For Registered Families
Handbook & Forms
Friends Camp strives to be a special place where youth have time for play and for reflection, with creative arts, non-competitive games, waterfront activities, drama, discussion, and many other interesting and creative activities. We are a diverse and caring community that nurtures the unique personality each camper brings to camp.
Each session is full of many options, such as swimming, sailing, canoeing, crafts, games, and an overnight expedition to Jones Island on China Lake. Some of our campers come from Quaker families, and many hail from other backgrounds. We welcome youth of all faiths as well as those who identify with no particular faith at all. With our four-to-one camper-to-staff ratio, Friends Camp is a wonderful place for friendships to sprout and grow.
2024 Parent and Camper Handbook
Physicians Exam Form - Blank
Emergency Self-Administered
Med Form - Blank
Find Us and Travel Options
Friends Camp is not open to visitors without a pre-arranged appointment. Please contact the camp office if you would like to visit.
Distance and Travel Times to Friends Camp:
Augusta, ME – 16 miles / 24 minutes
Portland, ME – 70 miles / 1 hour and 15 minutes
Boston, MA – 180 miles / 3 hours and 15 minutes
Providence, RI – 222 miles / 4 hours and 15 minutes
Amherst, MA – 250 miles / 4 hours and 30 minutes
Hartford, CT – 277 miles / 4 hours and 45 minutes
New York City – 388 miles / 7 hours and 10 minutes
Driving Directions
To Friends Camp from Boston, Portland and points south:
Drive north from Portland on Interstate 295 to Interstate 95. Look for the third Augusta exit (#113) across the Kennebec river bridge to Route 202 North and Route 3 East. Continue on for 14 miles to South China. Go through the light in South China and take the next left onto Route 202 (Lakeview Drive). The Friends Camp driveway is 3.5 miles on the right. The address is 729 Lakeview Drive.
To Friends Camp from Canada, Bangor and points north:
If you are traveling south on I95 take Exit 127 onto Route 137 (Kennedy Memorial Drive) into Waterville. Go about a mile and half and turn right after you have crossed a small bridge, just before the road curves. Travel 2.2 miles and turn right, then go 6.1 miles to light at China Village. Continue straight at the light; you are now on Route 202. Stay on Route 202 toward South China for 3.5 miles. (This part of Route 202 is also known as Lakeview Drive.) After you pass China Middle School, Friends Camp is the third driveway on your left. The address is 729 Lakeview Drive.
To Friends Camp from Ellsworth, Belfast and points east:
From the Route 1 traffic interchange in Belfast drive west on Route 3. Go approximately 32 miles from the coast to Route 202 North. Turn Right onto Route 202; the Friends Camp driveway is 3.5 miles from Route 3 on your right. The address is 729 Lakeview Drive.
Contacting Your Camper
At Friends Camp, there are a few ways to stay in touch with your camper while they are attending their camp session.
Our camper email address is FriendsCamper@gmail.com. Emails will be printed out by our staff and delivered to the campers at rest hour, right after lunch. Please just send three to five emails each session.
Please note:
Please include the camper’s first & last name and cabin in the subject line. Example: Edgar Allan-Beam, Dove Cabin
We cannot guarantee delivery of emails within any time frame.
We cannot print any attachments or photos for your campers.
Campers may not reply by email or phone – please send paper, stamps and envelopes to camp with your child, so they can write home.
You may also wish to send snail mail to your child while they are at Friends Camp.
Camper name (first and last)
Cabin name (i.e. Whippoorwill)
Friends Camp
729 Lakeview Drive
South China, ME 04358 USA
Please DO NOT mail any food or candy, cell phones, electronic devices, or any other prohibited item to your son or daughter. Please only send packages with items that are needed at camp! Please inform friends and family members of this policy.
We cannot take responsibility for these items and food will NOT be stored and will not be returned to the camper.
Places to Stay in Central Maine
Maine Idyll Cottages
$85-$125
(Very nice cottages, Quaker owned)
50 minutes south of Friends Camp
1411 US Route 1, Freeport, Maine 04032
207-865-4201
maineidyll@yahoo.com
www.maineidyll.com
The Senator Inn and Spa
$110-$180
(Just off the turnpike in Augusta.)
20 minutes south of Friends Camp
284 Western Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330
207-622-5804
www.senatorinn.com
The Pleasant Street Inn
$65-$99
(Nice in-town location)
20 minutes from Friends Camp
84 Pleasant St.
Waterville, ME 04901
207-680-2515
info@84pleasantstreet.com
www.84pleasantstreet.com
Econo Lodge
$70-$140
(Near I-95 with nice clean rooms)
20 minutes northwest of Friends Camp
455 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
207-872-5577
Maple Hill Farm & Inn
$130-$190
(Very nice country setting)
25 minutes south of Friends Camp
Inn Road, Hallowell, ME 04347
207-622-2708
www.maplebb.com
Lake St. George State Park
$25
(Very nice beach)
20 minutes south and east of Friends Camp
Route 3, Liberty, ME 04949
207-589-4255