OAPI to host summer programs

  PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Outdoor Adventure Program International at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is getting a leg up thanks to a recently awarded Maine Community Foundation Grant.
    The $1,160 grant is part of MCF’s Aroostook County Fund and will go toward the purchase of outdoor climbing equipment. The county program is a primary way MCF, as a statewide foundation, accomplishes its mission of building stronger Maine communities. There are nearly 100 county advisers representing MCF and promoting philanthropy in their counties and at the local level in the communities in which they live and work.
“Many people have been introduced to climbing with the indoor climbing wall in Gentile Hall,” Steve Marcelynas, UMPI manager of recreational activities, said. “We now hope to expand this experience to the outdoors.”
Thanks to OAPI, parents and caretakers now have a ready response for the potential summer childhood doldrums.
Starting June 18 and running through the end of July, OAPI is offering a variety of adventure camps and activities for the young and for the young at heart around Aroostook County.
“Each camp focuses on different age groups and the skills are then presented in ways to accommodate each group,” said Marcelynas. “I hope each participant realizes what is available for outdoor recreation, learns or enhances some outdoor skills and most of all has fun.”
The summer programs kick off with Project Explore June 18-22, a summer enrichment program sponsored by local Gifted & Talented school coordinators. OAPI is sponsoring two sessions: “Climb Low/Climb High” and “A Map, a Canoe, and What to Do.”
Adventure Camp for children ages 8-10 runs June 25-29 at UMPI. During the week participants will learn rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, basic map and compass skills, water safety, Leave No Trace Principles and trip leading skills. The $125 per child fee for the camp includes lunches and a T-shirt.
Variations of the Adventure Camp are also on tap July 9-13 in St. Agatha and July 16-20 in Houlton. The St. Agatha camp is offered in half-day formats at a cost of $45 per child. Houlton’s session is aimed at youngsters 12-14 and will culminate with an adventure competition to test the skills learned during the week. Cost for this camp is $85 per child.
Adventure Camp is back on the UMPI campus July 30–August 3 with half-day sessions aimed at children ages five to seven. Each participant will have a chance to try out different activities including canoeing, compass skills and will learn about outdoor ethics and water safety.
Two sessions will run in Mars Hill and Easton August 6-10, and will be split between students in grades six to eight and another for those in grades one through five. This week ends with a combined session at Aroostook State Park where participants will be mixed and put into teams to compete in a fun event that tests the skills learned at the camp.
“With school being out most kids have a choice on how to spend their time,” Marcylenas said. “We would like to open their eyes to some great options on how to spend that time and form some habits of staying physically active.”
It’s the grown-ups’ turn on July 23-28, with Climbing Camp for Adults at UMPI. Open to anyone age 18 and over, this program teaches the basics of climbing, knots and belay techniques. A women’s only rock climbing program is slated at UMPI August 13-17.
Cost for the adult programs is $115 and includes a trip to Clifton for an outdoor climbing experience.
For more information and registration forms, go to www.umpi.maine.edu/oapi or call Marcelynas at 768-9584.