About HVC

Philosophy

Peter & Meg

Campers

Parents

Alumni

Staff

HIDDEN VALLEY CAMP
Freedom, Maine 04941
Peter & Meg Kassen - Directors

An International Children's
Community for 60 Years

Email:
summer@hiddenvalleycamp.com

Phone: 800-922-6737
From Overseas: 207-342-5177
Fax: 207-342-5685

Philosophy

Hidden Valley Camp Philosophy

"My child gained an immense amount of confidence and independence. This could not have happened unless the environment had been 'prepared' and structured for the children in such a way that they stretched but that they also succeed. This delicate balance is not so easy to find nowadays." - Hidden Valley Camp Parent

The success children experience in getting along with other children is the single best indicator of how they will fare as adults, according to recent research. We believe that summer camp - one that stresses the building of community and meaningful friendships - provides wonderful opportunities to help children develop their relationship-building skills.

Hidden Valley is not traditional!
Hidden Valley's roots are in the movement of progressive children's communities. Over the years, we have built on this history with a commitment to quality and professionalism, and a deep sensitivity to individual needs and group life.

HVC has no rifles, uniforms, or color war. Our non-competitive, non-sectarian community provides individualized attention to all campers in a structured yet unpressured atmosphere.

Our days together are devoted to the following values:

acceptance, regardless of gender, race or background;
freedom to choose one's daily activities and to be who you really are;
responsibility to one's community and peers;
creativity in all dimensions of the child's daily experience

HVC TV

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Philosophy Video

The American Camp Association is the largest professional camping organization in the world. Through its inspection visits to camps, the ACA helps to make camping a safe, significant, and enriching experience for young people.

The ACA Accredited Camp Insignia is a recognized symbol of camps that are dedicated to quality. It says to those seeking a summer experience for their children, "This camp has been oficially visited and has met our exceeded standards for health and safety, site and facilities, administration, and all of its camper programs."

It is our hope that the Hidden Valley community experience instills in young people a feeling of independence, enhanced self-awareness, and an even greater capacity to live happily and work constructively with others. In addition to enlivening instructional workshops and supportive staff, these goalsare accomplished by providing a lively yet peaceful community atmosphere.

Ask Meg and Peter how they put Hidden Vally's philosophy into practice on a daily basis.

HVC recycles, our pool is solar heated and we'll get a wind demonstration project going this summer. Read here for more information about HVC and the environment...
Learn More

"Administrating a school has shown me that this kind of atmosphere is set and maintained by the people in charge and I know how much the both of you must put your hearts and souls into this work. Your emphasis on personal ability and on being decent and caring - and on having fun! -helps make your camp a true model and a home-away-from-home." - HVC Parent