Is this real?
Yes, Murder Camp is quite real! We're used to being confused for satire, but we assure you that our camp is as real as we are proud of running it for four fun-filled decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
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General
- Is this real?
- Can camp be canceled due to inclement weather?
- Do campers have to sleep on-site, or can they just join for daytime activities?
- Can campers leave before camp is over?
- Where are you located?
- Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
- Is the camp co-ed?
- Is financial aid available to low-income families?
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Villains and Nighttime Activities
- Do the Villains really kill campers?
- Do I get a refund if my child dies?
- Are the campers allowed to kill the Villains?
- Are the campers allowed to kill counselors or other campers?
- What if a camper is injured by a Villain but not killed?
- Which "side" are the counselors on?
- How many Villains are present at camp?
- What is the survival rate for each camp?
- How will a camper's body be transported if they lived out-of-state?
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Preparing for Camp
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Legal
Can camp be canceled due to inclement weather?
Camp continues rain or shine, but in the event of a weather emergency that puts campers' safety at risk, such as a tornado, we will contact campers' guardians and quickly move everyone to a temporary shelter off of Murder Camp grounds.
Do campers have to sleep on-site, or can they just join for daytime activities?
Due to the round-the-clock nature of the Murder Camp experience, we require all campers to sleep on-site for the entire duration of camp. Spacious, air-conditioned cabins are provided for our Youth and Teen Camps, and space is available for tents and RVs for guests of our Adult Camp.
Can campers leave before camp is over?
Campers are allowed to leave camp for any reason, but will forfeit the remainder of their enrollment period if they leave without an excused reason, such as a medical or weather emergency. Campers who do not return to camp within 24 hours of the end of their excused absence period will also forfeit the remainder of their enrollment and will not be able to join camp activities again until the following year.
Where are you located?
We're located on 400 acres of beautiful forest in central Maine, not far from Baxter State Park. The address and driving directions are provided to guests upon registration.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Please contact us ahead of time regarding campers with dietary restrictions. Vegetarian and vegan meals and snacks are always provided, but allergen-free meals and preparation methods can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Is the camp co-ed?
Yes! Boys, girls, and everyone inbetween are welcome at Murder Camp. Camp activities are all co-ed, but cabins and sleeping arrangements are divided by gender.
Is financial aid available to low-income families?
Unfortunately, we do not currently have a financial aid option, but this is one of our many goals. We don't believe that family income should be a barrier to having an amazing, life-changing summer!
Do the Villains really kill campers?
It wouldn't be a murder camp if they didn't! Indeed, the staff members who make up our cast of “Villains” will begin hunting campers at sunset and will employ whatever methods are necessary to attempt to kill at least one camper every night.
Do I get a refund if my child dies?
Unfortunately, to cover the costs of running Murder Camp, payments can only be refunded up to 24 hours before the first day of the camp that you registered for.
Are the campers allowed to kill the Villains?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage campers to employ any means necessary to survive, including creating traps, using improvised weapons, and working together as a team. The heart of the Murder Camp experience is the incredible character-building that comes from facing one's fears and acting decisively to protect yourself and others.
Are the campers allowed to kill counselors or other campers?
Any violence against non-Villain staff will result in an immediate ejection from camp and the camper being banned from all future camps. We seek to foster a spirit of teamwork and camaraderie, so any antisocial behavior that cannot be corrected with the help of our counselors is not welcome at camp.
What if a camper is injured by a Villain but not killed?
The Villains of Murder Camp strive to kill quickly and efficiently, without needless suffering, but in the event that a camper is injured by a Villain and survives until sunrise, our staff will do everything in our power to administer medical aid, including taking them to the nearest hospital. However, as soon as they receive care and are discharged, they are expected to return to camp within 24 hours or forfeit the remainder of their time.
Which "side" are the counselors on?
Our staff of friendly, professional counselors is dedicated to all campers having a fun and safe time, and that includes helping campers prepare for the night and recover from their experiences quickly. However, between sunset and sunrise, they are unavailable to campers except in the case of non-Villain-related emergency and remain strictly neutral.
How many Villains are present at camp?
We never give the exact number in advance, but in the past, we've had anywhere from one to four Villains active during any single camp. The Youth and Teen Camps tend to have fewer Villains, and the Adult Camp usually has two or three in order to overcome the older and wiser campers.
What is the survival rate for each camp?
The percent of campers who survive their experience varies widely depending on the year's Villains and how many campers are attending, but the average survival rate for all of our camps going back to 1980 is about 60%, and there has always been at least one survivor at every camp.
How will a camper's body be transported if they lived out-of-state?
Once a death has been officially declared and reported to authorities, out-of-state families are advised to contact a funeral home near Murder Camp (such as Lajoie Funeral Home, Lamson Funeral Homes, or Lary Funeral Home) and a funeral home in your home state to have them communicate and process the proper paperwork for the transport of remains. If you choose to cremate, the Maine funeral home that you coordinate with will be able to advise you on transport of cremated remains, which can be transported in the mail if packed correctly in appropriate containers.
Can campers bring weapons?
All campers may bring their own weapons, as long as they're not on the list of prohibited items. But to better keep our campers safe during the day, we ask that guests of our Youth Camp and Teen Camp not handle any weapons except as needed at night or under the supervision of a camp counselor. Our workshops include archery, safe knife handling, improvised weapons, and basic self-defense, and all campers will have opportunities to find or be awarded weapons for participating in camp activities.
Are firearms allowed at camp?
In order to create a more sportsmanlike atmosphere and out of respect for the camp's neighbors who would be in earshot of gunfire, we do not allow firearms at Murder Camp. Likewise, no explosive devices including flashbangs are permitted, but projectile weapons, such as slingshots, bows, and crossbows, however, are allowed.
What items are prohibited?
- Firearms (including airsoft, BB, and paintball guns)
- Explosive devices (including fireworks and flashbangs)
- Chemical weapons (including pepper spray and tear gas)
- Laser pointers
- Recreational drugs and any other illegal items or substances
- Electric heaters and hair dryers
- Lighters and matches
- Still cameras, videocameras, and other recording devices
Are cellphones allowed at camp?
Campers are allowed to bring cellphones and to access them in case of emergency, but to limit screen-time and for privacy reasons, counselors will collect them when campers arrive and return them at the conclusion of camp.
Is there any alcohol on premises?
No alcohol is allowed to be present at camp during our Youth Camp and Teen Camp events, but responsible campers aged 21 and up with a government-issued ID are allowed to have alcohol at our Adult Camp. However, any campers who cannot abide by the “drink responsibly” rule are subject to immediate ejection from the camp.
Are pets allowed?
Unfortunately, pets will need to be left at home. Please contact staff about the use of service animals before registering.
How is Murder Camp legal?
In 1979, it was determined by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine that due to the federal government having exclusive legal jurisdiction over a portion of uninhabited protected land, and that land having no permanent residents who could meet the constitutional requirements for a valid federal jury, it is legally impossible for either the state or the federal government to prosecute any crimes committed therein. There have been several unsuccessful attempts in the Maine state legislature to close this loophole since Murder Camp opened, but all of our camp activities remain effectively legal to this day. If the legal status of our activities changes, we are committed to being in full accordance with all applicable laws.
Does registering my child make me liable for their death?
In the tragic circumstance of your child not surviving their Murder Camp experience, a wrongful death lawsuit may be brought against you by the child's other parent. For this reason, we strongly recommend that both parents give their written consent when registering their child for camp. However, criminal liability for a parent who sends a child to Murder Camp is effectively nonexistent, as charges could only be brought in the jurisdiction where the death took place. See "How is Murder Camp legal?" for more details.