There are many things that make the Boothbay Region YMCA's Camp Knickerbocker so special. From counselors representing ten different countries to a wide variety of programs, a beautiful lakefront, and more than 60 acres of woods and trails, Camp K offers children an unforgettable summer camp experience filled with adventure, friendship, and discovery.

Just as important, though less visible, is the culture of care that supports every camper and counselor throughout the season. 

Today's schools and summer camps welcome children with a wide range of social and emotional needs. Some campers are navigating anxiety, homesickness or sensory differences. Others simply need extra encouragement as they try something new, make friends, or spend time away from a familiar environment for the first time. Meeting those needs requires more than great activities. It requires caring adults with the experience and compassion to help children thrive.

Thanks to the generosity of summer resident donors, Camp K is able to provide that support every day through its Community Resource Specialists, Harry Clark and Mary Evanofski.

Rather than being assigned to one cabin or age group, Harry and Mary serve the entire camp community. As "roaming supporters," they move throughout camp, offering calm guidance, reassurance, and practical support wherever it is needed. One moment they may be helping a homesick camper regain confidence. The next, they may be coaching a first-year counselor through a challenging situation or checking in with an international staff member adjusting to life in the US.

Prior to joining Camp K this summer, Harry served as program director at the YMCA in Stillwater, Oklahoma. When his partner accepted an internship at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, spending the summer in Boothbay seemed like the perfect opportunity. "What's better than a summer in Maine?" he laughed.

Mary is spending her fourth summer at Camp K after a career as a healthcare administrator. She is also a trained occupational therapist and has volunteered with Girl Scouts for more than 50 years. After retiring, she reached out to Camp K's Lead Program Director, Erin Gray, with one simple question: "How can I help?" Camp has been benefiting from that question ever since.

Although neither Harry nor Mary are trained therapists, they play an invaluable role in supporting the social and emotional well-being of the camp community. They are trusted, caring adults who are available to listen, deescalate difficult moments, and offer reassurance before small struggles become larger ones. By modeling empathy, active listening, healthy communication, and emotional regulation, they help campers and counselors develop skills that extend well beyond the summer. 

Their work is equally important for Camp K's counselors, many of whom are young adults stepping into leadership roles for the first time. Harry and Mary provide mentorship, helping staff navigate challenges, build confidence, and strengthen their ability to care for children with patience and understanding. Together, they foster a camp culture grounded in inclusion, acceptance, and respect. 

Their support also extends to Camp K's international staff. With counselors arriving from ten different countries, adjusting to a new culture can be both exciting and overwhelming. Harry and Mary offer encouragement, practical guidance, and a steady presence as staff members find their footing, helping strengthen the sense of belonging that makes Camp K such a special place to work and grow. 

Much of what Harry and Mary do happens quietly. It isn't spelled out on the daily schedule, and it rarely takes center stage. Yet their impact can be seen throughout camp: in a camper who finds the confidence to stay another day, in a counselor who feels supported through a difficult moment, and in the welcoming community that Camp K strives to create for everyone. 

At the Boothbay Region YMCA, caring for the whole person has always been part of the mission. Thanks to the vision of generous donors and the dedication of compassionate staff like Harry and Mary, Camp K continues to be a place where every child is supported, every counselor has someone to lean on, and every summer becomes an opportunity to grow with confidence, resilience, and joy.