BELGRADE — Camp Bomazeen Director Bruce Rueger had one message for the Scouts and leaders who attended camp on their opening weekend of program for the 2021 season, “Welcome home. Camp Bomazeen is open for the summer and we welcome you back.”

“This is very exciting for us,” Rueger of Waterville said, according to a news release from Charles Mahaleris, Kennebec Valley District vice chair. “I’m not sure if the staff or the Scouts are more excited that Camp Bomazeen is open, but I know I am really eager for a great summer.”

Scouts from China, Winthrop, Augusta, Jackman and Skowhegan were among those in attendance for opening weekend on July 10 and 11. Chris Bernier and his staff dressed in 1840 period costumes to teach Scouts how their ancestors and Native Americans lived, cooked, and made craft items such as baskets and lanterns.

Meanwhile, other Scouts earned traditional scouting offerings such as crafts, the new scout program, rifle shooting and canoeing merit badges, along with electricity, fingerprinting and welding.

The camp planned to celebrate its 75th anniversary last summer, but COVID-19 put a hold on the festivities for an entire year, and the pandemic made planning for this summer nearly all but impossible.

Brock Merrill lives in Fairfield but is a member of the Oakland Scout Troop. “My favorite part of camp is swimming,” he said. The camp is located on Great Pond and boasts a sandy beach unrivaled at many such camps. Connor Poirier of Augusta Troop 631 agreed. He has been coming to Bomazeen since he was a Cub Scout and was very much looking forward to refreshing himself in the pond.

Another scout weekend is to be held Friday through Sunday, July 16-18, followed by Family Adventure Weekend on July 24 and 25 and Cub Scout Day Camp the week of July 26-30.

Non-Cub Scouts can attend Day Camp at Camp Bomazeen. To sign up or for more information, call Pine Tree Council at 207-797-5252 or email Rueger at [email protected].