Maine Seasons: Labor Day Weekend

Its Kieve weekend, or what is known across the U.S. and Canada as Labor Day weekend. To me, though, it will always be Kieve weekend, a weekend that in my youth and teen years signified a church camping weekend at a local camp facility. We would play games, swim, have a camp fire, our own version of the Gong Show, a kids' talent show/music or a movie, church on the lakefront, and lots of great food and fellowship. The weather often follows a similar pattern in Maine over Labor Day/"Kieve"weekend.

Found this baptism photo from
2013 at Camp Kieve Weekend.
Note the cloudy pre-fall weather!

Move in on Friday afternoon and evening was always hot and sticky; by Saturday morning it was cooler, but temps went up throughout the day, enough to move everyone to the lake in the afternoon after family games and lunch. By Sunday morning maybe those in tents were wet from a late rain shower, and it was definitely cooler. Sweatshirts and blankets would come out for church time, and those getting baptized usually were shivering after their holy dunk. After a large all-church cookout there'd be more waterfront fun, and by Gong Show and campfire time, we'd all be bundled up again, with Monday morning dawning cool and damp with cleanup and packout and a little sadness ahead (for end of retreat, end of summer, start of school). Yes, its Kieve weather for sure this year as well, although that particular camping tradition has ended, sadly.

Blueberry and bear-sighting field
at Nesowadnehunk Field
Campground in Baxter State Park.

Across Maine, Labor Day is usually associated with one last camping weekend, closing up camp, picnics, and back-to-school shopping. Although school starts have crept up earlier into the last week of August in recent years, many school districts stick with beginning the Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day, which was my experience. Its a good demarcation from summer to fall despite the Autumnal Equinox not arriving for two to three more weeks.

There are many campgrounds across the state, some more remote and woodsy and others that offer lots of spots under trees for campers and tents with theme weekends and lots of activities. Some favorites in the area are

Pemaquid Lake Campground and Duck Puddle Campground, both on Pemaquid Lake, in Midcoast Maine. Both are popular for family weekend getaways, and they also offer seasonal sites. I've never stayed at either but I know many people who have. They offer lots of activities, facilities, and beautiful lakeside and on-lake fun.

Acadia National Park offers some
 of the best Atlantic Ocean views.

Sebago Lake Campground--A popular inland retreat that functions as a day spot for the beach and a campground. Sebago is the deepest and second largest lake in Maine (beat out by Moosehead Lake, another popular hunting, camping, four-wheeler, sno-mobiling area that unfortunately I've never spent much time in!).

Acadia National Park--It has it all--ocean views, beaches, mountains, biking trails, and Thunder Hole! It gets busy in the summer but is a very beautiful place to visit, one of Maine's most popular tourist attractions.

View from Cadillac Mountain, Acadia.

Baxter State Park--Ready to rough it? Like to hike? Baxter is another of Maine's most popular camping/hiking destinations as the park encompasses Mount Katahdin, the state's largest mountain. I can say I hiked it once, and that was more than enough for me. But on my most recent visit three years ago, I discovered there are plenty of other non-uphill hikes for non climbers like me. There are also cabin campgrounds, and I found a place to kayak and admire the mountain from a lake. I walked to see Big Niagara Falls and saw a moose after dropping off the hikers, and observed a mother deer and her fawns while hiking around Sandy Stream Pond. Make reservations early to stay over and to hike. The best way to find out availability is to call. Check the website for history, lots of information, how to prepare, and where to stay.

Here is a link to probably almost all the campgrounds in Maine with all kinds of information about things to do in Maine!

Here is a link to the Maine State Parks Campgrounds: https://visitmaine.com/where-to-stay/campgrounds.

Happy Camping! 

   Happy Labor Day! 

Happy Fall!

   Happy Back to School!

Daicey Pond Campground offers
great views of Katahdin for non hikers!

What is your favorite camping or Labor Day weekend tradition?