Alexis Grillo

When most people think of summer camp, they imagine bunk beds, capture the flag, and campfire songs. At Chewonki, those traditions thrive—but there’s also something simpler, quieter, and equally cherished: lizard time.

At Chewonki, we specialize in magic. Not the kind with wands and capes, but a unique kind of creativity that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. It’s the kind of magic that inspires our students and campers to think outside the box, makes them laugh until their sides ache, and helps them see the world — and themselves — in a new way.

For Maya, starting her Chewonki experience with a polar bear plunge was the ultimate leap into the unknown. On a 20°F January day, she took her first-ever plunge into Montsweag Brook, clasping hands with a cabin mate and diving into the freezing water.

When Madelin learned her Chewonki Backcountry Trip would involve sea kayaking, she was scared. “All my life I was absolutely terrified of water,” she shared. “I never learned how to swim and avoided it as much as possible.”

This year, dozens of young visitors shared their Chewonki experiences with us through handwritten thank-you letters. Their words and drawings bring the magic of Chewonki to life in ways only children can.