a gift of stock or securities to Agassiz Village and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation of your stock. Please call Lisa Carter, Executive Director, at 781-860-0200 ext.1006 to make your stock gift.
• Individual Retirement Account: If you or a family member are 70½ or older with an individual retirement account (IRA), you can make a tax-free gift to Agassiz Village directly from your IRA. This is called a qualified charitable distribution. Through the SECURE Act you can transfer any amount up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualified charitable organization without paying income tax on the distribution.
• Donor-Advised Funds: Give through your donor-advised fund to maximize your impact. Your fund sponsor handles all record-keeping, disbursements, and tax receipts.
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
say: AG・uh・see
Our History
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.
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.
- Harry E. Burroughs, Founder
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.
OUR VISION: Children from Maine to Massachusetts, regardless of economic opportunity, experience Agassiz Village’s joyful, welcoming, and diverse community that inspires and enables them to explore new experiences and create the futures they envision.
OUR VALUES: Have Fun, Collaborate, Explore and Thrive!
Meet the Board
Theresa M. O'Bryant - Board President, Dean of Student Success and Engagement at MA College of Liberal Arts
Ben Kern - Board Vice President, Partner at PwC
Jonathan Gillim - Board Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer at Randolph
Arnie Stewart - Board Clerk - Managing Director, Committee for Public Counsel Services
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
Ellen Corbett - Director, Realtor, Hillman Homes
Che Elwell - Director - AVP, John Hancock Data and Integration Services
Wendy Horn, Director - Managing Director at Raymond James Financial
Leslie Hoyt, Director - Chief Operating Officer at Naveris
Jon Levy - Director, CEO & Founder, American Holt
Nimish Shah, Director - Founder and CEO Tele-Therapeutics
Kelly Swaney, Director
Thomas Thrasher, Director - Owner, Canyon Springs Landscaping
Sean Toland, Director - Vice President of Emerging Investors at Fidelity Investments
Amanda Karomba, Director - CEO, Happy Haven
Year-Round Staff
Year-Round Staff
Summer Leadership Staff
Zafira Smith
Assistant Camp Director
Nate Richards
Director of Teens
Nicole Fletcher
Activities Director
Village Leader
Jaiden Charles
Kameryn Montimes
Village Leader
George Gardner
April Brunner
Thomas Smith
Alicia Smith
Waterfront Director
Camp Nurse
Head Chef
Assistant Chef
We are Agassiz!
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.
Susannah Benn
Development Coordinator
Susannah graduated from Smith College in 2020 and has been working in the nonprofit sector ever since. She joined Agassiz Village in 2021 and is excited to support AV and its fundraising goals as a former summer camper herself.
Camp Director
Jaime O'Connor
Jaime has 20 years experience in both day and overnight camps. She enjoys bringing a fun, safe camp program for campers and staff. Before coming to Agassiz Village, she has worked mostly at YMCA camps in New England. She lives in Auburn with her husband, two kids, and a cat named Joey. In her spare time, Jaime enjoys skiing, camping with her family in Maine and traveling abroad.
Program Director
Camille Ridge
Camille is passionate about helping youth. She has much experience working with kids as a preschool teacher. Camille was an Agassiz camper at the age of 8 and has held almost every position at camp from counselor to Village Leader and now Program Director.