Program Overview
The Chewonki Waypoint program is a comprehensive effort to steward young people through this vital period by providing mentorship, training, and place-based outdoor challenges as a catalyst for self-discovery, aspiration, and leadership development.
Goals for Chewonki Waypoint Participants:
- Grow civic engagement, awareness, compassion, and community service within the Bath/Woolwich community.
- Improve understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the natural world.
- Increase self-resiliency and determination to succeed.
- Expand individual leadership and community-building skills.
- Encourage commitment to post-secondary or technical education.
Student Cohorts:
Each Chewonki Waypoint cohort is a group of 20 students from RSU1 who enter the program in 7th grade and continue through high school graduation. Participants continually engage with mentors including the Waypoint coordinator, parents, teachers, volunteers, community leaders, and peers.
Each year of the Chewonki Waypoint program has a different structural focus, part of a carefully sequenced curriculum for the cohort of students. Student cohorts have regular meetings twice a month, work closely with mentors, design their own “Voice and Choice” activity focus, and participate in an annual “Expedition Trip” as a team.
Pathway to Success:
Building Relationships
7th Grade
Cohort Meetings: Twice each month
Student Voice & Choice: Two Weekend Day Trips (Farm & Challenge Course)
Expedition: 3-Day/ 2-Night Overnight at Chewonki (April or May)
The 7th-grade cohort, in the introductory year, focuses on creating positive relationships within the group. The students meet together twice a month, visit the Chewonki campus for activities on the Farm and the Challenge Course, and participate in a 3-day/2-night weekend experience.
Engaging with Community
8th Grade
Cohort Meetings: Twice each month
Student Voice & Choice: Bath Political System
Expedition: 3-Day Service Learning Trip (April Break)
The 8th-grade cohort focuses on building community – within the group, within the local community, and between the cohort and the community. Students join a monthly service project for September, October, and November designed to increase their awareness of the Bath political system. In April, the cohort embarks on a 3-day service learning trip.
Connecting to the Natural World
9th Grade
Cohort Meetings: Twice each month
Student Voice & Choice: Urban Experience
Expedition: 5-day Canoe Trip
In 9th grade, the cohort focuses on exploring the history, industry, culture, employment opportunities, and political climate of Bath. The group defines their own urban exploration of Portland, Lewiston, or Auburn, and learns to navigate freshman year of high school with a 5-day canoeing trip in the heart of Maine.
Exploring the Great State of Maine
10th Grade
Cohort Meetings: Twice each month
Student Voice & Choice: Four self-designed events/outings
Expedition: 5-Day Backpacking – Maine AT (Week after school ends: June 18-22)
Moving into 10th grade, we offer the group more freedom to design their journey, structured around events or outings they choose for examining Maine’s diverse ecosystems and biodiversity. We finish out the school year with an early June 5-day backpacking trip along the Maine section of the Appalachian Trail.
Preparing for College & Career
11th Grade
Cohort Meetings: Once each month
Student Voice & Choice: Four self-designed events/outings
Expedition: 5-Day College and Career (February Break)
In 11th grade, we focus forward, working together to plan for each student’s life after high school. During February break, the group embarks on a 5-day expedition to examine options for college, careers, and internships.
Mentoring the Next Generation
12th Grade
Cohort Meetings: Once each month
Student Voice & Choice: Four self-designed events/outings
Expedition: 4-Day Transformations Trip with 8-hour Solo (April Break)
Waypoint Graduation Ceremony: June
The focus of the final year is leadership training, mentorship, and giving back. Waypoint participants are expected to provide guidance and encouragement to younger students in the program. This gives the eldest students valuable experience and connects young citizens with one another across grades. We finish out the 12-grade year with a 4-Day Transformations Trip, culminating in a “solo” opportunity during April school break. Cohort members and their families are invited to Chewonki for a graduation celebration in June.
Graduation and Beyond!
After six years of supporting each other, adventuring through the Maine wilderness, and working as a team to build inspiration and aspiration, we hope Waypoint friendships and relationships will last a lifetime.
Waypoint graduates will have a special status in their communities and at Chewonki. We want them to stay in touch with their own mentors as well as the younger students they mentor, playing a meaningful role in leading their community forward.