Richard H. Mades Scholarship Fund
In honor of his meaningful legacy, Rick’s family, friends, and community have generously established the Richard H. Mades Scholarship Fund. This fund will reduce the cost of camp for kids who would not otherwise be able to take part in the creative, welcoming community Rick established through MAC.
Rick’s love for summer camp began when he was 9 years old. From that moment on, camp became a defining part of his identity. He went on to spend more than 35 summers as a camper, counselor, teacher, advisor, and director. No matter what path he followed during the school year, summer was always reserved for the place where he felt most at home.
Rick’s professional journey in the camp world began in 1994 when he founded Camp Finders, a referral service for families seeking high quality summer experiences. Through Camp Finders, he visited nearly 170 overnight camps and teen programs and spoke with thousands of parents who were searching for the right environment for their children. These conversations and experiences gave Rick a deep understanding of what young people need in order to thrive. They also inspired the creation of Maine Arts Camp in 2004.
Rick built Maine Arts Camp with intention and care. He wanted to create a small, creative, and non-competitive community where like-minded kids and teens could explore their passions and celebrate their individuality. He believed that camp should be a place where every child feels safe, supported, and valued. He cherished hearing from campers, parents, and staff about how the camp had changed their lives, just as camp had changed his own. His background as a math teacher, tennis director, cabin counselor, and camp advisor gave him a unique perspective on children’s needs, which shaped the heart of the program.
Compassion and patience were central to Rick’s approach to life. In 2014, he became a certified mediator and later founded his firm “Let’s Get This Resolved”. He mediated more than 500 cases and handled each one with empathy, fairness, and a calm, steady presence. These same qualities defined his leadership at camp. He encouraged collaboration, embraced individuality, and welcomed every camper and staff member into a community built on acceptance and respect.
Raised in Belmont, Massachusetts, Rick spent nearly four decades living in Delray and Boynton Beach, Florida. He was known for his humor, warmth, and generous spirit, as well as his remarkable skill on the tennis and pickleball courts. He formed deep connections everywhere he went and brought kindness into every space he entered.
Rick’s legacy is woven into every part of Maine Arts Camp. It lives in every friendship formed, every new skill discovered, and every camper who finds a place where they truly belong. His commitment to creativity, acceptance, non-competition, and individuality remains the foundation of our mission.
Maine Arts Camp stands today because of Rick’s determination, his heart, and his belief that every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and joyful summer home. We honor him by continuing to carry his vision forward with the same care and intention he brought to every summer.