Unplugged Living

Independence

Concern for Others

Choose Your Own Activities

Cooperation over Competition

Wilderness Trips

The Pine Island Project

While most summer camps have a mission, we’ve embarked on a project. At Pine Island Camp, we see our role as something far greater than just running a summer camp—we are shaping the next generation of young men who will become the future leaders, husbands, fathers, and role models in their communities. The work we do is personal development. Every summer, we create an environment where boys learn resilience, courage, adaptability, competence, empathy, and respect—qualities that will serve them throughout their lives. This mission isn’t just about the present; it’s a long-term investment in a better future, one camper at a time.

On the surface, camp looks like pure fun—boys laughing, playing, and exploring the outdoors. But beneath that, our work is serious. We put our hearts and souls into this mission because we believe deeply in its importance, and we consider this a partnership between families and Pine Island. From the information you give us on your camper when you sign him up for camp, to the personal letters we send home at the end of every summer celebrating his achievements, we are with you every step of the way. Every hike, every canoe trip, every shared moment around the campfire contributes to a greater purpose: helping boys discover who they are and what they are capable of. That’s why we call it the Pine Island Project—it’s a deliberate effort to cultivate young men who will make a difference in the world.

And it all starts with our single-session, six-week experience. This immersive time at camp allows boys to truly grow, to experience challenges that push them, and to build lasting friendships and skills. In a world that often prioritizes comfort and convenience, we offer something different: an opportunity to step away from modern distractions and embrace the struggles and triumphs that come with adventure, responsibility, and self-reliance. The impact of this experience lasts far beyond the summer—it stays with them for life.

“I believe that this past summer at Pine Island was, quite simply, one of the most important experiences of our son’s life and one of the best investments we could have made in his future.”

A Single Session Experience

The Arc of the Summer: Six Weeks

At Pine Island Camp, our six-week session is not an arbitrary choice—it is the foundation of the Pine Island Project. This period is intentional and designed to foster real growth and development, allowing boys the time they need to build resilience, adaptability, and confidence. The arc of the summer informs everything we do, shaping a transformative experience that simply cannot be rushed. Over more than a century, we have fine-tuned this model, knowing that a single, immersive session is the best way to cultivate character, community, and lifelong skills.

We ask families and campers to be brave—to fully engage in this experience, to embrace the challenges and rewards that come with time spent away from home. You are not sending your boy away for six weeks; you are giving him a profound gift. Six weeks at Pine Island Camp is a rare opportunity to disconnect from distractions, form deep friendships, and develop the qualities that make good citizens—empathy, respect, competence, and a commitment to things that bring us together rather than those that divide us. This is the heart of the Pine Island Project, and we know from experience that it works.

Adventurous Boyhood Awaits

There was a time when boyhood and adventure were inseparable, when childhood was filled with exploration and imagination. But today, that spirit is hard to find. Our lives—and the lives of our children—are overly structured, filled with the distractions of screens, the hazards of social media, and far too little time outdoors. The freedom to roam, take healthy risks, and have authentic coming-of-age experiences is slipping away.

But not everywhere.

Pine Island is a place where adventure still reigns. A place where summer days begin with the music of songbirds and close with the call of loons. A place where fantasy comes to life, where magic feels real, and where boys don’t just hear great stories—they live them.

At Pine Island, we celebrate adventurous boyhood. Here, campers live on a small island with their friends and heroes, and every sunrise brings a new adventure. Together, they craft a legend of their own making. They canoe ancient waterways, summit rugged peaks, and hike iconic trails. They perform plays, star in rock concerts, and discover new books and music. In this world, away from the pressures of modern life, they have a chance to live the boyhood of old, discover who they are, and form lifelong friendships.

Adventurous boyhood isn’t lost. It’s alive and waiting—at Pine Island Camp.

The Power of Friendship

At Pine Island Camp, we believe that lifelong friendships are one of the most important ingredients for a fulfilling life. Recent research shows that boys and men are struggling to maintain deep friendships into adulthood, with fewer young men connecting with close friends or leaning on them in tough times. A 2021 report from the Survey Center on American Life identified a growing male “friendship recession,” with 15% of men saying they have no close friends—up from just 3% in 1990. Pine Island is committed to reversing that trend by helping boys build and strengthen the bonds around them.

Unlike school or sports teams, Pine Island creates a space where boys can let their guard down. In many parts of life, boys feel pressure to project toughness, suppress their emotions, and avoid vulnerability. But here, we encourage them to embrace empathy and openness. When a friend is feeling down, give him a hug. When someone is struggling with homesickness, be a listening ear. When a tentmate feels stuck, offer advice. These small, daily acts of kindness build a foundation of trust and support that boys carry with them long after camp ends.

Our six-week program is integral to forming these friendships. With one unbroken session , campers have the time and space to build deep, meaningful connections based not on their athletic ability, academic achievements, or any surface-level status, but on their authentic selves. At Pine Island, we don’t just teach boys how to make friends—we show them how to be good friends, fostering relationships that will sustain them for a lifetime.

A magical island in the middle of a pristine, quiet lake in Maine.

Camp Life

A Place For Every Boy

Whether your son is shy or gregarious, big or small, this camp will challenge him to be at his best in the varied circumstances of simple outdoor living, albeit under the close supervision of our caring staff. The more you learn about this magical place, the less surprising you will find the fact that it all happens on a tiny wooded island in a pristine, quiet lake in central Maine.

Activities

We offer two two-hour activity periods each day. Boys select their activities after breakfast each day.

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Nightly Campfire

From full-length theatrical pieces to impromptu skits, we entertain one another.

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Trips

Incredible adventures across the New England wilderness.

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Expedition Camp

Our capstone leadership development program.

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Learning to Let Go

Many families tell us that they love Pine Island, but worry that their camper isn’t ready for six weeks away from home. The truth is, almost no camper arrives feeling completely “ready”—and that’s exactly the point. Growth doesn’t come from waiting until you feel fully prepared; it comes from stepping into the unknown, meeting the challenge, and discovering what you’re capable of.

At Pine Island, we believe stepping into new situations is essential for kids to grow into well-adjusted, resilient, courageous young adults. Our six-week program is designed to help boys build resilience, independence, and courage—not by avoiding uncertainty, but by embracing it. In a world that often prioritizes convenience and control, we intentionally create an environment where boys learn to tolerate discomfort, solve problems, and adapt to new experiences. These lessons don’t just apply to camp; they shape the kind of young men who thrive in school, in relationships, and in life.

Letting go is hard, but it’s also a gift. When families trust their boys to navigate this experience, they allow them to develop confidence, self-reliance, and a deep sense of accomplishment. And when campers return home, they don’t just come back older—they come back stronger, more capable, and better prepared for whatever comes next.

Pine Island Camp isn’t just about summer adventures. It’s about preparing boys for life.

Belonging at PIC

At Pine Island Camp, we believe in the power of community, connection, and learning from one another. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where campers from all racial, cultural, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds feel valued, included, and empowered.

Our goal is to foster an enriching experience that celebrates diversity in all its forms. We strive to ensure that every camper has access to opportunities, regardless of financial status or background, and we actively work to build a community that reflects the richness of the world around us.

Through intentional programming, scholarships, staff training, and outreach, we aim to remove barriers and create a camp culture where every child has the chance to grow, explore, and thrive. We welcome all families and look forward to expanding our community in ways that support inclusion and belonging.

Join us in making Pine Island Camp a place where everyone can shine.

“Not having grown up with a camp experience, I was a bit skeptical but am a true convert based on the simplicity and serenity your camp has instilled in my son.”