The YMCA Camp of Maine is set to celebrate 50 years of co-ed camping on Saturday, July 27th with an open house from 2-5 p.m., dinner, dance and a silent auction event at 5:30 p.m. at the 305 Winthrop Center Road camp in Winthrop.

Established in 1915, the YCamp of Maine has provided access to the outdoors and camping to countless youth from Maine and beyond. The camp was one of the first YMCA facilities built in the state and served as the overnight camping program of the State YMCA of Maine.

Before cities and towns had swim and gym facilities, boys from “Y Clubs” spent summers learning leadership skills, how to work with their hands in the wood shop, on agricultural fields and swimming and boating on the lake, according to a news release from Morgan Dorsey with State YMCA Camp of Maine.

Youth and staff from around the world continue to gather together along the shores of Lake Cobbosseeconte each summer. While a large contingent of campers come from Maine, many come from across the country and internationally, making for a robust experience rich with diverse cultures and languages from around the world. YCamp offers co-ed traditional camp sessions ranging from four days to two weeks for youth ages 7-15, as well as leadership programs for teens.

Proceeds from this celebration event will go towards the camp’s capital campaign, to preserve camp for the next generation. The campaign addresses three initiatives of growing the endowment to $1 million, funding the completion of a list of necessary capital improvements, and fully funding the annual “fill the beds” campership program. Over 60% of campers receive partial or full scholarships. More about the campaign can be found at maineycamp.org.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at givesignup.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!