Summer Programs for Middle Schoolers on the East Coast
Are you looking for exciting summer activities for your middle schooler? If so, our Maine outdoor adventure and service trip could be just what you are looking for!
While we offer many outdoor adventure and wilderness summer programs, our Maine program is a great introductory trip that is also within driving distance of New York and the surrounding areas too!
But what exactly will your 6th - 8th grader be doing on this service and adventure trip? Let’s take a look at what you can expect.
Arrival, hiking, and whitewater rafting
Day one will be all about participants flying or driving to the airport in Portland – where they will meet the program leaders – before transferring with their fellow travelers to their Moosehead Lake accommodation. Our first evening will be spent playing games, getting to know each other, and settling in. Most kids travel solo on our programs, so our leaders are on hand to help them make new friends and get to know the rest of the group.
From here, the trip can really begin! We will hike the spectacular Mt Kineo to see the breathtaking views from up high, followed by taking on the Kennebec River’s challenging rapids as we white water raft through the exciting canyon. On day four, we take a Moose Safari to try and see these incredible animals, as well as other native wildlife. The animal theme continues the next day, as we go in search of peregrine falcons, woodpeckers, and warblers during a hike in the Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary. Here at RLT, we believe that with all of these adventure activities, paired with the incredible natural surroundings, it makes it the best summer adventure camp on the east coast!
Exploring and learning across Acadia National Park
The next part of our trip takes us to Acadia National Park. For teen wilderness and adventure trips, there could hardly be a better “playground” than Acadia National Park. With almost 50,000 acres to explore, this national park serves up miles of “picture-postcard” trails and coastline.
We explore the area by biking the carriage roads and forest trails. We also get up high with a day of rock climbing to see the views from above the forest canopy. We also meet our local service partner, and get to work on important projects to give back to these beautiful natural landscapes, helping to preserve them for future generations. This is a great to way to continue exploring, while making a positive difference and learning about the ongoing work that is happening to preserve and protect these natural landscapes.
Previous projects that we have worked on here have included the planting of trees, beach cleanups, tackling invasive species, data collection, and trail maintenance, to name just a few.
Hiking to Mt Cadillac’s summit, and final goodbyes
Before leaving Acadia National Park, we make our way to the top of Cadillac Mountain with an early start. The beautiful sunrise and jaw-dropping views of the wider area will make the early start more than worthwhile!
We end our trip with an RLT banquet, and an opportunity to reflect on our experiences throughout the program. We then say goodbyes to our new friends before boarding flights back home from Portland.
If you would like to learn more about our Maine middle school summer adventure and service trip, schedule a call with a member of the RLT team. We hope you can join us in Maine this summer!
