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16 Camper Cabins that house 7-10 Campers and 2 Counselors
1. What is
Kennebec's Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy Like?
One of the oldest camps in the US, Kennebec started
in 1907. Many of the original buildings and facilities
are still used giving this Traditional " Harvard
of Camps" the enchanting aura of a classic summer
camp. Facilities include: 50 acres of woods, fairways,
greens, bunkers, 300 yd driving range, Pro Shop, basketball,
tennis, 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
2. Where is
The Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy?
We are right in the center of Maine's Belgrade Lakes
Region, a beautiful area of lakes and mountains. 1 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. Find
us on this map.
3. How do I get there?
Many campers arrive with their families by car, while
other US campers fly into Portland, Maine (PWM) International
campers connect through Boston's Logan International
Airport (BOS) to Portland International Jetport (PWM),
where Maine Golf Academy staff meet incoming campers'
flights Van service is provided without charge, from
and to Portland (PWM) for all campers arriving or departing
on flights between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM on scheduled
departure and arrival Saturdays and Sundays.
"Your greatest competition is your former self"
4. Who are
Maine Golf Academy and Tennis Academy Campers?
We accept 120 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 a 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 MGA 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 Italy,
Mexico, Spain, France, other Eastern and Western European
countries, Kuwait, Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, China,
Japan and Canada. Camp is truly an American international
community, with 85% US campers and about 15% international
campers. We offer 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 17 different countries and 25 different
states across the US
5. Is this
going to be too advanced for my child?
We
teach beginners through advance, each within his or
her own program.
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 our 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 Academy and Tennis Academy?
The Lavenson Family has owned and directed Kennebec
Boys Camp Inc. d.b.a. The Maine Golf Academy since 1985
! Joel is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Crista
is a Social Worker. Joel's son Christopher is the fourth
generation Lavenson to be involved with Kennebec Camps
established 1907 and the Maine Golf Academy, started
in 1997. His father, uncles and grandfather were all
involved with Kennebec over the years as campers, counselors,
waiters, and consultants.
Joel's
family has been in camping for many generations and
Joel's grandmother Caroline Lavenson owned a prestigious
girls camp in Maine called Tripp Lake Camp for 40 years.
Joel developed a unique sports training technique called
Video Sports Analysis, instant replay for athletes right
on the field of play. He worked with sports psychologists
and bio-mechanical specialists with the Olympic Development
Committee. He was a Training Ambassador and guest lecturer
to the US and USSR Olympic Track Team. He and his training
techniques were engaged to be used with notable sports
figures and teams such as: The Boston Celtics, The New
England Patriots, The New England Teamen, professional
boxers, skiers, tennis stars and golfers. Joel spent
many years in Texas were he designed and managed the
Las Colinas Sports Club and Golf Resort which was and
is the home of the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and the
Paine Webber Tennis Classic.
Joel
has coached and trained teams and individual athletes
to a high level of success, from elementary school age
to professional level.
In
addition to Joel's background as an innovator in the
field of coaching and training, he simultaneously pursued
his passion in Marriage and Family Therapy, where he
had a private practice with the Winter Park Mentoring
Group an impactful counseling and support center for
families in Florida.
Crista
who has been teaching writing at Rollins College, to
undergraduate and graduate level students, is also a
dedicated artist and calligrapher. She loves teaching
and when she became a support coordinator for the State
of Florida she too simultaneously pursued love in social
work.
Crista,
who has loved creating the Golf and Tennis Academy along
with Joel, prides herself in knowing as much as she
can about all of the campers and counselors and even
before they arrive . Her winning smile and affable nature
always makes everyone comfortable and she stuns everyone
with her memory of how much she remembers about each
person.
Joel
and Crista now reside in West Hartford, Connecticut
where both run the camp full time and still pursue the
hobby careers on the side, teaching, writing, training,
and consulting.
Joel
and Crista Lavenson, atop Mt. Battie overlooking Camden
Harbor.
7. Who are our counselors?
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, student, 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 15 Golf Teaching Staff: PGA and
LPGA Professionals, Coaches, Instructors, Golf Professionals
and college players. In Tennis we have 4 Teaching Staff
headed by our 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 returning Chef prides himself 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
will be accommodated.
The Maine Golf 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 Academy maintains
a bottomless fruit bowl all day long: Morning snack
is available after first period (10:30 AM), 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 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.
Ahhh... LIFE IS GOOD!
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.
Cozy and tidy little cabins are your child's home
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.
Senior campers enjoy greater freedom of choices in daily
and evening programs and are given the privilege of
exercising more ownership in shaping their activities
of golf, tennis, performing arts, sports, outings, and
waterfront.
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.
Tournaments
and competitions are arranged to teach more how
to participate nobly rather than to participate triumphantly.
14. Does camp require a uniform?
Yes. There is a minimal camp uniform, which must be
purchased along with the required linens and towels
from our official clothing provider, a suggested equipment
list is provided for your convenience. Recommended items
to be purchased can be found on the back of the enrollment
form or in the catalog. Suggested types and quantities
of clothing should be followed. Campers are required
to wear the golf or tennis uniform whenever participating
in the sport and whenever they leave camp. Six golf
or tennis shirts are required to participate in either
program as well as navy blue shorts and the appropriate
foot wear.
15. How many campers sleep in a bunk, and what is
the camper to counselor ratio?
Our 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.
16.
How does the coed 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?
Your day is devoted to Golf or Tennis Instruction
in the mornings and in the afternoon and evenings it
is filled with choices: your individual schedule is
based entirely on YOUR choices! You chose exactly what
YOU want to do each week. You make a daily choice each
afternoon of the weekday. (Your schedule will most likely
be different from those of your
cabin mates.)
For some this is the place they learned to water-ski!
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
A favorite activity is the climbing Mt. Battie, overlooking
Camden, and then a Lobster Feast on the ocean!
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
have 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
