Maine Golf and Tennis Academy

Parent's FAQ

1. What is Kennebec's Maine Golf and Tennis Academy Like?

Its a Top Golf School and Tennis School for Juniors at a Summer Camp in Maine

New England's #1 Summer Golf Camp and Summer Tennis Camp

One of the oldest camps in the US, Kennebec started in 1907. The only Golf Camps and Tennis Camps in America at a real summer camp. Junior Golf Campers, Tennis Campers and Summer Campers sleep in cabins with 8 children and 2 counselors. Many of the original buildings and facilities, though all upgraded and newly renovated, are still used giving this Traditional "Harvard of Camps" the enchanting aura of a classic summer camp.

Facilities include: 60 acres of woods, fairways, greens, bunkers, 300 yd driving range, Pro Shop, Yoga and Exercise Center, Cinema Cafe, Internet Cafe, basketball, tennis courts (both red clay and hard courts), complete waterfront with water-skiing, sailing, kayaking and of course swimming in crystal clear Salmon Lake, 45 buildings, comfortable rustic cabins with toilets and sinks. Girls also have showers in their cabins.

2. Where is The Maine Golf and Tennis Academy?

We are right in the center of Maine's Belgrade Lakes Region, a beautiful area of lakes and mountains. One hour and ten minutes from Portland, Maine. About 3 hours and 20 minutes from Boston, MA, 4 hours from Montreal, Canada and 7 hours from New York City.

3. How do I get there?

See Driving Directions.

4. Who are Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy Campers?

We accept 130 boys and girls, beginners to advanced golf and/or tennis devotees from all over the world, who enjoy playing, laughing, and growing together; campers who seek the excitement and challenge of living cooperatively in a stimulating community. We, their parents, and they, value strong, positive peer relationships and build these through the challenge of living in rustic cabins with 8- 10 other campers from all different cultures, sacrificing the comforts of living in their own home with all the modern conveniences at their finger tips. They believe, as do we, they gain much for their efforts. These courageous young adventurers learn to covet this enclave and home away from home for the thrill of gaining the wonderful benefits of sharing their passions, challenges and living space with others. Most notably they are excited about devoting their weeks with us to learning and practicing one or both of their favorite sports in a traditional Maine summer camp environment.

Most Maine Golf and Tennis Academy summer campers come from the Eastern Seaboard of the US: New England, Metro New York, and Metro DC, but we get campers from all over of the US: California, The Carolinas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Alabama. Our International campers come from Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, other Eastern and Western European countries, Kuwait, Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, China, Japan and Canada. Camp is truly an American international community, with 90% US campers and about 10% international campers. We offer ESL or ESOL (English as a Second Language) optional instruction to help international campers develop skills in conversational English and bond more strongly with their cabin mates. Campers are from 25 different countries and 35 different states across the US.

5. Is this going to be too advanced for my child?

We teach beginners through advanced, each within his or her own program. See our explanation of different levels and description of Beginner - Intermediate and Advanced Golf Program.

Here is a table to help you find out what is being taught at each level. Click here

While we pride ourselves on offering the finest Professional PGA/LPGA Golf Instruction and USPTA Tennis Instruction that a Junior can receive, our staff is ready, willing, and able to make the beginner feel right at home. It is true that Advanced Golfers and Tennis Players can get up to 8 hours a day of instruction and play, however, the unique aspect of the Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy is that each camper can adjust the amount and the intensity of the golf or tennis program by opting for other activities offered each day.

The last thing we want to do is overwhelm any camper. Even though campers are offered highly sophisticated and technical training along with being video taped, analyzed, measured, adjusted and molded in every aspect of their game no matter what level, the camper is still in charge of how much he or she can manage in any given day.

6. Who owns Kennebec Camps Maine Golf and Tennis Academy?

Meet the Directors!

7. Who are our counselors?

NOTE: This will make you feel great about choosing the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy

Our faculty and staff are our greatest asset!

Men and women in college or finished college, who choose to focus their summer on helping children to realize their potential. They are teachers, guidance counselors, childcare professionals, students, caring and skilled individuals with camp-related backgrounds. These staff live, eat, bunk with, guide, counsel, listen to, care for, and recreate the campers when they are not in either the Golf or Tennis Program.

Because we run camp as a full time, year round venture, we spend most of our time recruiting and interviewing new candidates to become part of our team of wonderful faculty and staff. Our faculty and staff are our greatest asset!

The Instructors and and Pros
The Management Team assists with the day-to-day running of the camp. Mature, experienced Division Heads supervise each of the living units. Mature, experienced Professionals who are Department Heads supervise each of the major areas, Golf, Tennis, Waterfront and Program Activities. We have 10 Golf Teaching Staff: PGA and LPGA Professionals, Coaches, Instructors, Golf Professionals and college players. In Tennis we have 4 Teaching Staff headed by a USPTA Professional and 3 assistant coaches.

8. Where do Counselors come from?

Most come from all across the US, as well as some from international points: Australia, Europe, Asia, South America, and Central America. We hire and train counselors from Colleges and Universities around the world.

9. What's the food like?

Our Chefs prides themselves on exciting the campers every meal with carefully balanced and kid-friendly scrumptious meals to which he puts his personal touch and creativity. He is always concerned that every child goes away satisfied. Most special diets or food allergies can be accommodated, if requested in writing, in full and exact detail by April 30th. Please contact the office to get exact amount of the extra fee for special diets.

The Maine Golf and Tennis Academy uses the served family style and buffet style: you select what you like to eat and there are always options. Entrees include vegetarian options at every meal with an extensive salad bar offered at every lunch and dinner. Maine Golf and Tennis Academy maintains a bottomless fruit bowl all day long: An afternoon snack (at 3:30 PM) Sandwich ingredients and cereal are always available An evening snack, such as cookies and milk, brownies, or fruit is offered before bedtime.

10. Where do I swim?

This quintessential summer camp scene is our own "little heaven" on Lake Salmon. In beautiful, crystal clear Lake Salmon. Because Lake Salmon is relatively shallow, only 50 feet deep, it warms quickly in the spring and retains warmth through our summer season.

Lake Salmon is 3.5 miles long, providing excellent facilities for boating, skiing, and swimming activities. Lake Salmon connects to McGraw Pond another lake which is 4 miles long.

11. Where will I live?

In a comfortable rustic cabin with 8 - 10 other campers of your age and grade. Your cabin has electricity, toilets, sinks, and wrap around screens to insure plenty of cool air flow during the day and side flaps to keep in the warmth on chilly nights. Because we are in a pristine and picturesque lake setting, we want you to help us keep it that way for the Next 100 Years! Thus:

Camp requires that you bring and use only BioDegradables - Thank you. Bio-Degradable Soaps and Toothpaste only please. See Tom's Of Maine Products for a good selction and a reliable product. www.tomsofmaine.com

We will have a selection of Tom's of Maine Products for sale in the Pro Shop for those who have forgotten to bring them.

12. How are Junior Camp (ages 8-12) and Senior Camp (ages 13-17) different?

The Juniors experience focuses primarily on integrating a new camper to our program. The meals and evening activities are generally segregated by age group. This experience provides an excellent introduction to all aspects of camp life, without the age factor being intimidating to the younger camper. The Junior Camp program is unique in its small size and very close camper-counselor contact.

13. Is the camp orientated toward competition or individual skill development?

The Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy emphasizes participation and individual achievement over competition. Any camper who wishes to be a part of our golf, tennis or other sports inter-camp team, makes the team, every camper who tries out for the play is cast: all campers are encouraged to participate in the talent shows, music recitals, and other performances offered during evening activities.

We maintain: "Your greatest competition is your former self" and as such we challenge you to improve yourself to your utmost ability and satisfaction. The Gallary looks on, as a camper chips on, to finish his match at our Maine Golf Academy Tournament.

Tournaments and competitions are played here at our own facility once a week. They are arranged to teach more how to participate nobly rather than to participate triumphantly.

14. Does camp require a uniform?

Yes. See clothing and the Special NIKE Uniform Option.

We suggest that you consult your insurance agent to make sure that your child’s equipment and personal belongings are covered while in transit or at camp. The camp is not responsible for such loss or damage by fire, theft, laundry, etc.

15. How many campers sleep in a bunk, and what is the camper to counselor ratio?

Your bunks range in sizes from 7 to 10 campers, and most cabins have two counselors. Our overall camper to counselor ratio is 3 to 1.

New Bathrooms in every cabin and girls also have showers in their cabins.

16. How does the co-ed aspect of camp work?

Girls live in their own cabins with female counselors, in an area of the circle of cabins designated for girls only, and the boys have their own area of the circle of cabins. Each has their own shower house. Neither are permitted to visit each other in their cabins. All the scheduled activities, which are supervised 24 hours a day, are the appropriate place and time for socializing. Otherwise boys and girls eat together, take instruction together and are engaged in all activities based on interest and ability.

Most coed camps report a surprisingly smooth and easy integration of boys and girls in the instruction and play for their respective sports activities. We find the same is true here at the Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy. Campers are all very respectful of our strict rules of etiquette both on and off the field of play.

17. Will I have any choices?

Loads!

18. Are there any special events?

Special events are usually the core of each evening's activities: games shows, trivia contests, talent night, carnival, casino, movies, etc. Trips include: Whitewater rafting, Mountain Climbing, Camping Trips, Rock Climbing, Whale Watching, Tournaments, Parent/ child Tournaments on the Saturday that your child leaves.

A favorite activity is the climbing of Mt. Battie, overlooking Camden, and then a Lobster Feast on the ocean!
Permission: As part of our Trips Permission Form, our Enrollment Forms and our Terms and Agreement, you will be asked to give permission for your child to participate in all in- and out-of-camp sponsored activities including but not limited to: waterskiing, white water rafting, sailing, rock climbing, ropes course, sports, waterfront activities, trips, golf, tennis, and travel in vehicles. And that you understand these activities might have risks and dangers connected with them; thus you will release Kennebec Boys Camp, Inc., dba Maine Golf and Tennis Academy, its Directors, and all its agents and staff from any legal actions or claims that your child, you or the legal guard- ian might have for the damage or injury to the child or any personal property arising from being a camper at or participating in any activity in the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy Program(s).

19. What do you do about Homesickness?

Homesickness is normal and in many cases to be expected. After all, most campers come from the warm cocoon of a tight knit family unit that gives the child unlimited access to their loving parents, the comfort of their family constellation and all the support that comes with it. Often times children don't have to share a bedroom, bathroom or a new living space with anyone else, let alone strangers. It can be a wonderful time of growth, skill development and pride. Yet it can also be unnerving. The most important factor is that everyone has a positive attitude. It may seem to be a breeze going to camp when we are in the comfort of our homes in January. It is another story when your son or daughter suddenly discovers the real sense of being in a new environment. Here is where we are the experts at helping your child regain that optimism they had before they arrived. That is why it is critical that your child come to us with all their concerns and worries so that we can attend to them immediately and fully. Parents, who are usually states and sometimes countries away, can do little or nothing to assuage their concerns. If you let us co-parent with you for these few weeks your child is away there is nothing so effective as the friendly caring face of their counselor and our staff. Thus the reason for no phone call for the first week and then only one per week after that.:

We teach our counselor to handle homesickness through an approach borrowed from Bob Ditter, a special Camp Psychologist and Expert in the field of camps and homesickness:

"Going away to camp is a tremendous step for many children, even if it's their third or fourth time doing it, and those of us who have been doing it for a long time can easily underestimate the trepidation a child experiences in the process." -Bob Ditter, American Camping Association

What to do for homesick campers:

1. Acknowledge the feeling:
"It's scary to wake up in a new place." "I feel badly that you feel like this." "It's not easy being away from home."

2. Share your feelings:
"I know how you feel, when I went to college for the first time I was homesick too!"

3. Clarify the real issue:
"What is it that bothers you the most?" (If scared of the dark) "Do you think a flashlight would help you?" "Have you tried to make friends?"

4. Reassure them:
"I think you're a neat kid." "I know you can get through this." "I like you already and I've only just met you." "You and I are going to be special friends."

5. Predict:
"Won't it be great when you get through this." "You will be so proud of yourself."

20. Can my parents call me?

NO phone calls for campers are accepted from parents. Campers may make appointments to call parents after their first week and then only once a week. It is important for campers to adjust themselves to this new lifestyle of summer camp and phone calls are often times disruptive and can even create an exaggerated feeling of homesickness on the part of the child. Of course, at Camp Parents may call us at the camp office (1 207 465 3226) at any time to inquire about their child with anecdotal reports and up-to-date information on each camper's adjustment to camp. A telephone fee of $5 per week is charged to cover the costs of camper overseas phone calls.

When calling camp, remember please, that we are involved in every minute of the campers lives here including safety, welfare, bunk life, instruction and fun. Ttherefore, because that is our priority, please leave a message and expect a phone call back the same day by 10 PM from a director.

Letter From A Parent to Parents:
You dropped your child off at camp two days ago, you have heard nothing, and you sit at home and wonder. The question is how can you be sure your camper is okay? First, it is important to know that there is a huge variety in the ways camps help parents and campers stay in touch. Most camps do not allow campers to carry cell phones; and ask that phones be left at home. Some allow free access to one-way email; by in large most camps work to remove technology as a whole. Some camps have designated visiting days afer four weeks; others discourage any visits at all. Every camp is different so it is important that you ask the director how communication happens before you enroll in camp.

Part of the magic of a great camp experience is being in a self-consciously closed community. During their sessions campers live their whole lives on the camp property, with their camp friends, and so they become completely immersed in the drama and story of camp. This is the most fundamental ingredient of a great camping adventure and this is the reason many directors discourage parents from calling or visiting their campers.

Instead, camps work to create a one way mirror to allow you to see what is happening at camp without changing your child’s camp experience. The reason for this “creative separation” is to allow the children to develop a healthy sense of independence, which then leads to a healthy sense of adventure. At the same time, most camp directors want parents to see everything that happens at camp. They are your children, and in this case, I know that Joel and Crista Lavenson, Directors want to be sure that you are happy with how they are doing at camp. They create this one way mirror by daily publishing photos on the website. In addition they add newsletters, periodic Tweets (yes, you may have to start Twitter!), or videos. If you are still concerned, you can also call the office, or even the camp director. Again, most camp directors want to let you know how your camper is doing, after all, they are parents too. I hope this helps. - Howard Lathrop - parent of 2 campers who came for four years.

21. How do you handle campers who need medication, are sick or get injured?

See the extensive Medical FAQ.

22. What about Email?

We allow Parents to do one-way-e-mail Camp through a company called Bunk1.com. New for this year Campers will be able to reply to those e-mails through special technology Bunk1 has developed. To sign up or to use the service visit www.mainegolfandtennisacademy.bunk1.com

We permit Parents to Campers Only. (Email is one way to campers only and is restricted to the use of verified camp parents only) After the first Thursday of their stay, campers can receive emails and each day there after. As always, campers can write letters home everyday, but campers are not permitted to write or send emails, as we have decided to do without computers for the campers. This insures that campers will not have the lose of fun program time.

Send emails to www.Bunk1.com. Put your campers name and bunk in the subject line so that we can ensure that the mail gets to your camper.

23. What's the deadline to apply?

The Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy does not have an application deadline We do not believe in creating artificial pressure for your family. However, some age groups and sessions fill very early; so please call to ensure room for your campers.

24. Why did we choose to change Kennebec Boys Camp, a traditional boys camp, a legend in the camp world with a general theme, into this unique hybrid of a Golf School and Tennis School at a Summer Camp?

It has been increasingly apparent to us, as parents, that there are fewer and fewer role models that are the kind of people we would choose to put in front of our own kids, let alone in front of your children.

The world needs the kind of heroes that we are proud to have our children emulate. Sports in general used to do just that. It attracted, and was attractive to, those who held values high. Nowadays, it is not so easy to find the kind of examples we can be confident are going to afford our children the nutritious upbringing we are all so interested in providing for our families. Most sports nowaday seem to tolerate and some even encourage a blatant sense of disrespect of person, place, and thing.

Because we believe Golf and Tennis is a world that still carrys a wholesome code of ethics and etiquette. Further, the kind that the world is sorely in need of demonstrating to its young. It is one of the last bastions of decency, fair play, honesty and integrity in sports, which we all know can help mold the values of our future generations. It gives us an oppotunity to help those parents who want to insure that their child is surrounded by role models, that are like the kind they had when they were growing up. The old fashioned values of manners, kindness, sacrifice, persistence, honesty and fair play. This article > we found says it better than we could.