With an expanded schedule this year from eight to 13 weeks, more opportunities are available for families and volunteers to be part of the marvelous summertime experience known as Camp Sunshine.

Located on Lake Sebago in Casco, Camp Sunshine provides respite care, counseling, recreation and medical support for families facing a life-threatening illness.

And best of all, to attend this wonderful, weeklong Maine summer camp, there is absolutely no charge to the family, and there are no income-eligibility guidelines.

“It is open to all,” said Camp Sunshine development coordinator Michael Smith. “And we still have openings in all sessions.”

The summer camp schedule is as follows: Camp weeks for children with cancer are June 16-21, July 7-12, July 28-Aug. 2, Sept. 20-24 and Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

Camp weeks for children with diabetes are June 23-28 and Aug. 4-9.

Camp for “9-11 families” will be held June 30-July 5.

Camp for children with D.B. (Diamond Blackfan) anemia is July 14-19; for children with Fanconi anemia, Aug. 9-14; for children with kidney disease, Aug. 18-23; and those with lupus, Aug. 25-30.

The camps are open to any families with infants to 18-year-olds who suffer from these life-threatening illnesses.

The camp is designed to offer families “the opportunity to experience a week away from the physical, emotional and financial strains of living with a critical illness.

“For parents, Camp Sunshine’s on-site medical support team provides peace of mind while our psychosocial programs teach coping skills,” according to information published by the organization.

And there is plenty of time to have fun, too, thanks to the efforts of the many volunteers who staff the facility.

“During the course of our sessions, we have 60 to 70 volunteers,” Smith said. “We provide them meals and housing, and they do everything from food service to being counselors for the kids here. Volunteers may work in arts and crafts, on our waterfront, or help with maintenance.”

No experience is required to become a Camp Sunshine volunteer, just a desire to help others enjoy the wonders of a Maine summer camp.

As I mentioned above, because the camp has extended its schedule, it has an even greater need for volunteers this year.

If your family would like to attend Camp Sunshine, or if you know of a family who could benefit from this experience, contact Camp Sunshine family services coordinator Laura Bean.

If you are interested in being a volunteer at Camp Sunshine, contact camp director Michael Katz.

Both Camp Sunshine staff members may be reached by calling 655-3800, by writing them at Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Road, Casco 04015 or e-mailing info@campsunshine.org.

On behalf of Boy Scout Troop 58 in Millinocket, Cindy Morneault invites the public to attend a spaghetti supper set for 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the American Legion Hall in Millinocket.

Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for children and $20 for families.

Morneault writes that, “all proceeds benefit the Scouts so they can attend Boy Scout summer camp.

“This is a wonderful supper the Scouts put on, so please come and support your local Boy Scout troop and, enjoy!”

You have to hand it to executive director Candy Eaton and board members of Blue Hill Society for Aid to Children, because they keep coming up with the best entertainers to help them raise funds for the organization’s summer day camp programs.

This year, they’ve acquired the services of nationally acclaimed Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett, who will appear in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6, in the Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School auditorium.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

Advance tickets may be purchased at Eggemoggin Country Store, Sedgwick; The Grasshopper Shop, Ellsworth; North Light Books, Blue Hill; or by calling BHSAC at 374-5548.

In case you’re wondering what the media thinks of Mallett, well, the Orlando Sentinel wrote, “few people could be called the living embodiment of the state where they live. But what Garrison Keillor is to Minnesota, Mallett is to Maine.”

Billboard magazine describes Mallett as “a first-rate folk singer and writer. His portraits and townscapes are camera sharp, and his knowledge of his subject is profound.”

From the East Coast to the West Coast, Mallett’s performances draw raves, and you will easily understand why that is so, when you attend this benefit.

The late Francis Nichols founded BHSAC in 1963 as a nonprofit organization to provide outdoor programs for children in the Blue Hill area.

Today, BHSAC operates two day camps at Walker Pond: Scamp Camp for children ages 41/2 to 6, and Nichols Day Camp for children up to age 12.

Its Summer Adventure program offers children ages 11-16 wilderness camping experiences.

Proceeds from the Mallett concert will help support Scamp Camp and Nichols Day Camp.

For information about BHSAC and its programs, call Eaton at the number above.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.