Youth Programs

Connecting Learners and Land in the Katahdin Region

School Programs Youth Trips and camps

About Katahdin Learning Project

A program of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters
Creating lifelong connections to nature and community
  • A group of children raising hands while a guide shares information near the East Branch of the Penobscot River.
  • Children gather around a color-coded measurement chart by the water, engaged in a hands-on activity.
  • A woman and three children smile and interact while exploring a lush, green forest trail.
  • A group of children gathers around an adult, learning with sticks on the forest floor, surrounded by leaves.
  • Three children walking along the Deasey Pond Trail, surrounded by lush greenery and autumn foliage.
  • Children enjoying skiing in the snow, wearing colorful winter clothing and laughing together. Snowy landscape in the background.
  • A child in a pink jacket and rain boots looks up with binoculars in a forested path.
  • Overnight leadership ski trip to Haskell Hut

The Katahdin Learning Project (KLP) is a place-based education program of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters that nurtures connections between learners and land in and around Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. All programs are offered at no charge to schools and participants.

With immersive outdoor experiences, hands-on learning, and community partnerships, KLP helps young people deepen their understanding of the natural world, while building confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging.

Our year-round programming includes:

  • School lessons and field trips
  • Outdoor adventures and overnight trips for youth
  • Community events and workshops
  • Service-learning projects
  • Professional development for educators

School IconSchool Programs

Our educators are ready to visit your school or facilitate a field trip! Get started below:

School Visits: KLP brings the monument to your schoolyard through engaging, hands-on lessons that connect students to the landscapes, history, ecology, and communities of the Katahdin region. Programs are aligned with Maine learning standards and support classroom learning.

Sample topics include:

  • Water quality and aquatic ecology
  • Wilderness survival and outdoor skills
  • The Logging Era
  • Cultural and community connections

Field Trips: Looking to get students outside the classroom? KLP offers full-day field trips throughout the Katahdin region designed to fully immerse students in hands-on outdoor learning experiences. Educators can choose from four field trip themes and customize the experience to best fit their students, curriculum, and goals. For ranger-led field trips in the monument, please connect with the National Park Service.

Access and Equity: We are committed to lowering barriers to the outdoors by making our programs as accessible as possible. Our programs are offered at no cost, transportation reimbursement is available, and clothing and snacks can be provided to students if requested in advance.

School IconYouth Trips and Camps

KLP gets youth outdoors during school breaks by offering annual Vacation Camps and recreation-based trips for all skill levels in and around Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

These programs give young people opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and form lasting friendships while connecting more deeply with nature and their communities. Whether it’s a first hike, first campfire, or first time paddling a canoe, our trips and community programs are designed to create welcoming and supportive experiences for youth of all backgrounds and experience levels.

All youth programs are free, and meals are provided for overnight trips.

Upcoming Elementary Day Trips
Upcoming Middle and High School Overnight & Day Trips

These programs are supported by the Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective (KROC), 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.

Upcoming events

We hope to see you at one of our in-person or virtual events this year!

  • Jul 13, '26

    Trek & Tent Overnight

    *This trip is full. Fill out the registration form to be added to the waitlist* The Trek & Tent trip is all about fun, adventure, and building confidence outdoors. Students…

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  • Jul 22, '26

    Barnard Mountain Hike

    Age group: Youth entering 4th and 5th grades. Ready for a challenge? Join us for a hike up Barnard Mountain, one of the Katahdin region’s most rewarding summit hikes. This…

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  • Jul 26, '26

    Canoe & Camp Overnight

    *This trip is full. Fill out the registration form to be added to the waitlist* Age group: Youth entering 8th through 11th grades. Explore the East Branch of the Penobscot…

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Questions? Contact us!

Invest in the Next Generation

Youth programs provide opportunities for young people to explore, learn, and build lasting connections with the natural world. Your support helps fund outdoor experiences, educational programs, and leadership development that can shape a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and stewardship.

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