February 21, 2021, POLAND, ME: Agassiz Village, a nonprofit overnight summer camp in Poland, ME will open for the summer season of 2021. After much consideration due to the world-wide health crisis of COVID-19, Agassiz has made the decision to open and feels it is critical for youth to have camp especially this summer.
Historically, Agassiz Village has served mostly kids from under-resourced communities in the Greater Boston area. Under the leadership of a new Executive Director, Agassiz Village’s Board of Directors has decided to expand its reach to more communities in need in greater Portland. “There is a great need in and around Poland, Maine where we are located for kids to attend Agassiz Village, so I am thrilled we will be offering our programs to more kids and teens in Poland and surrounding communities like Lewiston and Portland,” said Lisa Carter, Agassiz Village’s Executive Director.
Through new partnerships with Lewiston Public Schools, Poland Public Schools, and Oxford Public Schools, Agassiz Village plans to recruit kids from these communities this summer and give them the opportunity to attend Agassiz Village for two weeks where they can discover who they are now and who they can become through a social, emotional and leadership program mixed with a lot of good old-fashioned summer camp fun.
Agassiz specializes in serving kids living without a parent or in foster care, kids who have faced trauma in their lives and kids from low-income families.
“I think it’s more important than ever that we operate this summer. A flood of recent research is alarming especially for children from low-income families. Kids are experiencing spikes in depression and anxiety. They need to be with other kids this summer in a loving and welcoming and fun environment like Agassiz Village,” said Carter.
Agassiz is planning in-person sessions, July 5th-16th, July 19th-30th, and August 2nd-13th.
Due to restrictions related to Covid-19, Agassiz will be operating at 60% capacity and will follow all CDC and local health department guidelines such as social distancing, face coverings, enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols, staying outside as much as possible, symptom monitoring, pre-arrival quarantine and testing at arrival and during camp sessions.
ABOUT: Agassiz Village is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to prepare kids for life’s journey by providing opportunities, in a summer camp environment, to develop and practice leadership and life skills that will impact their futures in education, family, career, and in their communities. Founded in 1935 by Harry E. Burroughs, founder of the Burroughs Newsboys Foundation, to serve as a haven for children from under-resourced communities. Agassiz Village has remained true to its original goal of making a transformative overnight camp experience accessible for children of all backgrounds. Agassiz Village is a 330-acre residential summer camp located on Thompson Lake in Poland, Maine. 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. www.AgassizVillage.org
For further information, contact: Lisa Carter, lcarter@agassizvillage.org, 781-860-0200 ext. 1006
