Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 8 : Spring 2011 | Page 79

break were spent with their parents at the camp. She recalls
riding her bicycle around the camp grounds, and tells the
story of how planes from Loring AFB would fly just above
the tree tops over the
camp. According to Jen,
reaching the camps has
gotten easier over the years
with a woods road that
brings you right to the
front door. It never used
to be that easy, before the
road was built you would
have to drive through
North Pond Brook three
times then through Chase
Brook to reach the camp,
which she recalls as part of
the fun of going to camp.
The
Brophy’s
have owned the camps for over 30 years, the longest of
any previous owner, and in 2009 Jen and her husband are
keeping the family tradition alive by purchasing the camps
from her father. When you meet Jen you can see how much

she loves the camps and is determined to keep the family
tradition alive.

The original main lodge still stood until a fateful day
in May 2008. On May 17,
2008, just a few days after
Mike had arrived to open
the camps for the season,
the lodge was struck by
lightning. Camp cook,
Gloria Curtis, had to drive
down the woods road to
the “telephone booth”,
the only spot that you
can pick up a cell phone
signal. It took fire trucks
two and a half hours to
reach Red River Camps.
Unfortunately the lodge
was a total loss, however,
they were able to save Togue Cabin which is located beside
the lodge. The greatest tragedy was the main lodge housed
much history of Red River Camps which included pictures
and memorabilia dating back to the 1920’s which was lost
SPRING 2011 Red River Camps 77