About Center Day Camp
CDC Director, Chris Thurston
Chris has been the Director of Center Day Camp since 2020, and is looking forward to his 4th summer on Sebago Basin! He has worked hard to diversify the camper and counselor experience by focusing on session based registration, facility improvement, and program development. The retention rate for campers is over 70% and he is proud of the commitment from staff to continue giving the Portland community a traditional Maine camp experience!
Prior to CDC Chris attended and worked at Camp Manitou, a residential camp in Oakland, Maine. He served as part of the leadership team and worked directly with campers and counselors from around the world. As the Director at The Boys and Girls Club of Wakefield, MA he increased enrollment each summer, improved programming, developed community partnerships, and supported families through the campership initiative.
Chris now lives in the East End of Portland with his girlfriend, and dog Pemi. When he’s not working you can find him hiking, skiing, lounging on the beach, or enjoying all that Maine has to offer!
CDC Assistant Director, Marlena Lantos
Marlena grew up in the Portland area and graduated from Skidmore College in 2016 with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Before starting at the JCA, Marlena worked for several years as a classroom teacher at Ocean Avenue School in Portland. She has also spent the past 9 summers working at Center Day Camp in various roles. As youth programming coordinator, Marlena runs the JCA’s afterschool program and works to connect families through PJ library programming through the year. She is also thrilled to get to continue spending summers at Center Day Camp as the assistant director.
Our Credentials
Center Day Camp is accredited through the American Camp Association. We are members of Maine Summer Camps, JCC Camps, and The Jewish Day Camp Network. Our staff are trained in safety - including CPR & First Aid. Our Waterfront Director is a certified Red Cross Life Guard Instructor and trains our lifeguards on site. The Center Day Camp healthcare manager is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and a licensed Athletic Trainer.
Alumni
Welcome Back
We are proud to carry on the traditions of over 70 years of camp, and treasure the history of all the campers, counselors and families who have contributed to making CDC what it is today!
Network
We want to connect with you!
Join our Facebook group for CDC Alumni HERE.
Stay up to date with camp happenings, alumni reunions, friends throughout the years, and sign our guest book by updating your information HERE.
75th Reunion
CDC will celebrate its 75th reunion in 2024! Let's continue to make memories while we look forward to coming together once again.
All of my best friends are at CDC. It's just a great environment for me to learn and grow. My counselors have taught me so many lessons and I look up to them as role models.
Sarah - Camper
Center Day Camp is the most incredible and magical community, which I feel so blessed to be a part of. I met all my best friends at camp, and I have learned and grown so much from my experience here.
Megan - Staff
Center Day Camp is SO fun. We have athletics, swimming, boating and a bunch of other cool activities. The counselors here are really nice and care about everybody.
Jacoby - Camper