Chewonki summer camp in Wiscasset still has spots available for five-day campers in late August.

Campers will get to participate in a variety of activities (see box for a sample schedule). These experiences culminate in an overnight campout at one of Chewonki’s shore-side campsites.

Running from Aug. 20-24, the camp is a perfect option for both boys and girls ages 8-11 to try out a residential camp experience for the first time. It is also a good option for parents seeking childcare in the last part of the summer, when most camps end and there is a week-long gap before school begins.

“It’s designed as an introductory program for kids who are new to summer camp,” said Five-Day Camp Program Coordinator Katie Tremblay. “It’s intentionally a much smaller community than the extended summer camp experience. … It’s a great way to boost kids’ confidence about summer camp, and to practice independence. It helps them get ready to go off for hopefully a longer camp experience as they get older.”

She also said that being away from home and living with one another allows the campers to bond and to learn to work together, and the campout is the culmination of the bonding and learning that has taken place. “They’ve worked together all week to get to know each other, and then for the campout they have to really work together, and put their skills together to the test.”

For more information, call Katie Tremblay at 882-7323, ext. 152, or go to www.chewonki.org.

Sample Chewonki Five-Day Camp schedule

7:15 a.m. breakfast in the dining hall 

8:15 a.m. cabin cleanup

9 a.m. canoeing at the waterfront 

11:30 a.m. open swim

12:15 p.m. picnic lunch 

1:15 p.m. rest hour (quiet reading, journaling or snoozing in the cabin)

2:15 p.m. arts and crafts 

4:15 p.m. nature rove 

6 p.m. cabin cookout for dinner 

7 p.m. live owls of Maine presentation 

8 p.m. cabin group evening circle (end of the day game, discussion, or down time)

9 p.m. lights out