ELLSWORTH — After two and a half years of active fund raising, the James Russell Wiggins Down East Family YMCA and its Campaign Committee have announced that the Campaign for Camp was a success.

Overall, the campaign received $1,203,759 from 212 individuals, businesses and foundations, who gave a total of 226 gifts and pledges.

“The community responded generously and enthusiastically to the Campaign for Camp,” said Cooper Friend, the campaign chairman. “People understand that this is an investment in our children and in the future of our entire community. We are truly grateful to everyone who supported our vision to purchase the 50 acres of land on Webb Pond in Eastbrook for the Y’s forty-two-year-old summer camp program.”

The YMCA owns a piece of property along 1,250 feet of shore front, with some pre-existing cabins, where it will continue to offer a quality Maine summer camp experience for local children.

“Now, when our children attend Y Camp, they have fields to play in, woods to explore and a clean pond for swimming and boating,” said Peter Farragher, the CEO of the Down East Family YMCA.

Four years ago, the YMCA made a decision to try to purchase a piece of property in Eastbrook for its summer day camp program. The reasons for purchasing the property were many, but mainly because the Y had outgrown the borrowed facilities it was using for its camp program.

“We knew we could do better for the kids,” Farragher said.

Thanks to the Mosely Family, the former property owners, and a bridge loan made possible by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Machias Savings Bank, The First Bank, Bangor Savings Bank and Camden National, the Y was in a position to purchase the property, under the condition that it raise the funds to complete the purchase as soon as possible.

The fund raising for the Campaign for Camp: Kids. Values. Communities officially began in February of 2010 with a goal to raise $1.2 million.

The campaign committee met twice a month for two years. Proposals were written and presented and the response was enthusiastic.

A general appeal was mailed in the fall of 2011 and more gifts came in from the community. The funds raised will allow the Y to complete the purchase of the Webb Pond property, renovate facilities, enhance camp programs and start an endowment for the camp.

Y Camp serves the Greater Ellsworth community and reaches into western Washington County. The camp on Webb Pond has the capacity to serve up to 200 campers a day and on average serves 125 children per day during the summer. Current programs and activities include swimming, kayaking, canoeing, archery, environmental education, cooking and arts and crafts.

“It’s been a great summer up at Camp,” Farragher said. “The weather cooperated, the programs keep getting better and better and the word is getting out that it is a place to have a great summer camp experience.”

For more information on how to make a gift to Y Camp, contact Jeanne Wood at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 667-3086.

For more community news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.