Future Stars Summer Camps Brings Expert Coaching, Real Skill Development, and a Whole Lot of Fun to Portland, Maine
ACA-accredited sports day camp organization with over 45 years of experience opens its 12th location in Portland, offering the only multi-week sports day camp program of its kind in Maine's largest city.
PORTLAND, MAINE – APRIL 21, 2026 – Future Stars Summer Camps, the New York-based day camp organization serving more than 1,500 families annually for over 45 years, announced today the opening of its first Maine location at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Camp runs July 6 through August 14, 2026, with weekly sessions available for campers ages 4 to 16.
The Portland campus — Future Stars' 12th location and its first expansion beyond New York — is the only multi-week sports-focused day camp program in Portland, offering families a structured, coach-led alternative to single-week clinics and seasonal travel programs. Programs include Basketball, Volleyball, Multi-Sport, and Rising Stars, the camp's early childhood program for ages 4 to 6, built around active play, motor development, and school readiness.
The expansion is led by Neil D'Acierno, a longtime Future Stars director who spent years coaching and cultivating relationships with Portland educators before bringing the camp's Maine debut to USM's Sullivan Gym.
"The families, the educators, the people who are deeply invested in this community — they care about the same things we do," says D'Acierno. "That's what brought us here."
For over 45 years, Future Stars has paired structured skill development with genuine camp fun. The camp's S.T.A.R.S. values — Safety, Teamwork, Attitude, Responsibility, and Sportsmanship — are embedded into every program day alongside skill sessions, scrimmages, and free play.
"Every child who walks through our doors becomes part of the Future Stars family," says COO and Future Stars Director Jordan Snider. A former camper himself, Snider explains, "Whether a camper is working toward a travel roster or simply loves to play sports, we meet them where they are, and we take that responsibility to heart no matter which community we're in."
Future Stars Portland operates from USM's Sullivan Gym on Falmouth Street, offering three full-size gymnasiums, air-conditioned multipurpose studios, and well-maintained outdoor green spaces. The location is accessible via Exit 6B off Interstate 295 and the Greater Portland Metro bus system, with campus parking available for drop-off and pickup. The camp serves families in the Deering, Rosemont, and Oakdale neighborhoods and surrounding communities, including Westbrook and Cape Elizabeth.
Future Stars Portland is actively hiring local educators from the Portland and South Portland school systems, consistent with the camp's longstanding practice of staffing programs with certified teachers and licensed coaches. Every staff member undergoes a thorough background check and completes Future Stars' own training and orientation before working with campers.
Future Stars is an ACA-accredited camp organization, meeting the rigorous national standards set by the American Camp Association in collaboration with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other leading youth-serving agencies. The camp maintains an 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio, with lower ratios for younger age groups.
Enrollment is open week-by-week, with early drop-off and extended day options available for working families.
Families are invited to explore the facilities and meet the team at an open house on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at USM's Sullivan Gym.
To learn more or register for summer 2026, visit www.fscamps.com/portland or call (207) 387-1000.
About Future Stars Summer Camps: Future Stars Summer Camps is an ACA-accredited summer day camp organization offering 35+ expert-led programs in sports, arts, academics, and STEAM for ages 2–18, with flexible, week-by-week enrollment. With 12 locations across New York and Maine, Future Stars serves more than 1,500 families annually. The camp employs certified teachers and coaches, maintains an 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio, and reports a 70% annual camper return rate and a 96% parent recommendation rate. Founded in 1980, Future Stars helps campers build confidence, skills, friendships, and independence. For more information, visit fscamps.com.
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