“I have lasting memories of the many experiences I have had at Camp Susan Curtis. Camp helped me develop into a productive member of society.”
"Your program is terrific! Thank you for having my son there.”
“When I come to camp, all the stress, all the tension…everything from the outside world leaves my body. Its just about the woods and being at Camp Susan Curtis.”
"Thank you so much for offering this to kids who might not otherwise be able to have this experience.”
“Camp Susan Curtis gave me a resource deep within myself that I will draw on for the rest of my life.”
"I am grateful for the last five years. Because of your camp, my daughter’s outlook on life has broadened. Thank you so much for giving her the things I couldn’t have given her on my own.”
“ When I was a camper, there were counselors that helped me out, and I looked up to them. Today, I try to be that person for another kid.”
"At camp I found out that my life mattered and that I was important.”
“ I am grateful for the last five years. Because of your camp, my daughter’s outlook on life has broadened. Thank you so much for giving her the things I couldn’t have given her on my own.”
"I love camp at lot! I love playing soccer, hiking, swimming and fishing!”
Arts & Technology Education
The Susan Curtis Arts & Technology Education Center provides economically disadvantaged Maine teenagers with tuition-free, high-quality creative, fine and performing arts programming on the beautiful shores of Kezar Lake. The Hewnoaks Volk Family Center was bequeathed to the University of Maine Foundation, which works with the Susan L. Curtis Foundation to operate the Susan Curtis Arts & Technology Education Center at Hewnoaks. Contact: Dave Beane, Director, Arts & Technology Education Center, 207-774-1552.
At the Arts & Technology Education Center, students are presented with creative challenges and outlets for positive self-expression. In addition to our arts curriculum, each session includes leadership and social development curricula, as well as traditional fun camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, hiking, campfires and more! Public exhibitions conclude each session, offering teens an opportunity to showcase their hard work with pride. Our goal is to help youth develop skills and passions that can translate to any area of life.
Artist Mentors - Throughout each session, volunteer artists, instructors, and teachers will visit the Arts Education Center to share their passion, artistic abilities and professional experience. Mentors take on a special role by sharing their knowledge of how intense focus and passionate creativity can result in rewarding careers.
Our Staff - Our staff is made up of a deeply committed and compassionate group of counselors. Staff members are mostly college students entering the education, social work, or recreation field. Each one is dedicated to the personal development of the youth with whom we work. Our staff to camper ratio is approximately one to four.
Session 1 - Creative Writing and Photography
Budding creative writers come together to seek inspiration in Maine’s landscape during this session. Students will write and photograph during a four day expeditionary-style hiking trip.
Session 2 - Visual Arts: Printmaking and Drawing
This session focuses on printmaking and drawing. Student artists will learn printing techniques and gain inspiration from our beautiful landscape. The session will conclude with an exhibition of students’ work.
Session 3 - Performing Arts & Filmmaking
In addition to exploring various aspects of performing arts, students will work alongside a professional filmmaker to plan, film, produce and exhibit a large-scale film based on their experiences at camp. The session will conclude with the presentation of the piece on a large outdoor screen on the shores of Kezar Lake.
Session 4 - Visual Arts: Drawing and Painting
Student artists will work alongside peers and artist mentors in the areas of painting, drawing and ceramics. Each student will develop their own portfolio of work, inspired by their time at camp and the sights and sounds of Kezar Lake. The session will conclude with an exhibition of students’ work.
* Session descriptions and dates may vary, as they are dependent upon instructor availability.