More than 550 Maine children attend each year.

CASCO – Camp Susan Curtis recently held its first leadership retreat for high school students.

More than 30 students representing nine different high schools were part of previous leadership and counseling summer camp programs at the camp on Sebago Lake, and all have attended the camp for more than six years.

The retreat gave the students hands-on training in such areas as group development training, leadership styles and conflict management and team-building.

They also had fun going canoeing, hiking, telling stories over campfires, and engaging in theater and improvisation games and group challenge activities.

Five students participated from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, two from Telstar Regional Junior-High School, two from Lake Region High School, two from Mt. Blue High School, and one each from Edward Little High School and Lewiston High School.

Each summer, more than 550 Maine children ages 8-15 who live in low-income and at-risk homes attend the camp tuition-free. The camp works directly with guidance counselors, school professionals and community-based organizations that refer new campers and provide year-round support for returning campers. Since 1974, more than 12,000 Maine children living in poverty have attended Camp Susan Curtis.

The leadership retreat will help extend the camp’s reach to low income and at-risk children in Maine, said camp Executive Director Brenda Fountain.