This spring, Lincoln Academy and Hearty Roots have teamed up during Lincoln’s Flexible Learning Block (FLB) to get students into the woods for an “Outdoor Adventure Club.” Katherine Kirchoff, Teen Program Coordinator for Hearty Roots, works with eight high school students to slow down, reconnect with nature, and develop primitive wilderness skills like making an outdoor fire, spoon carving, plant identification, shelter building, and cooking over an outdoor flame. 

“This FLB is really good because we get to go outside and explore the grounds around Lincoln and it’s a good way to make friends and associate with other people who like the outdoors,” said Siannah Caskey, a ninth grader, who recently moved to Maine. 

“We learn lots of cool and interesting outdoorsy things—lifelong skills we can use for camping or just going outside and having fun,” said her classmate, Autumn Brewer. “I really like going out into nature and learning cool stuff that I could someday use for fun, safety, survival, for anything. I want to keep on learning and doing more things.”  

Getting outside of the classroom is a way for young people to learn about the cycles of nature, how to relate to the land, and how to trust and grow their knowledge. Kirchoff wants to see each participant strengthened by the experience, with an expanded idea of teamwork. “Our work will culminate in a ‘Survivor Day,’” said Kirchoff, “Teams of kids will build a fire, cook food, and work together to build trust and dependency.” Kirchoff mentors fire safety, Leave No Trace principles and sustainable plant harvesting.  

"Hearty Roots is bringing LA students exposure to new and hands-on outdoor experiences while building critical soft skills needed for future success. Their focus on social-emotional development with our teens is strengthening our community," says Heather Abello, who serves on the Board of Hearty Roots and works at Lincoln Academy. 

Lincoln Academy’s Flexible Learning Block offers students opportunities for enrichment including academic support as well as clubs that require a year-long time commitment like Math Team, Debate Team, and Student Council. Trimester interest areas include sports and crafts. The Hearty Roots partnership is supported by a community-based grant from Mid Coast-Parkview and Lincoln Health Community Health Improvement Fund. Funding to support the Teen Program Coordinator at Hearty Roots is a gift from the Peter Alfond Foundation. 

Hearty Roots is committed to improving childhood experiences while increasing youth exposure to nature, gratitude, and land stewardship. Next month, Hearty Roots will onboard their first Licensed Clinical Social Worker in their expanding effort to increase mental health support for youth in our region. They welcome you to stop by their office headquarters at 18 Water Street in Damariscotta, an in-town presence made possible by First National Bank.  

Hearty Roots adventures occur on local school campuses, Lincoln County waterways, and at the Hearty Roots Campus for Mindful Adventure in Bremen. Find more information at heartyroots.org about upcoming events, Hearty Roots year-round programming, in-school offerings, adult saunters, supporting the organization, or sponsoring a child’s hearty adventure through scholarship.