BRUNSWICK, ME. June 14, 2018 –Friday, June 15, marks the opening of Volunteers of America’s 25th year of Camp POSTCARD, a free week-long sleepover summer camp for Maine 5th and 6th graders — helping them make new friends, learn life skills, and build relationships with law enforcement.
Camp is held every year, in June, on the grounds of Agassiz Village in Poland, Maine, and is staffed by law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, and first responders who volunteer their time at Camp POSTCARD. They are joined by other community volunteers, as well as personnel from Volunteers of America Northern New England.
Every day there are new educational and hands-on activities. Mid-week, Wednesday June 20th is “Demo Day” and includes demonstrations of healthy snack making, law enforcement equipment, trained police dogs, wilderness survival skills, fire prevention, a “touch tank” of live marine creatures, an ice cream truck, face painting and more.
Camp POSTCARD is a different kind of camp.
The experience provides a safe environment that stresses appropriate role models, ideals and values. It also allows campers to experience law enforcement in a positive way. Officers too, get to know the kids in their communities better and come away reminded of why they entered their professions: to help improve peoples’ lives.
Who attends Camp POSTCARD?
Law enforcement officers, school resource officers, school personnel and community members identify & recommend children who would benefit from this unique camp experience.
Thanks to community support, there is no charge for any child to attend. Camp POSTCARD is free to all campers. For many kids, it represents his/her first camp experience. It is truly a dream come true, introducing them to many firsts – rock wall climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and team building.
All of this is possible due to the support of donors, corporate sponsors, foundation grants, volunteers from law enforcement agencies throughout Maine and numerous in-kind donations of food and supplies from our supporters.
About Volunteers of America Northern New England
Based in Brunswick, Maine, Volunteers of America Northern New England is a regional branch of Volunteers of America, a faith-based organization that has been serving our country’s most vulnerable citizens since 1896. Volunteers of America Northern New England serves the people of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont with the promise to reach out and uplift the human condition and provide opportunities for individual and community involvement. We offer support in the areas of housing, behavioral health, veterans, mediation services, community justice, senior services, youth and families, ministry, Camp POSTCARD, and Cabin in the Woods.