Camp Bomazeen is located on the eastern shore of Great Pond in Belgrade Lakes and has operated for nearly eighty years as an important youth camp in central Maine.
The camp formally opened in 1945 as a Boy Scouts of America camp. Its dedication drew Scouts from ten counties across Maine, reflecting its intended role as a regional facility for the Pine Tree Council. At the ceremony, Scout Executive Perri Dunn presented two flags to the camp, which were accepted by William Hinman of Skowhegan on behalf of the trustees.
The property was made available through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. George G. Averill of Waterville, who provided land along Great Pond’s eastern shoreline. Their gift, combined with the work of the trustees, allowed the camp to open that same summer.
The name “Bomazeen” comes from a Native American chief whose people once camped in Norridgewock, linking the camp to the longer Indigenous history of the region.
For decades, Bomazeen has functioned as a Boy Scout summer camp where Central Maine Scouts participated in traditional Scout activities such as canoeing, swimming, hiking, navigation, first aid and woodcraft. The program emphasized outdoor skills, teamwork, and leadership development, with Great Pond serving as the central setting for waterfront and wilderness activities.
By 1979, the camp was also serving younger Scouts: the northern end of Bomazeen was used for a dedicated Cub Scout program, expanding its reach to younger boys for a day campers.
The Pine Tree Councils has faced financial pressures over time which has impacted Bomazeen. In 1979, and again in 2020, the Pine Tree Council considered selling the property as a way to reduce council debt. In both cases, the possibility of a sale generated significant concern among alumni, local residents and families connected to the camp.
Despite these challenges, Camp Bomazeen has continued to operate. Facilities have been updated over time, programming has broadened and the camp eventually became coeducational. While operations have evolved, the core mission — providing outdoor education and recreation on Great Pond — has remained consistent.
Today, Camp Bomazeen continues to be an active summer camp and an important part of the history of the Belgrade Lakes region, representing both the legacy of postwar Scouting in Maine and the continuing tradition of youth camps on Great Pond.