Meet Ethan Stauffer – Registered Maine Guide

Ever since I paddled my newly purchased used canoe the summer after 8th grade, I knew I wanted to do this kind of work. I remember being out on a lake with my grandfather, skimming the edges looking for birds, fish—or maybe even a moose. Suddenly, four bright red canoes appeared across the water. Everyone wore matching life jackets and had top-of-the-line gear. I turned to my grandfather and said, “Wow, they have some awesome stuff.” He looked at me and replied, “They must be on a guided trip.” That was the moment I learned people could get paid to take others into the woods to play—and I knew I wanted to be one of them.

Over the years, my passions grew and shifted. I became deeply interested in health and physical activity and pursued a degree in physical education. While I enjoyed the health-focused classes, I found myself less engaged during the sports-focused ones. Still, I pushed through and earned my degree.

During college, I started working with L.L. Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Programs, where I was surrounded by over 68 licensed Maine Guides. One day, one of them asked, “Ethan, have you ever thought about getting your license?” That question reignited a dream I had tucked away since freshman year. I began studying and eventually took my exam in May of 2025—and I passed!

Now, I get to lead adventures I never imagined. Working at Midcoast Youth Center & Skatepark allows me to share my love for the outdoors with students, helping them discover the same joy and wonder I felt on that lake years ago. It’s more than a job—it’s a dream come true.