News & Events
win an expense paid WEEK in las Vegas AND send a kid to camp!
NOW accepting applications for the summer of 2013
3rd Annual ATV Ride for Camp CaPella Kids!
WATCH THE CRAZY PEOPLE PLUNGE FOR CAMP CAPELLA!
Don’t forget the “Touch-A-Truck” fair in August –watch for the date!
Applications and Other Forms
If you need an application form, pledge form, fundraising kit form or something else you will find them here!
Sponsor Camp CaPella
Help the camp by providing a sponsorship. There are many levels of sponsorship to choose from. [Learn more]
Rent Camp CaPella!
Need a location to host an event? If you are a non-profit organization we can help you. [Learn more]
Camp CaPella on YouTube
Staff Application
Want to work at Camp CaPella? [Complete Application]
Day Camp
Camp CaPella offers a day camp service for campers who prefer to be with their families and/or caregivers overnight. 50% of our campers are here at camp all day, arriving at 8:30 am by bus from Bangor or being dropped off by their families or caregivers. They return at the end of the camp day at 4:30 pm.
What to bring:
Day campers are responsible for bringing their own lunch, bathing suits, appropriate footwear, a change in clothing, appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, and any and all medications that need to be administered during the day along with any special instructions for the camp staff.
Bus service:
If using bus service, the bus leaves the Brewer Wal-Mart parking lot at 8:00 am, Monday through Friday, and parents/guardians will need to pick up their camper at the same location at 4:45 pm. The bus service is available at no additional cost to the family.
Day camp program:
We begin each day gathering in the main lodge reminding everyone about our 10 camp rules.
1. Wear shoes (except at waterfront).
2. Walk – don’t run (unless told to do so as part of an activity).
3. Only staff are allowed in the kitchen.
4. When indoors, use your “inside voice.”
5. Use POSITIVE words and actions.
6. Stay within staff’s sight at all times.
7. Respect campers and staff’s privacy at all times.
8. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
9. Sit on the benches at the picnic tables.
10. Don’t pass the waterfront ropes without permission.
Then we may start the day with morning “exercise” that consists of fun dancing to such great tunes as the “Margarania” or the “YMCA.” Then we give campers the opportunity to lead the group in a camp song or just tell everyone about something special – anything – that they would like to share. While campers may be shy at first, after everyone joins in with singing and clapping and having fun together, the shyness doesn’t seem to last long! Plus – they get to learn such great songs such as “The Princess Pat,” “The Pizza Hut song,” and everyone’s favorite, “Going on a Lion Hunt!”
Then the group, about 25 campers and on some days nearly as many adults (including one-on-ones attending, caseworkers, and our own one-staff-to-every-two-campers ratio), break up into three groups. The “yellow” group may go off to the lakefront for swimming and waterfront games. The “Blue” group may get involved in a rousting game of “adaptive” T-ball or some other outdoor activity – where EVERYONE plays regardless of disability! – Who cares what the score is?! It’s all about the fun of playing! The “Green” group may head for “Wild Adventures” and learn all about some of the wildlife, fish, birds, trees, and animals we often see here at camp. And it may involve doing a special arts and crafts project or working with our special Apple i-pads in learning about the calls of the wild animals and birds.
Each group will rotate so everyone gets to participate in these activities during the morning hours with a few healthy snacks in between. After lunch is a little quiet time, reading a story, or playing some table games before heading out for group activity like a fishing trip, boat rides, MORE swimming, or a fun scavenger hunt or relay races!
When 4:00 pm rolls around, it’s time to quiet down a bit and all gather around the fireplace so campers can tell of their day’s experiences and all sing some more end-of-the-day camp songs.
As Friday arrives, each camper is presented with a special award that acknowledges their unique personality, skill, or perhaps recognizing what was the highlight of their camp adventure! The “Biggest Smile Award;” “Most Improved Swimmer;” “Biggest Fish Caught Award;” and “Most Enthusiastic” are just some of the awards presented – and everyone deserves and receives one.
Fridays are usually filled with a few tears of farewells to new friends made, hugs, to their special staff counselors, and stories to tell their families of the memories they have made.