JUNIOR MAINE GUIDE
Children who participate in “wild nature” activities such as camping, playing in the woods, hiking, fishing and hunting were significantly more likely to consider themselves active environmentalists as adults than those whose experiences in nature were more controlled or instructional activities or ‘domesticated nature’. – Nancy Wells, Nature and the Life Course
The Junior Maine Guide Program (JMG) is a long-established wilderness camping skills program sponsored by the Maine Youth Camping Foundation and the Maine State Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It is an outdoor skills program designed to foster enjoyable, safe, and healthy outdoor living experiences for youth ages 9 – 18. The program, unique to Maine, was created in 1937 as an act of the State Legislature in an effort to promote the use of the Maine wilderness for recreation as well as to train new generations of youth to adopt use practices that conserve the environment.
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The program dates are TBD. If you are interested in the Junior Maine Guide Program, please contact us. We will offer the program when we have enough interested participants.
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The program progression is divided into age-appropriate levels of skills that will enrich a camper’s summer program. There are 3 levels:
Level 1: Junior Maine Woodsman (ages 9-12)
Level 2: Maine Woodsman (ages 12-14)
Level 3: Junior Maine Guide (ages 14-18)
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Junior Maine Woodsman & Maine Woodsman are taught at Camp Forest. Award badges are presented for successful completion of these units. Junior Maine Guide is held at Stephen Phillips Preserve by the Maine Youth Camping Foundation and the State of Maine. Camp Forest staff will accompany campers during the week.
Level 1: Junior Maine Woodsman
Ages 9 – 12
15 Skills Testing Modules lead towards earning the Junior Maine Woodsman patch.
Goal of the Junior Maine Woodsman Level: Camp Forest provides instruction and testing on each module to certify campers for the Level 1 Junior Maine Woodsman patch and to lay the foundation for level 2, Maine Woodsman.
Level 2: Maine Woodsman
Ages 12 – 14
15 Skills Testing Modules lead towards earning the Maine Woodsman patch. Modules are same as Junior Maine Woodsman, but at a more advanced level.
Goal of the Maine Woodsman Level: Camp Forest provides instruction and testing on each module to certify campers for the Level 2 Maine Woodsman patch and to prepare them for the 3rd and final level, Junior Maine Guide.
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Level 3: Junior Maine Guide
Ages 14 – 18
The Junior Maine Guide level requires a candidate to have completed the Junior Maine Woodsman and Maine Woodsman levels (or equivalent) and to successfully complete a five-day testing encampment. Final testing is conducted by the Maine Youth Camping Association in cooperation with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at the beautiful Stephen Phillips Preserve, Oquossoc (Rangeley) ME.
Methods of Evaluation:
Oral tests, skills tests, and written tests.
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Length of Time Required:
Varies according to camper’s age and camp sessions. Can be completed in one summer or over several summers.
Modules & Areas of Evaluation:
Tool Craft
Trip Equipment
Fire Building
Canoeing
First Aid / Wilderness First Aid
Trees
Individual Shelter
Cooking
Hiking & Backpacking
Map & Compass
Group Encampment
Leave No Trace
Camping
Map of Maine
Maine Issues & Environmental Concerns
Outdoor Living Skills
