Maine Teen Camp (MTC) - The Official Camp Page

04/08/2026

With great sadness and many happy memories, we announce that earlier this week, one of MTC's founding directors, Kris Kamys, passed away at his home at age 79.

Though very private in his last years, Kris is remembered with great fondness by our alumni community. Along with Jay and Karen Stager, Kris started MTC in 1984, with its first summer in 1985. After growing camp for several seasons, he sold camp to Bob Briskin, and around 1992, Kris left camping for Hollywood for a number of years, most notably working on the massively popular TV Show, the X-Files. Kris returned to his Maine home and taught at local schools, and when MTC’s director, Bob, passed away in 2003, Kris did not hesitate to step into a mentorship and on-site advisor to Matt and Monique for several summers, to help with camp’s forward movement at a critical juncture.

With a wicked sense of (often a little dark) humor, wit, and "Kamys-ian" quotes, Kris shared stories of adventures in the deserts with venomous snakes or in swamps with turtles, quirks of the movie industry, keen observations on the state of the world, takes on pop culture, and his musings about important times in his life - spent at Camp Kabeyun, Coney Grant Farm, or the early days of Maine Teen Camp. An art and music lover, wine and guitar collector, he could offer every lyric of songs by the Rolling Stones. Always up for a concert, he was a fan of Dylan's old stuff, but the White Stripes newer recordings played especially loud in his flashy Corvette. Kris appreciated intellectual conversation shared over "cheap, cheap" wine or a daytime bottle of “the original Coca Cola”, often turning to politics and the safety risks of Route 160 aka “the ribbon of death".

Kris had a vision for a summer camp for teens – he saw that vision come to fruition back in 1984 as MTC. We will always be grateful for this wonderful camp community he helped to create. He called himself a "frustrated Utopian", but he did more than just talk about creating Utopia.

Rest in “peace and love”, K-man. We are better for having known you.
https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/299773

01/07/2026

Dear MTC Friends…
We wanted to share the news that very recently, we put pen to paper, and sold our beloved property at 481 Brownfield Road, that for 41 years has been home to Maine Teen Camp.

This wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. We are now permitted to release this news.

MTC has been the most profoundly important and impactful thing we have ever done. Over four decades, thousands of teenagers have found a place to simply be themselves, to learn the life affirming skills of community building, have had a bunch of fun, and have made friendships that last a lifetime. We are fortunate to have been a part of such an amazing camp family, and are grateful for each person who has spent a summer at 481 Brownfield Rd.

It is of utmost importance to us to ensure new ownership who appreciate camp for its value to kids…people who will continue the tradition of camp on this very site. To us, this is a vital transition that means this beautiful property will never be anything but a summer camp for kids.

We would ask that you please respectfully give us time to collect ourselves as this transition moves forward. Please know that we appreciate your every thought and kind words of support. If you do reach out to us, we will respond to every person in good time...

We could not be any prouder of the community we’ve shared and maintained. We can say without a doubt that our “cup” has been overfilled with more special moments than anyone ever could wish for. We’ve met some of the most special people in our lives because of MTC. In return, we have poured our hearts into the camp community for years and the shared experiences and indelible memories will last a lifetime.

We are grateful always MTC. There are no words to describe the life and love you have provided.

With our best,
Matt and Monique Pines.

12/29/2025

As the year wraps up soon, Monday Musings bring us to memories of summer 2025, a quick look-back summary of all the fun we had!

12/22/2025

Musings about the beauty of a winter day at sunset.

12/16/2025

12/15/2025

It's kind of tough to write a Monday musings this morning.

It has been a devastatingly tragic weekend.

Our hearts break for our camper families and alumni who have been impacted by the shooting at Brown University.

They are broken again by the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Our camp community is deeply interwoven in both the Jewish community around the world, and Australia.

Seeing such a hateful act of anti-Semitism carried out at the start of Hannukah is beyond cruel. There are no words, just sadness.

Nothing profound to add. Just please look out for each other, take care of yourself, and if you ever need help, reach out. Connection is the only thing that has ever mattered, and ever will.