Camp Kippewa was founded in 1957 by Marty & Sylvia Silverman and Frances Axelrod, opening the summer of 1958 for our first year as an 8 week all girls camp. The Silvermans went on to own and direct camp for 50 years! Prior to this time, dating back to the early 1900’s, our location was known as "Kippewa Kamps” - a fishing and recreation camp for adults and families. The neighboring property was owned by the Woolworth family, where they actively bred and trained standardbred horses and raced in the harness-racing circuit. This world class facility later became our equestrian center.

Drawn to the beauty of Maine and the magic of Kippewa, we were excited to take over at Kippewa in 2008, turning it into the 3 ½ week camp that our girls enjoy today. 

Summer 2009 was the first year we opened our Family Camp, offering a week-long experience in August for families who want to enjoy the beauty of Maine and the fun of camp together. We now have many families who return each summer, making Kippewa their summer home as a family!

Over the years, we received many requests from campers who wanted to spend more of their time working with the horses and focusing on riding skills, so in 2019 we created Kippewa Equestrian Academy, our specialty riding camp. We also had increasing requests from people who wanted to experience Kippewa as a two-week program, leading to the creation of Camp Kippewa Point which opened for its first summer in 2023. 

It has been amazing seeing how Kippewa has changed and grown, while still maintaining our core feeling and traditions. Since Kippewa first opened over 65 years ago, the camp experience is one our campers and staff will never forget. It has a lasting impact on them and influences the type of person they grow up to be. We want everyone at Kippewa to know what it’s like to feel valued for who they really are, and to know what it means to be part of a warm and caring summer camp family.