Location & Facilities
Location
Camp Somerset is located in Smithfield, Maine on 50 acres along East Pond in the beautiful Belgrade Lakes region.
Smithfield is approximately 90 minutes from some of Maine’s most celebrated attractions including Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay, Acadia National Park, and Portland, allowing for some incredible day and overnight trips.
One of Maine’s largest cities, Waterville, is less than 10 minutes from camp. Home to Colby College, Waterville has two hospitals as well as hotels, restaurants, shopping, movie theaters, and Gifford’s, a decades-long Somerset favorite for mini golf and ice cream.
Why Maine?
Maine has the oldest and most established overnight camps in the country, including the original Camp Somerset. Every summer, 20,000 kids spend time at Maine camps. There is incredible natural beauty, great climate, and geographic diversity of both campers and staff. Opportunities abound for memorable out-of-camp trips to places like Acadia National Park, Boothbay Harbor and more, plus families get to enjoy the great food and culture of Maine when they visit.
Facilities
Waterfront
Our 2,000 feet of waterfront is unrivaled. Sitting along the lake’s quietest cove, it provides tons of room for swimming, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and our waterski and wakeboard program, including four competition motor boats. Plus, never a day goes by when we’re not making good use of the ever-popular water trampoline, inflatables, or banana boat!
Swimming Pool
Our five-lane in-ground swimming pool allows for focused instruction and competitive opportunities, ensuring that Somerset campers have the time and resources to advance through our six, color-coded swim levels.
Athletic Facilities
Brand new courts and fields include:
- Two large multipurpose fields for lacrosse, field hockey, handball, football, and soccer
- Softball field
- Five tennis courts and four pickleball courts
- Street hockey rink
- Basketball court
- One grass and one sand volleyball court
- Competitive in ground swimming pool
- Archery Range
Adventure Course
Our state of the art adventure course, nestled in the woods, is the perfect place for a camper to push herself to new heights and limits. Seven “low rope” elements are an ideal introduction to the course and focus on trust and team building. From there, campers can ascend to the top of the three-sided climbing tower before soaring through the sky on either the 300-foot zip line or five traversing bridges.
Culinary Arts
Opened in 2023, our Culinary Arts center is spacious and cool and is a perfect space to learn how to create healthy and delicious snacks, meals, and desserts. Boasting two separate kitchens (red and blue), two groups can participate at the same time, allowing all our campers to enjoy this favorite activity multiple times throughout the summer. Our vegetable garden, just steps away, allows campers to appreciate the deliciousness of all natural produce and re-emphasizes Somerset’s farm-to-table commitment.
Creative Arts
Across the way from Culinary Arts is our “Studio,” home to Arts & Crafts, including painting, drawing, jewelry, and more. Our only “original” building, the Art Barn is a former horse stable, and is home to our ceramics and textiles program.
Camper Cabins
Airy, spacious, and bright, Somerset’s camper cabins are truly the most comfortable in camping. An entry mudroom includes ample space for shoes, coats, and rackets along with a water fountain and chalkboard. The open concept main room includes a massive picture window and every camper is fitted with one under bed drawer and a cubby with shelves and hanging space. Bright bathrooms include three private showers with changing space, two toilets, and three sinks along with storage space for toiletries and camp-provided towels.
The Pavilion
This 5,000 square foot indoor/outdoor space is home to our drama, music, and dance programs and provides ample cover space for full camp evening activities. Campers can do one on one instruction for specific instruments, or participate in group choral and ukulele instruction. Our theater program allows for campers to participate in one of four productions each summer, either in front of or behind the curtain. The massive dance studio includes a spring floor and a full wall of mirrors and bars, allowing for instruction in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical and tap.
Somersault
With more than 7,000 square feet, the Somersault is home to our gymnastics, fitness, yoga, cycling, and martial arts programs. The gymnastics space includes a massive springboard floor, tumble track, beam, vault, and uneven bars.
Dining Hall
Our 10,000 square foot dining hall sits just steps away from East Pond, allowing for cool breezes and spectacular views as we gather three times a day for meals. Meals are served family style and always include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, along with an enormous salad bar where options abound. Our accommodating Chef and kitchen staff are always able to assist and handle any allergy or the pickiest of eaters. Somerset is a nut-free facility.
Office & Health Center
Located in the center of camp, the Office and Health Center are home to Kate and Josh’s offices as well as the spacious and air-conditioned health center. Staffed 24 hours, the health center includes five private camper bedrooms just in case a camper has to spend the night. Downstairs includes camper laundry, providing clean towels daily along with fresh sheets every week. Want to learn more about health, safety, and food allergies at Somerset? Click here.
