Camp · Adventure · Ages 14–18 · $2,439/week
Directory · United States · Maine · Rockland
▌ Adventure · Ages 14–18

Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition

Rockland · $2,439/week · ★ 4.2 (56 reviews)

A multi-element expedition combining backpacking and canoeing through the Maine wilderness, focusing on outdoor skills.

▌ Editor's read The Outward Bound Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe course is an overnight wilderness program for high school students, emphasizing backpacking, canoeing, and personal development in Maine. Outward Bound, founded by Kurt Hahn, has been operating for 80 years, providing experiential education. The organization is a nonprofit and states on its website that all staff undergo background checks. While this specific course isn't individually accredited by the ACA, Outward Bound as a larger organization is well-regarded. Google reviews for 'Outward Bound' generally show a high rating (e.g., 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews for Outward Bound USA), with themes praising the transformative experiences, skilled instructors, and emphasis on teamwork and resilience. The program description highlights skill development in navigation, campcraft, and paddling, alongside fostering leadership and communication.
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Since 194680+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 14–18

Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
1946 (80 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 14–18
  • Hours: Full Day
  • Address: Outward Bound, 1000 Hurricane Island, Rockland, ME 04841
  • Phone: 866-467-7651
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: The total cost for the 22-day course is $7,650.

↗ What parents like

  • Backpacking and canoeing
  • Maine wilderness
  • Outdoor skills

↘ Watch for

  • Physically demanding
  • Technology-free

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition

What ages does Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition accept?
Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition is open to children ages 14–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition cost?
Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition publishes $2,439/week for the standard session. The total cost for the 22-day course is $7,650. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition's hours?
Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition runs Full Day. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition?
Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 80 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition provide lunch?
Yes — Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Maine Appalachian Backpack & Canoe Expedition with other camps.

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