Sporting Camps: A Great Way to 'Cabin' in Maine

If you're considering renting a cabin this summer, why not book a week's stay at one of Maine's storied resorts known as sporting camps?

Maine sporting camps are remote resorts built near a body of water, usually comprising several log cabins and a main lodge where meals are served. The name 'sporting camp' has nothing to do with sports like tennis, or golf. A 'sport' is a century-old term for a city person who used to travel to Maine in summer and hire a guide to take him fishing or hunting. There are about a hundred sporting camps left. Most have an 'American' meal plan, i.e. they provide all your meals, so your family cook gets a much-deserved vacation too. (While some camps don't provide meals, others give you the option of cooking your own meals.) The beauty of these sporting camps is that you're in the wilderness, but you're not alone. You can spend your days enjoying the rustic setting, or exploring the water and woods. You can socialize with others, but not have the duties of entertaining. You can make new friends, and your kids can play in a safe environment, unplugged from cell phones, internet, e-mail and texting. Sounds like a paradise! And the prices aren't bad. Most folks book themselves for a week. Check out the Maine Sporting Camps Association Website, or the wonderful guide, Maine Sporting Camps by Alice Arlen from Down East Books.