Camp POSTCARD (Police Officers Striving To Create And Reinforce Dreams) is a free, week-long summer experience for Maine 5th and 6th graders. Campers are nominated by School Resource Officers, and the program is led by volunteer First Responders from across the state who serve as camp counselors.
Each June, over 100 children from all 16 Maine counties gather at Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop for an unforgettable week filled with outdoor adventures, team-building activities, and fun. They are guided and mentored by 70 dedicated volunteers—including law enforcement officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and other first responders—who serve as positive role models throughout the week.
Camp POSTCARD is made possible through a long-standing partnership between the Maine Sheriffs’ Association and VOA Northern New England, working together to create a lasting impact in the lives of Maine youth.
Camp POSTCARD dates for 2026
- June 19th (Camp Leaders arrive)
- June 20th (Campers arrive)
- June 26th (Camp ends, all leave)
Camp POSTCARD FAQ
How are kids nominated for camp?
Fifth and sixth-grade students are nominated by their School Resource Officers or school counselors, who collaborate closely with local police departments. These dedicated professionals know which students would benefit most from the positive experience of a summer camp adventure.
Who are the camp counselors?
Volunteer Sheriffs, state troopers, municipal officers, first responders, and firefighters from across Maine unite at Camp POSTCARD to serve as positive role models. When campers return home, they see these community heroes in a whole new light, and the officers gain valuable insight into the lives of the children they encounter every day, building stronger connections and more effective skills for working together.
What happens at Camp?
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Soccer
- Fishing
- Carnival Day
- Book Fair
- Swimming
- Paracording
- Basketball
- Hiking
- Demo
- K9 Demo
- Boating
- Dodge Ball
- And more!
What do Campers leave with?
Each camper heads home with a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming year, generously provided by Operation Backpack®. During Camp, they also get to choose brand-new books to keep from the book fair. At the start of the week, every camper receives a welcome bag with hygiene essentials, a beach towel, a water bottle, and more.
You can watch all of the Camp POSTCARD videos HERE and see why kids love coming to Camp!
How it all began!
Camp POSTCARD began in 1994 when Sheriff Scott Kane and State Trooper Christine Buchanan (Left) teamed up with June Koegel, then President and CEO of Volunteers of America Northern New England. Recognizing a need for summer opportunities for 5th and 6th graders—and a chance for law enforcement to positively connect with youth—they saw VOA as the ideal partner, thanks to its long history of running programs like the Fresh Air Camps in the mid-20th century.
Rooted in a shared commitment to Maine families, this partnership continues to thrive. The impact of Camp POSTCARD reaches far beyond a single week each summer, creating lasting benefits for the campers, the leaders who mentor them, and the communities they return to.
Only at Camp POSTCARD
Camp POSTCARD includes all the classic summer camp experiences you’d expect—plus a few surprising and unforgettable extras!
The Luke Gross Award
The Luke Gross Award is given to a Camper who exhibits core values of kindness, humor, respect, adventure, and leadership.
Camp POSTCARD needs YOU!
Camp POSTCARD is possible because of our generous sponsors. Our deepest gratitude goes out to all of our donors—both financial and in-kind—who make this program a reality year after year. Your support helps provide campers with everything they need for a memorable and meaningful week. Time and again, caring community members have stepped up to support young people attending camp for the very first time.
If you’ve donated before, thank you! You’ve seen firsthand the positive impact this experience has on kids. If you’re considering giving for the first time, now is the perfect opportunity to help change a child’s life.
Click below to learn how you can help:
We especially want to thank the following sponsors:
If you would like to sponsor Camp POSTCARD, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information at (207) 373-1140.