AUGUSTA, Maine â€" A lucky Windsor family was chosen Friday as the winner of the First Time Campers 2010 grand prize â€" a complete camping set valued at $1,000, courtesy of world-famous retailer L.L.Bean, which has sponsored the statewide program for the past three years.
(Media-Newswire.com) - AUGUSTA, Maine – A lucky Windsor family was chosen Friday as the winner of the First Time Campers 2010 grand prize – a complete camping set valued at $1,000, courtesy of world-famous retailer L.L.Bean, which has sponsored the statewide program for the past three years.
The Saxton family, who spent a free camping weekend in July at Rangeley Lake State Park through the First Time Campers program and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands ( BPL ), was chosen during a drawing held at the L.L.Bean flagship store in Freeport.
The name was drawn randomly from among the 40 families who took part in the annual program. The drawing marked the culmination of the third year of the program, designed to encourage Maine families who have never before camped to enjoy the experience at a Maine state campground.
“I’m really excited – I don’t win much,” Janet Saxton exclaimed when contacted later about her win. Saxton said that she, her partner Jeff Young, and their dog, Sam, so enjoyed their camping experience that “we went back twice after the fact.”
“The First Time Camper program is a wonderful program that really helps families reconnect to the outdoors,” said Commissioner Eliza Townsend of the Maine Department of Conservation, which oversees BPL. “Best of all, we know it is successful, because we see these same families continue to make reservations to return to our state park campgrounds.”
"We are so pleased to participate in this program!” Janet Wyper, L.L.Bean Community Relations manager, who drew the winning name, said. “One of the things we do best is to help people enjoy the outdoors, so if we can partner with the state of Maine to assist Maine families enjoying their first camping experience, that is great accomplishment."
The First Time Camper program is part of the “Take It Outside” initiative begun by Gov. John E. Baldacci. The program is designed to introduce Maine families to the fun and joy of camping, to help create lasting memories and to enhance healthy lifestyles.
More than 1,300 Maine families brand new to the camping experience entered this year’s state wide raffle. Forty families were selected to receive a free weekend of camping at one of 12 state park campgrounds.
The families chose which campground they wanted to visit and received provisions from the program’s sponsors, including sleeping bags from L.L.Bean, water from Poland Spring, coupons from Oakhurst Dairy, coffee from Wicked Joe, and a gift certificate from Hannaford. They also were able to use other camping equipment provided by L.L.Bean, Coleman and Kittery Trading Post, and receive support from park staff in learning camping basics such as how to set up a campsite.
As part of the incentive to participate, one family is selected to receive the grand prize from L.L. Bean after completing an evaluation of their experience. All the First Time Camper families have indicated they would like to continue camping after their experience, and many said they never would have tried camping without the support of the program.
Saxton praised Rangeley Lake State Park and its staff, commenting particularly on its “whole family atmosphere.” She said her family specifically enjoyed the boat facility and kitchen area, the trails and the volleyball area.
“It had everything,” she said. “They were very friendly about dogs, too.”
Two other First Time Camper families also attended the drawing at L.L.Bean and praised both the state program and the Maine state parks system.
Linda and Robert Ledoux of Westbrook and their two teenagers went to Sebago Lake State Park. Linda Ledoux called the staff “phenomenal” and “more than willing” to accommodate them during their camping weekend. She said the family fished, hiked and went swimming and actually wanted to stay longer than just the weekend.
“It’s a great thing that the state is doing,” she said. “It brings people together as a family.”
“I think it’s fabulous, the opportunity to share a new experience none of us had before,” Pat Foley of Brunswick said. Foley said four generations of her family enjoyed camping at Camden Hills State Park and were so impressed that she sent a letter thanking Gov. Baldacci.
“We made so many memories that weekend in a brand new way,” she said.
This story was released on 2010-09-13. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.