Camp Susan Curtis celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 3 at Brick South at Thompson’s Point with a 350-person gala dinner that raised $300,000 to continue its mission as the only free summer camp exclusively for Maine youths from low-income families. The 50 corporate sponsors were led by Bangor Savings Bank.

The evening’s “Campfire Under the Stars” theme was represented through candle clusters reminiscent of campfire circles as well as displays of a campsite, a camper cabin and various sports and arts activities. A camp history exhibit included a portrait of Susan Curtis, the daughter of former Maine Gov. Kenneth Curtis and Pauline Curtis, who was 11 when she died from cystic fibrosis in 1971. In sympathy and support for the Curtis family, a group came together with the goal of doing something in Susan’s name that would change Maine kids’ lives. And Camp Susan Curtis was born on Trout Lake in Stoneham half a century ago.

“Our founders identified that while children from all over the country were coming to Maine to take advantage of the Maine summer camp experience, Maine kids themselves – particularly, those from low-income households – were missing out on that opportunity,” said Scott Merrow, executive director of Susan L. Curtis Foundation, also known as Camp Susan Curtis. “I’m proud to say that 50 years later, we’ve impacted nearly 20,000 campers.”

Campers in grades 5-12 are nominated by a network of over 150 school and community partners across Maine. Campers enjoy 10 days of age-specific activities, such as swimming lessons, hiking, archery, crafts, theater, team-building activities and nightly cabin read-alouds. Older campers visit Maine colleges and explore career options. To eliminate barriers, the gender-inclusive camp assists with transportation and with requests for camp necessities like sneakers, bathing suits and bedding – which the campers can select and take home. Looking forward to the school year, each camper goes home with a backpack, school supplies and a book of their choice.

Several staff members – all former campers – mingled with guests interested in hearing about their camps experience.

Emily Cutter of North Berwick attended as a camper for six years and has been on staff the past two summers. “Knowing that I had a place where I could go every year on repeat at a certain time for 10 days straight helped me feel a sense of stability,” she said. “I could try new things, meet new people and make connections.”

Likewise, University of Southern Maine freshman Trevor Pollard of South Paris was a camper for four years before joining the staff three summers ago. “I get to help kids like the staff helped me when I was a camper,” he said. “The staff members were so welcoming and made me realize that I’m cared for and safe.”

Elyse Corbett, a licensed psychologist and Camp Susan Curtis board member, talked about the impact of her five summers at camp, beginning in 1992.

“My counselors were people who were going to college, who lived in different countries, who shared their interests and hobbies with me and related to me in a way that made feel like I mattered,” she said. “I felt safe enough to play and make friends – real friends – some of whom are still in my life now. … By 13 years old, I had given up on being able to play on a soccer team or learn how to dance or take an art class, because they were all too expensive and no one would help me get to any of those activities anyway. Camp changed that. Camp changed me.”

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at amyparadysz@gmail.com.