Camp Wekeela is a traditional co-ed summer camp for boys and girls ages 7-16. Camp Wekeela, a resident camp, caters to families spanning the United States and the world (including Europe and South America) creating a culturally diverse environment for campers of all ages.
The beautiful lake front campus is situated on Little Bear Pond in the town of Hartford, Maine. Camp Wekeela is 20 minutes north of Lewiston-Auburn in the Oxford County region of Maine. The facility is approximately fifty minutes from Portland Airport, three hours from Boston and six hours from the New York Metropolitan Area. [1]
History edit
In 1922, Emma Graumann opened a camp for girls on the shores of Little Bear Pond called We-You-Wega. After World War II, Joe and Francis Weene took over Camp We-you Wega and turned into a boys' camp, and named Wekeela. They came up with the current name by blending their last name with the names of their sons Ken and Larry (We+kee+la).
In 1970, Claire and Dusty Drew purchased Camp Wekeela turning it into a co-ed camp, selling it in 1981 to Laurie and Eric Scoblionko. [2]
In 1997, Ephram Caflun became the Assistant Director of Camp Wekeela. He was joined by Lori Caflun his wife and their children. In 2005 the Newman's and Waldman's of Camp Indian Acres and Camp Forest Acres assumed ownership of Wekeela. In 2008, Ephram and Lori loved Wekeela so much they purchased the camp. To this day, they continue to maintain and honor Wekeela's traditions. Wekeela alumni from as far back as the 1940s regularly hold reunions at camp and throughout the world.
Facilities edit
Camp Wekeela has twenty-three rustic cabins, all with indoor bathrooms and showers. The campus also includes a dining hall (for seating up to 400), a performing arts building with an indoor and outdoor stage and a gymnasium. Camp Wekeela has abundant recreational facilities and scenic nature preserves spanning sixty plus acres right next to Little Bear Pond. Some of these recreational facilities include horseback riding, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, hockey rink, lacrosse fields, beach volley ball court, climbing tower, natural rock climbing wall, zip-line, high and low ropes course, environmental sciences building, culinary arts building, gymnastics pavilion, photography studio, dance center, weight room, radio building, creative arts center, and a large waterfront for swimming, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving.
Organization edit
Campers edit
Wekeela's campus can accommodate approximately 300 campers at any time.[3]
Wekeela's diverse population of campers come from 39 states and 12 foreign countries. The majority come from California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. While these areas represent the largest concentrations, campers come from all over the United States as well as Europe, and South America.
Staff edit
Camp Wekeela has a 2:1 camper to staff ratio. All prospective staff members go through an intense interview process with extensive background checks. Wekeela has department heads, group leaders and counselors that come to camp from the United States, Europe, South Africa, Austrailia, New Zealand and South America. Many of the staff are former Wekeela campers.
Sessions edit
Camp Wekeela offers 7 week, 4 week, 3 week and 2 week sessions.
Activities edit
Water Sports
Swimming, sailing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, bumper tubing, water trampolines.
Land Sports
Archery, baseball, basketball, disc golf, flag football, fitness, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, street hockey, soccer, frisbee, beach volleyball.
Creative/Performing Arts
Painting, drawing, tie-dye, pottery, woodworking, rocketry, photography, jewelry, musical theater, dance, radio, video, electric/acoustic guitars, piano, drums.
Tennis
USTA pro instruction and tournaments.
Outdoor Adventure
High/low ropes, rock wall, climbing tower, trailblazing, campfire cooking, orienteering, rappelling, zip lines.
Culinary Arts
Cooking, Baking, Nutrition, Culture
Environmental Education and Animal Care
Horseback riding
Trips
Camping, day hikes, whitewater rafting, ocean surfing, teen trips to New England, Canada, Arizona, Utah and Nevada
Inter-Camps edit
Inter-camps are when two camps compete against each other in a specific sport. According to Ephram Caflun, although participants play competitively and certainly like to win, emphasis is placed on participation and sportsmanship. [4]
Traditions edit
College Weekend edit
During the first session, Wekeela has an all camp competition known as College Weekend. The camp is split into four teams. The four teams compete and are judged based on sport events, spirit events and sportsmanship.[5]
Color War edit
During the second session, Wekeela has an all camp competition known as Color War. The camp is split into 2 teams. The two teams compete in various activities including sports, spirit events, silent meals, presentations and sportsmanship.
Color War teams of the past decade:
- 2000: Green Phoenix v. White Angels
- 2001: White Pegasus v. Green Ninjas
- 2002: Green Jedi v. White Funk
- 2003: White Wave v. Green Jungle
- 2004: Green Assassin v. White Storm
- 2005: White Light v. Green Dream
- 2006: Green Revolution v. White Ice
- 2007: White Mustang v. Green Gorillas
- 2008: Green Hydra v. White Poseidon
- 2009: White Tribe v. Green Monsters
- 2010: Green Android v. White Nike
Camp Fires edit
Once a week Camp Wekeela has a campfire. Campers and counselors are encouraged to sing songs, tell jokes, read poems and tell stories. Camp fires are special because it is a time for the entire camp to get together as one in a place Wekeela calls the council ring.
Accreditation edit
Camp Wekeela is an accredited member of the American Camping Association. [6]