2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Agassiz Village Founded By Mr & Mrs Harry E Burroughs

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Causes: Camps, Children & Youth, Sports, Youth Centers & Clubs, Youth Development Programs

Mission: Agassiz Village's mission is to "prepare kids for life's journey." For more than 85 years, Agassiz Village has inspired thousands of kids from hard-pressed New England neighborhoods to reach their full potential by replacing their neighborhood expectations with aspirations that lead to healthy, productive lives. Each summer, kids are removed from their "communities of poverty" and immersed in our summer camp environment in Maine where kids discover who they are now and who they can become through a social, emotional and leadership program. Agassiz Village continues its rich history inspired by its founder Harry E. Burroughs. At age 12, Harry Burroughs left Russia as a stowaway on a boat to America. He landed in Portland, Maine with no money and speaking no English. Harry walked barefoot to Boston and found work selling newspapers on a Beacon Hill street corner. With the help of some loyal and supportive customers, he got an education and became a successful lawyer. Burroughs committed himself to helping boys like him--boys with lots of potential and little opportunity-- become happy, responsible, contributing members of society. In 1926, he founded the Burroughs Newsboys Foundation and in 1936, Agassiz Village, a residential summer camp in Maine that allowed impoverished inner city boys to experience nature, swim in a lake, tend a garden, see stars at night, form lifelong friendships and relationships and learn necessary skills to help them be successful in life. Eighty-four years later, this 450-acre camp on Thompson Lake in Poland, Maine remains a life-changing refuge for at-risk youth. in 2021, we will start a new year round intensive program designed to help teens through high-school and graduate career/college ready.

Community Stories

15 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

Kini1979 Client Served

Rating: 5

11/20/2024

My daughter Kaili went to Agassiz village for 4 summers! Her experience at Agassiz Village has been nothing short of amazing! Kaili grew and matured in remarkable ways, both socially and emotionally, during her time at camp. Immersed in the beauty of life in the woods, she embraced the opportunity to explore and connect with nature, something that’s rare in her everyday life.

She built lasting relationships with her counselors, who were not only supportive but also inspiring role models. Through their guidance, she developed valuable life skills that have strengthened her independence and confidence. One of the most beautiful aspects of her time at Agassiz was meeting friends from all walks of life. The diversity and sense of community at camp helped her expand her perspective and celebrate the differences that make each person unique.

Agassiz Village is truly a special place where children can grow, explore, and thrive. I’m so grateful for the positive impact it’s had on my daughter and I look forward to her continuing this incredible journey in the future!

amohamed4 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

11/07/2024

Agassiz Village Summer Camp is the best summer camp that offers a range of programs, including swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and environmental education, all in a supportive and inclusive environment. The unique aspect of the camp is that the program focus on social-emotional learning, with activities designed to build campers' self-esteem, resilience, and leadership skills. The campers learn important life skills that they could bring back to their communities. Agassiz Village is truly the ultimate summer destination, surrounded by beautiful outdoor spaces that offer endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. I wholeheartedly encourage you to visit and immerse yourself in the camp’s activities – it's an experience you won’t want to miss!

isabel.herrera Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

Agassiz Villages is an amazing place for having fun, making friendships and learning about life. It has become my second home, a great camp to make great memories :)

ventilador Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

Agassiz has been the experience of a lifetime. It has helped me to grow as an individual and has taught me lessons that will prevail in me for life. Agassiz has definitely helped me grow into the person I am today and I'm very thankful for that

saigeishappy General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

Best camp hands down! Learned so much at Agassiz village from leadership skills to networking skills, the experiences at camp has shaped me into the strong hardworking Black woman I am today!

yari Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

One of the most rewarding place where you can watch campers bond over shared challenges. There is something about being out on the water of thompson lake together, working as a team to navigate through a course or race, that helped kids break out of their shells. The shy, nervous camper who wouldn’t speak up at the start of the week would often end up taking the lead in a group activity by the end of the session.

MSC100 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

We love having Agassiz Village as a member of Maine Summer Camps and as a partner in providing camperships to immigrant and refuge kids in Maine. They provide a high end camp experience while simultaneously making the registration process accessible and experience affordable.

Nichoj Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

Agassiz Village gives the feel of a warm family environment that focuses highly on the personnels wellbeing, physically and mentally. The natured aesthetics coupled with the friendly environment of staff and campers, makes it the perfect place to spend your summer.

Dennisyaw21 Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/05/2024

Agassiz village is the great and wonderful camp ever in my lifetime.

tpanagakos Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/16/2024

I have been working with this camp for over 10 years. They are very supportive and willing to
support the kids that can't afford camp. Over the years we have had over 20 kids go through this camp.
Always been so thrilled with them and the level of care our campers received. Level Ground supports them and members going to camp.

aeshag7 Volunteer

Rating: 5

09/25/2024

agassiz village is my home, you meet so many different people, experience so many beautiful things and moments, for example the sunsets are always so beautiful, and the conversation and the people you meet, the positions you get put through teach you important life lessons, and i will for ever love agassiz, #iloveav

Cyrese Client Served

Rating: 5

09/25/2024

I like Agassiz because it’s helped me mentally be a better person myself and to others and hope to be helping the community

burritoeater12 Client Served

Rating: 3

09/25/2024

It was more fun last year but I liked the people in my cabin.

Cnaldini Client Served

Rating: 5

09/25/2024

I have been apart of the organization since 2007. I have loved attending all these years and getting to be in so many different positions from camper, to staff, to year-round staff. I am so grateful to meet so many wonderful people and touch so many lives, they way that I was helped as a youth. Thank you Agassiz! I couldn't have found a better camp.

tmobryant General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

10/24/2023

Great summer camp where children can learn skills and build life long relationships!

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