Frequently Asked Questions

Kingsley Pines is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). This means that Kingsley Pines submitted to a thorough (250 standards) review of its operation by the ACA, from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. The ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at Kingsley Pines reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. At Kingsley Pines, we are committed to maintaining the highest levels of safety.

Last summer we created additional camp health and safety protocols following guidance from the CDC, State of Maine, and American Camp Association in order to provide a safe and fun camp experience for our campers and staff. These protocols included extra sanitation efforts, daily temperature checks, extra medical staff, and more. We are proud to say that how we handled Covid-19 resulted in a Covid-19 free camp in 2020.

Using what we learned from last year, we have now updated our Covid-19 Procedures for 2021.

Car

If you live within driving distance, you can bring your child to camp by car. Kingsley Pines is a 40-minute drive from Portland, Maine.

Plane

Campers coming from greater distances often fly. We provide transportation to and from the Portland Jetport (Portland, ME), and Logan Airport (Boston, MA). Kingsley Pines staff members will be sure each camper is met promptly when they arrive, and returns home on the appropriate flight when their session ends.

The Portland Jetport has several daily nonstop flights, serving more then 13 US cities and Toronto, Canada. Logan Airport has direct flights to 88 domestic and 20 international destinations.

Cabin assignments are largely determined by the grade campers will be entering in the fall. We also make sure that cabins have a mix of both new and returning campers to promote a healthy group dynamic. Campers may request to be in the same cabin with a friend.

Kingsley Pines maintains a high standard of cleanliness for our camp facilities. All cabins have bunk beds, electricity, and screens. Many have their own bathrooms. Our smaller cabins house 1 counselor and 3 campers. Our larger cabins have 2-3 counselors and 8-10 campers. For those cabins without a bathroom, there are several central bathhouses with hot and cold running water, sinks, toilets, and individual shower stalls. Learn more about our facilities here.

Boys and girls have separate campuses, cabins and bathrooms, but all activities are coed.

Many are from the East Coast, but we have campers who travel from all over the US and international campers from several foreign countries.

Definitely not! Most families choose Kingsley Pines because we have shorter sessions. 96% of the campers are enrolled only for one session.

We feel that going to camp should not involve the unnecessary expense of an entire new wardrobe. The required camp clothing for Kingsley Pines is minimal and mainly for special events and safety. Campers are required to purchase or bring from a previous year, three Kingsley Pines red T-shirts (two for two-week campers), and a Kingsley Pines red sweatshirt (hooded or crew). One piece bathing suits are required for girls (tankinis do not count as a one piece suit).

Because there is so much to do at Kingsley Pines, computers, TV, and video games are not a part of our program.

Campers are not permitted to have the following while at camp: cell phones; devices that can play or record video; devices that can connect to the Internet; televisions; DVD players; video cameras; any device that has any kind of video game or electronic game; computers of any type; and eReaders.

Personal music players, that only play music, are permitted.

On the first night of camp, each camper will learn about all the activities. He/She then selects activities for periods 1-4, with the guidance of his/her cabin counselor. At the end of the week, he/she gets to choose again for the next week.

All our activities are taught by instructors who have both skill and knowledge in the activity. They create lesson plans and provide instruction for beginners as well as those campers with previous experience.

At Kingsley Pines, older campers are those boys and girls who are entering 9th, 10th and 11th grade in the fall. There are alternate Evening Activities and Special Days for this group. Click here to learn more.

Generally, campers are not separated by age, although there are times when campers are separated by age for certain activities and special events.

The regular daily camp activities are open to all ages, with three exceptions. To participate in rock climbing and high ropes, campers must be age 10 or older. For stained glass, campers must be age 12 or older.

Our weekly camp schedule includes 5 regular activity days and two special days. On regular activity days, there are five activity periods. For the first four periods, each child chooses his/her activities for the week. The fifth period is a daily choice and is made before lunch each day. The fifth period involves many different activities and taps into the special talents of our counselors. Two days each week are Special Days, where we take a break from the regular daily schedule.

Each camper’s swimming ability will be evaluated on the opening day of a session. To participate in canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and windsurfing, a camper must complete or test out of Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 3. Campers are required to take swimming lessons until they complete or test out of Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 4. Click here to see the requirements for levels 3 and 4.

Our Health Center is staffed 24 hours a day by one of our registered nurses. They give prescribed medications and provide routine medical care. We also have several Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) on staff. A local doctor is available for consultation and to provide additional treatment. If needed, an ambulance and paramedics are just two miles away. The local hospitals include Bridgton Hospital and Maine Medical Center, the largest hospital in Maine. If there are any additional questions, please check out our Health & Safety page.

We have over 25 lifeguards at Kingsley Pines. One or more lifeguards monitor every waterfront activity. During designated swim times, we use a combination of the buddy system and the buddy board. During staff orientation, lifeguards are trained in a variety of swimming and boating rescue skills. Campers must wear life jackets when participating in boating activities.

Yes! At Kingsley Pines, all prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicine is kept in the Health Center. Parents must make sure to give any medicine to the nurses at the Health Center on opening day in their original containers with specific directions for use. For additional questions regarding medication at camp, please check out our parent handbook.

Religion is not a part of our program. There are no religious services held at camp and children of many faiths choose Kingsley Pines.

Parents can send email, faxes, and letters to their children. Children can send letters home and are encouraged to do so.

We cannot accept phone calls for campers. If any family needs to contact camp or their child because of a personal emergency, we can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone calls are a challenging issue. We recognize that, as loving and caring parents, you miss your children, but telephone calls are counter-productive to the camp experience. One of the major benefits of camp attendance is for your child to gain independence. This can only happen when there is some separation between parent and child. Being in constant contact with your child will inhibit this. The Boys and Girls Campus Heads are always available should you have any questions about your child’s camp experience.

Instances of homesickness are not unusual, especially for new campers. Our counselors are trained to be sensitive to children’s moods, to discuss these emotions with them, and to keep them active and involved in the camp program. They will refer prolonged cases to the Boy’s or Girl’s Campus Head, who will contact parents as needed.

Parents may visit at any time. There is no designated visiting day.

Kingsley Pines is happy to provide reference families from all over the world. Click here to request references.

Cool nights and warm days. The average high in July is 81f/27c. The average low is 61f/16c.

The water temperature is 75 – 80 degrees in the summer. We have an expansive sand beach and a sandy swimming area. The water is crystal clear. On a sunny day, you can easily see to a depth of 20 feet or more.