September 6, 2026, Alumni Day at Camp, was a time of many celebrations at Pilgrim Lodge. Now in our 70th year, we have so much to be grateful for. Of particular note, we took the occasion to celebrate our first summer of solar energy at Pilgrim Lodge. While the day brought some brief rain showers, we paraded the sunshine from the chapel to the dining hall, Quitobaquito. From a four-year-old first time camper, to alumni who were present when camp opened in 1956, a multi-generational host of witnesses joined together to celebrate the dedication of our 103-panel solar array that has provided us with renewable energy for our first of many summers to come.
Pilgrim Lodge’s solar journey began in the early 2000’s when Rocky Ackroyd, former camper, staff member and volunteer, put Pilgrim Lodge’s first installation on the roof of Cabin 5 as a way of generating a small amount of electricity while providing a visual demonstration of how we can engage in environmental stewardship at camp. Fast forward to 2023 and Rocky returned with a vision for a solar array that would power the whole facility. Having worked at Pilgrim Lodge in the 1970’s and 80’s under the leadership of Rev. John MacDuffie, Rocky had a knowledge of the facility that allowed him to design an array that would meet the needs of camp. The Pilgrim Lodge Leadership Team and Maine Conference UCC Board of Directors were excited about the scope of the project. A solar array at camp would allow Pilgrim Lodge to put creation care into action, moving to renewable energy as it’s primary source of power. The money saved on electricity would help Pilgrim Lodge to be sustainable and use its resources to fulfill its mission instead of on electricity bills. Finally, an array of this size and visibility would serve as a call to action to remind us, at camp and beyond, of the opportunities that we have to care for the environment.
Using funds from the Capital Campaign of the 2010’s together with resources available through the Inflation Reduction act, the installation took place during the summer of 2025. Rocky, volunteering his time and expertise from his business, Green Sun, LLC led the work. Members of his team were joined by Pilgrim Lodge staff and volunteers on the roof: Allie Rimkunas, Cullen McGough, John Steelhammer, Ben Hilton and Liz Charles McGough. By the end of the 2025 camp season, the installation was completed and it was officially connected to the energy grid in November of 2025.
Alumni Day was the perfect opportunity to celebrate our first season of solar energy at camp. As we honor 70 years of camp history, we look to the next 70 years with excitement and know that solar energy is one of many ways that we can care for creation at Pilgrim Lodge. The amount of energy generated by the solar array was enough to power the whole camp throughout the season with no electrical costs beyond the baseline meter fees. Additionally, the array will power the Conference Office of the Maine Conference UCC at the Farmhouse at the entrance to Pilgrim Lodge. During our solar dedication, we were honored to thank Rocky for his role in the success of this project. He was presented with a gift of art by Allie Rimkunas, a close friend, former staffer with Rocky, and member of the installation team.
Rev. Marraine Kettell, who was the chair of the Pilgrim Lodge Leadership Team at the time when the solar project was approved, joyfully led the dedication of the solar panels.
“God of Light and Life, you have accompanied generations around the globe, through times of generosity and times of waste. Today walk with us as we proceed forward into a future that honors our environment and cares for the next generation who will journey with You. We give thanks for the generosity of members and friends that made this project become a reality. We give thanks for those who labored with installation. We give thanks for those who work in science and technology for the creation of solar power. We give thanks for Mother Earth who holds us, sustains us, and gives us home. May our hands and hearts come together to protect creation.”
And the people rejoiced: “Let there be light!”
