2025 Program Calendar
If you’re a teacher or outdoor club advisor in search of student trips, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve designed our outdoor programs to create connections among peers, learn outdoor skills and stewardship, and most importantly, to make space available for unplugged free play and exploration outdoors. We hope you’ll join us!
Winter Outdoors Series: Hidden Valley Nature Center Day of Play
Saturday, January 11, 2025 10 am - 4 pm
Winter Outdoors Series: Tobogganing at Camden Snow Bowl
Join Teens to Trails at the Camden Snow Bowl on Sunday, February 9th for an experience on the famed toboggan chute!
The chute itself is 400 feet long, rising to 70 feet in elevation. If your club members have a need for speed, then you have come to the right place as some toboggans may reach speeds of up to 40 mph, sending you a quarter mile onto frozen Hosmer Pond.
In addition to tobogganing, we encourage your Outdoor Club to consider planning an afternoon of downhill skiing or winter hiking while visiting Camden Snowbowl for the day!
Tobogganing is free to Teens to Trails Outdoor Clubs, tubing is $10 per student, and downhill skiing/ snowboarding fees are listed below. Activities available 9 am - 4 pm.
The toboggan chute is dependent on ice conditions and will be canceled without question by the direction of the Camden Snowbowl staff.
Ski and Snowboard Pricing for your Outdoor Club. Group sale information will be shared with the advisor registered for the program prior to the date. Please contact Sam at samantha@teenstotrails.org with any questions before calling the moutnain.
Winter Outdoors Series: MDIF&W Winter Outdoor Extravaganza
Join us at Range Pond for an exciting ice fishing adventure with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife staff, along with game wardens!
Bring your Outdoor Club to try your hand at drilling holes with both manual and gas-powered augers, discover the types of fish you can catch, and set up traps—fingers crossed we catch some! Sam Andrews, Teens to Trails Program Manager, will also lead a fun snowshoe hike around the pond. Bring your own snowshoes/microspikes or borrow a pair on-site.
This event is FREE and open to all. Don't miss out on the fun!
Join Samantha Andrews, a certified Maine guide from Teens to Trails, on a group hike along the Range Pond loop! Explore the winter wonderland on this 1.2-mile trek between 10-11 am. Bring your microspikes or snowshoes to prepare for icy or snowy conditions. If you don’t have any of your own, no worries! We’ll have plenty of extras to borrow from Maine Gear Share.
Winter Outdoors Series: Ski FREE at Black Mountain of Maine
Skiing and tubing tickets, rentals, and lessons are FREE! Teens to Trails is thrilled to return to Black Mountain of Maine on Sunday, March 2 for an action-packed day of downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing! Snowshoeing and Cross country skiing is also an option to those interested.
Thanks to our generous friends at WinterKids, we’re excited to offer Outdoor Club members an exclusive free ski day at one of Maine’s most beloved ski destinations.
This event is limited to 100 participants. We ask each club to limit their registration to 10 participants so that we can offer spots to 10 different outdoor clubs. If space allows, we may be able to open up a few additional spots. Our goal is to fill this program, so please plan accordingly!
WAITLIST: This program is currently full. Please complete the form to be added to the waitlist. We will process registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. Thank you for your understanding!
Your club is still welcome to join us on this date, but please note that participation will be at the expense of your Outdoor Club.
Weather date is March 9.
Please have each student’s parents fill out the following waivers.
Life Happens Outside® Challenge
Our Life Happens Outside® Challenge provides a way for the whole school community to get outside for a week at the start of the school year.
Check out our Life Happens Outside Challenge webpage here for more details!
Adventure Bound Camping and Rafting Weekend
Teens to Trails is heading back to Adventure Bound for another fun weekend in the Forks, Maine over the weekend of May 16!
Middle School Camden Campout
Teens to Trails is excited to offer a Middle School only, overnight camping program in May at Camden Hills State park.
This program is an excellent introduction to overnight camping, as well as an opportunity for clubs looking to practice their camping skills amongst a group of fellow outdoor club members from across the state.
The weekend-long program will offer group activities, a service project, opportunities to connect, as well as plenty of free time to play and explore Camden Hills State park.
Educational Trip Leader Permit Training
UPDATE 3.3.24 - This program is now FREE for all Teens to Trails teachers, thanks for the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative Grant!
Portland Paddle is partnering with Teens to Trails this spring to offer an Educational Trip Leader Permit Training course. For more information on the ETLP system, please see this FAQ page or contact samantha@teenstotrails.org.
Existing ETL Permit holders may register for just the pool session in order to strengthen and expand their skill set. The pool session will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 pm and will cover rescue skills for a variety of different watercraft.
Winter Outdoors Series - Gardens Aglow
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is returning for its 9th season with Gardens Aglow. With 14 acres of garden space, boasting over 750,000 LED lights, this is an experience that your Outdoor Clubs will not want to miss! Come prepared with warm layers, hot cocoa and a sense of wonder.
Youth ages 3-17 - $10 ticket
Adults - $19 ticket
*For groups over 15 participants, it is recommended by CMBG that you call at least 1-2 weeks in advance to reserve your space and arrange for direct access. (Avoid the lines!) If your club arrives by bus, please let CMBG know in advance so they can direct you to oversized parking.
Educational Trip Leader Permit Training (ETLP)
Do you incorporate canoeing or hiking in your PE program or Outdoor Club activities? Do you want more training and a new state-level certification on how to safely facilitate school-sponsored outdoor activities?
This workshop will cover the required training components of the **NEW** Maine Educational Trip Leader (ETL) Permit. This is a new permit that enables educators to be in compliance with Maine statute for Registered Maine Guides, without needing to become a Guide. Previously, there has been no path to compliance for educators that were not Guides. As of Fall 2022 it will be a required certification if you intend to lead students on overnight trips in a backcountry setting or any trip on water.
The workshop is for any educator that wishes to take students into outdoor backcountry/remote settings for trips (such as hiking and camping) or any kind of paddling on inland waters. It will also be beneficial for any educator working with students outdoors, even those who do not wish to pursue the ETL permit.
We will cover topics including:
risk management
planning
group facilitation
camp craft skills
Leave No Trace
and water safety
Lunch is included with the fee
Pre and Post Course Work:
There will be about 2 hours of pre-course work that participants will need to complete prior to the in-person workshop. Details will be sent to participants well in advance of November. Following participation, attendees will take a written test and be able to apply for an ETL permit if they have a current Wilderness First Aid (or greater) certification.
Fee: $50 for MAHPERD members ($60 for non-MAHPERD members).
Note that an ETL permit application fee is $25 and is valid for 5 years, which is a separate fee paid to the State of Maine. You will learn how and where to pay this ETL permit fee at the training.
Acadia Rendezvous
Join Teens to Trails for their annual October Rendezvous… at Acadia National Park!
We are excited to be back at Acadia National Park, Maine’s only National Park, to bring you a fun-filled weekend of camping along the rocky coastline. Upon registration, clubs will receive an informational brochure containing suggested excursions and experiences throughout the region to assist in trip planning.
This program is limited to 7 outdoor clubs, with up to 10 participants each club (including Advisors and chaperons)
Dont wait, space is limited!
Outdoor Club Leadership Conference
Outdoor Club Leadership Conference
Join Teens to Trails on Friday, September 22nd at the YMCA Camp of Maine in Winthrop for the return of the Outdoor Club Leadership Conference! This annual convening has taken on a new name as we focus on the objective of providing Outdoor Club Leaders with the skills, network, and tools necessary for a successful school year.
To view our proposed schedule, click here
A final schedule will be published soon!
We will support our theme of improving the whole body health of Maine Teens by engaging them in fun, inclusive, non-competitive outdoor experiences.
This year will be open to current or interested outdoor club advisors. We've designed this program for you, our fearless outdoor club leaders. This day will provide our outdoor club advisors with the opportunity to build lasting connections within our network, as well as with the generous partners who are offering hands-on, discussion-based workshops and panels throughout the day.
For more details head to our events page here
Somerset County Outdoor Club Bike Day
Join Teens to Trails on Friday, June 2nd from 3:30 pm-6:30 pm for our first-ever Bike Day.
This program is for all Teens to Trails middle and high school outdoor clubs in Somerset County to come together and enjoy an afternoon on wheels! Students will have the opportunity to partake in bike rides, workshops, and demonstrations on a variety of bikes throughout the afternoon. There will even be some skateboard demonstrations!
We will have a variety of bikes available to borrow but we encourage students to bring their own bikes, boards, and helmets if they have them!
The afternoon will conclude with a pizza party to celebrate!
This bike day is supported and made possible thanks to Somerset Public Health, First Push Syndicate and Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
Share this informational poster with your club!
Adventure Bound Camping & Rafting Weekend
This fun-filled weekend of rafting in Caratunk, Maine is now full. Thank you for your interest in joining us.
If your club is interested in booking an independent rafting trip with Adventure Bound, please contact John Philbrick at john@adv-bound.com for further details.
Educational Trip Leader Permit Training
Washington County Community College is offering an Educational Trip Leader Permit training paired with a Wilderness First Aid course [4/15-16] at the Lennox Outdoor Leadership Center. The dates are as follows:
Wilderness First Aid Training - 1 credit course, in-person training - 16 hours over 2 days
Southern Maine: Location TBD (Portland Area) - April 1-2
Western Maine: Eustis - Lennox Outdoor Leadership Center - April 15-16
Central Maine: Aurora - Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center - May 16-17
Northern Maine: Millinocket - NEOC - May 24-25
Educational Trip Leader Permit Training - 3 credit course, in-person training - 8 hours in person, 8 hours online
Western Maine: Eustis - Lennox Outdoor Leadership Center - April 17
Central Maine: Aurora - Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center - May 15
Northern Maine: Millinocket - NEOC - May 26
What is an Educational Trip Leader Permit? Why do you need it? Learn more.
This is an 8 hour training that will cover the baseline outdoor leadership skills necessary to acquire the ETLP. After the completion of the training, you’ll be tested to receive your permit.
Wilderness First Aid Course
Save the date! We have secured April 15-16 for our Wilderness First Aid course paired with an Educational Trip Leader Permit training on April 17th. This training will be offered at the Lennox Outdoor Leadership Center on the picturesque Flagstaff Lake in Eustis, ME.
You can attend Wilderness First Aid with or without the Educational Trip Leader Permit training.
CPR is offered optionally for those who wish to add a CPR certification course to the WFA course. Certifications last two years. They are both required for those seeking the Educational Trip Leader Permit.
The Wilderness First Aid is a 16 hour, 2 day program that will introduce you to patient assessment, treatment, and management of injuries in backcountry conditions. You will learn to improvise splints and litters, stop bleeding, and other potentially lifesaving skills.
CANCELED - Wilderness First Aid Course
This event has been canceled.
Please refer to the newly established WFA dates and courses that coincide with our Educational Trip Leader Permit requirements.
Winter Outdoors Series - Downhill Skiing at Black Mountain of Maine
Black Mountain and L.L.Bean are teaming up to offer lift tickets for $15 Thursdays and $25 Fridays, as well as free nordic skiing and snowshoeing all season long.
Teens to Trails picked Friday, March 10th to join in the fun. We will set up a table and can help you check-in and provide a centralized meeting location for all clubs.
Visit Black Mountain’s website for more details, including information on lessons and rentals. FREE snowshoeing ALL WINTER LONG (includes, ticket, snowshoes & poles). FREE nordic & $5 uphill
If you can’t attend on a weekday for the special pricing, contact the ticket office for school discounts offered to groups of 10+ students.
Registration for this event is now closed, however, please reach out to Jess@teenstotrails.org for more information.
Winter Outdoors Series - Winter Skills Day with MDIFW
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is teaming up with Teens to Trails to offer a full day of Winter Skills at the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine in Augusta.
This event is free to all Teens to Trails outdoor clubs. Please come prepared for a full day outside.
Adequate winter gear is mandatory. Hot cocoa and warming shacks will be available.
Come join other clubs from around the state. Activities include ice fishing and safety (ice dependent), fire building and campfire cooking, snowshoe hikes, mammal tracking, and more!
Registration for this event closes Friday, January 13th at 5pm.
Winter Outdoors Series - Downhill Skiing at Mt. Abram Ski Area
Join us for a day of downhill skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Abram & uphill ski touring with Inclusive Ski Touring!
Teens to Trails is excited to offer a discounted day of skiing for our outdoor clubs to come together. We will set up a table and can help you check-in and provide a centralized meeting location for all clubs.
$35 ski tickets, 20% off rentals and lessons (excluding touring equipment)
Total cost after discount is $99 p/p for a ticket, rental & a lesson OR $65 p/p for a ticket and a lesson
$10 inclusive ski touring program & $50 touring equipment rentals
We are partnering with Inclusive Ski Touring at 12:30pm to work with up to 12 students with prior downhill skiing experience. This is an incredible opportunity for students to learn something new and tour Mt. Abram! Not sure what ski touring is? Check this out with your students! Our program Manager, Sam Andrews will be touring with the group. Have students interested but unsure, reach out!
Please register for this event by Friday, December 23rd.
October Rendezvous
Put what you learned at the Outdoor Leadership Conference to practice with a weekend campout! Our annual October Rendezvous gives high school outdoor clubs the opportunity to explore an iconic Maine park and mountain to ocean landscapes for a weekend of camping, hiking, service work for the State Park and outdoor games. Students can connect with peers from throughout the state, and simply enjoy being outside together. Schools can camp for the weekend or come for the day on Saturday.
Life Happens Outside® Challenge
This statewide initiative is designed to get Maine middle school students to spend more time outside. Its all good! Anything that is out of doors from homework to leaf raking, football practice to overnight campouts counts. An entire school population including the Principal, students, staff and faculty log their outdoor minutes throughout the week for a chance to win $1,000 for their school. More information and FREE Challenge registration is HERE.
Outdoor Leadership Conference
The Outdoor Leadership Conference will be at the Y Camp of Maine again! Building on past years, it will include workshops for new and established middle and high school Outdoor Clubs, separate workshops for student leaders and club advisors, and a special section for Recreation Departments who want to offer outdoor programs like our Outdoor Explorer’s Club. Likely topics are: how to start an outdoor club, student recruiting, planning trips, first aid basics, risk management, campfire cooking, improving diversity in the outdoors and learning about ways Teens to Trails can support your club.
It’s a great way to connect with other advisors, share resources, discuss obstacles and set goals.
Advisor Appreciation: Baxter State Park Trip
We got some coveted reservations at Baxter State Park and want you to join us on this Advisor Appreciation backpacking trip to the Chimney Pond bunkhouse. This adventure is designed to thank you for all of your great work this year. It’s a great way to connect with Outdoor Club Advisors throughout the state. The trip is available for eight advisors. Led by David Perkins, AMC Mountain School Volunteer Leader and Samantha Andrews, Teens to Trails Program Manager. We can't wait to experience all the beauty Baxter has to offer with you! Save your FREE spot and register below. Backpacking gear available to borrow, BYO food, and we will coordinate carpooling and some shared meals.
If you have any questions please contact: Samantha@teenstotrails.org
Adventure Bound Rafting Weekend
Join us for a fun-filled weekend of rafting in Caratunk, Maine with high school outdoor clubs throughout the state.
To learn more about this annual trip with Adventure Bound, visit here.
Trail Talk with Catie & Sam
Please join us May 12th at 3pm for our final Trail Talk with Catie & Sam of the 2021-2022 school year. We have lots to discuss! We will be talking about WAVES coming to an end, Registering your Club for next year, and our upcoming Partner Program.
Don’t miss out!
Missed A Monthly Trail Talk? Read the Recap:
Wilderness First Aid Course
Do you want to be prepared for a remote accident? Do you want to learn best practices? Are critical thinking and problem solving important to you? If you answered yes to any of the above, then sign up for this scenario based introduction to wilderness medicine.
This course will be taught by Jon Tierney of Acadia Mountain Guides. For a full course description, visit here.
Pricing:
$250 for the general public
$200 for Outdoor Club Advisors of Teens to Trails registered schools
Cancellations:
If you cancel more than 21 days in advance you may put the deposit toward a future course or receive a refund of 50% of your deposit. Cancellations made within twenty-one (21) days of program forfeit full tuition rate. Alternatively, if you find a replacement you will receive a 100% refund. A full refund will be given if Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School must cancel the course.
COVID: We will continue to adhere to the Maine CDC guidelines for this event. As they are ever-evolving, please look here for more information.
Winter Outdoor Series: XC Skiing at Carter's
Get on the trails while there is still snow on the ground! Carter’s XC Center will be hosting Teens to Trails for a day of fun outside.
Learn more about this event here. Register by February 18th, 2022.
Winter Outdoor Series: Downhill Skiing at Hermon Mountain
More downhill skiing! Because we know you can’t get enough. Hermon Mountain is an awesome mountain just outside on Bangor that is perfect for those who are just starting out in the downhill world.
All costs (rentals, lift tickets, and travel) can be reimbursed by WAVES.
Register here by February 4th, 2022.
Winter Outdoor Series: A Downeast Day on the Ice
Teens to Trails has partnered with Downeast Coastal Conservancy to provide a day of ice fishing to Maine teens!
There will be fishing, XC skiing and snowshoeing with Washington County Community College’s Outdoor Adventure Center, horse drawn sled rides, snow sculpture contests, and smores to top it all off!
This event is FREE and you can register here by January 21st.
Winter Outdoor Series: Downhill Skiing in at Shawnee Peak
Enjoy a day of downhill skiing at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton!
All rental equipment is FREE for schools registered with Teens to Trails and the cost of tickets and travel can be reimbursed by WAVES.
Click here to learn more and register by January 27th, 2022.
Winter Outdoor Series: Ice Fishing with SAM and MDIFW
Join Teens to Trails, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for an educational day on the ice. Learn the basics of ice fishing, campfire cooking, wildlife tracking, knot tying, and even go for a scenic hike!
This event is FREE and will take place at the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine’s stocked pond at their location in Augusta.
Learn more and register here.
Trail Talk
Teens to Trails is excited to announce a new online series for Outdoor Club Advisors. These 30 minute sessions will be informative and outdoor programming-focused where you will learn tips, tricks and fun ideas for your outdoor club.
Join us January 13th for a further explanation of the Winter Outdoors Series, the reimbursement process, and a chance to network with other clubs to share outing ideas and to collaborate on transportation or other logistics.
Click here to join Catie & Sam on the second Thursday of every month for engaging conversations on all things outdoors! Please register with us!
Winter Outdoors Series: Ice Skating at Thompson’s Point
Come join Teens to Trails for a night on the ice January 7th and February 4th! Enjoy some time on the ice while looking out over the Fore River in Portland. This event is FREE, and you can learn more and register here!
Life Happens Outside® Challenge
This statewide initiative is designed to get Maine middle and high school students to spend more time outside. Students log their outdoor hours throughout the week for a chance to win $1,000 for their school. To learn more, visit here.