2024 Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program
It was another wonderful year for our Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program! Friends of Baxter State Park has offered this program annually since 2009, and it includes a nine-day wilderness experience in Baxter State Park. This 200,000+ acre preserve serves as an outdoor classroom as participants backpack from one end of the Park to the other, working with a variety of specialists and park staff to understand the wilderness through science, art, storytelling, photography, writing, history, and recreation.
Before the beginning of the program, the students read a number of books and did research on an outdoor/environmental leader of their choice, understanding the impact that they all had on wilderness and the ways in which they can become leaders themselves. Unplugged from social media, far from friends and family, these ten participants experienced the rare gift of carrying only what they needed to survive for nine days on their backs, relying solely on each other and their personal relationship with the wilderness itself for support.
The group started their trip off at Roaring Brook Campground where they participated in a nature photography workshop with Ross Knowlton, and set up camp in lean-tos for the next few nights. During their time camping at Roaring Brook, they spent a day hiking Katahdin, and a day at Daicey Pond watercolor painting with artist Micheal Vermette.
They then started their trek to Russell Pond, roughly an eight mile hike north into the park, and spent a few more days there, soaking in and enjoying the more secluded and rugged wilderness of the park. Friends of Baxter Executive Director Aaron Megquier hiked in to meet with them and teach workshops on field ecology and environmental advocacy. They had plenty of time to explore the area via short day hikes and side trails, observe wildlife, and learn team skills around camp with their two Chewonki Leaders, Wyeth and Iz. The group also completed a volunteer project with ranger Greg Hamer.
On day eight, they continued their trek to South Branch Pond, the northern end of the backpacking trip. They spent a couple of days there where they got to learn Leave No Trace principles from the campground ranger, Gabe Williamson, listen to campfire stories from retired Chief Ranger Chris Drew, and also hike up North Traveler to learn about the park’s geology from Lindsay Theis from Maine Geological Survey. After nine full days in the park, they returned back to Baxter State Park Headquarters where their families anxiously awaited them, excited to reconnect and hear all about their experience.
This program wouldn’t be possible without all of the wonderfully talented specialists and instructors that take time out of their busy schedules to come and spend time with our participants, as well as our two Chewonki Leaders who facilitate the whole trip. They all certainly leave a lasting impression and a feeling of inspiration.
All of the participants this year said that they couldn’t recommend this program enough to future high schoolers, and that it helped build their leadership, teamwork, and backcountry skills. They talked about how they made lifelong friends, developed important skills and practices that can be applied to everyday life, learned about the importance of protecting and preserving nature, and grew as people and as leaders. The Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program inspires and cultivates the next generation of Maine's wilderness leaders, and we’re so thankful for all those who make it happen and that this year’s program was another success!
