History
At age 12, Harry Burroughs left Russia as a stowaway on a boat to America. He landed in Portland, Maine with no money and speaking no English. Harry walked to Boston and found work selling newspapers on a Beacon Hill street corner. With the help of some loyal and supportive customers, he got an education and became a successful lawyer. Burroughs committed himself to helping boys like him--boys with lots of potential and little opportunity-- become happy, responsible, contributing members of society. In 1935, He founded Agassiz Village, a residential summer camp in Maine that allowed impoverished inner city boys to experience nature, swim in a lake, tend a garden, see stars at night, and form lifelong friendships and relationships. Today, the camp on Thompson Lake in Poland, Maine remains a life-changing refuge for youth from the greater Boston area.
Specialties
Agassiz Village, established in 1935, is a 450+ acre camp on Thompson Lake in Maine. Our mission is to prepare youth for life's journey by providing an enriching and educational opportunities in a summer camp environment. We offer children a fun, safe overnight summer camp experience that allows youth to develop and practice leadership and life skills--a transformative experience that impacts a child's future in education, family, career, and community.