We have one camp facility with a variety of programs operating simultaneously. They all have the same basic schedule and structure, and they are integrated for many parts of the day such as meals, free times, and evening campfire. During the morning and afternoon sessions, roughly 9:30 - noon and 2:30 - 6, the camps split up and have their own programming - pole vaulters practice, XC campers train, and the dodgeball & athena campers have several periods of activities. Occasionally some campers do half of one camp and half of another, such as a beginnger runner might choose to do XC running camp in the morning and dodgeball camp in the afternoon.
Slovenski Camps are guided by the Liberal Arts traditions of Western Civilization. We believe in helping campers learn what we call the Liberal Arts for Children: swimming, dodgeball, capture the flag, singing, dancing, paddling, sailing, manners, thoughtfulness, reading classics, and cleaning up after ourselves. Summer camp should be a place free from the distraction of glowing screens. Campers will learn to have fun the way their parents and grandparents did — playing outside. They will engage in unique, exciting activities that teach real-life skills such as mental toughness, how to work alone and in teams, how to quickly adapt to new rules and conditions, and how to defend yourself with Battle Rockets and dodgeballs.
A week at camp includes an important and long stretch of time away from technology, phones, and social media when the brains of children and teenagers are developing mental habits and pathways of thinking. Campers enjoy in-person conversations all day. They are also participating in games, education, and exposure to the arts including classic literature, music, dance, and poetry. Campers hear and often learn to memorize poems such as "No Man is an Island" by John Donne, "If" by Rudyard Kipling, "The Happy Warrior" by William Wordsworth, and "The Walrus and the Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll. Camp also includes free time periods similar to the freedom children have during school recess or while playing with friends in the neighborhood.
Our talented staff is trained to inspire fair play, good sportsmanship, bravery, and exercise. We play a lot of active games. We use exercise for fun, and exercise for consequences. Similar to an old school athletic team practice, our activities often include running, push-ups, or swinging a lap. Counselors, campers, and even camp directors participate in the active games and exercise. In the fun of competition campers will create new friendships.
Each evening concludes with a campfire that features contests, singing, dancing, recognition, stories, and encouragement for good standards of self-reliance and friendship that we remember from our Protestant Sunday school classes. "Thoughts for the Day" are read aloud at campfires each night, and include wisdom of the ages such as George Washington's "It is better to be alone than in bad company", and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" from Jesus in the Book of St. Matthew.
Our summer camp program has been positive for childhood mental health. We stayed open all through summers 2020 and 2021. Our camp helps children enjoy childhood, while also learning a lot of things that are good for mental health. Learning activity skills and how to clean up after yourself are excellent elements of childhood self-confidence.
Camp life is the opposite of social media. Brain researchers say, “neurons that fire together, wire together.” Children at summer camp are firing on the pathways that are involved with conversation, clean-up responsibilities, reading, singing, activity choices, game choices, decision-making in games, and humor. Campers who spend time at summer camp have to learn how to use their brains, make decisions, and interact in person with dozens of other children and adults. No cell phones or social media opportunities are involved.
Our counselors coach campers in character development activities such as meeting new people, welcoming new people, overcoming challenges, dealing with the adversity of not getting what you want all the time, being brave (in a safe setting), embracing high standards of conduct, and learning the joys of self-reliance. Our program emphasizes mental toughness and grit.
The Slovenski Family has been in the summer camp business since 1987: "We love summer camp culture. We are excited to show your family what an incredible experience your children can have at our camp."
Owner Peter Slovenski or "Coach" graduated from Dartmouth College in 1979 with a B.A. in English. He was the coach of men's and women's cross-country and track & field at Bowdoin College for 34 years. He retired in 2021 and was recognized as the Bowdoin College Head Coach of Cross-Country and Track & Field Emeritus. He has been running educational, fun, and safe camps for over 30 years.
Owner and 'Camp Mom' Dugan graduated from Stanford University in 1980. She is the mother of three boys. She is "outnumbered, but not outsmarted". Most of her adult life she worked as a full-time Mom, and also taught math and SAT Prep.
David Slovenski, Director, is a graduate of Princeton University where he broke the Ivy League Pole Vault record and ran the school dodgeball tournament. Dave coached track & field at RPI before teaching math, physics, and robotics at Choate Rosemary Hall and then Franklin Road Academy. When he's not at camp, Dave lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Ieva and sons Henry and Theodore. Henry was born right in a camp cabin in September of 2019.
Paul Slovenski, Head of Sailing and Wind-Surfing, is a graduate of Bates College. He is the father of three girls who were long-time campers and counselors. Paul is a former athletic director at Bay View Glenn School in Toronto. Paul has years of experience supervising waterfront activities to ensure maximum safety.
Mike Slovenski, Assistant Director, is a 2015 graduate of Harvard University. Mike studied The Classics with a minor in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He was a four-year member of the track and field team at Harvard, competing in the pole vault. He earned a Master of Science degree in Information Studies from the University of Texas in 2020.
Mark Dumond, Assistant Director, is a 2014 graduate of Fordham University's honors program, with a double major in History and Music. Following graduation, he served two years with Americorps managing a volunteer program in rural Appalacia. A former competitive swimmer and Maine state record holder, he coached Roosevelt High School's swim team and served as the Aquatics Director of the Portland YMCA for several years. As a jazz musician, he performs frequently around Maine and New England - He lives in Bowdoinham Maine, with his wife Kara.