East Grand School is among 17 high schools across the state to receive a portion of grant money from the Teens to Trails or “T3.”
Two years ago, East Grand School’s Outdoor Education class received a T3 grant.
“We purchased canoe paddles with the funds,” said Dave Conley, East Grand School outdoor education instructor.
“High school outing clubs are the most effective way we have found for engaging teens in their natural world, with the potential to make fun, safe outdoor experiences accessible to every Maine student,” said Carol Leone, Teens To Trails founder.
YIKES — East Grand student Kevin Haggerty, right, teaches Karissa Harris of Hodgdon the high and low braces in a whitewater boat. These braces are used to keep the boat upright in whitewater. “Health Fairs provided a great opportunity for East Grand students to work on communication skills and some discovered they have the gift of teaching. It’s a neat way to use recreation as a tool for discovery and personal growth.,” said Dave Conly, East Grand Outdoor Ed instructor.
The schools were awarded outdoor gear and/or funds totaling almost $9,000 from Teens To Trails to help more teens get active outside. The grants were made possible by ongoing support from L.L.Bean, a grant from The North Face Explore Fund, and other private donations. T3 received 26 applications, including 11 brand new outing club programs.
“Our portion of the grant from Teens to Trails for East Grand was $300,” said Conley. “Mitchell Bartlett, a third-year veteran Outdoor Education student applied for the grant with Teens to Trails. The money is going toward transportation costs for a week-long student trip on the Bonaventure River Canoe Trip in June.”
East Grand’s Outdoor Education class has 12 students and are busy preparing for their upcoming adventures.
“The kids went on an overnight outing where they snowshoed in, built snow shelters, cooked their own food and took part in a compass walk after dark, relying on each other and their equipment to find their way,” explained Conley.
The students participated in the Hodgdon Mill Pond School Health Fair where they spent the day teaching Hodgdon students skills they have learned in class at East Grand.
East Grand students also took part in Hodgdon’s Health Fair where they taught outdoor-related skills.
“It’s a win-win for East Grand students as they discover their gifts while gaining confidence,” Conley said.
Photograph courtesy of DaveConley
TEACHING — An East Grand student shows Marissa Malone of Hodgdon canoe strokes during Hodgdon High School’s Health Fair. Health Fairs provided a great opportunity for East Grand students to work on communication skills and some discovered they have the gift of teaching.
Not all schools applying for the T3 grant were chosen.
“It broke our hearts that we had to turn some schools away,” said Leone.
Through the T3 Grants-to-Clubs Program, outing clubs received requested tents, snowshoes, backpacks, GPS units, and emergency medical kits – all from L.L.Bean. Cash awards will help with transportation costs, which has become one of the biggest hurdles facing outing clubs working within tight school budgets.
With increasing research confirming that positive outdoor experiences are critical to the overall health and well being of young people, these outing clubs need to be encouraged and supported.
“It is our goal to establish an outing club in every one of Maine’s high schools,” said Leone. “The Grants-to-Clubs Program helps outing clubs get started and stay active.”
For more information on the Grants-to-Clubs Program, Teens To Trails and outing clubs, visit www.TeensToTrails.org.