Houlton High School students enjoying shish kabobs after their first full paddle day.

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.

Students from 7 Maine high schools attended Teens to Trails October camping trip at Camden Hills State Park, where they pitched in on service work, learned from Search and Rescue pros, and enjoyed a memorable sunrise. Eva Neumann, a senior from Yarmouth High School, shares what it is like to be unplugged for a weekend.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Teens to Trails explores the 8 ways that life—and improved emotional, physical and mental health—can happen by spending time outside.

Edward Little High School Senior Kaelyn Langlois shares what it’s like to be a part of a youth-led council to help more students get outside.

A student shares a sweet idea for fundraising for Maine school outdoor clubs.

Teens to Trails’ summer intern Nora Fox shares how the outdoors has improved her well-being, and the project her experiences inspired.

Brunswick High School senior Kristian Keef shares his experiences leading middle school students this winter in Teens to Trails Outdoor Explorers’ Program.

Teens to Trails Youth Advisory Council member Elsa Goebel-Bain shares her experience being a part of the council, and how the youth-led opportunity has opened the doors for more experiences.

On Sara Leone’s birthday, Teens to Trails announces the winners of the scholarship that bears her name. Three Maine high school students will have the opportunity to experience summer adventures with Rippleffect and Chewonki.

High School student and 2021 Sara’s Scholarship recipient, Claire Holman, shares what it’s like to take a Wilderness First-Aid Class with L.L.Bean.

Ralph Keyes spent over two decades advising the outdoor club at Wiscasset High School in Maine. He shares his tips for starting and maintaining a thriving, outdoor club.

Brenda Weis is a veteran wellness education teacher and the Outdoor Club advisor at Cony High School in Augusta. While it’s easy to imagine this experienced club leader and educator has always had a connection to the outdoors, she said her passion for being outside didn’t fully develop until she was in college.

Bethany Pratt is a senior at Mount Ararat High School and a four-year member of the school Outdoors Club. While her love of nature was initially fostered by her parents, who encouraged outdoor play, she said that her high school club provided even more exposure to unique adventures outside.

In February, Arizona-native Kim Tucker donated an Osprey backpack and more useful gear to Teens to Trails. To learn how she found us, and what motivated her to ship a big box across the country, we asked Tucker to share her outdoor story.

In July 2013, after completing her sophomore year at Wiscasset High School, 16-year old Maeve Carlson was awarded the adventure of a lifetime. Carlson, an active member of the Wiscasset High School Outing Club, liked nothing more than getting outside with peers and her energetic club advisor, Ralph Keyes. “I could always tell he was just as excited to be outside as the rest of us,” Carlson said.

Meet an inspiring Maine high school teacher and dedicated benefactor who made it possible for one outing club to experience life-changing adventures outdoors.

We put together this 6 week curriculum that is grounded in play and curiosity, offering basic skills with a goal for participants to gain comfort in just being in nature without a significant agenda. It can be hosted by an Outing Club, a Recreation Department, Teen Center, home school group or simply a group of friends.