May 8 Drive-Thru Luncheon Will Benefit Down East Teen Leadership Camp
For immediate release, please
Date: April 17, 2026
Program Contact: Sara McConnell: sara@healthyacadia.org; (207) 255-3741
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson: tracey@healthyacadia.org; (207) 667-7171
May 8 Drive-Thru Luncheon Will Benefit Down East Teen Leadership Camp
Machias, ME - Healthy Acadia, in collaboration with Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology (CWCIT) culinary arts students at Machias Memorial High School, will host a drive-thru luncheon on Friday, May 8, 2026, to benefit the Down East Teen Leadership Camp.
Down East Teen Leadership Camp (DETLC) is a five-day residential summer program for teens entering grades 7 through 9. The program helps young people build social, communication, and leadership skills that support emotional resilience and reduce the risk of substance use, including tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Many participants return for multiple years and later serve as camp staff during high school and college.
Healthy Acadia’s cost to operate the camp exceeds $1,500 per camper. To keep the program accessible, Healthy Acadia caps tuition at $315 and offers scholarships based on need. Scholarships and camp costs not covered by tuition fees must be raised through local sponsorships, grant awards, and community fundraising events.
“We are so excited to partner once again with the CWCIT culinary arts students for a fifth year to provide a delicious homemade lunch,” said Sara McConnell, DETLC Camp Co-Director. “We are really looking forward to seeing everyone on May 8th, and of course, at our 26th year of Down East Teen Leadership Camp this summer!”
The luncheon will feature four homemade sandwich options: chicken salad, BLT, Italian, and vegetarian. Each meal includes a fruit salad and a cookie, all prepared by the culinary arts students.
The suggested donation is $15 per meal. Orders are open now through 10 a.m. on Monday, May 4, and can be placed online at bit.ly/DETLCLunchOrder. Meals can be picked up at Machias Memorial High School on May 8 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Delivery is available in Machias.
Community members are encouraged to support local youth by participating in the luncheon or making a donation. Contributions of any amount help ensure all interested teens can attend.
For more information about Down East Teen Leadership Camp, contact Sara McConnell at (207) 255-3741 or sara@healthyacadia.org.
To make a donation to support teen access to camp, visit bit.ly/DETLC-support.
Celebrating 25 years, Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.healthyacadia.org.
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