CDC Director, Chris Thurston
Chris has been the Director of Center Day Camp since 2020, and is looking forward to his 6th summer on Sebago Basin! During his tenure, Chris has worked to strengthen the CDC camper and counselor experience by implementing session based registration and focusing on facility improvement and program development. The current camper retention rate is over 90% and he is proud of the commitment from staff to continue giving the Portland community a traditional Maine camp experience!
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A graduate of UMaine, Chris spent the early part of his career in Massachusetts, where he worked with youth in Roxbury and Dorchester as an AmeriCorps member and teacher, and later served as Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Wakefield. Chris currently lives in Portland with his wife Amanda, and his dog Pemi. When he’s not working you can find him hiking, skiing, lounging on the beach, and 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 throughout the year. She is 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, and JCC Camps.
Our Waterfront Director is a certified Red Cross lifeguard instructor and trains our staff on site. The Center Day Camp healthcare manager is a registered nurse.
Alumni
Welcome Back
We are proud to carry on the traditions of 75 years of camp, and treasure the history of all the campers, counselors and families who have contributed to making CDC what it is today!
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Network
We want to connect with you!
Join our Facebook group for CDC Alumni HERE.​
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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