August 28 - 30, 2026

Pine Tree Camp

Wabanaki homelands in Rome, Maine

An environmental leadership retreat
for youth age 15+ and adults

View Schedule

Accessibility Info

Sponsor this Event

Register now for the Fall 2026 Changemakers Gathering!

Cost: Free for people ages 15-30, $0-200 sliding scale adults over 30

Over the past 10 years, the Changemakers Gathering has brought together hundreds of young people (age 15-30) and adult allies (age 30 and up) in Maine to organize for our environment across generations.

At this 3-day, 2-night retreat, emerging youth leaders and experienced adult mentors connect to create intergenerational peer mentorship. We believe youth and adults have so much to learn from each other. The Changemakers Network prioritizes shifting power — people of all ages have a role to play in building more sustainable and just schools, campuses, and communities in Maine! You'll leave this weekend with relationships and resources to take environmental action in your own community, and hopefully feel rejuvenated and inspired. You will also be invited to attend the Spring Changemakers Gathering and other opportunities throughout the year.

The Changemakers Gathering includes youth-led workshops about taking action for environmental and social justice, creative space for arts and crafts, self-care station, quiet space, nature trails, and lake swimming. Wheelchair-accessible cabin lodging and meals are included in the registration costs.

Questions? Email us at changemakers@meeassociation.org

What’s Included in the Gathering

Firestarters

Whether it’s poetry, a letter to future self, or a memory from someone’s life, during Firestarters you’ll hear powerful stories from changemakers around the fire that encourage you to ask yourself, ‘what motivates you to make change in this world?’ There will be time at the end for group members to share their own stories popcorn style.

Keynote Panel: Wabanaki Policy Youth Initiative

Hear from youth involved in the Wabanaki Policy Youth Initiative about their journey advocating for Wabanaki Studies and sovereignty. Mak Thompson (Mi'kmaq), Malleah Brown (Peskotomuhkati), Kaya Lolar (Panawahpskek), Emma Soctomah (Peskotomuhkati), and other youth from WPYI will share about advocacy and allyship in action. Leave with concrete ways you can take action for Wabanaki sovereignty too!

Base Camps

We know large group gatherings can be intimidating for some people, so Base Camps are meant to provide a smaller group space to meet folks. Base Camps carve intentional space for small intergenerational groups to meet throughout the weekend. Youth and adults will use this time to discuss what you’ve learned or experienced throughout the gathering, and to meet peer mentors or friends that will carry on after the gathering.

Skillbuilders

Skillbuilders are small group youth-led workshops facilitated by members of our communities in Maine and beyond. We’ve hosted workshops in the past about rural & urban water justice, organizing for social change, writing, advocating for yourself as an early-career employee, and more.

Watch this video of the 2024 Skillbuilder workshop from Community Water Justice and Newark Water Coalition!

Watch Instagram Reel

Resource Share Fair

Host an art demo, teach a life skill, start a conversation, or table for your organization at the Changemakers Gathering. Or just visit the tables during the fair and learn about some awesome resources and organizations that are here in Maine! Click the button below to fill out the form to sign up for the resource share fair.

Registration Fees

Our payment tier registration for the gathering is an intentional effort to support youth attendance, distribute resources equitably, and allow attendees to decide what to pay based on your access to money and wealth. Registration fees cover attendance, lodging, and meals costs for this event.

Youth ages 15-30 attend for free. If you are a young person age 15-30 that is well-resourced and you want to continue to make this event free for other youth, please consider donating to MEEA by selecting a higher tier.

Payment Tiers

$0 — Youth age 15-30 attend for free or You are an individual not affiliated with an organization and have little to no financial resources

$50 — You are an individual not affiliated with an organization and have less financial resources

$100 — You are an individual with some financial resources who is not affiliated with an organization

$150 — You are an individual with more financial resources who is not affiliated with an organization

$200 — You are an individual who is well resourced and/or are participating via an organization

About the Location, Pine Tree Camp

Pine Tree Camp is a summer camp for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities that creates barrier-free access to the outdoors. The 285-acre campus in the heart of the Belgrade Lakes Region is fully accessible and is an American Camp Association-accredited camp for people with disabilities. Click here to learn more about Pine Tree Camp.MEEA will be working closely with the team at Pine Tree Camp to prioritize gathering attendees’ accessibility needs. Please reach out to us at changemakers@meeassociation.org if you have any questions about the venue or to share more about your accessibility needs.

Accessibility Info

Here’s what people are saying about the Changemakers Gathering

Thank you, Changemakers, for providing such a safe, playful, and powerful space for change to take place in.

— 2019 Gathering Participant

I have infinitely more hope than I had before. Seeing all the young people passionate about the environment and social justice gives me hope that our country is heading in the right direction.

— 2021 Gathering Participant

I really enjoyed the experience of hearing from so many impactful leaders in the community.

— 2022 Gathering Participant

“I felt a sense of community in the outdoors that I had not experienced in a while. I connected with folks who had the same desire to create care, love, and resilience as we work together towards achieving our goals for the environment. I was also able to share my story which inspired many. Because of the gathering, I now carry pieces of the folks I met. . .The MEEA gathering reminded me of what inspires me to do my work . . .that being in community makes you want to do better for the community.” - Sulwan Ahmed, 2024 Gathering Participant and Planning Team

“I never would have thought that my life would be forever transformed from my participation in my first Changemakers Gathering nine years ago. I have served as a Changemaker fellow, interned at North American Association for Environmental Education, presented at a national conference, traveled to national parks, read grants for the New England Grassroots Fund, and so much more. Above all, the Changemakers Network has enriched my life with priceless opportunities and most importantly, a group of mentors and friends. Thank you to MEEA for giving me another space to call home.” - 2016 Gathering Participant

“[For] the past four years, the Changemakers Gathering ignited my passion for the environment, transforming concern into action, and teaching me that even small steps in environmental education can lead to lasting change.”
- 2020-2024 Gathering Participant

“Changemakers kickstarted my journey towards taking real action for climate justice. I grew up often feeling isolated in my own identity as an Indigenous person, but Changemakers empowered me to not only feel comfortable in my uniqueness but also to be a leader and mentor for new youth entering this space every day.” -2024 Gathering Participant

As a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background, I have always struggled with imposter syndrome. What I have learned most during this past year in Changemakers is that I am way more capable than I tend to think. As a neurodivergent individual, it has been challenging for me to believe that the way I see the world is valuable. However, the appreciation my supervisors show for my perspective has led to me to becoming more confident and has taught me that I have a unique perspective that is so often overlooked.” -2024 Gathering Participant