Welcome to the spring edition of Cobscook Currents!

A little over two years ago, I found myself in Downeast Maine having moved from Wyoming where I had been homeschooled. I knew no one, and being sixteen, I decided I wanted to enroll in a public high school. I was intimidated by the idea of being surrounded by all sorts of cliques where I didn’t belong. Then I found out about Cobscook. I knew immediately that this was where I belonged: a tightly-knit environment all about connection, whether it be a connection to the community, environment, people, or skills.

It’s been about a year since the COVID lockdown began, and isolation last spring was especially difficult while school was online. When school resumed in September, though, students were pleasantly surprised by the new system. Educators managed to restore the Cobscook experience. We were back in person, canoeing, building guitars, and learning by experience–in fact, on October 5th, we took our first trip of the year.

For four days, we canoed on Grand Lake Stream, sharing meals around campfires, and building our skills. Oh, how challenging it was for new paddlers to battle the wind! It seemed a theme for this trip that voices would be lost on the air and tents would flap like birds’ wings deep into the night. Nature instilled an inanimate desire in boats and tents alike to flip, but on few occasions did it succeed. Our third day was easily the most challenging; we would land at a place nicknamed “Rabid Rabbit.” Where did this mystical nickname come from? None of us knew; all we knew was that this landing was an extraordinary nightmare. The wind was rough and the water levels were low; there were a thousand ways to be involuntarily dunked, but with great determination, we persevered. There was great cheering as each boat landed. With great challenges come glorious victories. We spent that night celebrating and new faces suddenly felt familiar. Friends became like family.

Connection through challenging outdoor experiences is unparalleled, but we have learned that connection is still possible through virtual means. In this edition of Cobscook Currents, you’ll learn about the different ways Cobscook Institute is still fostering connection–through virtual programs, insights from a high school program alum, explorations in shared leadership, and more.

Enjoy!