Meet the Director

Katie Goodman
Director of Camp Chewonki
kgoodman@chewonki.org
(207) 656-1164
She, Her, Hers
Children ages 12 to 13 may attend Camp Chewonki as a Heron for a Full Session. This 3-week experience provides campers with an opportunity to learn and grow as part of a cabin group of eight campers and two cabin leaders. Campers spend time in camp developing skills and having fun in daily activities, participating in camp life and traditions, and building towards embarking on an exciting and challenging remote trip in the beautiful woods and waters of Maine. While new campers join us in every age group, we have designed our overnight camp progression to increase in rigor with each successive summer to develop caring and confident leaders who are prepared with the skills to successfully graduate into our Leadership Expedition program.
Dates:
12- and 13-year old campers are often coming to camp for a second or third summer and are warm and welcoming to their peers who may be experiencing Chewonki for the first time. At this age, campers are advancing their knowledge and skills and are provided new challenges to promote continued growth. The Heron age group go out on a 8-day combination trip where they get to try different disciplines. 12-year olds and first-year Herons embark on a backpacking-canoeing trip, while 13-year old and second-year Herons embark on a sea and whitewater kayaking trip.
Please note: The specific trip itinerary for each cabin will vary based on weather conditions, river water levels, site availability, and the overall skill level and age range of the group. Here are some example cabin trip adventures:
Herons at Flagstaff & Bigelow Combo Trip
Herons will first learn the fundamentals of canoe travel as they paddle across Flagstaff Lake. Once they reach the other side they’ll swap their dry bags for backpacks and set out from camp on the backpacking portion of their trip. From the top of Mt. Avery they’ll be able to look down at the whole expanse of Flagstaff Lake.
Paddle on Historic Flagstaff Lake
Strap on your PFD, grab your paddle and set off onto Flagstaff Lake. Navigate across the 4th largest lake in Maine while learning about the history of towns that are now underwater. A focus on lake travel and paddle skills will be at the forefront of this delightful portion of the trip.
Summit one of Maine’s Highest Peaks
Toss on a backpack with all of your things and set off into the Bigelow Mountain Range. Here you’ll summit a few 4000 footers along the Appalachian Trail and spend a few nights up in the mountains. You’ll walk along ridges and over peaks, experiencing 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape.
Herons on the Waves: Sea Kayak / Whitewater Kayak Combo
The ultimate kayak sampler
Experience two sides of kayaking, sea and whitewater. Learn the basics of kayaking and apply them in two different style boats. These Herons will receive two trips in one as they navigate through the islands of the midcoast in a sea kayak and then explore whitewater on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.
Explore the islands of Hockomock Bay
Come hop from island to island in a sea kayak as we experience what it’s like to do some expeditionary kayaking. We’ll pack the hatches full of food, gear, and equipment and work with the tides to explore the midcoast region of Maine. Camping next to island beaches, sunrise paddling, and waving to seals you’ll surely remember this salty trip.
Splash and roll at Big Eddy
Campers will make their way up to Chewonki’s Big Eddy Campground where they will play in the eddy and the waves that follow. The area has proved to be an ideal spot for whitewater paddling and learning. They’ll basecamp for this trip and focus totally on whitewater skills as well as practicing the expedition skills seen on all of our Chewonki trips. As a bonus, they’ll even have access to an outdoor pizza oven!
Herons: St. Croix Paddle
Explore Canadian waters in Maine!
Experience an ideal mix of lake travel and whitewater canoeing as you make your way down the Eastern border of Maine with New Brunswick. This river serves as a great place to get your first taste of whitewater and begin learning decision making on the water. Learn to recognize features in the river and be able to navigate through whatever the river throws at us. There will be a great deal of focus on paddling skills to help each participant find success on the river.
Hone your outdoor living skills
When the group isn’t on the water paddling and swimming, they’ll be in camp learning the basics of what it takes to be on a leadership expedition. Each person will have a role in fire building, wood processing, cooking, and shelter setup. Each day usually ends with laughter or stories around the campfire, making sure to look up at the stars as they head towards their tents for bed.
From the first moment you arrive at Camp Chewonki this summer, we want you to know you are a welcome member of the community! Your cabin leaders and cabin mates will greet you at the cabin and help you get settled in. In the opening days of camp, we establish community norms & expectations through collaborative work on the challenge course and through the creation of a cabin agreement. The goal: determine who we are as a group and how we want to be as members of the group.
A fully completed registration form, director approval, and a deposit is required to hold a program space. Deposits are non-refundable.
Providing safe, equitable, and inclusive education programs is our purpose and mission. While we do not specialize in programming for people with disabilities, we welcome a diverse community of participants and we will seek safe, reasonable accommodations whenever possible.