CARIBOU, Maine — Local businesses recently teamed up to donate roughly $6,000 to the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center’s outdoor camping program, which involves kayaking, overnight camping, fishing, and even mountain climbing. In the past, parents were required to pay a fee ranging from $35 to $140 depending on the event, but these donations will allow all children to join next year’s program for free.
Neal Sleeper, program director at the Caribou rec center, said the donations will go toward the 2019 program, adding that registration will open on May 1 of next year.
“These donations will allow area kids who otherwise have not been able to afford these programs an opportunity to do this for free,” he said.
The invitation is open to Caribou residents as well as surrounding communities.
“The donations are being made by the business sector to support the program for both residents and non-residents,” he said. “It’s absolutely free for kids both in and out of Caribou.”
Registration will be done on a first come, first served basis, and Sleeper said the recreation department typically hosts about ten outings per summer with 10 to 12 kids attending each.
Caribou eighth grader Wesley LaPointe said he was excited about the donations because it will help youths who couldn’t afford to go.
“A lot of people can’t go,” he said, “and it’s good that they get a chance to experience it now. We all have a great time when we go, so it’s good for everyone to have a chance to go.”
Donors include Machias Savings, Hannaford, County Environmental Engineering, Cary Medical Center, and Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention.
Machias Savings Branch Manager J.R. Belanger said he and his company try to do as much as possible for the community, adding that his children have had excellent experiences in the summer camp program.
“My oldest son went and he climbed Mount. Katahdin,” said Belanger. “He made some good friends, too. It’s a wider age group, and they come with some of their old friends and make new friends by the end.”
He added that all of his boys “have been thrilled” with the summer programs.
Michelle Hersey of County Environmental Engineering said she has three boys who loved the outdoor programs offered by the city, which inspired her to contribute.
“They’re feral,” she joked of her sons, “so they do well with outdoor programs. Our oldest has been doing these programs for several years now; he’s been on top of Mount Katahdin, fly fishing in Spider Lake, and canoeing in the Allagash. They all love it.”
Hersey said that everyone in The County benefits from living in a region brimming with outdoor opportunities “right in our backyard.”
“We’re lucky to have this,” she said, “and we’re lucky to have someone like Neal to run the program.”
Caribou Hannaford Store Manager James Redman said the program was a “fantastic opportunity for kids to enjoy outdoor opportunities in Maine.”
In the past, Hannaford has donated to the Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp in addition to “food play” for Caribou middle schoolers.
“The more kids’ lives we touch, the better,” he said.
Betheny Zell of Cary Medical Center’s “Healthy You” program said that those involved are constantly trying to “equip people with ways to be completely healthy.”
“Any physical activity that gets kids out there when they’re young can set a foundation for a healthy future,” she said. “It gives kids a good platform for making healthy choices.”
Kim Parent of Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention, said she often works with middle and high school aged youth to prevent them from using drugs.
“This program offers a great alternative for kids that keeps them away from drugs and alcohol,” she said.
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- Machias Savings Bank of Caribou donated $2,000 for the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center’s summer outdoor progaram, allowing children to sign up for free in 2019. Those pictured here are Caribou Rec Program Director Neal Sleeper, Nate Guerrette, Eliott Sleeper, Trent Hersey, Wesley LaPointe, Marshall Hersey, Jacob Walton, and Machias Savings Branch Manager J.R. Belanger. (Chris Bouchard)
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- The Caribou Hannaford Supermarket donated $1,000 toward a summer outdoor program hosted by the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center, allowing children next year to join for free. Those pictured here are, in the back, from left, Caribou Rec Program Director Neal Sleeper, Eliott Sleeper, Nate Guerrette, Jacob Walton, Wesley LaPointe, James Redman. In the front are Trent Hersey and Marshall Hersey. (Chris Bouchard)
