On Tuesday, we happily welcomed participants to our first session Opening Day for 2017! It was fun so greet former campers and families, and old friends as well as folks new to the Chewonki family. The rain held off long enough for leaders to engage their participants in group games and trip logistics before heading off to dinner. 

Afterwards, Emma Balaaz, our Traveling Natural History Program coordinator paid us a visit to offer suggestions on how to develop a curiosity for the natural landscapes we will be traveling through and to highlight some parts of the natural habitat we might encounter. During her activity, we received a visit from Varia – one of our resident Barred Owls – who taught us how to call various types of owls in the wilderness and identify birds by the sound of their wings. 

Although we experienced some rain off and on throughout the early part of the night, by morning we were greeted by sunny skies and the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls. After breakfast, each trip finished loading gear and equipment and set off on their adventures each wearing a big smile and eager to learn new things about themselves, engage with one another, and experience the beauty in the Maine Wilderness.  

 

 

 In a few days we will get our first trip reports back. You can follow along in our online photo album, as well as look for the occasional blog post on our website