Slovenski Camps

Slovenski Camps, located in the beautiful Maine woods, is a traditional summer camp experience guided by the Liberal Arts traditions of Western Civilization. Our camps are dedicated to helping children learn essential life skills through engaging activities and experiences that foster growth, camaraderie, and self-reliance.

Our Camp Philosophy

We believe in instilling in our campers the Liberal Arts for Children, which include swimming, dodgeball, capture the flag, singing, dancing, paddling, sailing, manners, thoughtfulness, reading classics, and the importance of cleaning up after oneself. By removing the distraction of glowing screens, we encourage our campers to have fun the way their parents and grandparents did - playing outside and engaging in real-life experiences that promote mental toughness, teamwork, adaptability, and self-defense.

A Week at Camp

Each week at Slovenski Camps offers a valuable opportunity for children and teenagers to disconnect from technology, phones, and social media. This period allows them to develop mental habits and pathways of thinking without the influence of digital distractions. Instead, they engage in face-to-face conversations, games, education, and exposure to the arts, including classic literature, music, dance, and poetry. Campers also have the chance to learn and memorize famous 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.

Free Time and Active Games

In addition to structured activities, our camps include periods of free time, similar to school recess or neighborhood playtime. Our talented staff is trained to inspire fair play, good sportsmanship, bravery, and exercise. We engage in a variety of active games that promote teamwork, strategy, and physical fitness. Counselors, campers, and even camp directors participate in these activities, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared experience.

Evening Campfires

Each evening at Slovenski Camps concludes with a campfire that features contests, singing, dancing, recognition, stories, and encouragement for good standards of self-reliance and friendship. These values are reminiscent of those taught in traditional Protestant Sunday school classes. "Thoughts for the Day" are read aloud at campfires each night, imparting wisdom such as George Washington's "It is better to be alone than in bad company" and Jesus' "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" from the Book of St. Matthew.

Children's Mental Health

Our summer camp program has been beneficial for childhood mental health. By staying open throughout the summers of 2020 and 2021, we provided a safe and supportive environment for children to enjoy their childhood while learning valuable skills that promote mental well-being. Activities such as learning new skills, taking responsibility for cleaning up, and participating in team games contribute to childhood self-confidence and resilience.

Who We Are

The Slovenski Family has been in the summer camp business since 1987. We are dedicated to providing an exceptional experience for our campers and their families. Our team is led by Peter Slovenski, who 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 before retiring in 2021. He was recognized as the Bowdoin College Head Coach of Cross-Country and Track & Field Emeritus. Dugan Slovenski, "Camp Mom, " graduated from Stanford University in 1980 and has worked as a full-time mother and math and SAT Prep teacher. David Slovenski, our director, is a graduate of Princeton University and has been instrumental in guiding the camp's activities and ensuring a positive experience for all campers.

At Slovenski Camps, we are committed to creating a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where children can grow, learn, and develop lifelong friendships. We believe in the power of traditional summer camp experiences and are excited to share this with your family.