Poland Mining Camps is offering the mineral collector, from beginner to the advanced, a once-in-a-lifetime collecting opportunity in the state of Maine. Our facility, situated within the heart of Maine's mineral wealth, will be your base of operations to collect at world renown pegmatite quarries which are completely closed to the public. In the down-home atmosphere of our camp, you will be sharing this experience with other enthusiasts, making new friends and encountering some of the best collecting opportunities ever available within Maine.
Poland Mining Camps has obtained the exclusive permission to visit and collect at mineral and gemstone quarries which are being actively mined and thus closed to the public sector. As a group, you will be escorted by our guide to one of these quarries during the weekdays. Our visits are scheduled as to not interfere with the mining activity taking place on the weekends. As an example, we will be collecting at Mount Mica, the Pulsifer & Wade quarries at Mount Apatite, the Emmons quarry, Pitts Tenney and more. All are closed to the public. Since most locations are producing freshly exposed material each week, its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find great minerals for your collection. There will be restrictions at each location, but your guide will make every effort to explain them and make the collecting trip a success for you.
Our facilities at Poland Mining Camps are on Route 26 in Poland, Maine, just north of town and before the junction of Route 11. Our camp, situated in a pine tree glade, has lodging facilities tailored to your needs. Full service cabins are available (sleeping 1-4) with living rooms, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, full bath, all with fireplaces and loads of charm. For those who prefer motel accommodations, we can make arrangements for you locally. The complex has laundry facilities, phone service, camp store and other services on site.
At the center of our complex is a new Pavilion. It will be the hub of activity at the camp for meals, functions and socializing with other campers. There will be displays of minerals from the various quarries you will visit inside the Pavilion, plus most lectures and demonstrations given by local craftsmen and minerals will be held here during the evening hours. If you would like to make a presentation to the group, please let us know.
Dudy and Mary Groves are your hosts at Poland Mining Camps. Dudy has over thirty years of experience in the field, professionally mining and collecting gemstones and minerals in the many pegmatite quarries you will visit in Oxford and Androscoggin Counties. His expertise and knowledge of the area is second only to his Down East wit and wisdom, hard working spirit and overall generosity. He has worked for and/or mined with many of the historically import mining operations and men of the past thirty years. In recent times, he has been mining at Mount Apatite and on occasion has worked for the Mount Mica operation. With his experience, he will make every effort to help you search for, locate and identify minerals from the various locations you'll visit.
Mary Groves, Dudy's loving wife, is happiest working in her large flower and organic garden on the premises. When in season, you will be sampling her fresh organic vegetables, prepared in her new kitchen in the camp's Pavilion. She is famous for her sumptuous, down-home cooking and will even cater to any special dietary requirements you may have. Her greatest love is entertaining friends and guests alike and together with Dudy, they will make your stay a warm and memorable experience ... a rewarding adventure ... one you'll long remember!
At Poland Mining Camps, everything is included for one price. Cost is based upon your choice of lodging, number in your party and length of your stay. Minimum stay is 3 days. A weeks stay is recommended to maximize your chances of visiting all of the localities on our list. The larger your party, the lower the per person rate. Large group rates are available well in advance of our season. Included in the one price is your lodging, three meals a day (continental breakfast, pack-your-own lunch, buffet-style supper with a few surprises included!), access and mine fees to all private quarries, a guide's service, lectures and demonstrations.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! A 50%, non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your desired space and dates. "Walk-ins" will be welcome only if space is available. Call or write with your specific dates, size of party and lodging choice and we will quote you our price by phone or return letter. No reservations will be accepted or honored without a deposit.
Our season is from Memorial Day Weekend to September 30th. If you want to come off season, please call. Feel free to call or write for any additional information concerning our facility and current list of collecting sites open exclusively to Poland Mining Camps. Hope to see you this summer!