AUGUSTA

First time campers urged to enter raffle

The Bureau of Parks and Lands, under the Department of Conservation, is again offering its First Time Campers raffle program to Maine residents who want to try their hand at camping.

Now in its fourth year, the First Time Campers program will randomly select 44 lucky families to win a free weekend of camping this summer at one of 11 Maine state park campgrounds. The raffle is open only to Maine families who have never before gone camping.

Each selected family will get the free use of camping equipment, receive gifts from sponsors and be supported throughout the weekend by park staff.

This year, the number of selected families has been increased. One of the families also will be the grand-prize recipient of a $1,000 gift certificate from the program’s major sponsor, L.L.Bean.

This year, the program is sponsored by L.L.Bean, Kittery Trading Post, Coleman, Hannaford, Oakhurst Dairy, Wicked Joe Coffee and Poland Springs.

Raffle applications are available online and at Maine state parks. They will be accepted until May 31. The recipient families will be chosen in a random drawing held on June 3, with the families notified the week of June 6. There will be four weekends of camping from which the winners can choose, from July 15-16 to Aug. 5-6.

Each family will receive camping equipment they can use for the weekend, plus four sleeping bags which they can keep. They also receive gift certificates and some food items for the weekend from program sponsors.

For more information or to get an application, call Andy Haskell, park manager, Sebago Lake State Park, at 693-6231 or go to www.take-it-outside.com.

For more information about Maine state parks and historic sites, go to www.parksandlands.com.

GRAY

Wildlife park plans to open Friday

State officials are hoping to open the Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray on Friday.

However, because of continuing snow cover, visitors are advised to check the website, www.mainewildlifepark.com or call 657-4977, to make sure the park is open before coming.

Visitors will see six new small mammal exhibits, featuring porcupines, fisher, woodchuck, raccoon, skunk and opossum.

 

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