Maine’s Camp Sunshine: Bringing Families Together
This is the first in a series of articles spotlighting organizations supported by the Avangrid Foundation.
For families navigating a child’s life-threatening illness, opportunities to step away from the challenges of treatment and spend meaningful time together can make a difference.
Since 1984, Camp Sunshine has provided retreats that combine respite, recreation and support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Located on Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine is offered year-round and free of charge to families, with a retreat model designed to support the entire family through the various stages of a child’s illness. More than 60,000 children, siblings, parents and caregivers from all 50 states and 27 countries have come together for fun-filled, year-round sessions with families just like theirs.
The program includes on-site medical and psychosocial support, along with opportunities for recreation and connection. Camp Sunshine also offers bereavement sessions for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness.
The Avangrid Foundation in partnership with Central Maine Power supports Camp Sunshine’s annual Pumpkin Festival held at LL Bean in Freeport, Maine. This year’s event is scheduled for October 16–18, 2026. More info: https://www.campsunshine.org/event-schedule.
The Avangrid Foundation in partnership with Central Maine Power is proud to support Camp Sunshine and its annual Pumpkin Festival at L.L.Bean, a free community event at the retailer’s headquarters in Freeport, Maine that brings families together while supporting Camp Sunshine’s mission.
Through sponsorships and donations made during the event, the Pumpkin Festival raises funds to help send children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to Camp Sunshine completely free of charge. At the same time, the festival provides an opportunity for the broader community to come together for a family-friendly event and support an organization that has served families for more than four decades.
“Avangrid’s continued partnership has helped light up the Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival for 15 years and counting,” said Kayley Walker, the Camp’s Associate Vice President of Communications & Strategic Initiatives. “We’re deeply grateful for the Avangrid Foundation’s commitment to Camp Sunshine and the families we serve.”
By supporting the Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival, the Avangrid Foundation is helping bring the community together while supporting children and families during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Learn more about Camp Sunshine:
