Guides help teens rediscover nature

By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    What do kids do when they have no cell phones or electronic games? Two Maine Guides, along with chaperones found out they discover other ways to amuse themselves.
GOOD TIMES – Teens on one of the summer Maine Wilderness Camp Foundation camping/canoeing trips enjoy relaxing around a campfire.

    Mike Farrar and Larry Williams founded the Maine Wilderness Camp Foundation for youth 10-18, closing out five weeks of camping/canoeing trips this summer.
    “For most of them, it was their first time for a wilderness adventure,” Farrar said. “We don’t allow cell phones, electronic games or anything of that nature on the trip. After a couple of days, they are out whittling and finding stuff to entertain themselves, which is good.”
    The whole format behind the Maine Wilderness Camp Foundation is to reacquaint youth with a tradition that is being left behind … the great outdoors.
GOOD COOKIN’ – Matt Roy, left, helps Mike Farrar prepare a meal at the camp site.
    “Through these trips, hopefully, they gain self-confidence and an appreciation for nature and conservation,” Farrar said.
    John Lloyd and his wife were impressed by what they saw.
    “They are doing a wonderful thing for the youth of the Houlton area,” said Lloyd. “Mike and Larry are passionate about the outdoors and want to give local youth a chance to learn to love it too. They are doing an awesome job.”
    Lloyd touched bases with Farrar upon seeing an ad offering youth guided canoe trips. After talking, Lloyd decided to sign up his two grandsons Shiloh, 12, and Seth Bond, 10.
    “My wife Laney and I also talked Larry and Mike into letting us tag along in our old sea kayak,” said Lloyd.
GOING FISHIN’ – Fishing was part of the Maine Wilderness Camp Foundation summer trips. All set to go fishing were, from left, Kody McCordic, Devin Ramsey, Ares Rattray, David Dow and Matt Roy; back, Maine guides Larry Williams and Mike Farrar.
    The canoe trips are on mild I and II class waters, and at this particular time, there were seven boys and three chaperones. The cost was free with food, tents and canoes all provided.
    The trip began at Baskahegan Stream under cloudy skies, which gave way to sprinkles on and off, said Lloyd.
    “You’ll never do anything if you wait for perfect weather,” said Farrar.
    So, five canoes set off on their journey.
    “As Maine registered guides, the welfare of our clients always comes first,” said Williams. The guides teach basic paddling right at the start of the trip, along with survival techniques.
    “Everyone had a chance to learn to paddle in front and in back of the canoe,” said Farrar. “They helped cook and they learned how to pitch a tent, set up and break camp, pack canoes and then transport camp from one site to another, doing it safely.”
GOOD TIME – These teens had a good time while on a summer camping/canoeing trip with the Maine Wilderness Camp Foundation. They are, from left, Jacob Caron, Shiloh Bond, Seth Bond, Patrick Estabrook, Julian Cromwell, Ron Dupont and Charles Perham.
    Lloyd noticed how well Farrar and Williams interacted with the boys.
    “They made sure right from the start what was expected of them and how to do it,” Lloyd said.
    The group paddled down to Baskahegan Lake and set up camp on an island. After the tents were pitched and their gear all in its rightful place, the boys were given free play time. The boys knew each other from school and they began inventing games, splashing water, running through the small wooded area and like boys … “making lots of noise,” said Lloyd.
     Farrar cooked supper and the group told stories and jokes around the camp fire before retiring.
    The next day, the group broke camp.
IN THE WILDERNESS – Posing for a photograph while on one of the five camping/canoeing trips offered by the Maine Wilderness Camp Foundation were, from left, front, T.J. Farrar; back, Jimmy Britton, Damian Godfriend, Matt Roy, Caleb Murdock and Maine Guide Larry Williams.
    “There was almost a military quality to the speed and precision as we packed up and the area policed,” said Lloyd. “Larry talked to the boys about leaving the area clean for others to enjoy.”
    The group traversed class I rapids and everyone made it through without a spill. That night, Farrar and Williams worked with the youth on tree identification skills and a bit of moose calling.
    The four-day trek took paddlers from Baskahegan Stream through Baskahegan Lake onto Crooked Brook flowage and back to Danforth for a 25-mile round trip.
    “The kids had some positive things to say about the trip,” said Farrar. “We want to run a couple of survival training sessions and eventually take a 10-day trip down the Allagash River next summer.”
GIRLS’ TRIP – Enjoying the all girls’ trip were, from left, front, Bailey Rowe and Brittany Boulier; back, Hillary Nason and Kylie Godfriend.
    Cost of the trips is free for the youth. Organizers ask those who are financially able to make a donation. Anyone interested in making a donation can call Williams at 538-0131 or Farrar at 538-0130. All donations are tax deductible.
    Farrar and Williams are offering youth the opportunity to ice fish starting in January. Call for more details.