High school outing clubs
receive Teens to Trails grants
Officials with Teens To Trails or “T3” have announced this year’s Outing Club grant recipients from 18 high schools across the state, including four brand new teen Outing Club programs. Receiving grants locally were: Ashland Community High School, Ashland; and Central Aroostook Jr-Sr High School, Mars Hill.
“High school outing clubs are the most effective way we have found for engaging teens in their natural world, with the potential to make fun, safe, outdoor experiences accessible to every Maine student,” said Carol Leone, Teens To Trails founder.
These schools were awarded support funds totaling almost $9,000 from Teens To Trails to help more teens get active outside. These grants were made possible by ongoing support from L.L.Bean and generous grants from The Davis Conservation Foundation and The North Face Explore Fund.
Since the inception of the Grants-to-Clubs Program, T3 has awarded 69 grants in support of Maine high school outing club programs thanks to the support of Maine businesses and foundations as well as many heartfelt personal donations.
This year, assistance with transportation costs helped to eliminate one huge hurdle these schools face in getting their students outdoors. In addition, these grants allowed outing clubs to purchase needed outdoor gear and clothing, obtain safety training for leaders, cover recreational fees and ensure trips are accessible to all students regardless of their financial situation.
“We’re excited to use this T3 grant to help our Outing Club grow,” said Megan Fowler, who is leading a newer Outing Club at Ashland District School.
Teens To Trails is thrilled to be able to give a boost to these amazing individuals who, as Dirigo’s Outing Club Advisor Karolyn Buotte sums up, “believe that young people need to be outside often!”
With increasing research confirming that positive outdoor experiences are critical to the overall health and wellbeing of young people, these outing clubs need to be encouraged and supported.
“It is our goal to establish an Outing Club in every one of Maine’s high schools,” said Leone. “The Grants-to-Clubs program helps outing clubs get started and stay active.”
For more information on the Grants-to-Clubs program and Teens To Trails, visit www.TeensToTrails.org.
