Tripp Lake Camp Mission
The mission of Tripp Lake Camp is to provide a nurturing environment that enhances our campers’ sense of value and self-worth. We provide opportunities for girls to explore all facets of their personalities and encourage campers to take risks that expand their boundaries. Our goal is that by summer’s end, our campers will leave with greater confidence, self-reliance and resilience as they return home to face the pressures of their fast-paced world.
Over the years, many things have changed at Tripp Lake.
TLC Philosophy
At Tripp Lake Camp, we are committed to helping our campers develop into fine young women. Everything about our camp supports this goal. When given guidance and opportunities to blossom, our campers will do just that. We help our campers develop:
Respect for Oneself and Others
Tripp Lake Camp teaches the importance of making ethical choices. Camp fosters tolerance and respect for oneself and others. Camp life and daily team games create an atmosphere of collaboration rather than an environment of “win-at-all-costs.”
Respect for the Rules of Camp
Campers understand and appreciate the importance of adhering to guidelines in order for our community to thrive.
Courage to Face New Challenges
Our diverse program provides an opportunity for campers to master skills and challenges through each activity offered. Campers participate in all activities at camp. They learn the importance of cooperation and perseverance in achieving their goals.
An Admiration for Camp’s Long, Rich Tradition
Campers develop a sense of pride as they become a part of Tripp Lake Camp’s historic legacy of over 100 years of quality camping for girls.
An Appreciation of Nature
Our program begins with an appreciation for the natural beauty of Tripp Lake Camp and its magnificent surroundings. Camp provides many opportunities to explore the unspoiled beauty of Maine.
The Founding of Tripp Lake Camp
Tripp Lake’s roots go back to a school for girls in New York City called The Bettelheim School, which was run by Miss Cyd Bettelheim and Mrs. Casper (Eva) Rosenheim. At the end of its first year, in 1911, the girls and their parents asked these two ladies to take their daughters to Maine for the summer.
Little was known about camping for girls in those days, but Aunt Eva decided that she would go to Maine and see if she could find a suitable place to bring the girls. She chose a spectacular piece of property in Poland, Maine, which on the map was called “The Promised Land.” She named the camp Tripp Lake Camp. The first year there were 60 campers and 12 counselors.
As described by a local newspaper that first summer, Cyd and Eva “organized a girls’ camp where every outdoor amusement possible is afforded women and where healthy sports and untiring care build up their constitutions. Miss Bettelheim with the aid of her sister, Eva, is doing all in her power to make the camp happy and beneficial and certainly no one who visits this spot, doubts that their efforts are well repaid. Never was there a happier crowd of girls than are gathered at Tripp Lake Camp.” – Excerpt from The Sun Journal, July 27, 1911.
Directors of Tripp Lake Since 1911
- 1911 to 1949 – Eva Rosenheim and Cyd Bettelheim
- 1949 to 1957 – Caroline Lavenson
- 1957 to 1981 – Ruth and Doc Spahn
- 1981 to 1994 – Bev and Jon Myers
- 1994 to 1999 – Nancy Gilbert Brenner
- 1999 to present – Leslie Konigsberg Levy