Youth Programs Are Up and Running
Baxter Youth Conservation Corps
Our BYCC has had a great season so far, and is wrapping up with only one week left out of the eight week program.
Our crew has spent a significant amount of time on the OJI Trail assisting the Baxter State Park Trail Crew with a new 0.3 mile reroute around a heavily degraded section of trail, and the building of a 50 foot bridge that will soon replace old bog bridging. They’ve also completed many miles of corridor definition in various locations around the South End of the Park, and have cleared drainages and water bars on Katahdin Trails.
Working alongside the Baxter State Park Trail Crew for the extended OJI project has provided our BYCC group the opportunity to learn more technical trail building skills and gain valuable knowledge from their experienced staff. They’ve also had the opportunity to learn about careers in a variety of fields such as environmentalism, recreation, and sustainability through workshops with professionals in the Millinocket area.
It’s been a hot and stormy summer for our crew, but they’ve continued to work hard and bring a positive attitude each and every day!
Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program
Our flagship program, the Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program, is already underway and ten participants from all over the state will be spending the next seven days (out of nine days total) in the park backpacking from one end to the other, developing their leadership skills, and fully immersing themselves in all of the wild beauty that Baxter State Park has to offer. They’ll also be learning from various instructors and specialists through art, writing, photography, science, storytelling, history, and more.
The program kickoff took place this past Friday where participants, families, Chewonki leaders, and Friends of Baxter staff gathered at BSP Headquarters for a pre-trip meeting to get to know one another, discuss trip logistics, thoroughly check gear, provide a Q&A for parents, and listen to some inspirational words from Aaron Megquier and Park Director Kevin Adam.
Both programs will be wrapping up for the season next week, and we couldn’t be more thankful for such a wonderful summer so far and all of the work that our participants have put in, both for the Baxter Youth Conservation Corps and for the Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program.
