This project provides an outdoor work-readiness and skill development activities for Casey youth ages 14 and 15. Youth from all Casey divisions participate in this summer project. For more information, contact Shaun Taudvin (staudvin@caseyfamilyservices.org).

Enjoy the outdoors while learning work readiness in the beautiful Nahmakanta Wilderness Area and the St. Croix River.

Casey is offering two 10-day outdoor recreation trips. The first day of the trip, teens will learn teamwork on the low ropes course at Wolfe Neck's Farm in Freeport, ME. The beginning of the trip will again be spent hiking and trail building in the 42,000 acres of the Nahmakanta Wilderness Area located south of Baxter State Park. The remainder of the trip will be spent canoeing from Vanceboro to Loon Bay along the St. Croix River, which forms the border between Maine and Canada.

Work Projects
Teams will be participating in work projects in Nahmakanta and along the river. Nahmakanta projects will focus on trail building and maintenance while projects on the river will focus on campsite improvements. The purpose of the work projects is to teach the participants positive work habits and team building that can then be applied to their future work life. Each participant will be paid the current minimum wage for hours worked based upon daily evaluations of performance and improvement. To model job-hunting skills, each youth is required to complete an application and participate in an interview with the trip leaders. Each youth will be asked to complete a survey before and after the trip to measure changes in attitudes and beliefs and evaluate the program.

Recreation
Each day will also include a recreational component, including hiking, swimming and canoeing. Teens will learn camping skills such as cooking, fire building and how to set up and break camp. Daily group activities will focus on positive peer interaction, self-esteem building, teamwork and developing strong work habits.

Guides
Shaun Taudvin teams up with Casey and others to provide this experience. Shaun is a registered Maine Guide, who has been leading youth in the care of the Maine Department of Human Services since 1989. He is currently working on his Master's Degree in Environmental Studies. Guides will provide all the necessary equipment, food and transportation from the Maine Division.

Criteria for Teens

• Teens should be age 14 or 15 and have a willingness to try new things.
• They should be able to participate in groups and interact with peers socially and toward a goal.
• Expectations are that teens should contribute to a safe environment.
• Teens should not have suicidal behavior, violent tendencies or a history of sexually acting out.
• Teens on medication must be compliant with doctor's orders.

PLEASE NOTE exact dates for the trips have not been set. Divisions will be notified when dates are confirmed.

Application Process

1. Select 14- or 15-year-old teen from your division.
2. Contact Mark Millar, Maine Division Director, if you have any questions about referral appropriateness.
3. Contact Shaun Taudvin, Life Skills Specialist, Maine Division, with name and address of youth in order for an application to be mailed.
4. Youth should return application directly to the Maine Division.
5. Interview dates will be determined and selected youth will be notified.

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