School Year Youth Programs

Fall Adventure Club

Join Rippleffect for fun and exciting outdoor experiences this fall while learning how to adventure outside in the autumn weather! The Fall Adventure Club is open to 7th and 8th grade students and culminates with an overnight expedition to the White Mountains where students will put into practice the skills learned during our weekly outdoor classes and attempt to summit a mountain peak!

Who Can Join: 7th and 8th graders

Dates: The Fall Adventure Club will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 10/21-11/18 (3:30-5:30pm) and culminate in an overnight expedition to the White Mountains 11/21-11/22.

Fall Backpacking Trek

Get ready to step outside this fall for an immersive backpacking expedition from October 24-25 (Saturday–Sunday). This program is designed to build community, develop outdoor skills, and challenge participants as they navigate a wilderness route during the peak of the autumn season.

The journey begins with a mandatory Packout session on Thursday night (10/22) from 5-7pm to review gear and prepare for the trail. This backcountry model tasks students with carrying everything they need on their backs, moving to a new campsite each night, and even attempting to summit a mountain peak! 

Throughout the trip, participants will gain essential outdoor living skills, including:

• Teamwork and community values through group initiatives and the shared challenges of the trail.

• Leave No Trace environmental principles to protect the wilderness areas we travel through.

• How to dress for the outdoors and manage body heat during active hiking and cool autumn nights.

• Knot tying, tarp pitching, and trailside camp setup for a mobile and efficient backcountry home.

• How to confidently pack and balance a backpack for a multi-day trek through rugged terrain.

Who Can Join: 9th-12th grades

Dates of pack out and expedition:

• Pack out 10/22 from 5-7pm at the Rippleffect Office (159 State Street, Portland, ME).

• Expedition: 10/24 - 10/25 (Drop off and Pick-up: 6:30am and 5pm at the Rippleffect Office (159 State Street, Portland, ME).

Winter Trek (Base camp)

Join us on this fun three-day, two-night winter adventure in the mountains. Students will get to learn how to make a walk-in winter basecamp at Fourth Iron Campground, hike in snowy conditions, and attempt a White Mountain summit! For those seeking a rewarding and challenging adventure, look no further! This trip will emphasize four critical elements to the expedition team: Safety, Teamwork, Leadership and FUN! Participants should be motivated, willing to challenge themselves and prepared to be active!

Ages: Open to all high school students

Dates of pack out and expedition:

• Pack out: Thursday 12/17th from 5-7pm at the Rippleffect Office (159 State Street, Portland, ME).

• Expedition: Friday December, 18th - Sunday December, 20th - Parent drop-off and pickup is at the Rippleffect Office (159 State Street, Portland, ME)

Winter Trek (Backpacking)

Our Winter Trek backpacking expedition is a fun two-night adventure in the mountains! This program is for those seeking a rewarding and challenging experience, it is designed to give students hands-on experience traveling with all the gear they need in a snowy wilderness environment.

Throughout the expedition, students will gain essential cold-weather skills including: Snow travel, winter shelter construction, navigation, risk management and trip planning, and outdoor cooking.

Ages: Open to all high school students

Dates of expedition:

• Pack out: Thursday 1/14 from 5-7pm at the Rippleffect Office (159 State Street, Portland, ME).

• Expedition: Saturday Jan 16th - Monday Jan 18th (MLK weekend). Parent drop-off and pickup is at the Rippleffect Office (159 State Street, Portland, ME).

February Break Adventure Camp

Join Rippleffect this February break for a week of connection, winter adventure and fun! Like our summer Aucocisco programs on Cow Island, participants will build relationships, learn outdoor skills and have unforgettable adventure experiences including winter hiking, snowshoeing and indoor rock climbing. As with all Rippleffect programs, fun, group cohesion and inclusivity will be our number one priority, so anticipate some sledding and classic ripple games and activities sprinkled into the adventure!

Ages: 1st-3rd and 4th-6th grades

Dates: Tuesday Feb 16th - Friday Feb 19th

OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS OFFER:

Leadership Development
Group initiatives, games and team-building activities that cultivate skills in conflict resolution, small group problem solving and communication. Activities focus around 3 tiers of leadership: self, peer and community.

Outdoor Living
Wilderness camping and cooking skills, appropriate layering techniques, nutrition, hygiene, and general life skills that are critical to surviving and thriving in an outdoor environment. Special emphasis on Leave No Trace wilderness ethics.

Spirit
Helping students find a place of centered peace and comfort in their own solitude. Yoga, solos, journaling and group reflections and debriefs are critical aspects of all of our youth programs.

Environmental Education
Coastal ecosystems, organic gardening, monitoring invasive species and managing island conservation zones through service learning projects.