History of Camp Bishopswood

Camp Bishopswood has been owned and operated as an arm of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since the early 1960’s. Located on the shores of Lake Megunticook near Camden, Maine, Bishopswood is a beautiful, picture perfect slice of God’s creation for a children’s summer camp!

First built in the mid ‘30’s as Camp Merestead, the facility was a private camp for girls with an emphasis on girls athletics, water sports, and the performing arts. Much of the main campus remains as it was in the Merestead days, though there have also been many changes. In the 30’s, Merestead boasted the first regulation field hockey field in the state of Maine. Today, that field is simply known as “the sports field” or ‘big field” and is enjoyed daily by our campers.

The Merestead facility was purchased by the Episcopal Camp Foundation and began operation as Bishopswood, a traditional church camp. For a number of years there were separate sessions for girls and boys. For the last 30 years or so, Bishopswood has been co-ed, serving boys and girls ranging from having just completed the first grade through the tenth grade. Since the summer of 1979 Bishopswood has been directed by Georgia Koch.