Over the past month Hidden Valley Nature Center hosted nearly 40 teenagers on their first winter camping experiences. The Chewonki School brought over 20 of its students to HVNC for a three-night back country camping trip. Students and trip leaders made camp at four locations spread out across HVNC.

“I think seeing other people out (at HVNC) for day trips made the students proud to be out winter tent camping — it was a first for most of them,” said Becca Abuza, one of the trip leaders.

“We send students all over Maine for these kinds of experiences, but having HVNC in our backyard is a great asset for many reasons,” said Greg Shute, Chewonki’s director of outdoor programs.

Teens to Trails, a nonprofit organization, facilitated a one night winter camping trip for six students from Ellsworth High School. The students trekked to HVNC’s most remote hut with Maine Guide David Butler.

Peyton Cole was one of the students on that trip.

“The trip was a great experience. And I’d like to go again,” Cole said.

That’s exactly the kind of response that HVNC, Teens to Trails, Chewonki and others are hoping for.

According to HVNC’s Director Andy McEvoy, that’s the value of a place like HVNC. “A place like this that is within easy driving distance for so many people, and isn’t as intimidating as somewhere like Baxter, is the perfect jumping off point for new campers and adventurers.”

For more information about HVNC’s events, or to find out how you can support HVNC visit www.hvnc.org, write to info@hvnc.org, or call 207-200-8840.