Thirty-five years ago, Point Sebago was a place for a tent, a campfire, and lots of peace and quiet between long hikes and soaking in Lake Sebago. That was the day when teenagers weren't addicted to email, cable TV, and video games. Now, it's a bit harder to pull a family together for a week in the woods, but Point Sebago has grown since those days to face the challenge.

Point Sebago, about three hours from Rhode Island, offers week-long packages for the entire family including lodging, day and evening organized children's programs, tennis, shuffleboard, beach access and much more. Point Sebago's 775 acre resort enjoys nearly a mile of sandy beaches on Sebago Lake, a marina with boat rentals, boat slips, a #1 ranked 18-hole championship golf course, 10 tennis courts, archery, horseshoes, a miniature golf course, shuffleboard, and award winning supervised children’s programs.

Though the old silver Airstream and box-on-wheels Winnabago still have a place in Point Sebago, tent camping has given way to two-bedroom park homes, offering a private bath, a kitchen, dining and living area perfect for cooking meals, a deck and outdoor campfire grills.

Don Toms, Point Sebago's General Manager invited us up for a weekend, where we enjoyed one of the park homes right on the water. Air conditioning is clearly a camping plus that we never imagined thirty years ago. We also laughed ourselves silly at the antics of the "Pirates of Sebago" cruise, fed ourselves well at the camp's cafeteria (especially on Lobster Night), and smiled a little wistfully at a father and son who stepped up to the challenge of singing "Stairway To Heaven" during the family kereoke party.

Of course there's a video game arcade for the teenage video fix, and internet access inside one of the lounges, but the idea is to get away from it all. And with all of the scheduled activities, it's doubtful that teenagers would manage to pout away the entire weekend before they found something to do, someone to hang out with, and a way to enjoy themselves without the aid of modern electronics.

We also toured the property away from the resort, where people who can't get enough of living in Maine have purchased vacation homes. While local law requires that a person can't live 12 months a year in these homes, and a limit is placed on both the size and number of bedrooms of each home, the real estate brokers at Point Sebago have been doing a booming business.

And in addition to access to the summer resort activities, there's golfing in a top-ranked course, and winter season access to local alpine & cross country skiing, snow tubing, and miles of snowmobile trails.

In all, we enjoyed our weekend trip to Southern Maine, and think it may make a great weeklong trip for a family. Who knows, you might enjoy it so much that you move in long-term.

For Point Sebago Resort information and vacation packages please call 1-800-655-1232 or visit them on the web at www.pointsebago.com.

Some of Point Sebago's Packages

Aug 27 – Sept 2 – Family Fun Value Week 4 - ($258 - 1,736 per family per week). Travel this week and save 30% on your family vacation. Plus get over $400 in additional valuable bonuses. Added benefit for large families - 5th and 6th person in same unit, or site stay FREE.

Sept 2 – 5 – Labor Day Family Holiday 4 Day/3 Night Weekend - ($190 - 355 pp) Make it a Labor Day weekend filled with cherished memories for the entire family. Special package values with meals available.

Sept 9 – 11 – Golf Package Weekend – Fall in New England… the perfect time of year for golf with complete golf packages from $119 per person per day including lodging, unlimited greens fees with cart, breakfast & dinner.

Sept 9 – 11 – "Wellness-Spa Program"

Sept 9 – 11 – NEW Golf Improvement Center

Sept. 16 – 18 – Country Western Family Jamboree & Craft Fair Weekend - ($150 - 255 pp). Yee Haw! Make your reservations for our new Country Western Jamboree Weekend. Spend a few days with your family enjoying camp fire sing-a-longs, line dancing, western BBQ, horseshoes, pony rides, hayrides and even some bull riding! It will be a high steppin’ good time in the Sebago Saloon. NEW for 2005: Craft Fair at the Resort - Over 30 Maine Crafters will be on hand displaying and selling their unique wares.

Sept. 23 – 25 – Murder Mystery Weekend - ($150 - 255 pp – Adults only weekend) For people who like side splitting laughter and that feeling of “what’s next?” Characters abound... best keep your eyes wide and your ears open… leave no stone unturned as you search for clues to solve the weekend’s crime. Dress your best for Saturday night’s costume contest. Point Sebago is the only place in town where murder is on the menu! Special package values with meals available.

Sept 30 – Oct 2 – Oktoberfest Weekend - ($130 - 230 pp – Adults only weekend) A Fabulous Fun Filled Weekend with great foliage, great parties and fun times. This weekend is designed for adult fun and entertainment. Join the celebration as we bring in October with the tapping of the first keg, traditional costumes, German food, and a ride on the beer wagon. Its all here at Point Sebago during our Oktoberfest weekend. BONUS: The famous Fryeburg Fair starts Sunday October 2!

Oct. 7 – 10 – Monte Carlo Weekend (3 nights) - ($185 - 310 pp) Bring your good luck charm and get ready to spin the wheel, roll the dice and deal the cards as you try to beat the house! Get a front row seat for our two-day auction where you can go home with newly acquired treasures. Our Surf & Turf Buffet, hayrides, games and arts and crafts will make this a fun filled family getaway like no other. Clear crisp air and breathtaking foliage add to the excitement of Monte Carlo Weekend. All gaming proceeds benefit Camp Sunshine. Packages with meals available.

Oct. 14 – 16 & 21 – 23 – Halloween Family Weekends - ($140 - 235 pp) Let the spirits of Point Sebago haunt you with a Spooktacular Weekend! Ghosts, goblins and creatures of the night stroll the grounds of the Resort and add a chill to the Maine air. Take a trip deep into the Maine woods on our ghostly hayride. Creep through our Haunted House where you never know what’s around the next corner. Don’t miss our Monster Rock Show where even in the chill things can get “Hot, Hot, Hot.” Costume Contests for all ages, Pumpkin Painting & Point Sebago’s Buffet Dining make our Halloween Weekend a favorite for all. Packages w/meals available.

November – Golf Course closes - Exact date in November to be determined weather permitting.

All schedules and rates subject to change without notice. For Point Sebago Resort reservations please call 1-800-655-1232 or 207-655-3821. Or visit them on the web at: www.pointsebago.com

About the author, Paul Pence: Not a life-long Rhode Islander, Paul got to Rhode Island as fast as he could. He has 25 years of writing experience and numerous publication credits including the Providence Journal, the East Greenwich Magazine, Weissmann Travel Reports, Travel Lady Magazine, Jackhammer, Your Skin and Sun, TravelNotes, TexWoman, and many others.

Readers Comments About This Page:

Be the first! Add Your Comment!