YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program
Camp Heartwood Nature Program offers day camp experiences for children aged 5-12, focusing on outdoor exploration, environmental education, and traditional c...
▌ Editor's read The YMCA of Southern Maine's Camp Heartwood Nature Program provides day camp experiences for children aged 5-12, emphasizing outdoor exploration, environmental education, and traditional camp activities. The website confirms that all staff undergo background checks. While the specific Camp Heartwood program does not have a separate Google review profile, the YMCA of Southern Maine (Biddeford Branch) has a 4.4-star rating from 277 reviews, with many positive comments about its family-friendly environment and diverse programs. The camp is operated by the YMCA, a well-known nonprofit organization. The website lists a variety of activities including hiking, fort building, nature art, and swimming. There is no mention of ACA accreditation for this specific program on acacamps.org, nor is a state license number provided on the website. Social media handles for the broader YMCA of Southern Maine are @ymcasouthernme on Instagram and YMCAofSouthernMaine on Facebook.
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 5–12
YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given outdoors/nature program.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Outdoors/Nature
- Ages: 5–12
- Hours: 9:30am - 3:30pm
- Address: 3 Pomerleau St., Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
- Cost notes: YMCA member/non-member pricing may be available. See brochure for details. 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program
- What ages does YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program accept?
- YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program is open to children ages 5–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program cost?
- YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. YMCA member/non-member pricing may be available. See brochure for details. 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
- What are YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program's hours?
- YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program runs 9:30am - 3:30pm. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program?
- YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program is operated by a nonprofit organization. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program provide lunch?
- YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare YMCA of Southern Maine - Camp Heartwood Nature Program with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review licensing, supervision, and accreditation signals.