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 meaningful way.
After three weeks of classes on Chewonki Neck, students split into small groups and head off into the woods and waters with a trained trip leader and at least one faculty member to learn outdoor skills, explore a new part of Maine, and get to know semester-mates, teachers, and leaders in new ways.
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.
These adventures are challenging but beginner-friendly, no previous experience is needed – we’ll teach you everything you need to know!
Maine is home to wild seasonal changes, from hot summer days to frozen winter nights. Depending on the season, we embark on hiking, paddling, camping, skiing, and kayaking trips – wherever adventure and discovery call us into the wild.
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 ...
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 ...
