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.

Upcoming Youth Adventure Programs

  • Spring Adventure – TBA
  • Summer Adventure Series – TBA

Tuesday Drop-In Programs

These Tuesday after school drop-in programs are our smaller, more local adventures that happen most Tuesdays after school. Sometimes we’ll go on an outdoor adventure, other times we may have a guest speaker teach a quick lesson or skill.

These programs will meet at KGL (unless otherwise stated) at 2:30pm.

Please click here and fill out this registration form prior to your child’s first program. Once the form is filled out once, your child can attend any of the programs below.

Upcoming Drop In Programs:

  • 2/3: Learn about the 10 Essentials to be prepared for your next outdoor adventure.
  • 2/11: Cross country ski outing. Please come dressed for the weather!
  • 2/18: No Drop In Program this day, enjoy your winter break!
  • 2/25: Stay tuned for this activity! Still finalizing details.
  • We have some great ideas for March, but will post more when it’s closer to have a better sense of weather/snow coverage. If you have an activity or lesson you would like to see happen, or one you would like to lead, please email Baileigh@outdoorsi.org

Other Outdoor Opportunities

Programs listed here could be a variety of activities- from volunteering at a community event, to being a leader and role model for younger kids for a different program.

  • Snowdown on February 16th – We are looking for some youth volunteers who want to help at the Millinocket Snowdown event. We’ll plan to meet at KGL at noon to load gear, and will wrap up the event and bring gear back to KGL around 4:30pm. While the full time will be 12pm-4:30pm, youth are not required to stay that full time. Volunteer opportunities include: loading gear at KGL, loading gear at the end of the event, finding correct sizes of gear for youth, keep gear clean and organized, play ski games, and otherwise assist younger youth if necessary. There will be lots of opportunity for skiing, ice skating, hot cocoa, and hot dogs as well!
  • February Vacation Camp – see below! Registration for grades 2-5 below, those in grades 6-12 are welcome to volunteer.

February Vacation Camp

February 17th – February 20th

What is Vacation Camp?

Vacation Camp began in 2021 and is program by the community for the community. We wanted to create a safe and enjoyable place for students to go during school break. We also recognize that in order to be active and engaged citizens, which is a key element in revitalizing the Katahdin region, youth need to feel connected to their community so many of our lessons involve going into town, meeting community members, and getting to know resources and businesses available to them. And of course, the Katahdin region is home to some of the most spectacular natural resources, so connecting youth to nature, helping them build empathy for the natural world, and taking pride in where they live is a very important part of the programs. Vacation Camp is run by a core team as part of the Katahdin Region Outdoor Collaborative (KROC), however, we involve so many more people- whether they’re donating resources and food to keep the program free or volunteering to help run a lesson or prepare lunch- we couldn’t do it without the community lending a hand.

What to Expect

Vacation camp begins on Monday February 17 and ends on Thursday February 20. This day camp is open to 2nd-5th graders and will run from 8am-2pm daily. Each day of Vacation Camp will have a new, fun, topic to explore! All days are based out of the Millinocket Memorial Library, unless otherwise stated.

  • Monday: Nature Explorers
  • Tuesday: Woods & Waters **This day will be based out of Stearns High School. You will get more info on this upon registration**
  • Wednesday: Wild, Wild, Wildlife
  • Thursday: Our Backyard

*These days may switch based on weather conditions.*

We will spend much of our time outside, however, there will be plenty of time to rest, eat snacks, and relax indoors. Please let us know if your child has any limitations that may make any of these activities difficult. We want camp to be fun, engaging, and comfortable! Although many activities will be outdoors, please do not let the lack of adequate clothing be a concern. If you need assistance with this, we can help provide the right outdoor gear for your student at no cost.

Registration

Registration is free but space is limited so registration is required! Those of us that are a part of the Katahdin Region Outdoor Collaborative team believe that youth access to the outdoors and their community is a priority. You will notice on the registration that there is a place to mark if you want to be waitlisted for any particular day if it happens to be full.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Elise (elise@friendsofkww.org) or Baileigh (baileigh@outdoorsi.org)

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.

Email: baileigh@outdoorsi.org