Director's Corner

This summer, Evergreen Outdoor Education was delighted to hit the road and partner with the Norlands Living History Center for Leavitt Area High School’s Summer Institute project. For the second year running, we had the pleasure of being guest educators, and this time, the focus was on two very exciting initiatives at this remarkable landmark in Livermore, Maine.

The Summer Institute provides a fantastic opportunity for students to delve into the Norlands, understanding its rich history, current projects, and outreach efforts. We were thrilled to contribute to this learning experience by engaging the students in two hands-on projects aimed at enhancing the Norlands’ unique offerings.

Our first endeavor involved the fascinating history and future of the Pools of Simeon. These unique twin bathing pools hold a special place in the Norlands’ past as a spot for relaxation and recreation. We discussed their historical significance and the exciting prospect of their restoration, sparking the students’ interest in preservation and historical revitalization.

Our second project took us out into the beautiful Norlands landscape. We worked together to flag and clear a new stretch of trail that will eventually connect the main campus to the scenic Bartlett Pond. Imagine future visitors strolling from the historic buildings through fields and forest, finally arriving at the tranquil pond! This hands-on work not only provided valuable trail building experience for the students but also directly contributed to expanding the Norlands’ accessibility and recreational opportunities.

This Summer Institute highlights the incredible potential of combining education, conservation, and recreation. A robust trail system, designed with diverse users in mind, can transform the Norlands. Picture outdoor classroom spaces nestled in nature, offering unique learning environments. Envision a variety of recreational opportunities drawing in the surrounding community and visitors alike. This blend of historical education and outdoor engagement creates a truly unique and valuable asset for everyone.

Evergreen Outdoor Education is incredibly proud to partner with the Norlands Living History Center and Leavitt Area High School for this impactful program. It’s inspiring to see students engaging in experiential learning while contributing to their community. We’re already looking forward to another exciting summer next year!

Another year of HIVE Week has come to a close, and we at Evergreen Outdoor Education were so excited to be a part of it! This year, Leavitt Area High School’s adventurous “SurHiver” class joined us for a day of competitive challenges, teamwork, and a whole lot of laughs. It was the perfect way to cap off the school year.

Our first challenge put their engineering skills to the test: building catapults. Using nothing but logs and ropes for lashings, the teams worked together to construct their siege machines. Once built, the fun really began. The air was filled with cheers as projectiles went soaring across the field, with points awarded for the longest shots. Of course, the real entertainment came from the “accuracy challenge,” where the students’ aim (or lack thereof) led to some great moments.

Next up was our First Aid relay. The competitive spirit was high as teams raced through a series of stations, applying basic first aid techniques to our patient manikin family. Points were given for the fastest times with the fewest mistakes. It was a great way for the students to demonstrate their knowledge under pressure, all while encouraging some good-natured rivalry.

It was a pleasure to host the HIVE Week students from Leavitt Area High School. This year’s “SurHiver” class brought incredible energy and enthusiasm, making for a memorable day of engaging activities and plenty of good-humored fun. We can’t wait to see what they get up to next year!

It was a fantastic day here at Evergreen Outdoor Education’s site! On April 28th, we had the pleasure of hosting the 2025 Southwest Region Envirothon, and what an inspiring event it was. For those unfamiliar, Envirothon is a really cool competition for high school students where they get to put their knowledge of the environment and natural resources to the test.

We had teams of  students diving into hands-on problems across five key areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and this year’s important natural resource issue. It was exciting to see their enthusiasm and teamwork as they tackled each challenge.

Maine hosts four of these regional competitions, and the top teams from each go on to compete at the state level. From there, the Maine winner gets an incredible opportunity to participate in the international Envirothon, where college scholarships are even up for grabs! It’s a fantastic pathway for these young people to not only learn but also gain recognition for their dedication to environmental science.

Throughout the day, the students had the chance to connect with and learn directly from professionals in the field – state soil scientists, biologists, foresters, and more. These interactions are invaluable, offering real-world insights and potential career paths.

Hosting the Envirothon reinforces why we do what we do here at Evergreen. Providing opportunities for young people to engage with nature and learn about conservation is so crucial. These students are the future stewards of our planet, and fostering their understanding and passion for the environment is an investment in a healthier tomorrow. We believe that hands-on learning experiences like the Envirothon play a vital role in inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.

We were thrilled to be a part of this important event and look forward to hosting more like it in the future!