Director Dave Gonyea’s summer camp philosophy goes something like this:

Get kids on campus, give them positive experiences, and they’ll come back long after they’ve outgrown Wiffle ball and arts and crafts.

“It’s a college aspirations program,” he said Thursday, preparing for the last day of camp season today at Central Maine Community College. He’s been at the school 13 years, long enough to see that philosophy pay off.

CMCC offers 60 different camp sessions over the course of summer, everything from drama to paintball. He said about 600 kids take part (many go to at least two sessions each.)

Campers range in age from 5 to 17.

The program typically offers 20 to 30 scholarships each summer, waiving all or part of the $160 weekly fee. Those scholarships doubled this summer with a $3,000 donation from the Auburn Fire Department.

“I have the utmost respect for the firefighters. For them to come forward and offer a scholarship speaks volumes about who they are and what they do,” Gonyea said.

Before allotting the aid, based on financial need, he meets with families or gets agency referrals.

For the last day today, CMCC’s pulled out all the stops: a trip to Funtown/Splashtown USA followed by a toy auction tonight, where campers spend CMBucks earned by being helpful or considerate.

“Our camps are all based on positive reinforcement,” Gonyea said. He’ll be the toy auctioneer. His voice was all ready to go.

“I stand in front and go at 100 miles an hour. Last year, kids were walking out with six, eight, 10 toys.”