Friends of Baxter State Park invites current Maine high school sophomores and juniors to submit an application to participate in the 8th annual Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program. The program includes a nine-day wilderness experience in Baxter State Park, scheduled for Aug. 6 – 14. The application deadline for the program is Feb. 8.
This program offers ten high school sophomores and juniors the extraordinary opportunity to spend nine days immersed in the finest example of wild country in Maine. Accompanied by experienced wilderness leaders from the Chewonki Foundation, participants learn from a variety of specialists as they backpack from one end of Baxter State Park to the other.
Participants study wilderness through science, art, storytelling, photography, writing, history, and recreation. They hike with a geologist, volunteer with a Ranger, and paint at Katahdin Lake with a professional artist. These experiences help inspire and challenge emerging young wilderness leaders. Participants have described this program as “life-changing” and “the best learning experience I’ve ever had.”
The program includes readings and assignments in preparation for the field experience. After returning from the Park, each participant gives a public presentation in his or her community.
Friends of Baxter State Park offers the Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program at no cost to participants.
There is a competitive application process to be accepted into the program. Only students who are currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior in a Maine high school are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted online at www.friendsofbaxter.org by the deadline of Feb. 8. Ten participants and six alternates will be announced in March.
For more information please visit www.friendsofbaxter.org or contact Friends of Baxter State Park at P.O. Box 322, Belfast, ME 04915.
