Teens to Trails

Outdoor Program/Outdoor Club: Teens to Trails works with 70+ of Maine's middle and high schools to provide fun outdoor experiences for students. We provide grants, gear, pre-planned trips and outdoor leadership training. At a time when phones and social media are pulling adolescents inward, Teens to Trails works with schools to move kids outward, with programming that creates strong social connections, builds confidence and creative thinking skills, and provides the positive impact of spending unstructured time outside.

Sara's Scholarship: This is an investment in a teen's connection to the outdoors. This award is what started Teens to Trails and continues 17 years later to provide an immersive summer leadership experience for 2-3 teens, offered in partnership with some of Maine's best expedition camps.

Life Happens Outside Challenge: Maine middle school students are challenged to spend as many minutes outside as they can for a week in May. All outdoor activity counts! Winning schools earn cash to invest in more outdoor programs, as well as copious PR to draw attention to the benefits of time spent outside. Results: Students feel that they have more agency and more positive connections with peers. Teachers see fewer disciplinary challenges.