Camp Matoaka - First Session
Camp Matoaka is a traditional all-girls overnight summer camp in Maine, offering a diverse range of activities focused on growth, friendship, and fun.
▌ Editor's read Camp Matoaka's website loads successfully and presents as a legitimate overnight camp for girls. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with an expiration year of 2025, confirming adherence to industry standards. The camp has been operating for over 60 years, founded by Lesley and Jeff Rattner, and is a for-profit entity. The website states that all staff undergo background checks. The program is exclusively overnight. Google reviews show a rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many parents praising the strong community, diverse activities, and positive impact on their daughters. Social media presence includes an Instagram handle @campmatoaka and a Facebook page 'campmatoaka'.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
⌬
Since 196660+ years operating
Who thrives here Ages 7–15
Camp Matoaka - First Session sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right overnight/sleepaway fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1966 (60 years)
- Operator
- Private business
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 7–15
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: One Great Place, Smithfield, ME 04978, USA
- Cost notes: USD
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Matoaka - First Session
- What ages does Camp Matoaka - First Session accept?
- Camp Matoaka - First Session is open to children ages 7–15. 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 Camp Matoaka - First Session cost?
- Camp Matoaka - First Session publishes $3,450/week for the standard session. USD Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Matoaka - First Session's hours?
- Camp Matoaka - First Session runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp Matoaka - First Session accredited?
- Yes — Camp Matoaka - First Session is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 60 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp Matoaka - First Session?
- Camp Matoaka - First Session is operated by a private business, with 60 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Matoaka - First Session provide lunch?
- Camp Matoaka - First Session 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.
- How does Camp Matoaka - First Session compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Smithfield?
- Camp Matoaka - First Session is one of 8 overnight/sleepaway camps in Smithfield that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Matoaka - First Session with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
- Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Matoaka - First Session.
- Camp Matoaka · Ages 7–15 · $3,450/week
- Camp Matoaka - Full Season · Ages 7–15 · $2,606/week
- Camp Matoaka - Full Session · Belgrade Lakes · Ages 7–15 · $2,500/week
- Camp Matoaka - Second Session · Ages 7–15 · $3,383/week
- Camp Matoaka - Second Session · Belgrade Lakes · Ages 7–15 · $3,383/week
- Camp Matoaka - First Session · Ages 7–15 · $1,980/week
- Camp Matoaka - Camp Matoaka: