Maine camp opens spots for Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth

Pine Tree Camp’s Dirigo Experience is set for Aug. 17-21, 2026 in Rome, Maine, with a limited number of spots still available for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children ages 5 to 15. The five-day overnight program offers ASL-accessible outdoor activities, full scholarships, and a place for campers to build confidence and friendships.

Why it matters: - Dirigo Experience gives Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth a place to connect with peers who share their language and experience. - The camp is designed to build confidence, leadership, social skills and a sense of belonging through direct communication in ASL. - Full tuition assistance is available, which removes cost as a barrier for participating families.

What happened: - Pine Tree Camp said the 5th Annual Dirigo Experience will run Aug. 17-21, 2026, at North Pond in Rome, Maine. - The five-day overnight camp serves Deaf and hard-of-hearing children ages 5 to 15. - A limited number of spots remains open. - Families can learn more through the camp information page.

The details: - Dirigo Experience uses structured outdoor recreation to help campers step outside their comfort zones. - Campers take part in immersive outdoor adventures on Pine Tree Camp’s fully accessible 285-acre campus. - The program is meant to help children form lasting friendships and discover a greater sense of self-esteem. - Liz Seal said her four children attend every year and gain independence, leadership skills and confidence from being able to communicate directly in ASL with staff and other campers. - Pine Tree Camp said full financial assistance covers all participating families. - Pine Tree Camp is a program of Pine Tree Society and is accredited by the American Camp Association. - The camp marked its 80th anniversary in 2025. - Since 1945, no camper has been turned away because of inability to pay. - Pine Tree Camp serves people with disabilities year-round through activities including kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, archery, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. - More information is available at Pine Tree Camp’s website.

Between the lines: - The camp is filling a gap many Deaf children face when they do not have regular access to peers who communicate in ASL. - The program’s focus on Deaf mentors and direct communication suggests the experience is designed as much around identity and community as around recreation. - Joshua Seal founded Dirigo Experience in 2022 after his own childhood experience of often being the only Deaf student in school. - Seal was killed in the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting three years ago, and the camp now carries his legacy forward.

What’s next: - Families interested in the 2026 session can apply while remaining spaces are still open. - Pine Tree Camp will continue offering full tuition assistance for participating families. - The organization says Dirigo Experience will keep serving as a community for Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth on North Pond.

The bottom line: - Dirigo Experience is both a summer camp and a built-in community for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children who may rarely find that kind of peer access elsewhere.