Wavus Girls' Wilderness Tripping Descriptions (2011)
These descriptions will give you an idea of the wilderness trips.
If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact us. Last modified: March 14, 2011.
Mount Blue State Park
 
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Mt Blue State Park is visited by both older and younger campers
alike, as it is used for primer and full trips for different aged
campers. The State Park is abundant in short-to-medium hiking
trails which have great views from the summits of Mt Blue, Little
Jackson and Tumbledown Mountain. There is a nature center and
hands-on exhibits and displays that provide endless education
opportunities. Campers enjoy swimming and canoeing in the Lake
in front of their campsite and often spend a night under the stars
listening to the various birds and wildlife.
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The “Snowgoose”
 
Muscongus Bay Map
(click to enlarge)
A day on the Snowgoose is a highlight for campers and counselors
alike. A short drive to our Oceanfront property at Bremen, campers
meet with Captain Bill Chapman and his staff who teach them about
personal safety while on the boat. Time is spent fishing, pulling up lobster
pots, swimming and of course competing in the annual jumping record.
There is plenty to see and do while on the Snowgoose, however
it is also a great time to lie in the sun and just read, or journal
write. Campers can expect to see many fish and birds on their
day out, most boat trips are topped off with a slow cruise past
the seal colonies as well as the bald eagle nests.
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Bremen Landing & Muscongus Bay
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Kieve's fourteen acre oceanfront property in Bremen, Maine offers stunning
views of Musgongus Bay and the opportunity to test one's overnight camping
techniques in a safe and beautiful environment. Bremen trips usually include
fun-yaking around a protected Bay, exploring the shoreline, games on the deck,
lots of tasty food, and songs and stories around the campfire accompanied
by ever-present S'mores. Bremen trips also often include funyaking or hiking
on nearby Hog Island.
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Hog Island
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Hog Island is a 330-acre island in mid-coast Maine's beautiful
Muscongus Bay. Only a short paddle from our Bremen property, campers
will enjoy an overnight camping trip on this beautiful Island.
As caregivers of this Island, Kieve-Wavus is committed to ensuring
that this property is cared for. Campers will complete stewardship
projects in which they learn about how their actions impact on
the environment for future generations. During the day there will
be time to explore the island on foot or kayak around the shoreline.
Campers will sleep in tents, cook their meals outdoors and enjoy
singing and talking around the campfire in the evening accompanied
by ever-present S'mores.
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Camden Hills
 
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The Camden Hills, surrounding the coastal community of Camden, offer some
of the most spectacular views of Midcoast Maine. Kieve-Wavus uses the Camden
Hills State Park as our base camp. From there campers climb Mt. Battie for
views of Penobscot Bay, and Mt. Megunticook for views over inland lakes and
rivers. There's always time at the end of an active day for S’more’s
around the campfire.
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Damariscotta Lake
 
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The Damariscotta Lake is an amazing playground in our own back yard. Campers
leave from the dock at Wavus and return after either an overnight or 2 night
canoe trip which is dependant upon age group. Campers stay on private property
owned by generous Kieve-Wavus families. The Damariscotta Lake Watershed
Association (DLWA) also have a property located on Davis Stream, which is
a short paddle from Wavus. This is often used for either overnight trips,
or a lunch stop on the way to the famous 'J-Scoop'. No trip is completed
without numerous refreshing dips into the lake, as well as many water-based
games.
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Ragged Mountain
 
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As part of Georges River Land Trust, the Georges Highland Path runs from
Mount Pleasant in Rockport and ends after summiting Bald Mountain in Camden.
This is an excellent trip to test new shoes, backpacks and assess fitness
levels before campers head out on longer trips. Campers take turns leading
the group accompanied with a map and the responsibility of maintaining a
steady pace so that the entire groups can manage. They navigate their way
through wooded areas, wet bogs and take in some amazing vistas of the Camden
Hills and as well as ocean views.
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St. Croix River
 
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The St. Croix River and surrounding lakes offers the perfect venue
to hone both lake and river paddling skills. Campers begin their
canoe trip on the U.S. and Canadian border of Forest City, Maine.
From there, campers move camp daily—moving back and forth between
the two countries as they make their way to the mouth of the
river. The St. Croix River ranges from flat water to small rips
to class-3 rapids. The flat water allows campers to practice their
steering skills before they head further downstream to faster
flowing waters. All rapids will be run with care and consideration
for safety.
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Allagash Wilderness Waterway Trip
 
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Hundreds of thousands of adventurers, including Henry David Thoreau,
have been thrilled by the natural beauty of this chain of lakes and white water rivers in Northern Maine that comprise the Allagash
Wilderness Waterway. Nobody every forgets these two weeks of shared
experience in unspoiled country, surrounded by moose, bear and
deer in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak.
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AT Sea Trip: Bigelows and Muscongus Bay
Campers begin their trip from the docks at Wavus, where they enter
Damariscotta Lake and paddle down past Kieve towards the Great
Salt Bay. After a day of getting a feel for their kayaks, practicing
wet exits and enhancing their paddling skills they will transfer
by van to Muscongus Bay to explore the many islands ~ looking
for seals, wading on scenic sandbars, and checking out the illuminated
phosphorescence. They move camp daily, traveling from island to
island.
On day six, campers exchange their sea kayaks for backpacks at
our Bremen property and head for the Appalachian Trail for a challenging and scenic hike through the Bigelow
Range. They move camp daily,
learning how to hike efficiently, and how to pack for optimal
comfort. The combined trip provides a great introduction to both
sea-kayaking and backpacking.
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White Mountains
 
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Each trip to the White Mountains National Forest is unique. While the goal of every camper is to successfully climb Mt. Washington, weather conditions determine which climbs are possible. Fortunately the area abounds in possibilities, and almost every trip includes at least one, and often multiple, visits to Emerald Pool for a
cooling dip. In the five days of camping, at least two of the Presidential Range Mountains are scheduled to be conquered along with various other hikes such as Blueberry Ledges and the Imp Trail.
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Mt. Katahdin & Baxter State Park
 
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Baxter State Park, covering over 200,000 acres of wilderness is
a hiker’s playground. There is over 200 miles of trails and 46 mountain peaks and ridges, the highest being Baxter Peak
at 5,267 feet. Every trip to Baxter State Park leaves with the
intent of summiting Mt Katahdin. There are multiple ways of reaching
the summit, the most common trail would be the Hunt Trail but
however you summit, everyone feels a great deal of justified pride.
Most days are ended with a refreshing swim in one of the many
rivers and streams within the park.
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Acadia National Park
 
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The first National Park east of the Mississippi, Acadia offers
a phenomenal network of carriage trails and breathtaking views
throughout the island. Campers traverse a number of trails, and
summit mountains such as Cadillac Mountain which at 1,530 feet
is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. There are also
many areas for swimming in the fresh and salt water. Campers learn
about the history of the island, explore lighthouses, and play
in the tidal pools. An early morning drive to the top of Cadillac
Mountain to watch the sunrise is a perfect way to start the day.
The evenings are spent around the campfire talking and singing – with
the ever present S’more in hand.
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Bigelow Mountains
 
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This trip heads to Western Maine to take on the states second
highest peak in Sugarloaf Mountain which stands at 4237 ft tall.
Campers also have the opportunity to complete day hikes up Bigelow
and/or Burnt Mountains. Based at Round Barn campsite, campers enjoy day
hikes up the various mountains, which are all within short walking or driving
distance. Flagstaff Lake is often enjoyed for afternoon swims or refreshing
evening dips before bed.
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Allagash Wilderness Waterway
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(click to enlarge) Hundreds of thousands of adventurers, including Henry David Thoreau, have
been thrilled by the natural beauty of the chain of lakes and whitewater
rivers in Northern Maine that comprise the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.
For over fifty years now, Kieve campers and counselors have explored "the
Gash". Nobody ever forgets these two weeks of shared experience in unspoiled
country, surrounded by moose, bear and deer in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin,
Maine's highest peak. The fourteen day trip includes such highlights as homemade
fudge and root beer at Chesuncook Village, the Mud Pond Portage, the Eagle
Lake Tramway, Chase Rapids, and Allagash Falls.
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The Long Voyage
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(click to enlarge) Heading out from the shores of Moosehead Lake in Rockwood, ME, Long Voyage
heads off into some of the most remote sections of Maine. Their journey takes
them from Rockwood up Moosehead Lake, across the Northeast Carry (a 2.25mile
portage), down the West Branch of the Penobscot River to Chesuncook Lake
(stopping for fudge and root beer in Chesuncook Village). From Chesuncook,
they paddle up Black Pond and the Horserace rapids to Round Pound and portage
into Allagash Lake. Their journey continues into Chamberlain Lake, through
Telos Lake and Webster Lake to Webster Brook where they paddle some of the
most technically demanding whitewater Kieve paddles. They paddle into Grand
Lake Matagamon and down the East Branch of the Penobscot River, taking out
near the town of Medway. This 15-day river journey turns to the mountains
as they spend a few days hiking in Baxter State Park before capping off the
trip with a day of whitewater rafting on the West Branch of the Penobscot
River, returning to camp 18 days after they left and just a few short days
before the end of the session.
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Maine Island Trail and Appalachian Trail
For Wavus' oldest and most experienced girls, this two-phase trip joins
(a) the exploration of Maine's coastal islands with a (b) hiking trip along
the last leg of the Appalachian Trail in western Maine. In all, it's a 22-day,
200-mile kayak and backpacking trip that is physically challenging, environmentally
stimulating, rewarding and fun.
The kayaking segment covers 10-12 miles each
day, camping overnight on islands in Muscongus Bay between Bremen and Friendship
and Penobscot Bay from Sedgwick around Stonington and Isle au Haut to Deer
Isle. They are picked up in Deer Isle and trade kayaks for backpacks before
hitting the Appalachian Trail just outside the town of Monson on Route 15.
From there, it is approximately one hundred miles of backpacking to the next
paved road, a stretch referred to as the Hundred Mile Wilderness. The hike
continues into Baxter State Park where they make their final assault on Mount
Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
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