Our Story

Meet Joe Finkelstein (Joe Fink to his friends), a typical kid from Washington D.C. The summer he turned 7, Joe’s dad brought him to his old camp in Maine for a visit. Joe immediately felt a powerful connection. He couldn’t say if it was the beautiful campus, with its spectacular lake and carpet of pine needles, the friendly kids and counselors, or the fun activities seemingly going on everywhere, but he knew he belonged there and insisted he wanted to stay. Joe’s dad explained that he was too young to start camp that summer but would go the very next year. Joe held him to that promise and began an illustrious camper career spanning 9 years. As soon as one camp season ended, he counted the days till the next one began. Each summer, he felt like he was returning to a home away from home, a community of friends, a place where he felt confident, independent, and accepted.

When his time as a camper ended, Joe made plans to return the following year as a counselor but knew he wanted to do something to honor his camper experience. What better way than to share it with others?

He conceived of Ubuntu Camp Connections in the hope of giving others an opportunity they might not otherwise have.

He approached Camp Wigwam with the idea and they enthusiastically offered to host a pilot program in 2023.

That summer, thanks to the work of Ubuntu Camp Connections and donations from the Wigwam alumni community, 4 kids were given the opportunity to attend camp.