Fund Outdoor Clubs: Schools Need to Invest in Outdoor Recreation
A school board committee at Skowhegan High School sat ready to hear proposals for co-curricular opportunities on February 11th, 2025.
For many teachers, launching and sustaining an Outdoor Club requires persistence and self-promotion. Despite the well-documented benefits of outdoor recreation for students and communities, getting financial support from schools remains a struggle. Teens to Trails is here to help.
At Skowhegan High School, it took five years of persistence before the school board recognized the Outdoor Club as an official, funded program. Teens to Trails Outdoor Program Manager, Sam Andrews, wrote a letter of support and attended a recent school board meeting to witness the club leader and students proudly speak about the importance the Outdoor Club had on their lives. Teacher Kate Drummond has volunteered her time, securing grants from organizations like Teens to Trails and Somerset Public Health to cover costs. The investment is small, $3000-$4000/year for rewards that can be life-changing. Without this external funding, trips that expose students to hiking, canoeing, and winter sports would not have been possible.
The reality is that outdoor trips require resources - gear, transportation, guide fees, and teacher stipends. Without funding, these programs rely entirely on the unpaid labor of passionate educators. But when Outdoor Clubs do receive support, the impact is undeniable. Students gain confidence, resilience, and a stronger connection to their local environment. These experiences don’t just shape individuals—they help sustain Maine’s outdoor recreation economy by fostering future stewards of the land and potential outdoor industry professionals.
Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp Gear Library - A well-stocked resource library, including local trail info and area maps.
Outdoor recreation plays a key role in revitalizing rural economies, as is highlighted in Maine’s new 10-year Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap. Skowhegan has leaned into the outdoors as part of its economic revitalization plan. Community programs like Skowhegan Outdoors and their Gear Library lower financial barriers, making outdoor activities accessible to all residents. Community public health initiatives, such as Move More Kids, further promote active lifestyles and integrate outdoor education into schools, ensuring that the benefits of recreation reach every student, not just those who can afford it.
If Maine wants to cultivate a thriving outdoor economy, a healthy environment, and vibrant communities it must start with its youth. Schools, businesses, and nonprofits must work together to fund and sustain programs that connect students with nature. By investing in Outdoor Clubs, schools aren’t just funding extracurricular activities - they’re building a generation of young people who care about Maine’s outdoors.