The Harpswell Neck Physical Education Association has put its youth summer camp on pause for 2026, citing the need to address facility repairs and other challenges before resuming in 2027.
The association’s website explains that the pause was necessary to ensure the summer camp will be able to provide a “high-quality, vibrant experience” for children in the future.
“Following a recent board meeting, we have reached a difficult conclusion: To ensure the long-term safety and quality of our program, we must pause and pivot to address urgent facility renovations,” it says.
While the group recently completed donor-funded renovations to its tennis and pickleball courts, the group said its “core camp facilities,” including a building and playground, are in urgent need of repairs.
The group’s president, Harpswell Select Board member David Chipman, said its longtime program director, Deborah Cornish, also needed to step away this year because of health issues. He said HNPEA has another candidate to lead the summer camp, but they won’t be available until 2027.
The summer camp is among the most popular and least expensive local options for residents, Chipman added.
HNPEA had planned to seek $6,000 from voters this year, including $2,000 for the summer camp, through the Town Meeting warrant. With the camp on pause, the organization will instead request $4,000.
