Dear Cobscook Experiential Program High School Students,

As you read this, I am hiking 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Virginia with a classmate for college credit! I would never have attempted such a trip if it weren’t for my experiences at Cobscook.

I was a homebody before I came to Cobscook Experiential Programs. I was content to stay in my comfort zone, play games on my computer, and eat chicken nuggets for the rest of my life! But then I attended River Camp and later, the high school program, and I learned to appreciate a good challenge and try something new. Cobscook helped me learn to step into uncertainty.

When I was a freshman, I was so shy, I hardly talked at all. But the supportive, community feel helped me to start speaking aloud in full sentences and give presentations in front of important scientists and fishermen! Sure, I would get really nervous before presentations, but my classmates were always there to offer a group hug and help me through it. I learned that the things you think you won’t like often become your favorites.

In addition to trying things I didn’t think I’d like, I also learned to try things I didn’t think I would be good at. That helped me discover new passions and celebrate the little joys along the way. Life is going to throw hard things our way, so the goal is to figure out ways to celebrate moments as you go—challenging myself has really helped me with that. That’s a big part of why I chose to hike this section of the Appalachian Trail: I feel pretty sedentary a lot of the time and wanted to remind myself that I am athletically capable of such a trip. The wilderness and expedition skills I built at Cobscook helped prepare me with the fundamental skills to be a leader in the backcountry and in my life. These skills are transferable to just about any career or educational path you could take.

If there’s one piece of advice I would give to current high school students, it would be to make connections with people. Connection opens a door to prompt greater relationship development and leads to opportunities. If you want to connect with me, reach out! I have gone into outdoor education because of the valuable connections I had and I want to give back.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and fun spring!

Lexie Morrill

Class of ’19