Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective
What is KROC?
KROC (Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective) is a dynamic group of non-profits, individuals, businesses, and government organizations with a shared belief in the profound impact of outdoor experiences on youth wellbeing and the future vitality of the Katahdin region. Our collaborative efforts result in year-round opportunities for young individuals to foster a deep connection to nature, cultivate leadership skills, and become future land stewards.
These youth programs are a collaboration of Katahdin Gear Library, Millinocket Memorial Library, Outdoor Sport Institute, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, and the Katahdin Collaborative, as well as by numerous other regional organizations and individuals who have donated their time and resources. Thank you to all who make these programs possible.
To meet our amazing instructors for these programs, click here!
Current Outdoor Opportunities
All programs are open to Katahdin Region students in rising grades 6-12.
Youth Adventure Series
These programs are KROC’s big adventures of the year! The majority of these trips happen during the summer, but we do offer these adventures throughout the school year as well. These include day trips like mountain biking in Patten, paddling the Penobscot River, or an overnight in the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Registration will need to be filled out for EACH program your child plans on attending.
Keep scrolling to see what opportunities we have available!
Ongoing Outdoor Activities
KROC Ongoing Outdoor Activities is where to find information for our smaller, more local adventures that happen most days of the week. Only one registration form needs to be filled out for these activities, then your child can just show up at whatever activity we have for the day!
We are always planning these fun adventures! For a schedule of events or for more information on these activities, click here.
Youth Adventure Series
We do not currently have any Youth Adventure Series trips planned. Keep checking back for upcoming adventures; or you can follow Katahdin Gear Library or Katahdin Learning Project on social media for updates!
Upcoming Outdoor Opportunities:
- Tuesday 12/3: Bike workshop at KGL @ 2:30pm. Open to grades 6-12.
- Wednesday 12/4: Open workbench. Come learn how to maintain your own bikes or skis! Bring your own gear or help us maintain ours. No prior skills needed. Open to all community members.
- Saturday 12/7: Marathon Day! We’ll be at KGL hanging out from 8am-4pm. Come say hi!
- Tuesday 12/10: Nature walk / snowshoe, meet at KGL @ 2:30pm. Open to grades 6-12.
- Tuesday 12/17: Nature walk / snowshoe, meet at KGL @ 2:30pm. Open to grades 6-12.
Click here to get more info on the above programs.
Trip Archives (check back soon!)
- 2023 Trips
- 2024 Trips
Meet the Instructors
Elise is the Education Coordinator for Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters. In 2017, she received a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Maine and promptly moved to the Katahdin region to begin her career in outdoor education. She is passionate about connecting youth to nature and their community and believes that a strong connection to the natural world helps students build confidence, empathy and leadership skills. She feels most at home in a canoe on a remote river. Elise is a Wilderness First Responder, Registered Maine Recreational Guide, Leave No Trace Master Educator and Certified Interpretive Guide.
Email: Elise@friendsofkww.org
Kala is the Education Director for Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Kala’s love for the outdoors and education began during her work as a Youth Crew Leader for the Montana Conservation Corps and continued while creating educational and volunteer opportunities as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the United Way of Greater Portland. She started her degree in Communications at the University of Montana and finished at the University of Southern Maine, which led to a teaching role in Northern Maine. Teaching in rural schools helped her realize that almost every opportunity can be an educational opportunity and is passionate about finding, facilitating, and sharing place-based learning experiences. Kala is certified in First Aid and Wilderness First Aid.
Email: kala@friendsofkww.org
Maggie is a Placed Based Educator for friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. She is a native of the Katahdin region and recently graduated from Katahdin High School. Throughout her year of high school, her passion for connecting with the outdoors grew. She is passionate about teaching youth in a hands-on way. She is excited to start teaching youth about the environment outside of their home and showing them how to connect with it. Maggie is certified in Wilderness First Aid.
Dan is the Katahdin Region Coordinator for Outdoor Sport Institute (OSI). He holds a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from Northern Michigan University, but his abilities have been molded through a myriad of experiences working and playing in the outdoors. No stranger to hard work, Dan has lead conservations crews, served as an EMT, worked in commercial kitchens, operated Zamboni machines, and even participated in the world’s longest paddle race, the Yukon 1000.
His passion for teaching and working with others, however, has allowed him to make a career out of connecting people with the outdoors. He has guided canoe expeditions in Maine and the Boundary Waters, lead dogsledding adventures and winter camping trips in northern Minnesota and run backpacking trips in the desert southwest. As an EMT Dan also serves as a wilderness medicine instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Dan brings a holistic perspective to outdoor access and education. His comfort teaching and supporting others allows him to instantly serve as an ally and advocate in building local capacity. Whether it’s designing youth programs, supporting community gear libraries, or teaching volunteers to build trail, Dan is able to humbly and effectively provide the knowledge and skill needed.
Email: Dan@outdoorsi.org
Baileigh is the general manager for the Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket. Baileigh was raised in Millinocket, however she moved away shortly after high school and discovered her passion for the outdoors and the desire to share it with others. After several years away she returned home to pursue an outdoor lifestyle, which then led to her career in outdoor education. Baileigh is a registered Maine Recreational guide and is Wilderness First Responder certified. In her free time, you can find Baileigh in the woods with her two dogs exploring all that our region has to offer.