“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!”
Leadership
Send a Child to Camp Today, Create a Leader for Tomorrow
Each year we provide five educational leadership development programs for teenagers. 
Leader-In-Training program (LIT) - Our introductory LIT program hosts 40 fourteen-year-old student-campers for two weeks. First year LIT's participate in camp-based experiential education and leadership training at our Trout Lake Campus. The second year LIT program hosts teens age 15 for four weeks at Camp Susan Curtis to continue leadership training, learning from seasoned staff members, and taking on new challenges and leadership opportunities as they hike and canoe in Maine's exquisite wilderness.
Arts Education Center - Our Kezar Lake campus hosts our Arts Education Center program, a one-of-a-kind arts immersion experience for Maine teens. The Arts Education Center hosts 60-80 teens each summer. Each two-week session focuses on a different artistic medium including visual arts, performing arts and music, creative writing and photography. Programs are designed to balance creative and artistic challenges with a life skills and leadership development curriculum. Throughout each session, campers are instructed by artist mentors who demonstrate how intense focus and passionate creativity can result in exciting opportunities and rewarding careers. With the aid of such artists, we aim to help teens develop a work ethic and passion that will help guide them out of the cycle of poverty.
Venture Out - Our Venture Out program presents teens with opportunities to challenge themselves both physically and as young leaders as they explore the stunning Maine wilderness. One participant, who was considered at risk of dropping out of school, illustrates the transformative effect of the Venture Out program: "By the end of summer, I can say my life had completely changed. I discovered that not only can I hike mountains, canoe rivers and rock climb, but I can have positive friends who help me learn about and believe in myself."
Career/Counselor-In-Training (CIT) - at age 16 campers may apply for our CIT program where they begin early career exploration. As CIT's, our seasoned Susan Curtis student-campers spend time with younger campers, learning from staff in the cabins and program areas. CIT's complete career-related job-shadow experiences in various areas at camp, including leadership, environmental sciences, foodservice, healthcare, arts, lifeguarding, financial literacy, and computer graphics. Each young leader then selects an area in which to intern for the remainder of the summer, where they will work with a staff mentor as they gain experience, knowledge, and life skills. The CIT experience concludes with a two-week long expedition throughout Maine's woods, waterways and community service opportunities where the CIT group will come together as a team and will complete challenges together as emerging young leaders.
Camp to Campus Leadership Tour - In an effort to eliminate fears and reservations about higher education, we have begun a "Camp to Campus" initiative for all student-campers in our leadership programs. In 2008, a group of leadership students visited the University of Southern Maine for a campus tour and program at the Southworth Planetarium, and a representative from the Maine College of Art visited the Arts Education Center to discuss the admissions process, academic programs, and opportunities for young artists. In 2009, our leadership students will visit the University of Maine at Orono. Speaking to our Camp to Campus CIT's and LIT's will be University of Maine President Robert Kennedy. The Campus Tour will include visits to visits to the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the Biorefinery. This early exposure to higher education will help break down barriers between Maine youth and higher education and achievement.
Scott F. Hutchinson Scholarship - In addition to our Camp to Campus initiative, the Susan Curtis Foundation offers the Scott F. Hutchinson college scholarship annually. Available to staff members who have grown through our programs as campers, the scholarship is another way to broaden opportunities for higher education and long-term success.