HOULTON, Maine — Two Aroostook County school districts will now have additional resources to develop outdoor clubs for students.
Thanks to a grant from Teens to Trails and the Maine Department of Education, Ashland District School and Houlton Middle-High School have each received $1,500 to begin outdoor clubs for their students.
The initiative, called Wilderness Activities and Virtual Engagement for Students (WAVES), is designed to encourage physical and mental well-being by participating in group outdoor activities through the creation of school Outdoor Clubs.
Seed money for these clubs was offered by WAVES to Maine schools serving teens. To date, almost 50 middle and high schools throughout the state have applied for the program.
Both the Ashland and Houlton schools hope to create successful outdoor clubs for their teenage students.
Melanie Blais, curriculum coordinator for RSU 29 in Houlton, said the district only learned of the grant award a few days before the opening of school and has not had much time to plan on exactly how the program would be implemented.
“We have not had a chance to meet and discuss our vision in great detail,” she explained. “The program is basically designed to support outdoor learning activities in grades 7-12. This will allow us to possibly implement an outdoor club that is student led and facilitated by staff.”
In the upcoming weeks, Blais said the Houlton school will meet to discuss what types of outings they might offer and how students will be grouped together, and get an idea of how many students might be interested.
“It is very much in the pre-planning stage at this point,” she explained. “Plus COVID restrictions will play a factor as we go on throughout the year.”
Attempts to reach Ashland High School for comment were not successful.
In both cases, the schools were in search of financial support for transportation and outdoor gear.
Michelle Martin, a library media teacher and future club adviser at Houlton, said the funding gives students the resources they need to fully access the outdoors.
“While there are ample opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors near town, many students do not have someone to introduce them to these activities outside of school, or adequately warm and dry gear to enjoy these activities, she said. “WAVES funding makes this a possibility.”
According to the press release announcing the award, studies have shown that spending time outside is critical for teenage development, as it fosters the need to care for themselves, others and the planet.
Spending time outside may also create a healthy mind/body balance and improve focus throughout the day. Outdoor clubs create an opportunity for inclusive, non-performance based experiences that break down social barriers and build long term habits of wellness.
To apply to the program, or to learn more, visit https://teenstotrails.org/waves.
