Trip Descriptions
Leaders School 2012 Trip Program
These trips are designed to challenge you at every level. You have the opportunity to follow a
sequence of trips that develop a deeper understanding of the skills needed to enjoy the Maine woods, rocks, and rivers. There will be four different tracks: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Whitewater, and All-Around. Each skill-specific track (Rock Climbing, Hiking, and Whitewater) will consist of trips that build on the experiences and skills you learn from your previous trip and the All-Around Track consists of trips from each track that provide a wide range of knowledge.
First Year Leaders
 As a first year leader, you will learn the fundamentals of outdoor recreation and then each following year you will learn incremental skills. At the end of each trip description, you will find the trips that you must complete before choosing that trip.
Do not sign up for a trip you have already been on.
First Year Leaders
This trip is intended for first time Leaders School participants who will be entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade in September 2011. You will have an opportunity to learn hiking, canoeing, communication and wilderness low-impact camping fundamentals such as fire building, shelter building, and camp cooking. You will camp under the stars at Camp Jordan and hike Bald Mountain, canoe on Branch Lake, and, time permitting, work with your peers to conquer the Ropes Course. Hiking boots and rain gear are a must! There are no prerequisite hikes for this trip. If you are a first year leader who will be entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade September 2011, you have already been assigned to this trip and this counts as the Beginning Hike for the Hiking Track.
After your First Year Leaders Hike, you can choose from the following Tracks:
Hiking: After the First Year Leaders Trip, you must complete an intermediate and advanced hike to complete this track.
Rock Climbing: You must complete a beginner and advanced rock climbing trip to complete this track
Whitewater: You must complete a beginner and advanced Whitewater Canoeing or Kayaking trip to complete this track.
All-Around: You must complete an intermediate hike as well as a beginner rock climbing and whitewater trip to complete this track
Hiking
Intermediate Hiking 
Our intermediate hikes will take place in one of the most beautiful parks on the East Coast: Acadia National Park, as well as the beautiful Bigelow Preserve in western Maine, and the downeast Bold Coast area. We have designed three hikes for different fitness and hiking levels.
Acadia Light
The first day you will go for a short hike and set up camp in Acadia National Park. The next morning you'll be off to an early start to hike different peaks within the park. Hiking boots and rain gear is a must!
Bigelow Mountain/Flagstaff Lake
This is an intermediate level hike up one of Maine's highest mountains. Our 1st day will begin with our arrival at our campsite on Flagstaff Lake. We will explore the local area and perhaps take a dip into the shallow lake. Next morning we will hike - rain or shine - as we take the Strafford Brook trail to the observation tower at Avery Peak. We will traverse terrain which goes from level woods roads to fairly stretches with great views. At the summit, the views of Sugarloaf, Flagstaff Lake and Mt. Katahdin are spectacular!
Bigelow Backpack Trip
This trip is a strenuous backpacking hike which takes us along part of the Appalachian Trail in the Bigelow Reserve. This 12-mile hike is a true "backpack" trip--we will carry all of our gear, food, tents, etc, so a small daypack is NOT sufficient for this trip! The trip starts at Stratton Brook Pond, then to the campsite at Horns Pond. On day 2, we will proceed along the AT to the Horns, West Peak, and Avery Peak (4 summits!) traversing the entire "Indian" ridge that is seen from Sugarloaf Mountain. The descent along the Fire Warden's trail is very steep and strenuous.
Mt. Katahdin (backpack)
We're bringing it back! Climb Maine's highest peak! This hike presents an additional challenge: we will be backpacking into Abol Campground from the Togue Pond Gatehouse, since our bus is too big to enter Baxter State Park. Think you can handle it?
Baxter State Park-North Traveler (new in 2011!) This is a grueling expedition, covering over 10 miles of the newly formed North Traveler Loop Trail in the north end of Baxter State Park. Over 4 miles of this hike is on high, open mountain ridges with fantastic views - but not an easy hike!
Rock Climbing
Beginning Rock Climbing
Rock climbing I
You will learn the basics of Rock Climbing at both Eagles Bluff and Parks Pond in Clifton. Rock climbing is challenging but appropriate for all ages and physical abilities. This experience includes history of the sport, equipment identification, and will also teach the skills of belaying. Participants should be in decent physical condition and be prepared for the emotional challenge as well. Climbing is a BLAST, give it a try!
Advanced Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing II
This will be a great trip for those who are ready for the next level. You will enhance the skills you learned in Rock Climbing I. Rock Climbing II will climb at Eagles Bluff and Parks Pond. (You must complete Rock Climbing I before signing up for this trip.)
Whitewater
Intermediate Whitewater
St. Croix Canoe and Kayak:
This is a chance to learn kayak paddling skills and enhance your canoe skills while navigating the St. Croix River. The first day will be spent learning paddling and emergency skills and the second day will be spent canoeing and kayaking a beautiful stretch of the St. Croix River. Mostly class I water with a few class II sections.
Advanced Whitewater
Advanced Canoe:
Use the skills you learned on the St. Croix to navigate class II and III rapids on one of Maine's challenging rivers. The river will be chosen at a later date depending on river levels. Probably the Kennebec River (Kineo Trip). (You must complete St. Croix Canoe before signing up for this trip)
West Branch Penobscot Whitewater Kayak:
The Penobscot River is an excellent environment to be introduced to the techniques required for whitewater kayaking. You will be exposed to one of the most pristine and lightly traveled sections of the entire Penobscot watershed. The first day will be spent covering rescue techniques, use of throw ropes, defensive swimming, and river anatomy. The second day will consist of navigating the 4-mile run. You should be strong swimmers and prepared to be challenged through Class II and III rapids. Class III is very strong current and waves up to 3-ft. high. Each rapid has a large recovery pool below so paddlers need not fear an extensive swim. In addition, each rapid will be thoroughly scouted and analyzed with a strong emphasis on "Challenge by Choice" where portaging is a welcomed option. (You must complete St. Croix Kayak before signing up for this trip)
Biking
Bike X-Treme
2 days: 100 miles. Not for the beginner, but if you have the drive, you can do it! Your bike needs to be 100% up-to-speed, and your lungs should be a close second. You should start training early in the summer for this one, folks!
No rentals available- you must have your own ready-to-go-bike.
Water/Hike Combination
Beginner/Intermediate
Great Pond Mountain
On the first day, the trip will leave from Camp Jordan and head across Branch Lake and then we'll hike through the Great Pond Land Trust arriving at the campsite at Hot Hole Pond for the night. The next day will be spent paddling down Hot Hole Stream and the Dead River with a portaging experience in-between.
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