Camp Mataponi
In the summer of 1910, in rural Westchester County, NY, Madeleine and Estelle Davidsburg brought a dozen of their young students to a “nature club” for July and August while their parents were taking a grand tour of Europe. When Madeleine’s fiancé, Eugene H. Lehman, heard of what they had done, he suggested that the next summer, they rent a spot further from the metropolis on Highland Lake, CT, so they could expand their program and handle about 20 campers. In 1911 and 1912, it was dubbed “Highland Lake Nature Club”.
The following winter, 1912, Eugene noticed in the real estate section of the New York Times that there was a bit of Lake Sebago acreage for sale some 15 miles south of the land his brother had purchased (known today as Camp Wigwam). Together, Madeleine and Eugene traveled up to Maine for the holidays and purchased an old fisherman’s hotel and the surrounding property on Sebago Lake. It was this piece of property that stands today as Camp Mataponi.
While many camps can boast of having the same owners from the camps’ inception, Highland Nature/Camp Mataponi has proudly had 6 different owners who have continued the rich history and tradition, as well as brought to camp their own unique style and passion to the lives of the campers. One thing remains constant: girls at Mataponi are encouraged to be the best and most true versions of themselves. Camp is a place to feel welcomed, loved, and accepted by those around you.
Over the past 100 years, these 110 acres of pristine beauty have been graced with thousands of young girls and women who call this slice of heaven “their second home”. Faces change but the lake remains the same, and the warmth that exudes from each camper and counselor remains intact.
Today, Mataponi girls live by the camp’s core values, known as the 7 Gold Feathers: Compassion, Friendship, Sportswomanship, Loyalty, Spirit, Citizenship, and Cooperation. Known in the 1970’s as the 4 Feathers (Friendship, Cleanliness, Cooperation, and Sportswomanship), they have been expanded, and have become the most important character traits a camper can posses; ultimately, the 7 Gold Feathers are the cornerstone of life at Mataponi.
The list of activities offered is endless. The opportunity to try something not offered at home is what sets camp life apart. Whether it’s zipping down the ropes course or getting up on skis for the first time, the support of friends and counselors makes it easy to challenge oneself and try new things.
This coming July, camper and staff alumni are invited to return to the shores of Sebago Lake and revisit their camp days. The chance to reconnect with old friends, relive sacred memories, and observe Mataponi in the present day is just months away. To commemorate this monumental milestone, Camp Mataponi has published a Centennial Celebration book chronicling the history and rich tradition of one of the nation’s oldest girls’ camps. Former campers and counselors contributed old photographs, letters, and camp stories to shed light on life at Mataponi from years past and reflected on the impact their camp days have had on their adult lives today.
If you are a former Mataponi camper or staff member, and would like more information regarding the upcoming reunion, please contact us at alumni@campmataponi.com. With such a rich history, spanning across much of the 20th century, camp traditions are what hold the Mataponi family together. Although faces change and the years go by, traditional Mataponi events string each summer together. Knowing that you will return each year to the same events connects you to the past, to the people that came before you. Under the direction of Marcy and Dan Isdaner and their team of highly skilled and talented staff members, Camp Mataponi proudly embarks on its second century of excellence in girls overnight camping!
If you are interested in learning more about Camp Mataponi, please contact us at 561-748-3684 or info@campmataponi.com and be sure to visit us on the web at www.campmataponi.com.