The Learning of it all.

We are incredibly excited to offer Junior Maine Guide, Maine Woodsperson, and Jr. Maine Woodsperson programming. Maine is an incredible state that is steeped in outdoor tradition. The Junior Maine Guide Program (JMG) is a long-established wilderness camping skills program sponsored by the Maine Youth Camping Foundation and the Maine State Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

It is an outdoor skills program designed to foster enjoyable, safe, and healthy outdoor living experiences for youth ages 9 – 18. This program, unique to Maine, was created in 1937 as an act of the State Legislature in an effort to promote the use of the Maine wilderness for recreation and environmentally responsible land use practices. Maine’s tradition of outdoor education, self-reliance, and self-confidence is one that She Summits is all-in on.

These aren’t just backcountry, camp craft, or outdoor skills. Life skills are learned. Taken in a larger context, these can even be career-level skills whether the campers are looking to explore becoming a Registered Maine Guide, a Game Warden, a Forest Ranger, Expeditionary Scientist, Fire Spotter, Outdoor Education, and so many other paths

This program not only develops the “hard” skills of actually being able to complete a skill but also the “soft” communication skills that are integral to self-confident and self-reliant campers. Campers are encouraged to be able to explain their choices for a scenario and to stand behind the decision they made. Campers are asked to explain the “why” behind their decision-making process. This opens them up to adult-level conversations and self-confidence in their decisions.

The specific skill sets that we develop are:

 

Major Areas

  1. Axemanship

  2. Canoeing

  3. Individual Shelter

  4. Individual Fireplace

  5. Topographic Map

  6. Map of Area

  7. Map of Maine

  8. Trip Equipment

  9. First Aid/Wilderness First Aid

  10. Cooking

  11. Group Encampment

Minor Areas

  1. Maine Issues & Environmental Concerns

  2. Fire Building/Wet Day Fire

  3. Trees

  4. Hiking / Backpacking

  5. Equipment Knowledge

  6. Environment Concerns

  7. Leave No Trace Camping

  8. Wilderness Regulations

  9. General Knowledge

  10. Wildlife Identification

 

We start with an introduction to these skills in our Jr. Woodsperson Explorer Week which seeks to show campers how much fun it can be to learn in the outdoors. The goal is to progress in skills over the years and eventually earn their Jr. Woodsperson (Woodsman) patch from the Junior Maine Guide Program and She Summits.

Our Junior Maine Guide Program offers a chance to learn with the same group in the backcountry for three weeks before going to a Junior Maine Guide Assessment Camp where you will be tested on your outdoor skills and learning for a chance to earn your Junior Maine Guide Patch. It will be challenging but it is very rewarding. The training in this program is directly applicable to the Registered Maine Guide program when campers become of age.

Program TimeLine:

Our Junior Maine Guide Program is taught by Licensed Maine Trip Leaders, Registered Maine Guides, Wilderness First Aid Professionals, and other professionals from the outdoor industry in a female-oriented environment. We can’t wait to see these campers challenged, inspired, and competent in their backcountry skills and knowledge.

June 23rd- August 3rd

Week 1: Skills Exploration and Wilderness First Aid at a Backcountry Site

Week 2: Backpacking in 100 Mile Wilderness and Baxter State Park

Week 3: Canoeing in Western Maine

Week 4: Basecamping in Western Maine and Planning After Encampment Trip

Week 5: JMG Encampment with Other Maine Camps

Week 6: A Trip Planned by Campers in Maine

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Ages: 14-18 year olds

Tier 1- $4200

Tier 2-$3570

Tier 3- $3150

Tiered pricing offers a fantastic array of advantages for both us and our families alike. The tiered structure enables families to choose the pricing level that best suits their budget, fostering inclusivity and diversity among camp participants. There is additional financial aid available as well. Please contact info@shesummitsco.com for more information.

Payment Plans are Available. Trips must be paid in full by June 1, 2024

Location: All over Maine. See Weeks for Details

Active Activities: Backpacking, Hiking, Canoeing, Swimming

Additional Activities: Backcountry Skills Learning: Axemanship, Canoeing, Individual Shelter, Individual Fireplace, Topographic Map, Map of Maine, Trip Equipment, First Aid/Wilderness First Aid, Cooking, Group Encampment

Accommodations: Most nights will be in backpacking styles tents, some will be “Cowboy Camping” on a tarp, and others in open-front shelters

Length: 6 weeks

Adventure Scale Rating: 5

Camp Highlights:

  • Small group atmosphere to learn backcountry skills

  • Planning a backcountry backpacking and canoeing trip with other campers

  • Week-Long Assessment Camp with other Junior Maine Guide Canadadiates from around Maine

  • Week-Long Reward trip after Assessment Camp full of whitewater rafting, camping, and playing

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 6:30 am- Breakfast, Morning Chores, Pack, review Trip Leader for the Day

    8:00 am- Leave for our Adventure

    Backpack 3-5 miles. Typically at 1 mph pace due to exploring.

    On-Trail learning through identification and leadership practice

    12:00 pm- Have lunch on the trail or at a summit Swimming/ Siesta stop if wanted. The second lesson for the day.

    5:00 pm- Arrive at the camping area for the night. Set up camp, journal, dinner prep

    8:00 pm- Leader Check-in with Director and Camper debrief on the day, next day plan

    9:00 pm- Lights Out/ Quiet Time

  • Bangor- We pick up and drop off outside of the Bangor International Airport at 1:00 pm on Sundays and 10:00 am on Saturdays.

    Portland- We pick up and drop off at the Back Cove Trail Parking- exit 6B 295 at 11 am on Sundays and 12:00 pm on Saturdays.

  • Hiking 5-7 miles a day, overnight canoeing, learning backcountry skills, swimming in the ocean, lakes, rivers, backpacking up to 7 miles a day, and stewardship events.

    See week descriptions for activities that particular week.

    Junior Maine Guide Programs vary from a 2-4 on our Adventure Scale.

  • Junior Maine Guide Packing List

    We do have some packs available for campers to use- please notify us if you need one.

  • Yes! We try to accommodate as best we can but, in backcountry settings, some food allergies can't be accommodated. If you have questions please email us, info@shesummitsco.com

  • All SSC programs are electronics-free. We believe that not scrolling and being present is an important component of the outdoor adventure that you will be embarking on. Families can stay updated on their camper's journey during occasional trip updates that will be shared throughout the summer via Instagram stories and emails. Given the backcountry locations and busy schedules of our trips, these updates will be occasional and should not be expected on a daily basis. The group does have a session cell phone and a camera to capture all of their moments.

    Exception- Junior Maine Guide 6 week programs: They will contact parents at the halfway point just to say Hi.

  • Yes! We use Instagram Stories and Google Photos to share all of the photos we take when there is enough cell signal to upload them to our folders. At the end of the session, we upload everything to Google Photos where you have access to it for the next year.

  • We require at least four campers for the week to adventure. We review this two weeks ahead of time and will attempt to move the camper to a week we know will be running. If there is no other week that will work then we will fully refund you.