There are three major outdoor experiences (“peaks”) throughout the semester: Backcountry Expeditions, Outdoor Leadership Weekend, and Solos. During backcountry expeditions in the fall semester, students spend five days canoeing, backpacking, or sea kayaking, often setting up camp in a new location each night.
In the spring semester, students spend four days cross-country skiing or snowshoeing and sleep in heated cabins. For Outdoor Leadership Weekend, students participate in a two-day Wilderness First Aid course taught and certified by Wilderness Medical Associates and spend two days camping on Chewonki Neck, strengthening their skill base and their comfort in the woods to prepare for Solos.
The culminating peak of the Outdoor Living Skills program is the 48-hour Solo on Chewonki Neck. Solos are an opportunity for students to reflect on their personal growth throughout the semester, explore their independence and interdependence at a crucial time of identity formation, and celebrate meaningful time in the natural world.
Explore More:
Outdoor Living Skills
All students participate in our Outdoor Living Skills program, which is woven into the curriculum in weekend programming and trips throughout the semester. Our program emphasizes leadership skills in the ...
Backcountry Expeditions
Extending Our Classroom to the Outdoors Backcountry Expeditions are a highlight of the Maine Coast Semester experience, allowing students to connect with nature and each other in a deep and ...
Solos
The culminating peak of the Outdoor Living Skills program is the 48-hour Solo on Chewonki Neck. Solos are an opportunity for students to reflect on their personal growth throughout the ...
Outdoor Leadership Weekend
This next level of outdoor education also includes a two-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course, taught by Wilderness Medical Associates International, which certifies each student is trained in the basics of ...
Latest News:
Unplugged and Thriving: Lessons from the Maine Coast Semester with Sarah Rebick
In this episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Sarah Rebick to explore the unique qualities of the Maine Coast Semester ...
Never Enough
Back in 2021, Chewonki received a visit from Washington Post author Jennifer Wallace who was traveling through Maine to pick ...
Fellow Travelers: Sarah Rebick
Our program director, Sarah Rebick, recently had the pleasure to engage in an interview with the staff from the Boston Children’s Digital ...
Volunteers Needed for Chewonki Homecoming Day
Chewonki Homecoming runs on community power—and we’d love your help! Volunteers keep things running smoothly, from greeting guests to serving ...
