Exciting new developments are happening in the Netop kitchen! A major expansion and renovation is now in process, with completion slated for summer of 2012. Free standing commercial refrigerators and freezers will be replaced with a large custom “walk-in” cooler/freezer measuring 16′x10′ (to be located in the area shown below). Additionally, a new Hobart dishwasher is being installed with a built-in high temp (180 degrees) rinse cycle. This will enable us to move from a mostly paper environment to camp dishware — and reduce environmental waste. Other improvements will include additional food prep equipment and work space. Once the expansion is complete, Netop’s kitchen will occupy approximately 1500 square feet.

Check out the latest version of the Birch Pond Beacon. You can read it HERE. This issue contains info about Netop’s “unplugged” environment, crafts program, 2012 key dates, new facilities improvements and more!

At 31 acres, it’s unusual to find a large undeveloped lake in southern Maine like Netop’s Birch Pond. Officially named Dumpling Pond in public records, the water body has been known around camp as Birch Pond since 1956 because of the Birch trees that line its shores. Through a land swap with Hancock Lumber in the 1980s, Netop was able to acquire and protect most of the pond’s shoreline; ensuring its water quality and protecting the natural views from the beach and campfire point that Netop campers have enjoyed for generations.


The lake’s average depth is 7 feet with a maximum depth of 14 feet in the mid-section. Owing to Birch Pond’s superior water quality, it’s not unusual to see and hear Loons throughout the summer. Throw a hook in the lake and you’re likely to pull out a largemouth or smallmouth bass. Perch, pickerel, minnows, hornpout (bullhead), Banded Killfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, American eel, water snakes and turtles also live in the water.

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Babson Magazine, a publication of the Babson College Alumni Association, just released an article about Netop’s director – Steve Hallowell (Babson MBA ’84). Read the story HERE.

We had a fantastic summer at Netop! Rain or shine (plenty of both), Netop campers stayed happy and healthy. It’s a fascinating process to see new and old campers from many different backgrounds transform into a spirited cohesive group and form friendships that will last a lifetime. From 14 states and 3 countries, our Netopers created an amazing community that we will miss until next year.