Kylie Hebert and Jaclyn McClintick received the Friends of Wilson Ponds Franklin Cole McIver Scholarship to attend the 2024 Teen Wilderness Expedition, hosted by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District.

   Kylie and Jaclyn, both 12-year-olds, have strong connections to Wilson Pond and the Moosehead region. Kylie writes “I had a lot of fun at TWE camp. I was able to make new friends. I learned new card games from the other campers that I met. We got to make tie dye shirts which was a lot of fun and all of us signed each of them. The theme of camp was survivor. They broke us up into groups to do challenges and compete against each other. I learned how to build a shelter. We had a fire and were able to roast s’mores.  We did a hike and could canoe back to camp instead of hiking back. I would be excited to go back next summer or try a different camp that they offer.”

   Jaclyn writes, “TWE was fun because we did Survivor. We did a lot of challenges and I made a lot of friends. I encourage more kids to participate next year!”

   The Piscataquis Soil and Water Conservation District, based in Dover-Foxcroft, offers its Teen Wilderness Expedition to kids aged 12-16 each summer.  The teen participants go into the Maine woods for three days and two nights. The hope is to impart an appreciation for Maine’s outdoors, and maybe even plant the seed for career ideas. From fishing to kayaking to enjoying delicious fare at AMC’s Gorman Chairback Lodge, the Expedition focuses on connecting youth with the outdoors in meaningful ways.

   Kacey Weber, leader of the Teen Wilderness Expedition from the Conservation District, says the program is designed to expose participants to the broad variety of possible outdoor activities. Over the three days participants will hike, learn to fly fish, even make tie-dye t-shirts with natural dye. They will also enjoy leadership skills-building exercises, and have plenty of time to relax, connect with each other and with nature.

   The Teen Wilderness Expedition, thanks to the efforts of the Conservation District and the professionals at the Appalachian Mountain Club, is another example of the many opportunities throughout Maine for youngsters to appreciate Maine’s outdoors this summer.