Down East Teen Leadership Camp

Down East Teen Leadership Camp (DETLC) is Healthy Acadia’s annual residential summer camp program for teens entering grades 7 through 9. Held in late July on the beautiful campus of Cobscook Institute in Trescott, Maine, DETLC offers five action-packed days filled with games and team-building activities, amazing motivational speakers, and daily workshops focused on social issues that matter to teens.

The vision of Down East Teen Leadership Camp is to empower teens with social, communication, and leadership skills to support emotional resiliency and to deter misuse of substances, including tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. DETLC is deeply impactful for the youth who participate.

Staff positions at DETLC are open to students who will be in grade 10 or higher for the 2024-2025 school year. We offer roles for individuals interested in supporting the entire five-day session of our residential camp, as well as chances to lead workshops or choice time activities for a few hours.

The DETLC Application period is now open for DETLC 2024 (July 22-26)!

2024 Camper Application

>>> Click here to register to attend DETLC 2024 <<<

Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. For more information contact Sara McConnell at (207) 255-3741 or by email at sara@healthyacadia.org. 

For Teens:

Hey there! Are you ready for an epic summer adventure? Get ready to join us at the Down East Teen Leadership Camp (DETLC) for five days packed with excitement and fun!

At DETLC, you'll experience action-packed games and team-building activities that will help you develop strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Plus, you'll have the chance to connect with old friends and make new ones as you embark on this journey together.

There’s more! Our motivational speakers aim to ignite your drive, helping you uncover your inspirations, and passions, and chart a course for success. You'll also have daily opportunities to join in highly interactive workshop activities that focus on social issues that matter most to you, like tackling peer pressure, substance use, embracing diversity, and more.

And of course, what's summer camp without a pizza party, s'mores, and bonfires? You'll get to enjoy all of these classic camp experiences with your new friends!

By participating in DETLC, you'll gain confidence and self-esteem and a deeper understanding of the risks associated with substance use. You'll fill your toolbox with positive alternatives and explore opportunities to continue building your leadership skills throughout the coming year.

So what are you waiting for? Join us at DETLC and take your next step in becoming a strong, confident leader who is ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way!

For Parents:

Our dynamic immersive program and enthusiastic staff team create a positive summer experience with opportunities for teens to build their knowledge and tools to help them make healthy choices, strengthen emotional resilience, and hone leadership skills. Campers can build on their DETLC experience with our ongoing school-based programming and/or by participating in Healthy Acadia’s regional DownEast Youth Action Team (DEYAT), which assists with DETLC planning throughout the year.

Team building activities engage campers in fun and games with teams and “camp family” groups. Daily Workshops engage campers in interactive discussions around social issues that are important to them, such as dealing with peer pressure, steering clear of substance use, embracing diversity, and more. Guest And of course, there will be plenty of time for some Maine summer favorites, like hiking, canoeing, campfire talks, and more.

This unforgettable and incredibly impactful experience provides teens with social, communication, and leadership skills that support emotional resiliency and help to deter misuse of substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Many campers attend for multiple years and return as staff as high school and college students. 

Healthy Acadia’s Down East Teen Leadership Camp program supports the following outcomes for youth who participate: 

• Improved positive self-esteem;

• A better understanding of individual motivations, passions, and goals;

• Development of problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership skills

• Increased understanding of substance use issues and knowledge of positive alternatives;

• Reduced likelihood of using/misusing tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs in the future;

• Continued development of leadership skills throughout the coming year.

DETLC Empowers and Inspires Teens

Since 2000, DETLC has empowered more than 500 teens from rural Washington County, Maine, and beyond to live substance-free and serve as positive role models and inspiring civic leaders in their schools and communities. Many campers who attend DETLC return as campers in subsequent years and again to serve as junior staff as high school and undergraduate students.

Tuition includes five days of programs and activities, as well as meals, snacks, and overnight accommodations. DETLC offers need-based scholarships to help cover tuition costs. Priority is given to students from Washington County, Maine, and Passamaquoddy Territory. Students from outside these regions will be accepted as space allows.

Inspiring Future Leaders in our Community

Since 2000, DETLC has empowered more than 500 teens from rural Washington County, Maine, and beyond to live substance-free and serve as positive role models and inspiring civic leaders in their schools and communities. Many campers who attend DETLC return as campers in subsequent years and again to serve as junior staff as high school and undergraduate students. In recent years, DETLC has hosted nearly 60 campers per session.

Down East Teen Leadership Camp is deeply impactful for the youth who participate. The program and staff combine a positive summer experience with opportunities for teens to build their knowledge and tools to help them make healthy choices, strengthen their emotional resilience, and enhance their leadership skills. 

Teens can build on their Camp experience through our ongoing school-based programming, and by participating in Healthy Acadia’s regional Down East Youth Action Team (DEYAT), which assists with youth program planning for Camp and in our communities throughout the year.

Down East Teen Leadership Camp supports positive social development and lifelong resilience by challenging teens to learn and grow in self-awareness. Throughout their week at DETLC, teens experience the value of communicating and collaborating with peers and others to solve problems and accomplish shared objectives while expanding on their leadership skills and gaining insight into personal responsibility for themselves and the community. While growing and learning, Camp participants are gaining valuable skills, making strong peer connections, and achieving independence essential in making the transition to adulthood.

You Can Help a Teen Attend DETLC

Though the per-camper cost of DETLC was approximately $750 per camper in 2023, we limited tuition to just $295 per camper, and have always offered significant scholarships based on need. We believe that every teen who wishes to participate in the DETLC experience has the opportunity to do so. Scholarships and camp costs not covered by camper fees are paid for through community fundraising, local sponsorships, and grant funding. Your monetary gift, if any amount will help to ensure that DETLC continues to serve as many youth as are interested, regardless of financial need.

Click here to learn how to sponsor a camper for DETLC 2024, or donate online today at: bit.ly/supportDETLC  

For more information about Down East Teen Leadership Camp, contact Corrie Hunkler at (207) 255-3741 or corrie.hunkler@healthyacadia.org; or Sara McConnell at (207) 255-3741 or sara@healthyacadia.org.

For more ways to support the program or other Healthy Acadia initiatives, contact Shoshona Smith at 207-667-7171 Ext. 210 or Development@HealthyAcadia.org.

updated April 19, 2024