PROGRAMS | TEEN PROGRAMS

Creative teen programs offering adventure and friendship

Hidden Valley Adventures

Wilderness adventures in Maine. Participants challenge their physical abilities in a well-supervised, upbeat atmosphere and develop friendships, self-confidence and leadership skills in the process. Each year the itineraries and trips are different and focus on building skills, independence and collaboration throughout Maine.

For Ages 14-16

    • Wilderness Canoe Trips

    • Rock Climbing

    • Whitewater Rafting

    • Sea Kayaking

    • Acadia National Park Exploration

    • Hiking

    • Adventure-Ropes Course

  • Trip leaders are college-trained, experienced in outdoor adventures, and support the Hidden Valley philosophy of personal growth through group interaction.

    Leaders are professionally trained facilitators who possess relevant outdoor and safety certification, and enjoy work with this dynamic, energetic group of campers.

    Our guides have the following certifications depending on the trip:

    • Certified Maine Guides

    • Certified Trip Leaders

    • Wilderness First Aid / Wilderness First Responder

    • American Red Cross Life Guards

  • Please read the detailed packing list and important reminders here

Enroll
A group of teenagers and young adults posing in and around a gray van in a wooded area.
A group of people white water rafting in a yellow raft, wearing yellow helmets and life jackets, paddling through white rapids with a forested background.
Hikers climbing rocky mountain trail in a line with scenic view of distant lakes and landscape

Hidden Valley Arts

Hidden Valley Arts is our advanced teen arts summer program for Creative Arts. For Ages 14-17.

The program cultivates emerging artists’ creative potential and provides opportunities to explore a variety of visual arts at any level with our staff of professional artists.

Campers work on two main projects and a gallery for their work.

    • One week each specializing in Glasswork, Ceramics, Screen Printing, and Photography/Video

    • Foundation art class going into depth in Light, Color, Form and Perspective / Space

    • In residence in a cabin on camp. Weekly excursions centered around focus area (Waterfall Arts, visiting a working screen printing studio/ceramics studio, gallery visits, etc.)

    • Final art show at the end of the session

  • The schedule includes many days filled with a variety of arts activities and other days with intensive visual arts workshops.

    Campers also have the opportunity to take classes on main camp such as swimming, pickleball, dance, and other favorites.

    Trips to significant Maine art venues round out the experience.

    • Wyeth Gallery

    • Maine Arts Festival

    • Portland Museum of Art

    • Colby College Art Museum

    • Monhegan Island Artist Colony

    • Waterfall Arts

Enroll
Three young people taking photos on a rocky beach during sunset, with a backdrop of trees and the ocean.
Young boys playing acoustic guitar and percussion instruments outdoors during daytime.
Group of people in dark outdoors with colorful light trails outlining their bodies.

Hidden Valley AWACs

Awaiting Work As Counselors, or AWACs as we call them, are former campers who want to gain counseling experience and teaching skills in the camp setting. These individuals are highly respected and beloved "older siblings" to HVC younger campers. Ages 15-17 only, although 16+ is highly recommended.

In order to become an AWAC one must be a former camper and complete application and interview process.

AWACs come to camp 2 days early and pay reduced tuition.

Applications are open for Summer 2027, and are due October 21st.

Submit your application here.

    • AWAC's live in cabins with the youngest campers and 4 adult staff. They assist with daily living, counseling, and adjustment issues, and occasionally supervise this group.

    • AWAC's assist in 2 or 3 classes daily in areas in which they feel comfortable. AWACs take 1 class daily, and spend 1 class period in a training class with the other AWACs and ARPs (Counselors who supervise the AWAC program).

    • Other AWAC responsibilities involve evening and lazy day event preparation and participation, mail sorting, dining hall supervision, etc.

  • AWACs come to camp 2 days early for training and group building.

    The group meets with key staff and directors on a daily basis for feedback, discussions of counseling issues, etc.

  • Applications for Summer 2027 are now open! Applications are due on October 21st, 2026. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applicants, late applications will not be accepted.

    Submit your application here.

    The application is a means for you to present a picture of yourself and what you can bring to the role of AWAC. Providing thoughtful and well-articulated answers will allow us to understand how you view the role and your interest in working with children.

  • Decisions are made using the same values and analysis that we employ to make our staff hiring decisions. We will consider applicants' applications and interviews as well as our knowledge of each individual as a member of the camp community.

    There is, as always, a great deal of interest in a small program. We will have approximately 8-10 positions to fill anticipate a greater number of applications. It is possible that we will not be able to find room for candidates of whom we are quite fond. The hiring process is one that is between Hidden Valley and the potential AWAC.

    All of our correspondence, including any conversations after decisions are made, will be with applicants only. Parents with questions: Please contact [email protected]

Group of smiling teenagers sitting and standing on green park benches outdoors, with colorful houses and trees in the background.

Hidden Valley Apprentices

An in-depth commitment in one of the camp’s major program areas. Our expectation is that, having spent time here as a camper, an apprentice will have gained some familiarity with one of HVC’s many outdoor or arts programs and spend their time learning more and teaching others. In this program, Apprentices develop their independence creatively and productively as a contributing member of the camp community.

For ages 15-17. Please note this program fills up quickly, reach out early in the fall if you are interested in a space.

Submit your application here.

  • In each of the many camp areas available, Apprentices learn from professional camp staff, arts instructors, etc. Additionally, each Apprentice works on a special, independent project during the day, an art installation or planning a camp event, for example.

    • A Sports Apprentice helped organize a local road race.

    • A Glass Arts Apprentice taught in our glass studios.

    • An Equestrian Apprentice made contribution is horse lessons, stable management, etc.

  • Apprentices live with four adult staff who oversee the program in a group-living environment where everyone can try their hand at cooking, organizing game nights and activities, and personalizing their individual and shared space.

    Counselors lead daily discussions with Apprentices, addressing teaching and learning issues and the struggles and rewards involved in the independent projects. The group also explores interesting corners of our rural area, attending local concerts and other events, and visiting local enterprises, such as organic farms and art galleries.

  • Apprentice candidates must have spent at least one summer at HVC and are encouraged to apply online.

Apply
Two people working on a small woodworking project in a workshop, both wearing protective goggles, with various tools and wood pieces on a workbench.
Two young people, a boy and a girl, sitting on the stage playing acoustic guitars.

What Families Say

  • Hidden Valley Adventures was the single most trying experience of my life. It is the hardest I have ever had to push myself, the strongest I have ever had to be, and the most fun I have ever had. I wholeheartedly believe that who I am today was greatly impacted by my HVA experience; I am stronger, more confident, and more outgoing.

    HVC Camper

  • Two years later and dispersed around the world, the friends I made that month are still my family. I would recommend HVA to anyone who is interested in a life-changing experience and the best month of their life

    HVC Parent

  • This program was a wonderful experience. In addition to gaining outdoorsmen skills, I had the opportunity to make very close friends, whom I speak to or email regularly. The activities in HVA were exciting, demanding and showed me I could master challenges which I never thought I could do. This was a life lesson which will help me with different types of challenges I may encounter throughout life.

    HVC Camper

  • We found Hidden Valley Alive to be a very supportive program which offered many opportunities for exploration of the arts. My daughter enjoyed the field trips to see various concerts and dance performances, as well as the arts activities at the camp. There was something for everyone's tastes!

    HVC Parent

  • Alive was so great for me, because it gave me a chance to find out what I could really do when given the opportunity. I got to be in the place where I love to be, and express myself through the arts every day.

    HVC Camper

  • As a practical matter, Daniel has a community service requirement at school and the Community program was a good way to earn a lot of hours over the summer. And he loved it. It was an opportunity to actually do things and not just sit in school and learn about things. He made good friends and worked with a lot of different people

    HVC Parent

  • Our 15-year old daughter went to camp liking community service and she returned in love with community service. In a world scarred by self-absorption and greed, HV Community teaches the pure joy of giving. Along the way, she helped plant 600 trees in Acadia National Park and tasted curry for the first time. The friendships she made are lasting and deep.

    HVC Parent

Ready for Summer?

Complete your enrollment today and get your camper ready for an amazing summer experience.

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