Mapleton kids camp season comes to a close

86th Camping Season Ends This Week

This week is the last camping for the Baptist Park in Mapleton 86th Summer Camping Programs.  Over these many years, the Baptist Park developed a set of specialized camping theme weeks. The first week was the Theater & Digital Arts Camp for youth ages 12-17.  The Theater Arts campers learned the play “Apostle Paul – This is Your Life” under the direction of Maureen Seavey from Windham Christian Academy. The play was performed at a local nursing home and at the closing of the camp week.  The Digital Arts Camp was led by Josh and Melanie Duncan and who taught campers how create and edit video productions.

The second camp week was another dual camping week that consisted of a Flight Camp and an Outdoor Adventure Experience.  The Co-leaders Jim Ackerson and Wayne Kilcollins introduced campers to the fundamental s of flight through classes, actual flights and visits to actual flight facilities downstate such the Bangor International Airport dispatch center and the Central Maine Aviation Flight School.  The Outdoor Adventure Camp Stayed on the ground doing trail hiking, rock climbing, high and low ropes challenges, archery and swimming at the Baptist Park Indoor Pool. Of course these campers did get off the ground while zip lining at the park. During this week, Pastor Steve Staubel from the United Baptist Church of Littleton spoke to the campers on the theme of Egypt, the wilderness and the promised land.

The last three camp weeks were designed to serve campers in three age groups.  The Lifting Off Camp for youth ages 11-14, the Maxed Out Adventures Camp for ages 9-12 and the Jump Start Adventures for ages 8-10 focused on the great outdoor activities of hiking, rock wall climbing at UMPI, giant water slide, arts and crafts, volleyball, tenting under the stars, campfires and talent shows.  Each camp had a special speaker starting with Pastor Jonathan Marshall of White Rock Baptist Church in Gorham, Maine for Lifting Off Camp, followed by Pastor Will Kindred of the North Baldwin Baptist Church and finally Pastor Jimmy Lewis from the Windham Assembly of God.

Last year Baptist Park expanded service to younger campers in the 4-6 age group.  These campers were called the “Puddle Jumpers” and were day campers on Wednesdays each week.  Each week 12-15 Puddle Jumpers attended camp and engaged in arts and crafts, swimming, catching frogs and fun and messy games.  Based on the success of the 2017 Puddle Jumper Day Camp, Baptist Park again repeated the program. The success of the Puddle Jumpers led Baptist Park to start a new camping program for younger campers ages 6-8 called “Growing Up Adventures”.  These young campers enjoyed a wide of array of camp activities.

Jennifer Frost, Interim Director says, “All in all this year was a successful camping year and it has been fun filling in for Adrian Hagerstrom the long time Baptist Park Director who is away on a summer mission trip to Uganda.”  She added, “There is still one more camping event to be held at Baptist Park.” The traditional Labor Day Retreat for youth in Grades 7-12 will be held August 31-September 2. This camp will give Middle and High Schoolers one more opportunity to enjoy having fun with other kids in camp activities as well as study the Beatitudes with Chaplain James Weatherbee.  For more information regarding youth who would like to attend this special weekend, feel free to contact Baptist Camp at (207) 764-1832 or theBaptistpark@gmail.com.

First Friday Luncheon Scheduled

The monthly First Friday Luncheon held at the Mapleton Methodist Church is scheduled for August 3, 2018.  The time of the luncheon is 11:30 Am. The luncheon promises to be a fun luncheon with many of our returning snowbirds expected to be in attendance.  The chefs are planning an enjoyable lunch for everyone. While the food is always delicious, the real joy is being with longtime friends as well as making new friends sharing family updates, stories and memories.   Remember there is no charge for the lunch, but donations will be accepted.

Balloon Flight Reservations Going Fast

The Mapleton Lions Club review of Crown of Maine Balloon Fest flight reservations are going fast.  Please keep in mind the new online Flight Reservation System is operational. Using the following link, you secure your flight today!  The limited numbers of passenger openings are always snapped up quickly so do not take too long to think about secure your flight reservations.  To place your reservation, go to:  http://www.crownofmaineballoonfest.org/reserve-your-flight/ .

Also put on your calendar the Meet the Pilot and Crew Breakfast which will be held on the morning of August 25 in Chapman.  Hosts for the breakfast will be the Chapman Snowmobile Ridge Runners Club and held at their Clubhouse. A Closing Breakfast will be held on Sunday morning Augusta 26 at the Masonic Lodge.

The Mapleton Lions Club encourages everyone to come and enjoy the balloons as they fly from the Northern Maine Fairgrounds.  While at the COMBF, remember to visit the Mapleton Lions Club’s food booth for the best burger and fries in town.

Beat the Heat

The hot weather continues.  By now everyone has felt the heat of summer.  Just in case you would like to beat the heat, do remember the Mapleton Pool is open.  Free swim is Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. It is also open on Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.  Everyone is invited to enjoy the summer pool experience and beat the heat.

Recreation Department Picnic Scheduled

The end of the summer picnic held for youth and their families is scheduled for August 11th at 5:30 p.m. at the Mapleton Elementary School.  More details will be forthcoming from the town office.

Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.