Maine Sporting Camps

Winter Activities

Winter in Maine reveals a world of black and white, and the dark green of spruce, fir, and pine. The tracks of deer, moose, fox, coyote, grouse and other wild creatures stitch the snowy landscape through forests and across frozen lakes. Mountains stand like ghostly white sentinels. Nearly half of our member sporting camps, located throughout this snowy wilderness, are open for a variety of exciting winter activities - cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog-sled tours, ice-fishing, and hare and coyote hunting. Camps either provide hearty home-cooked meals in a lodge, or complete cooking facilities in each cabin. At the end of a day of invigorating activity, you will enjoy the warmth, relaxation, and privacy of a comfortable cabin. Try a Maine Sporting Camp for an unforgettable vacation this winter!

Maine Sporting Camp

Deposits
As with any business providing accomodations, Sporting Camps require a deposit as confirmation of a reservation. In the event of a cancellation within the minimum time allotted for a refund, the deposit will help to compensate the camp for lost rental opportunity. Each camp is a small business, often in a remote location; income loss from a late cancellation is often impossible to recover. Following is a Maine Sporting Camp Association deposit standard to guide you in understanding your commitment in reserving facilities and services:

A nonrefundable deposit of up to 50% is required within two weeks of the time dates are reserved to confirm plans. Should cancellation be necessary prior to six weeks of the arrival date, the deposit may be applied to a stay within the same season. Deposits will be forfeited for those who do not accompany their party and for late cancellations. Your deposit provides assurance both to you and to us of your confirmed reservation.

Member camps' policies may vary and not strictly follow this industry standard. Be sure to contact each individual camp for their policy.

Early departure
Please do not expect your host to bear the loss of income should you choose to leave early for reasons such as poor weather, slower than normal fishing or hunting, etc. The cabin has been reserved for you in good faith for the full time you have requested. Your early departure leaves a vacancy impossible to fill on short notice. Most camps will have a policy regarding payment responsibility with an early departure.

Arriving Before Check-in Time; Staying Beyond Check-out Time
Your host will try to accommodate your times of arrival or departure within reason, but please understand that time is needed to clean and set up your cabin, both for you and, when you depart, for the guest who will follow you. An unannounced early arrival, or lingering past check-out, may cause your host difficulties in meeting his obligations to his guests, including you. Please be considerate of both your host and later guests and abide by your camp's check-in/check-out policies.

Tipping
Tipping is a worldwide tradition intended to show appreciation to an individual for the service they have provided to make your stay a pleasant one. Tips, or gratuities, are traditionally given to employees who cook, wait tables, clean your cabin, fuel and clean your boat, provide guide service, or otherwise work to give you a memorable stay. Some camps will include tips in the final bill; others prefer that you either add the tip to the bill or give the tip directly to the person providing the service. A tip should be based on that portion of the bill which relates to service. Do not include sales tax, license fees, or items purchased during your stay. The standard gratuity is 15-20%.

Fishing/Hunting Licenses
A number of camps are state agents who sell fishing/hunting licenses. Be certain to ask your host before your arrival if he provides this service.

In summary, please respect your host camp's policies and be considerate of both your host and fellow guests. Your host will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your needs. Sporting Camp owners take pride in their operations and pleasure in giving you the most memorable and pleasant vacation possible in Maine's outdoors. Thank you for considering Maine Sporting Camps for your vacation!