SCARBOROUGH — Founded in 1936, Pine Tree Society is commemorating its 90th year of providing services and creating opportunities for Mainers with disabilities. The statewide nonprofit is celebrating a season of community, inclusion, and momentum with multiple community events and operational restructuring.  

According to a news release, Pine Tree Society recently brought people from across the state together through Pine Tree Palooza and the Flutie 5K for Autism at Pine Tree Camp. The organization is also preparing for the release of a documentary in 2027 sharing its nearly century-long story.

Throughout this season of community celebration, the organization is also making internal changes to position themselves to have a greater impact in their next chapter.  

Celebrating Community and Connection

The Pine Tree Palooza was an inclusive music festival at Lost Valley in Auburn. Pine Tree Palooza brought the community together in celebration of the organization’s people, programs, and shared commitment to inclusion and accessibility. The event provided ASL and Deaf Interpreting throughout, and adaptive biking and archery.The Flutie 5K for Autism on Saturday, October 24, at Pine Tree Camp in Rome invited participants to move together in support of people with autism and their families while experiencing Pine Tree Camp’s fully accessible campus. 

The celebration will continue with the annual Dysart Snowmobile Ride-inbeing held February 4-7, 2027. All proceeds from the weekend's events will go to supporting Maine people with disabilities by providing Pine Tree Camp summer tuition for campers in need.  

Preparing for the Next Chapter

Alongside these celebrations, Pine Tree Society is sharing an important organizational transition. Effective November 6, 2026, the organization will close its administrative office in Bath, relocate its headquarters to its existing Scarborough facility, and discontinue its Audiology program. 

Audiology’s evolving clinical, technological, and infrastructural requirements would require substantial investment. Consolidating office space and closing the program will allow Pine Tree Society to direct more resources toward its distinctive strengths, including communication access, adaptive outdoor experiences, and programs that remove barriers to participation and independence. 

“We recognize the significance of these changes for patients, families, staff, donors and the Bath community,” McElligott said. “We are deeply grateful for the relationships built through our longstanding presence in Bath. This realignment will help us strengthen core programming and serve Maine people with disabilities statewide for decades to come.” 

Pine Tree Society is committed to helping former Audiology patients navigate questions about records, referrals and service options. Questions and concerns may be directed to Kathleen Welch at kwelch@pinetreesociety.org or 207.751.8048. 

Continuing to Serve Maine Communities

Although the Bath office is closing, Pine Tree Society will continue serving speech-language clients locally by appointment. Certified Speech-Language Pathologists will provide specialized services while helping ensure continuity for area clients. 

Following the realignment, Pine Tree Society will be headquartered in Scarborough, with regional offices and programming in Auburn and its fully accessible Pine Tree Camp campus in Rome. Community Support services operate from Scarborough and Auburn; the organization’s specialized preschool is based in Auburn; Interpreting Services serves people statewide from Scarborough; and Speech-Language and Assistive Technology services are delivered primarily in community settings. 

For 90 years, Pine Tree Society has helped Maine children and adults with disabilities lead more independent, connected lives. Through communication access, community support, specialized education, assistive technology and accessible outdoor experiences, the organization works to remove barriers and expand opportunities statewide.