Chewonki is thrilled to announce a special addition to its wilderness trips this summer. The Katahdin Woods and Waters Expedition for Maine teens is a unique two week wilderness trip focusing on the culture, landscape and issues involved in the discussion about the proposed National Park and Recreation Area surrounding the East Branch of the Penobscot River within the Katahdin Woods and Waters Recreation Area.

Current high school sophomores and juniors who live and go to school in Maine, who have demonstrated leadership ability and who have some experience in the outdoors are encouraged to apply. The expedition is offered at no cost for accepted participants thanks to generous support from the Quimby Family Foundation. Eight students and two alternates will be selected. The trip dates are June 28-July 10 and application deadline is March 15.

“We are so very pleased to be able to provide this extraordinary opportunity to a group of Maine teens,” says Chewonki Vice President Greg Shute, who is planning the trip. “Participants will canoe down the magnificent East Branch, enjoying a truly memorable adventure. They will learn about the landscape and abundant wildlife and about the history and the future of the surrounding communities from local guests who will join them along the way. The two weeks will give them a direct experience of the complex issues that residents of the region face, including the possibility of a national park. This is a unique, cross-disciplinary wilderness adventure–one I’m sure the students and their trip leaders will never forget.”

Chewonki’s experienced trip leaders will guide students through this legendary territory. Starting at Chewonki’s campus in Wiscasset, participants will travel north and enjoy a few days based at the historic Lunksoos Camps on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Students will learn and practice whitewater canoeing techniques and visit the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum to learn about Maine’s logging industry. From there, participants embark on a week-long wilderness canoe trip, launching on Grand Lake Matagamon and making their way to the East Branch, where they will enjoy flat water, quick water, exciting rapids and waterfalls and Maine’s iconic wildlife. As they travel through the land, they will learn about expedition best practices and reinforce whitewater skills while paddling, portaging, and poling down this magnificent river. The trip returns to Chewonki for its last night. Each participant will share their experience of the trip in a presentation in their home community.

For more information, head to http://www.chewonki.org/trips/trip_katahdin_woods_waters.asp

call Chewonki at 882-7323 or email kwwe@chewonki.org.