Northern Forest Explorers, the signature youth program of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), has announced its summer trip schedule which provides week-long canoe and kayak trips for local youth.
Beginning in June, ten trips will take place in the four states of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail: New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. There are 125 available spots for youth, ages 10–14, from communities along the Trail that will be given an opportunity to take part in these trips. Participants learn basic paddling and outdoor skills, environmental and ecological relationships, and the fundamentals of leadership.
Children of family members serving in the Vermont National Guard will also have a dedicated trip of their own.
Trips are guided by local outfitters that include Mac’s Canoe Livery in New York; Montgomery Adventures, Northwoods Stewardship Center and Siskin Ecological Adventures in Vermont; Great Glenn Outfitters in New Hampshire; and Adventure Bound and Chain of Lakes Guide Service in Maine. Paddling gear, camping equipment and food are supplied.
Locations and dates for the 2013 Northern Forest Explorers Program:
Adirondack Mountains, NY
Old Forge/Long Lake: July 1–5
Tupper Lake/Saranac Lake: July 8–12
Vermont
Richford/Enosburg (Missisquoi River): August 5–9
West Charleston/Island Pond (Clyde River): July 1–5
Newport (Clyde River Watershed): July 22–26
New Hampshire
Errol/Berlin/Dummer (Lake Umbagog/Androscoggin River): June 24–28
Colebrook/Groveton (Connecticut River): July 8–12
Maine
Eustis/Stratton (Flagstaff Lake): July 29–Aug 2
Rockwood/Greenville (West Branch Penobscot): Aug 5–9
Allagash/Fort Kent: July 22–26
Participation fees are based on a sliding scale and no deserving child will be left behind; financial aid is available. Space is limited. Applications are due June 1 and are available by contacting Youth Program Director Roger Poor at (603) 801-9597, Roger@northernforestcanoetrail.org, or online at www.northernforestcanoetrail.org and www.northernforestexplorers.org.
Northern Forest Explorers gain a sense of appreciation for their own backyards, are inspired to support their surroundings and are given a foundation of leadership skills to be able to do so. NFCT seeks to integrate the program into its trailside communities by partnering closely with local schools, community organizations, and guide services.
This is the fifth year of the program which is supported by grants and assistance from local outfitters, private foundations, and the federal government. Earlier this year the program received funding from Outdoor Nation, a national initiative connecting the millennial generation to the outdoors. The grant, from the Paddle Nation Project, was one of 25 projects selected by Outdoor Nation and the Outdoor Industry Association Paddle Advisory Council from a pool of 150 applicants and was awarded funding for its ability to connect youth to the outdoors through paddling.
