Waypoint Adventures Downeast
This August the Waypoint Leadership Cohort traveled way Downeast for a sea kayaking adventure that launched from Jonesport-Beals. This 2-night training trip prepared the Leadership Cohort with the essential skills and knowledge they’ll need for the upcoming school year as assistants on Waypoint expeditions for grades 7 – 10.
This first-ever leadership cohort is comprised of Morse seniors Rose Strelneck, Ryan Harrington, and Elizabeth Newcomb as well as Morse juniors Cameron Griffee, Gavin Eosco, and Bella Bachman (though she couldn’t join this trip). We were accompanied by volunteer Liz Stokem, who is a Registered Maine Guide and L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery School guide. We were also pleased to welcome Tucker Daniels whose participation was funded by the Maine Youth Action Network. We had a strong group of adult leaders to support the growth of an eager group of leadership youth for this Adventure programming that models healthy risk-taking and cultivates post-secondary aspirations.
The sea kayaking itinerary led us to base camp on Beals’ Great Wass Island in Molly Cove. After an evening paddle lesson with Liz and a good night’s sleep in the tents (made possible by Maine Gear Share), we woke to a hearty breakfast and a Navigation & Compass class with Waypoint Program Director, Ethan Stauffer. After lunch, we crossed open water from Great Wass to Head Harbor Island. We set up camp and enjoyed an evening paddle around the island where we saw great blue herons, bald eagles, ospreys, harbor seals and gray seals. This remarkable and remote site was shared with us by the newly formed nonprofit, Moossabec Islands, who seeks to get youth and communities outside into nature to learn about conservation and the history of rural coastal Maine. Our Waypoint Leadership Cohort was honored to enjoy the inaugural visit!
As we departed for base camp from Head Harbor Island in the fog, our Waypoint leaders used the dead reckoning navigation they learned from Ethan. Their confidence in doing hard things out in nature was echoed in their faith that they can have a hand in bringing up the next generation of Waypoint participants. When asked what they most look forward to in their mentorship journey, many said that they look forward to changing the lives of the RSU 1 students that come after them by leaving Waypoint a stronger program than when they entered. It is the adventures they experience together that have strengthened their connection to one another and their resolve that they can leave the world a bit better than they found it.