Camp CaPella cuts ribbon on accessible treehouse built in memory of former camper

DEDHAM, Maine (WABI) - A new, accessible tree house at Camp CaPella, made possible through a generous donation, was dedicated in honor of a camper who enjoyed spending time outside.

“When our daughter passed, the MacMillans wanted to donate some money to represent Abby in a special way after she passed. So, our family thought about it and we decided one of her favorite things was bowling. So, we knew we couldn’t put in a bowling alley. So, we were trying to come up and we remembered the experience she had in the tree house. So, that’s where we are today,” stated Kate Guernsey, who’s daughter the tree house was donated in memory of.

Those from Camp CaPella say it’s built well and will serve as a hangout spot for campers far into the future.

“We have been working on this tree house for about a month and a half. We finished it the week of July 4th. It is on rocks. It is tied into the ground and we have a beautiful timber frame and it’s going to last for the rest of our lives. We’ll see it when we’re old,” explained Camp CaPella’s Executive Director, Melanie Dresser.

“It warms my heart that it has come to completion and it is beautiful as I thought it was going to be. And I loved seeing the kids so happy to be up there and the smiles on their face just like I remember Abby’s was,” added Guernsey.

The campers themselves tell us they are fans.

“The tree house is pretty awesome and it’s really pretty good,” stated one camper.

“It’s good because it helps to look at the view of Camp Capella,” said another.

“It’s really beautiful. I like it. They did a really good job building it,” a camper added.

The camp’s director says donations like these help them bring camp to everyone who wants to go.

“We have been taking care of these wonderful people since 1960. We plan on taking care of them well into the future, but 85% of our campers cannot afford to go to camp. So, Camp CaPella’s mission is to make sure that every single person gets to come to camp regardless of their ability to pay,” explained Dresser.