As a camp community, we believe that it is vital to embody the values of our camp in our programming and how we engage with the world beyond. One of our Camp Values is “Love of Creation.” Offering campers space for outdoor exploration and time in nature has always been part of our mission.
This summer, we are excited to deepen our commitment to our Love of Creation.
For the first time ever, Pilgrim Lodge will offer a full-week, multi-faith camp program focused on Climate Justice from July 21-27 for campers entering grades 9-12 and new graduates.
During this unique and powerful week, young people will have the opportunity to explore imagination, kinship, and grief within the context of a climate-changed world. Climate Justice Camp begins with honesty about the hard realities the climate crisis is presenting for the human species, and offers a grounded hope that is deeper than wishful thinking. Campers will learn about climate science as it relates to Maine’s ecosystems and watersheds. Campers will also explore, honor, and learn from the lake and forest where Pilgrim Lodge is located, while being invited to hold an imaginative posture — expanding their vision from what is, to what if. Finally, young people will have opportunities to build deep, supportive, peer relationships as we explore together who we might choose to be in these times and work to build communities that protect both people and planet.
In addition, campers will enjoy all that camp has to offer, such as swimming, boating, singing, crafting, playing games, enjoying cookouts, savoring ice cream, spending time with old and new friends, and so much more!
While Pilgrim Lodge is a United Church of Christ camp with deep roots and sacred symbolism from the Christian tradition woven throughout its identity, Climate Justice Camp has been created for young people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversations that respect the spiritual and religious paths of all campers. Pilgrim Lodge has counselors and staff representing a variety of faith traditions, including atheist and agnostic. Each of these pathways are honored and celebrated. Our Sacred Gathering times carve out space to be still, to engage one another’s stories, to sing, and to enjoy the beauty of nature and community.
This program is being offered in partnership with The BTS Center, the organizational successor to Bangor Theological Seminary, which focuses on spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world. The BTS Center’s Program Director, Rev. Nicole Diroff, will serve as a Dean for Climate Justice Camp together with Rev. Dr. Jodi Cohen Hayashida, Organizer with Multi-Faith Justice Maine of Maine People’s Alliance. Also joining the team to provide this camp are familiar faces to Pilgrim Lodge, Kelsea Bickford and Erin Shultz, who will be counselors.
We seek to create a team of counselors from diverse backgrounds, faith traditions, and perspectives. If you’d like to volunteer or know someone who would be a good fit, please contact Director Liz.
Fellowship Opportunity Available!
This summer, two of the summer staff members will be selected to participate in a summer Fellowship opportunity through United Church of Christ Global H.O.P.E. Partners in Service. This is an opportunity for young adults to gain leadership experience in our camp setting. As part of our commitment to “Love of Creation,” one goal of the summer participants will be to evaluate our camp’s current environmental footprint and identify areas for improvement with strategies to live into a camp-level commitment to environmental stewardship.
Contact Director Liz if you’d like to learn more about this opportunity. Build your skills and resume through a dynamic staff experience at Pilgrim Lodge! Head to the summer jobs page to learn more about how to apply.