2021 Summer Trips

3-Day Local camping Trip (Orland, ME)  July 9-11
Kids ages 13-16
$70-120

This trip is the perfect introduction to living outside! On our first afternoon we’ll hike in a short-ways (1 mile) to a campsite where we learn all about how to set up a tent, build a camp fire and cook dinner. The next day is dedicated to outdoor games and lessons like knot-tying and basic map and compass use. If the weather is good we’ll go on a longer day-hike (4 miles round-trip) up a nearby mountain with great views. The final morning we’ll showcase our new skills with a talent show before hiking back out after lunch.

Five Days on the Appalachian Trail (Rangeley, ME) July 17-21
Kids ages 13-16
$400-625

Spend five days on one of the most beautiful sections of Maine’s Appalachian trail! This trip will take us to the Saddleback area where there are bald-topped peaks and an abundance of streams and lakes to keep us occupied. Daily mileage will be between 5-8 miles with the possibility for one food resupply at our mid-point to keep pack weights low and enthusiasm high. The focus of this trip is on learning real backpacking skills, such as how to set up and break down camp efficiently, pack your pack, stay warm, dry, comfortable and safe on the trail no matter the conditions and how to navigate using old fashioned maps and new fashioned apps.   

How to Backpack! (Blue Hill, ME) July 30 5-8pm
All ages welcome
$20-50

We know how to backpack and we are super excited to share what we know. In this 3-hour back-yard class we will cover everything you need to know to get yourself out the door. Where to go and what to bring, planning checklists, Leave No Trace practices and tips on backpacking with kids. We’ll have all our gear out (and you can bring your own too) to help you gain confidence and know-how with tents, backpacks, stoves and water filters.

5 Days in The Hundred-Mile Wilderness (Millinocket, ME) August 11-15
Adults
$400 – 625

The Hundred-Mile Wilderness is the northern-most 100 mile section of the Appalachian Trail between Monson and Abol Bridge. It is a rugged, remote section that crosses no paved roads but provides some of the best scenery and mountains Maine has to offer. During this trip we will pick a section of the 100 Mile Wilderness to hike (the specific area will depend on the weather conditions and experience of our group). Each day will include rivers and lakes for swimming, mountain summits, sweeping views and rugged trail in between. We’ll be hiking 6-12 miles a day with some elevation gain each day, cooking shared meals and sleeping in tents at or near designated shelter sites. This hike is for enthusiastic adults who want to immerse themselves in outdoor living and is perfect for those aspiring to do multi-day trips on the Appalachian Trail but aren’t sure how to get started. No previous backpacking experience is required but you should be able to comfortably walk 5 miles (at any pace). There will be an option to swim almost every day but expect to get dirty, sweaty and strong!

INSTRUCTORS

Charlotte Clews is the lead instructor for all Wild Maine Adventure trips. She is a Registered Maine Guide and Certified Wilderness First Responder. Co-instructors have at minimum basic first aid and CPR training.

PARTICIPANTS

  • Teen trips are open to kids ages 13-16
  • Unless specified trips are open to all genders
  • Group size is limited to 8 students total.
  • There will be a minimum of two adult guides per teen trip, and one adult guide per adult trip.

COST

  • Tuition is offered on a sliding scale. The prices listed are the full-price, for sliding scale and scholarship opportunities please contact Charlotte directly (charlottedowneast@gmail.com).
  • Our goal is to make these trips the most affordable teen backpacking trips in Maine. We keep our overhead low and are seeking community support in the form of scholarships. By paying what you can afford our hope is that families with greater financial resources can help support families with lesser financial resources.
  • Tuition covers the cost of all food and group gear such as tents and stoves, permits, resupply, drivers and insurance.

GEAR

  • Personal gear can be a substantial expense. We do have some personal gear to lend out like backpacks, sleeping mats, rain gear and warm clothes, but you will be expected to bring your own personal gear such as hiking footwear and a sleeping bag. We will do our best to help you find reliable, affordable gear for your trip. View our Summer Packing List here.

FOOD

  • We use a nutrition and energy dense, camping-friendly menu plan. Each participant gets their own daily “snack bag” to help keep germs personal. Dinner and breakfast are a group affair.
  • A sample day might look like this:

Breakfast: bagels and cream cheese, tea or hot chocolate
Trail snacks: protein bar, crackers, almonds, dried apricots
Lunch: Peanut butter on apple or carrots, granola bar (really just another “trail snack”)
Dinner: Quesadillas with refried beans and cheese
Dessert: Cookies and herbal tea

  • Participants are encouraged to bring a few personal treats (a quart-sized ziplock bag at most) if they are picky eaters or enjoy the comfort of particular foods. They will not be expected to share these treats.
  • Special diets – please let us know at least one full week ahead of time so we can accommodate!

WHAT

  • Students will learn all the fundamentals of backpacking including gear choice and gear management (i.e. how to fit and pack your pack for optimal comfort), food preparation, Leave No Trace camping practices, self-care, group-care, navigation, communication and leadership skills. There will also be a strong emphasis on natural history from the bedrock to the birds and stars above – there is magic in knowing who shares the trail with us!

PHONES?

  • Wild Maine Adventure trips are a phone-free-zone.
  • We carry a Garmin InReach Satellite beacon for SOS situations.
  • Charlotte and Jerome carry their phones but keep them turned off during the day and will only check them at night for logistics. Once your child is enrolled we will provide you with emergency communication protocol.
  • Participants are welcome to bring a phone-free camera.

Contact Charlotte with any questions:

Charlottedowneast@gmail.com

(207) 239-1700

Thanks!