Youth Camps | Belgrade Historical Society

Camp Merryweather

Krack Media — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:41:30 +0000

Camp Merryweather

For more than 100 years, the Belgrade Lakes have been known for their summer youth camps. The very first one opened in 1900 on Great Pond. That was Camp Merryweather.

At the time, Camp Merryweather not only was the first youth camp on Great Pond but also the first such camp in Maine and only the third in the country.

The idea of parents sending their children—boys initially—away from home to live with strangers for a month or more during the summer was a very novel one in 1900, but it was an idea that caught on fast, and within seven years, even the first youth camps for girls were being developed on Great Pond and elsewhere.

Camp Merryweather evolved in accordance with the vision of Henry ‘Skipper’ Richards (1848-1949) and his wife, Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards (1850-1943, daughter of Samuel G. & Julia Ward Howe), with the support of their four daughters and two sons. That vision encompassed a full schedule of water activities (swimming and boating) and tutoring in such diverse subjects as history, poetry, theater and vegetable gardening. The ‘educational’ component was supplemented with chores, nature hikes, competitive sports, and listening to stories around the evening camp fire. Many of the campers became prominent during their adult lives, including Kermit Roosevelt (son of President Theodore Roosevelt), the brothers Joseph & Stewart Alsop (newspaper columnists), Conrad Aiken (poet) and Laurence Rockefeller.

Many alumni of Camp Merryweather served during World War I, and 11 former camps lost their lives in that conflict. On July 3, 1921, a stone memorial on the camp’s shore along Great Pond was dedicated to memory of these men. The verse on the base of the memorial reads:
But yet—but yet—ah! Ne’er forget
In tempest or in night,
That clear and true still shines for you
The Merryweather Light

The memorial includes a short stone tower with a kerosene lantern on top. The BHS recently received information about this Camp Merryweather memorial and its lantern from Elijah Cobb, a descendant of the Richards. According to him, “The lamp – The Merryweather Light – was created as a beacon to help those who lost their lives – to find their way home to camp.

It also served as a place to put up a kerosene lamp to guide home any one who was out late on the pond (Great Pond) and in need of guidance home to the dock.” Sadly, however, “The memorial lamp was stolen some years ago – 30? – at least 20 years ago.” Recently, Mr. Cobb added, “A small group of us have taken on the project to try and recreate the lamp and reinstall it – hopefully in time for its 100th anniversary [in 2021]. … I am writing to ask if you have any images of the WW1 Memorial that was created by Camp Merryweather to honor the campers who died in the war. … I need good photo reference to help the folks who are trying to digitally recreate the lamp. So far I have very little that is close enough to be really helpful.”

Unfortunately, the BHS did not have any photographs of the Camp Merryweather Memorial. Mr. Cobb actually sent us the pictures that you see in this newsletter, and we are grateful to him for doing so and happy to be able to share them with our readers. But also, we really would like to help Mr. Cobb and his cousins to recreate the lantern as part of their restoration of this significant World War I memorial. If any readers have or know of the existence of photographs of this memorial please contact BHS as soon as possible.

BHS can make digital copies of such photographs without harming the originals. Restoring this memorial is both a respectful way to honor those 11 men who gave their lives in World War I and to preserve an important piece of Belgrade’s history. Camp Merryweather continued to operate for many years after World War I. Its last season as a boys’ camp was the summer of 1937, and then it became a private camp for the Richards family.

In 1963, descendants of Skipper and Laura Richards created Merryweather Realty Trust to keep Camp Merryweather as a perpetual summer gathering place for all the descendants, numbering close to 200 by 2019. One descendant, Rosalind Cobb Wiggins, a
granddaughter of the Skipper and Laura, compiled a history of the camp in 2000 to mark the 100th anniversary of Camp Merryweather. That book, Admirals All: The Story of Camp Merryweather, published by Ipswich Press in Ipswich, MA, is available for purchase online.

Pine Island Camp (Great Pond, Belgrade)

Krack Media — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:57:59 +0000

Pine Island Camp (Great Pond, Belgrade)

Founded in 1902 by Clarence Colby, Pine Island Camp occupies a wooded island in the middle of Great Pond, the largest lake in the Belgrade Lakes region. From its earliest years the camp’s location — accessible only by boat — reflected Colby’s belief that boys would learn through immersion in nature, shared responsibility, and simple living. The island’s rocky shores and tall pines have long shaped both daily life and the camp’s enduring character.

In 1908 the camp was acquired by Dr. Eugene L. Swan, whose family would guide Pine Island for more than a century. Under Dr. Swan, and later his son Eugene “Jun” Swan, many of the camp’s defining programs and traditions took shape. Campers lived in canvas tents on wooden platforms, worked together in daily routines, swam and rowed on Great Pond, and undertook extended wilderness canoe trips. The camp emphasized independence, cooperation, and respect for the natural environment of the Belgrade Lakes.

Ritual and shared experience have always been central to Pine Island’s culture. The King’s Game, a multi-day, island-wide competition blending strategy, endurance, humor, and teamwork, has become one of the camp’s most celebrated traditions — a unique test of community and spirit. The annual Thorndike trips, extended canoe expeditions into Maine’s backcountry, require paddling, portaging, campcraft, and group problem-solving, forging deep bonds among campers and staff alike.

A defining moment in the camp’s history came in 1996, when a devastating fire destroyed seven buildings on the island. The blaze forced the camp to rebuild much of its infrastructure to meet updated health and safety codes. As part of that restoration, Pine Island was connected by its first electric cable to the mainland, marking a subtle shift in facilities while still preserving the camp’s intentional simplicity — campers continue to live without electricity or running water in their tents.

The response to the fire revealed the strength of the Pine Island community. Alumni, families, and local supporters rallied to raise funds and resources, ensuring that the camp could be restored in a way that honored its historic character. Rebuilt facilities were designed to retain a rustic feel while improving durability and safety, preserving the island’s unique atmosphere for future generations.

Today Pine Island Camp operates as a nonprofit organization led by Ben and Emily Swan, continuing the principles established more than a century ago: simplicity, mutual responsibility, and learning through the outdoors. While essential infrastructure has been modernized where necessary, the spirit of the camp remains remarkably consistent with its early years.

For the Belgrade Lakes region, Pine Island Camp is an important part of local history and landscape. Its docks, boats, tents, and evening campfires have been a familiar presence on Great Pond for generations. Thousands of boys have arrived by launch each summer, leaving weeks later with lasting friendships, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the lakes and forests of Belgrade.

Camp Bomazeen — A Great Pond History

Krack Media — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:43:39 +0000

Camp Bomazeen — A Great Pond History

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.

Camp Abena

Krack Media — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:02:05 +0000

Camp Abena

A Legacy by the Lake: The History of Abena Camp for Girls

In the heart of Maine’s lakes region, nestled along the serene shores of Great Pond in Belgrade, stood a place that for generations of young women was more than just a summer retreat—it was a sanctuary of growth, friendship, and adventure. Abena Camp for Girls, founded in the early 20th century, became one of the region’s most cherished summer camps, weaving its legacy into the broader cultural and social fabric of Maine’s camp tradition.

Founding and Philosophy

Abena Camp was established in 1919, at a time when the summer camp movement in the United States was flourishing. With a growing awareness of the value of outdoor education and character-building for youth—particularly for girls in an era of expanding social roles—Abena was envisioned as a place where young women could cultivate independence, leadership, and a deep appreciation for nature.

The camp’s name, “Abena,” is derived from Native American roots, reflecting a reverence for the natural beauty and heritage of the region. Located on a pine-lined stretch of Great Pond (the same lake that inspired E.B. White’s Once More to the Lake), Abena quickly developed a reputation for offering a balanced and enriching experience rooted in tradition, outdoor exploration, and personal growth.

Life at Camp

Campers arrived from across New England and beyond, often returning year after year. They spent their summers in rustic cabins, waking to the sound of loons and the glimmer of morning light on the lake. The days were filled with canoeing, swimming, sailing, hiking, archery, arts and crafts, music, and nature study.

Abena was notable for its emphasis on values-based education. Leadership, teamwork, self-reliance, and service were woven into the daily rhythms of camp life. Songs, rituals, and traditions—many passed down over decades—fostered a deep sense of community and continuity. The camp operated with a spirit of integrity, inclusiveness, and joy, offering a nurturing environment that helped generations of girls develop confidence and lifelong friendships.

Cultural and Community Impact

Abena was part of a wider network of camps that turned the Belgrade Lakes region into a summer destination known for excellence in youth development. For the town of Belgrade, the camp brought a seasonal infusion of energy and economic vitality. Local residents served as staff, tradespeople, and guides, while businesses thrived from the influx of families and visitors each summer.

Many former campers and counselors from Abena went on to become leaders in education, public service, the arts, and community life—carrying with them the lessons and memories forged on the shores of Great Pond. Alumni gatherings, newsletters, and reunions helped sustain the Abena spirit long after the tents were packed away.

Transition and Legacy

Like many traditional summer camps, Abena eventually closed its doors as societal shifts and changing recreational preferences altered the landscape of summer programming. While the exact date of its closure is not always clearly recorded, the legacy of Abena endures in the hearts of those who experienced its magic.

Today, the site of Abena Camp remains a treasured part of Belgrade’s natural and cultural heritage. Former campers continue to visit, remembering days spent under towering pines and starlit skies, the laughter of friends echoing across the water.

In telling the story of Abena Camp for Girls, we honor not only a place but a philosophy—a belief in the power of nature, community, and mentorship to shape the lives of young women. Belgrade is proud to have been the home of such a meaningful institution, and the spirit of Abena continues to ripple across Great Pond, quietly reminding us of summers well spent.