Peter and Meg Kassen, Camp Director/Owners

Both Meg and Peter have spent over 30 summers camping in Maine and have owned and directed Hidden Valley since 1988. Prior to their years at Hidden Valley they directed other nearby programs. Read on to learn more about the Kassens...

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Peter and Meg are members of the American Camp Association (ACA) and the Maine Summer Camps organization. They raised their daughters at HVC and live in Maine year-round, devoting their full time energies to the direction of Hidden Valley. Depending on the season, they both enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, or kayaking in Maine's magnificent outdoors. Their eldest daughter is a clinical social worker; her younger sister is a recent Animal Science graduate and now a park ranger.

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A Letter from Meg and Peter

Thank you for your interest in Hidden Valley and its broad range of children’s summer programs. This page and others on the Website represent the beginning of what we hope will be a meaningful relationship between your family and ours at camp.

In an increasingly complex world, a good summer camp - one that takes pride in meaningful values, a child-centered philosophy, and a rich sense of fun - can mean a great deal to a child and his or her family.

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We encourage you to call or email us so that we can discuss the ways in which Hidden Valley has supported children's emerging identity and sense of independence for generations.

Here are steps you can take as we get to know one another:

Pre-camp conversations with us are a great way to begin a child's relationship with an overnight camp and its directors. We live and work at camp year-round and welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your child's individual needs and desires in anticipation of the camp experience.

Meet with us: Read opportunities below.

Talk with HVC families: We can also put you in touch with Hidden Valley families in your area.

Continue to explore the website in order to get a better feeling for Hidden Valley's unique atmosphere, programs and camp people.

Our brochure and DVD will also address many of your family's questions. Click here to request these materials.

We look forward to speaking with your family about Hidden Valley.

Sincerely,

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Meet us for real!

• Phone call or facetime. We're in the camp office most weekday mornings. We can set up evening times as well.
• Zoom "slide shows" are scheduled periodically throughout the off-season. Contact us for details.
• Gatherings in NYC and Boston - These will resume when recommended.
Looking forward to speaking - Meg & Peter

"Thank you for being so supportive, sensitive and caring to the staff as well as the campers... I have personally grown this summer and this would never have happened were it not for the two of you... Peter - I shake my head in amazement watching you jump from meeting to meeting and still take the time to really be there for everyone on a personal level... Meg - thanks for being the universal "Mom" for campers and staff...with such compassion, fairness and true wisdom."
- Letter from a Counselor to Meg and Peter

 

Meet Meg and Peter

  • Camp Directors since 1981
  • HVC Directors since 1988
  • Raised two children at HVC
  • Over 30 years at Hidden Valley
  • Directors and sole owners of HVC
  • Active in all aspects of programs

Learn how to meet us face to face!

It was so lovely to meet you both, and see your beautiful camp! You two are the most gracious, loving couple. I am thrilled to have my child spend her summers with you.
- HVC Parent

I am in awe of the energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and love that you both have for the place.
- HVC Parent

peter

PETER has a Master's degree from the Yale School of Management, focusing on organizational behavior and economics. As an Oberlin undergrad, he studied anthropology and psychology. Peter facilitates restorative justice circles for young people nearby, and is a board member of Maine Summer Camps. He recently received the ACA New England's "Visionary Trailblazing Award" for his work on inclusivity and diversity in camping.

During the summer, along with the camp's four assistant directors, Peter oversees HVC's varied teaching areas to ensure high standards of safety and content, and along with Meg, provides ongoing staff supervision. You can usually find him on the basketball court, at the lake or delivering packages in his prized 1946 pickup, the infamous Green Pig.

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MEG has also been active in camping since childhood, and now supports families in all aspects of children's camp experience. She supervises camper health with HVC's nursing staff and, with Peter, works closely with cabin counselors to help campers adjust to camp life. Meg meets campers each afternoon at her organic garden (a.k.a. Planet Meg) where they pick veggies for that evening's salad or go off for trail hikes around camp.

Meg received her Bachelor's degree from the Philadelphia Univ., specializing in textile design and fabric restoration and editing her college newspaper. Meg has an advanced degree from Maine's Downeast School of Massage and is a certified Massage Therapist, working now in the Wellness Center in her daughters' former high school. A talented singer, Meg has performed with the New Haven Chorale and the BSO's Tanglewood Festival Chorus.