Great News from Marshwood High School’s Outdoor Education Program
Scott Patch
Twenty-eight students from Outdoor Education completed the 5th Fall trip to Millinocket to raft Maine's premier whitewater venue, the West Branch of the Penobscot River. The river features two class 5 rapids, as well as many class 3 and 4 rapids. The students arrived at MHS at 5 AM to board one of our district's big “yellow limos” to take the 4-hour bus ride.
They arrived and met Arthur Dickey, the owner and operator of Maine Rafting Expeditions, and were quickly outfitted with all the necessary gear. Then students and staff boarded their bus for the 30-minute ride to the head of the river to begin their adventure.
The group completed what is called 'double trouble". Basically the trip includes completing the exciting part of the river twice.
Every year the rafting guides have sung the praises of our students' maturity, respect, willingness to follow directions, and kindness toward each other. This is a reflection on our entire district and the qualities we have helped to foster in our students throughout their educational journey.
I would like to thank the Marshwood High School Administration for supporting this trip over the yearsand Denise Brooks for her attention to detail and for handling the finances for the trips. A special thank you goes to the bus drivers (especially Bruce Carroll who drove us the last 3 years) who are the first ones up and most likely the last in bed on each trip.
This Outdoor Education Program began with the support of the Marshwood Education Foundation.