Maine Golf and Tennis Academy

Parent and Camper Testimonials

Camper Letters - This one sums it up pretty well.

Camper becomes a counselor - "The perfect results of a great program"

The other day we received an employment application, from a past camper who wanted to be a counselor this summer. It touched us so strongly that we wanted to share it with you, because we are
SURE YOU WILL LOVE that we have THIS QUALITY COUNSELOR for your child:

On her EMPLOYMENT ESSAY she wrote:

"Ever since I went to Maine Golf and Tennis Academy when I was younger, I fell in love with the atmosphere and warm feeling. I kept coming back because not only was I improving my golf and Tennis skills, but the camp surroundings and staff were so inviting and open. When I was thinking about a great way to spend my summer after my Freshmen year of college,, I thought of no better way!

Being able to come back to Kennebec and almost "relive" my childhood (without the awkwardness of course) would be such an experience. Not only would I be able to work where I loved to be as a young kid, I would be able to work with kids that are in the position I was in just a couple years ago. When I was a camper, I remember looking up to my counselors and staff and thinking that they were the coolest kids on the block, for a lack of a better way to put it.

Now if I could get the chance, I would like nothing more than to see the camp experience from their shoes and see how I can make kids feel the same way I did at that age. Most importantly, ever since I started babysitting at the age of about 14, I loved being around children. I like to say their smiles and happiness gets reflected on me when I am around them. Sometimes, they are easier and more fun to get along with than adults! Although I am not saying that I cannot get along with adults, because that I can do too. One of my finest memories I made when I was a camper, was actually the relationships I made with the older staff on campus. When I attended Kennebec, I felt at home because Joel Lavenson, the Director, made me feel like he knew my name and that my little opinion mattered. One year that I went to MGTA I took my brother along and he did not have as good of a start off away from home as I did. He kept checking up on my brother and I and making sure we were having a good experience ever since the original rocky start. That is when I knew that Maine Golf and Tennis Academy was such a genuine work environment and that one day I wished to be part of it.

Katherine M. from Rhode Island

"Hi Guys!!!! It was so great hearing from Jake Saturday!!!! He sounded like any parent or camp would hope for...SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!. Should we schedule a 2nd call or not? It's no longer critical on my end between seeing the bunk1 pics, hearing his voice Saturday and knowing that we'll be there this Friday.

I hope everyone had a great 4th!!!! Thank you all for making Jake's 1st "sleepaway" experience so awesome!!!!!

Laurie"

Dear Mr. Lavenson,

Casey had an absolutely wonderful time this past summer. She loved everything about the camp! The counselors were terrific, the activities were fun, the golf was "awesome", and the accommodations were great. Casey also made wonderful friends that will last a long time. To use her words, it was as if she had known them "all her life". She continues to stay in contact with many of them and hopefully, she will see them again. Your camp truly provided a very positive and enriching experience for her. Casey played in several tournaments after camp and I notice significant improvement in her short game. She medaled in each of the tournaments and the changes she's made are beginning to take hold.

She's already begun asking about next year and she wants very much to return and work with the instructors in the Gold group. We all very much huge fans of your work, and would like to see Casey take her game to the next level.

I hope all is well and I look foward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours Durant, New Hyde Park, NY (Father of 12 year old Casey)

Dear Joel,

I am writing to thank you for the incredible experience that Justin had at MGTA last month. Justin started playing golf last summer, and he did not play for 8 months until the Spring. However, he developed an instant love for the sport, and he wanted to attend a camp where he could greatly improve. Given his inexperience with this sport, and the fact that he did not know anybody at MGTA, we were not sure what type of experience he would have. Although he had attended overnight camp for many years, he was hesitant upon his arrival at MGTA when it hit him that he did not know anyone.

What a surprise we had when we received our first (and only) letter from him. The very first line was, "Camp is great!" Justin thrived at MGTA. He made many friends, his golf improved tremendously, his love of the sport is very clear to us, he loved the extra activities (whitewater rafting, color war, lip sync, etc.), he had great counselours, etc. It seems like it was a perfect environment for him. He came home happy, relaxed, and noticeably more confident!

We want to thank you sincerely. I also want to thank you for calling me with the status on Justin's progress; it meant a lot to me knowing that you were "looking out" for him, and that you selected a "big brother" for him, as I think it helped him tremendously.

Again, thank you, and if parents call you and ask for a reference, please do not hesitate to give my name and telephone number.

Joann & Sheldon Itzkowitz

Dear Maine Golf & Tennis,

Our son, Walker C. attended camp this past summer, and he had a great time. It was his first time at any camp away and we were pleased with the overall experience. He loves his golf and came home even more excited than ever! In fact whenever we ask what he wants to do – he says- “Can we go play golf?”

We were also very happy with an adjustment that had to be made on drop off day; I had mistakenly put his birth date as 1995 (instead of 1998), upon arrival he was grouped with other 15 year olds…a big difference to 10 years. Anyway upon discovering this – he was moved to an appropriate cabin—Thank you!

And so the main reason for my letter – upon unpacking, I found his Bermuda Flag he had brought at the camps request… and after seeing all the flags flying at the entrance, I thought Bermuda should be there too…and so it is enclosed.

Thanks for everything! Sincerely,

Ardleigh Young (Mother of Walker C. - happy camper.)

Dear Joel and Crista,

You know your child had an amazing time at camp when they are smiling when you drop them off and full of tears when the are leaving. Corey truly came home with a deep love of camp and wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. The camp is so well run. Everyone was so pleasant on the phone answering all our questions prior to camp. You were so organized when we arrived with individual packet for every camper, the entire staff being on hand to greet and the tour of camp. We especially appreciated how well done the parent's departure was handled. I know it saved me a lot of tears.

The staff were absolutely incredible. The golf pros did an amzing job, the chef was wonderful and the counselors were the finest I have ever seen. Nigel, Brian and David truly made Corey's summer. They couldn't have been more attentive, fun and caring. Megan is unbelievable, as welll as the entire staff. You certainly know how to run a first rate camp. Everyday offered a new activity and experience. Please save a spot for Corey for next summer

Sincerely, Terri and Jim Pasquarelli (Parents of a first year camper Corey)

Dear Joel,

Just a short note to thank you very much for all the support you have given to my children (Cristina and Manuel) at the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy. They told us that everybody has been extremely nice to them but you have been really like their "mother and father" while at camp. Manuel told me that you always kept their e-mails apart and that you were always ready to listen to them...

As you know, it was their first time at a camp in the US ( they have been at camp in the past, but only for two weeks and in Spain) and as you have probably seen, they are very close to their family, so, at the beginning they were tired, jet-lagged. They were new and it was a bit hard for them for the first day or two, however,... You have been a great help for them!

The have had a great time at MGTA!! I am sure they will be back next year... Thank you very very much again

Best regards, Patricia Estany mother of two 3rd year campers

PS. Manuel would like to send you a present. Are you still there for a few more weeks?

"It seems like it was a perfect environment for him. He came home happy, relaxed, and noticeably more confident!"