• Gifts of Cash: The CARES Act allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions to qualified charities. Itemizers can deduct up to 100% of adjusted gross income. As of now, this only applies to 2020.
• Stock or Securities: Make a gift of stock or securities to Agassiz Village and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation of your stock. Please call Lisa Carter, Executive Director, at 781-860-0200 ext.1006 to make your stock gift.
• Individual Retirement Account: If you or a family member are 70½ or older with an individual retirement account (IRA), you can make a tax-free gift to Agassiz Village directly from your IRA. This is called a qualified charitable distribution. Through the SECURE Act you can transfer any amount up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualified charitable organization without paying income tax on the distribution.
• Donor-Advised Funds: Give through your donor-advised fund to maximize your impact. Your fund sponsor handles all record-keeping, disbursements, and tax receipts.
PARENT FAQs
See the following for a list of the most commonly asked questions about sending your child to Agassiz Village.
How much does camp cost?
Agassiz Village is a nonprofit organization that fundraises and holds events throughout the year to cover the costs of children attending our summer sessions. We offer a tiered scale based on household income. While the full cost of a 2-week session is $3,200 ($1,600 for a 1-week session), our successful fundraising means that most low-income families pay only about $135. In addition, through generous grants and community partners, scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is the camp accredited?
Yes. Agassiz Village is licensed by the state of Maine and accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), meaning that we have undergone a thorough review of over 300 standards of our operation, from staff qualifications to emergency management.
In a typical summer, how many children attend camp?
Each session has approximately 150 campers for a total of about 600 campers each summer.
What are the camp’s cabins like?
Our cabins reflect the rustic charm inherent in Maine camping experiences. All cabins have indoor bathrooms and electricity, and several are handicap accessible. Each cabin holds up to seven (7) bunk beds, plus separate quarters for counselors. All cabins have porches to relax in the fresh Maine air.
What are meals like?
Rest assured that we are taking excellent care of your child‘s nutritional needs. Mealtime is an important part of our program. A hungry child cannot learn and grow, which is why we work with the Maine Department of Education, which provides federal funding to support programs for the health and well-being of children under the guidance of USDA regulations. Campers receive three (3) nutritious meals each day. We encourage campers to try the different cuisines that reflect our camper population, such as Mexican and African food; however, there is enough variety in each menu that a camper can find something to enjoy. Please note that parents are discouraged from packing or mailing food as it attracts animal into the sleeping quarters.
What about food allergies and dietary restrictions?
Agassiz provides vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options to its campers and staff. However, we are unable to accommodate special requests or additional food supplements from home. For the safety of all our campers and staff, Agassiz Village maintains a nut-free environment.
Is laundry service available?
Yes. All campers should bring enough clothing for at least 7-8 days. Camp laundry is done by our designated housekeeping and laundry staff midway through the session. We recommend that all clothing articles are labeled clearly with your camper's name. Please do not bring any clothing that requires special care or is delicate/expensive. During the camper online registration, you will be asked if you want to opt in for you camper to have their clothes washed. If you choose not to opt in, be sure to pack accordingly for 12 days.
Can campers call home? Can parents call campers?
We enjoy the unplugged nature of camp. We encourage our campers to leave technology behind and enjoy all that the camp has to offer. We also recognize that calling home can almost always increase feelings of homesickness. You are always welcome to call the camp office during the session to hear updates on your child from our leadership team. In rare cases, we have allowed campers to speak with parents for a short period of time. This determination is made in the best interest of the child.
Can parents visit camp?
As visitors to camp almost always create feelings of homesickness—and have negative and disruptive impact on other campers around them—Agassiz does not permit visitors except in the case of emergencies.
How can I stay in touch with my child?
Writing letters to your camper is important. We have seen first-hand how receiving letters from home can help a camper with feelings of homesickness. We encourage our campers to write home to reflect on their experiences. Although we like the old-school, handwritten letters, you can also send one-way emails to your camper. Please call our office for more information on this option.
Do you send camper updates?
Yes. When campers arrive at camp, we send a text message to parents letting them know their child has arrived safely. Also, you can check in with our Facebook page to get daily updates and photos of what is happening at the camp.
How will I know when my child is ready for an overnight camp?
Most families consider overnight summer camps for children eight (8) years and older. However, age is not the only factor in determining when a child is ready. Consider your child’s level of interest and desire to explore a summer camp setting. Consider your child’s experiences away from home without you. Has your child slept over a friend’s house or spent a weekend away from home? Talk to your child about the benefits of going to an overnight camp, such as meeting new friends and enjoying activities they might not otherwise experience. Ultimately, whether your child is ready or not is a family decision.
Will my child be safe and secure?
Yes! Agassiz Village has a 90-year history of success. Once a camper arrives, he or she is supervised by our highly dedicated staff at all times – during activities, meal and transitional times, cabin times, and overnight. We provide consistent supervision for campers while also giving them the independence required to grow and learn. There are also counselor quarters in each cabin, with at least two counselors for every cabin group. We implement the “Rule of 3” at camp, meaning there always is more the one camper with any staff member at all times. Besides our counselors, we have a dedicated team leadership staff providing constant support and direction, including our Camp Director and Director of Development & Youth Experience.
In addition, we always strive for excellence, and this is reflected in our constant efforts to evaluate our security measures to address all potential safety concerns. All staff and volunteers are background and reference checked. All visitors are accompanied by a staff member when on site, and no persons are allowed on the campus without prior approval from the Camp Director.
How do you help my child adjust to camp life?
Homesickness is normal for campers in the first few days of being away from home. We provide campers with personal attention from the first day. We always have someone available to help campers see the potential in camp and bring them out of their shell. We help campers battle homesickness in a nurturing way that builds confidence and independence. If a camper is severely homesick, we will work with the parent right away to ensure the correct support is given to the child.
What if my child does not get along with other campers?
Our program provides experience in (1) strength in diversity, (2) a safe environment to interact with peers, (3) staff who prioritize youth, (4) investigation, exploration and adventure, (5) defining and managing goals, and (6) expanding horizons. We provide positive reinforcement to encourage campers to see the good in everyone and everything they do. The counselors continually work to promote healthy interactions, and teach skills that support cooperation, tolerance, and friendship. Staff also set consistent limits, uphold standards of behavior, and translate these standards into concrete expectations for each camper. Destructive or violent behavior, or bullying, is not tolerated and will result in expulsion.
How do you support gender-expansive youth?
Agassiz Village is a gender-expansive, inclusive, and welcoming space to create an environment that is considerate of all campers. Generally, we meet the needs of gender-expansive campers on a case-by-case basis. We will take steps to work with the family and have open and honest conversations about their needs and how we can meet them. During our extensive training prior to camp, the staff work with Equality Maine to provide LGBTQIA+ workshops to further understand how to create a safe and comfortable environment for all. We will pursue the best options for meeting the camper’s needs, while being honest and realistic about any facility or programmatic limitations. We’ll also want to discuss the camper’s expectations/boundaries and thoughts on confidentiality.
Does Agassiz Village have medical staff on site?
Yes. We have a fully staffed medical center that includes a full-time RN, LPN, and EMT.
What if my child needs to take medications?
Our nurse lives on site all summer and leads the health center team in the meticulous care of every medical situation, especially when dispensing medicine. A health history form and camper physical exam form is mandatory for every child that attends camp. If your child takes regular medication, exact guidelines and requirements are detailed on the online health history and the physical exam form. When you drop your child off for transportation or drive your child to camp, please make sure to have a list of all medications (that must be in original packaging). Please do not separate medication in plastic bags or pill holders.
Who is the Agassiz Village staff?
Our staff includes:
Camp Programming: The camp is led by Camp Director Christina Kaake,who has more than 10 years of experience as a camp director and program manager, and Direct of Youth Development & Experience Camille Naldini, who has attended Agassiz Village since she was nine years old.
Camp Counselors: We have 75 counselors for the summer sessions. Many are former Agassiz campers who grew up in the program. Others are from around the world—in 2024, hailing from nine countries—to provide a unique cultural experience for campers and to assist with non-English speaking campers.
Agassiz Village Team: Agassiz Village‘s year-round staff is on hand during the summer sessions to provide support to the Leadership Team.
What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
Agassiz village is ACA accredited and, therefore, aligns the camper-to-staff ratio requirements set by the American Camping Association (ACA). There are two (2) cabin counselors per cabin, with cabins averaging twelve (12) campers. This allows a 1:3 ratio in direct care. We also have additional staff on site to make sure every child’s voice is heard.
How are the camp counselors chosen?
Applicants are selected for summer positions on the basis of their experience, maturity, personality, attitude, and certifications. All staff are interviewed by the Camp Director and undergo criminal background checks, which are conducted on all applicants (even volunteers). All camp staff have CPR and First Aid certifications. Additionally, all climbing wall, ropes course, archery, and aquatic activities are supervised by staff with certifications in those areas.
The staff are mature, enthusiastic, and diverse. They come from all walks of life, with the majority being college students studying education, psychology, and social work. They are carefully selected for those qualities of leadership, personal values, and caring, which enable them to relate to and motivate young people. Many counselors are former campers who graduated from our own leadership program. They are powerful, positive role models.
What training is given to camp counselors?
All staff attend a comprehensive ten-day staff orientation program prior to the start of the summer season.
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