About Chewonki
Chewonki is an environmental education organization in Wiscasset, Maine, that “inspires transformative growth, teaches appreciation and stewardship of the natural world, and challenges people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives.” Chewonki is a 501(c) non-profit organization. Each year we offer a wide range of programs ranging from one-hour natural history presentations, to multi-week summer camp experiences, to a full semester-away through our accredited school. Under our mission we seek to strengthen communities, encourage life-long learning, embrace the joy and wonder of nature, and foster an enduring commitment to steward the natural world. We continue this work through our current set of programs:
Camp Chewonki
Camp Chewonki was founded by Clarence Allen in 1915 and began as Split Rock Camp on Lake Champlain. The camp moved to Chewonki Neck in 1918, and currently serves ~300 children in grades 2-8 each summer in residential programs that emphasize fun, friendship, self-knowledge, outdoor activities, and an introduction to backcountry camping and travel. The camp also serves 50-100 older teens in grades 9-11 with multi-week backpacking, sea kayaking, and white water canoeing adventures through Maine and Canada.
Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki
Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki is a semester-long academically rigorous residential program in Wiscasset, Maine, serving high school juniors. Learning takes place in classrooms, in the field, on the coast, at the farm, in the forest, and on extended backcountry trips. Side by side with their teachers, students explore the concepts behind human ecology, the intersection between humans and their natural, social, and built environments.
Chewonki Environmental Education
- 14 different one-hour Natural History Presentations (All Ages)
- Natural History Exploration (Grades K-6)
- Natural History Field Lab (Grades 9-12)
- Chewonki Ecology Expedition (Grades 4-8)
- Chewonki Base Camp (Grades 5-9)
- Chewonki Saltwater Canoe Adventures (Grades 5-12 & Adult)
- Custom Backcountry Trips (Grades 5-12 & Adult)
Each year Chewonki touches the lives of nearly 20,000 young people in programs that range from one hour to one year.
