A special trip to Acadia National Park marked the culmination of this summer’s Sprout Lewiston, a four-week program for teen girls, run in partnership with Maine Community Integration in Lewiston. MCI “educates and empowers New Mainer girls and women to be confident in themselves, work together, and make positive changes in their communities.” To be part of the program, high school students must apply through MCI, and are awarded stipends for their service and participation. For many of the participants, July marked their second and third summer as program members.
Sprout Lewiston centers around stewardship; with the guidance and support of Lewiston Public Works, the group helps to remove invasive species and plant native plants in urban green spaces throughout the city. Learn more about last year’s project here.
In addition to stewardship, youth learn about Maine ecology, take field trips in and around Lewiston, and learn about various professional pathways in conservation and the environment. Hiking Bradbury Mountain, looking for Piping Plovers at Popham Beach with our Coastal Bird Project crew, and foraging and making tea with Wabanaki cultural sharer Mihku Paul are a few highlights.
The program culminated with a day trip to Acadia, everyone’s first time to the National Park. First stop was Sand Beach, where all participants immediately went swimming, despite the fog and cold water temperature!
As the fog lifted, we roamed the cliffs at Thunder Hole, taking in the sights and snapping lots of pictures. From there, we ate lunch at Fabbri Picnic Area by Otter Cove and dipped our feet in at Jordan Pond.
The day ended with the steep drive up Cadillac Mountain, with many shrieking their way to the top. At the summit, we spent our final moments of the day exploring the mountain’s vast peak, swooning over the views, FaceTiming with loved ones, and spending time with friends made over the last four weeks. Everyone agreed that it was the perfect end to both the day and the session.
We are excited to continue working with MCI throughout the year and to run a fourth season of Sprout Lewiston next summer!!
