Dan Beard

Are you a Maine local or part of a group seeking an expansive outdoor facility for camping, retreats, or educational programs? Look no further than Dan Beard in Raymond, ME. More than just a traditional campground, this significant property offers a range of accommodations and vast natural spaces, making it a versatile destination for organizations, families, and individuals looking to immerse themselves in Maine’s beautiful environment.

Situated on 230 acres along the shores of Panther Pond, Dan Beard provides a unique setting for outdoor adventures, skill-building, and group bonding. While widely known as a premier facility for Scouting activities, its diverse offerings extend to various groups seeking a structured yet natural outdoor experience. Whether you're planning a rustic group campout, a comfortable cabin stay, or an event surrounded by Maine’s woods and waters, Dan Beard offers a robust platform for memorable outdoor moments.

Dan Beard is strategically located on Hinds Rd, Raymond, ME 04071, USA. Raymond is a charming town in Cumberland County, Maine, known for its picturesque lakes and forests. This location places Dan Beard within the heart of Maine’s Lakes Region, offering convenient access to numerous waterways and natural attractions. Specifically, its frontage on Panther Pond enhances its appeal for water-based activities.

For Mainers, reaching Dan Beard is relatively straightforward. Raymond is easily accessible via major state routes, ensuring a smooth journey from various parts of the state. Its proximity to larger towns and cities in Southern Maine means groups and families can reach the camp without excessive travel time, allowing more time to enjoy the natural surroundings and planned activities. The area itself provides a classic Maine landscape, characterized by wooded terrain and clear lakes, setting the stage for a true outdoor experience.

Dan Beard offers a variety of services and facilities designed to support a range of outdoor and group activities. While specific details can vary, the core offerings generally focus on providing diverse accommodation options and essential amenities for a comfortable stay in a natural setting. Prospective visitors, especially groups, should contact the facility directly to confirm current offerings and availability.

• Diverse Camping Options: Dan Beard provides several types of accommodations, catering to different group sizes and preferences:
  • Rustic Cabins: These are often renovated and equipped for group or family campers, providing a more sheltered option than tents.
  • Open Fields for Group Tent Camping: Large, open areas are available for groups to set up multiple tents, ideal for larger gatherings and traditional campouts.
  • RV Accommodation: Some areas may accommodate RVs, though specific hookup availability (water, electric, sewer) should be confirmed. Some information suggests RVs 20 feet or less are welcome at certain private sites.
  • Platform Tents: Some sites may feature tent platforms, providing a level and dry base for tents.
• Restroom and Shower Facilities: Facilities typically include showers and accessible indoor bathrooms, ensuring comfort for campers. The availability of hot water and the frequency of cleaning should be verified, as these can vary.
• Potable Water Access: Access to potable water is generally provided at key points within the camping areas, sometimes through gravity-fed spigots or shared access.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Most campsites and group areas are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings with grates, essential for outdoor dining and campfires.
• Shelters and Picnic Sites: Beyond individual campsites, larger shelters and dedicated picnic areas are available, suitable for events, gatherings, or day use.
• Event Hosting Capabilities: Dan Beard is equipped to host various events, including meetings, retreats, trainings, seminars, and company picnics, with staff potentially available to help tailor activity options.
• Program Buildings/Lodges: Larger structures like dining halls or program buildings may be available, sometimes equipped with WiFi, A/V setups, and full kitchens, suitable for large groups.
• Outdoor Showers: Some areas might offer outdoor semi-private showers, often requiring biodegradable soap.
• Composting Toilets/Outhouses: In more rustic or remote areas, composting toilets or outhouses are often provided and maintained.
• Firewood and Kindling: While campers are generally encouraged to bring local firewood, kindling might be provided, or firewood might be available for purchase.

Dan Beard stands out for its extensive natural landscape and its focus on outdoor education and group activities. These features make it a robust choice for a range of outdoor experiences in Maine:

• Expansive Natural Setting: Spanning 230 acres of wooded hills and fields, with frontage on Panther Pond, the facility offers ample space for exploration, nature observation, and a true immersion in Maine's wilderness.
• Panther Pond Access: The direct access to Panther Pond is a significant highlight, allowing for various water-based activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and potentially fishing.
• Renovated Rustic Cabins: The availability of renovated rustic cabins provides a comfortable and convenient lodging option for groups or families who prefer more than just tent camping. Some cabins may include heating, air-conditioning, and private restrooms.
• Organized Group Camping: With dedicated open fields and facilities, Dan Beard is particularly well-suited for organized group campouts, youth programs (like Scouting), and large gatherings.
• Extensive Trail Systems: The property often features its own walking or multi-use trail systems, perfect for leisurely hikes, nature walks, or exploring the acreage.
• Activity Areas: Beyond just camping, the facility is designed to support various outdoor activities, which may include archery, tomahawk throwing, and other skill-based programs.
• Natural Play Areas: Some facilities associated with youth camps often include nature play areas, encouraging children to engage with the environment.
• Adaptability for Events: The combination of diverse facilities, from large dining halls to outdoor spaces, makes Dan Beard highly adaptable for hosting a wide range of events and retreats.
• Secluded Sites: Some individual sites within the larger acreage are described as privately nestled, offering a sense of seclusion for smaller groups or families.

Information on promotions or special offers for Dan Beard can be more specific to group bookings and seasonal availability, given its nature as a facility often used by organizations. While general public discounts aren't widely advertised, direct inquiry is key. Possible arrangements might include:

• Group Rental Rates: As a facility that often caters to groups, Dan Beard likely offers specific daily, half-day, or multi-day rates for renting cabins, group campsites, or even the entire campground. These rates typically depend on capacity and duration.
• Off-Season Discounts: Like many outdoor facilities, rates for cabin rentals or group site bookings might be more economical during the shoulder seasons (spring/fall) or winter, when demand is lower.
• Program Package Deals: For organizations or groups looking to incorporate specific outdoor activities (e.g., archery, boating) into their stay, there might be bundled pricing for facility rental plus program instruction.
• Long-Term Stay Options: While not a typical family campground for extended individual stays, inquire about potential long-term booking incentives for seasonal use by specific organizations.

Because Dan Beard appears to operate more as a rental facility for groups and events, direct communication is paramount to understanding their current pricing structure, any available discounts for your specific group size or type, and booking procedures. It's recommended to call the facility and discuss your needs.

To learn more about booking a stay, organizing an event, or inquiring about the facilities at Dan Beard, please use the following contact details:

• Address: Hinds Rd, Raymond, ME 04071, USA
• Phone: While a specific public phone number for Dan Beard as a general campground is not readily available through common directories (often facilities of this type are managed through a central council or booking office), the general information for Scouting America's Dan Beard Council suggests a broader contact if this is a Scouting-affiliated property. For direct inquiries regarding the Raymond, ME location, it is highly recommended to search for the specific contact information for the local council or property management associated with this site. If this is a private or independent campground that simply shares the "Dan Beard" name, dedicated phone numbers might be available through direct search results or local listings for campgrounds in Raymond, ME.

Given the nature of the information, direct online search for "Dan Beard Raymond ME contact" or contacting a local Boy Scouts of America council in Maine if it is a scout camp, would be the most effective way to obtain the precise phone number and booking details for this specific location. Unfortunately, a distinct phone number for the Raymond, ME location that isn't tied to another "Dan Beard" entity is not consistently available in the provided data.

For residents of Maine, Dan Beard in Raymond offers a unique and suitable opportunity for outdoor engagement, particularly for groups and those seeking a structured natural environment. Its convenient location within Maine’s Lakes Region means it's an accessible destination, minimizing travel time and allowing more focus on the experience itself, whether it's a weekend retreat or a longer program.

What makes Dan Beard particularly fitting for Mainers is its expansive 230 acres and direct access to Panther Pond. This provides a versatile natural playground for activities ranging from traditional tent camping and rustic cabin stays to water-based adventures. For youth groups, educational programs, or even family gatherings looking for a blend of nature and organized facilities, the diverse accommodation types and activity potential are a significant draw.

While the focus appears to be more on group and organizational use rather than purely individual family camping, its foundational purpose as an outdoor education and recreational facility means it's equipped to handle various needs in a natural setting. Mainers seeking a large, adaptable outdoor space for fostering community, learning outdoor skills, or simply enjoying the tranquil beauty of Panther Pond and the surrounding woods will find Dan Beard to be a valuable local resource for their outdoor aspirations.

Dan Beard

Hinds Rd, Raymond, ME 04071, USA