What is KROC?
KROC (Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective) is a dynamic group organizations with a shared belief in the profound impact of outdoor experiences on youth wellbeing and the future vitality of the Katahdin region. Our collaborative efforts result in year-round opportunities for young individuals to foster a deep connection to nature, cultivate leadership skills, and become future land stewards.
These youth programs are a collaboration of the Outdoor Sport Institute, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, with support from the Katahdin Collaborative and numerous other regional organizations and individuals who have donated their time and resources. Thank you to all who make these programs possible.
Important Info for All 2025 Summer Trips
Transportation: Transportation will be provided for each trip, beginning and ending at the Katahdin Gear Library..
Who: These trips are open to all rising 6-12th graders located within the Katahdin Region.
Cost: These trips are of no cost to participants or their families. We just ask that if you register a participant and they can no longer make the trip, to let us know so we can open up the spot for another young person at least one week prior.
Food: We believe that access to the outdoors is for everyone and do not want food to be a barrier for this trip, so please let us know if you need assistance.
Questions: Send us a message at KROC@outdoorsi.org
Summer 2025 Trips
Intro to Camping Trip, June 23rd & 24th
What to Expect: On Tuesday June 23rd we will meet at Katahdin Gear Library in the morning and discuss our trip and make sure everyone is well prepared before departing. This trip is intentionally designed to focus on the skills and etiquette of camping. Examples of these skills will include campsite setup, camp cooking, Leave No Trace (LNT) skills, fire starting, and more.
Preparation: No prior camping experience is required, but participants should be comfortable spending the night outdoors.
Food: Food will be provided beginning with dinner on day one, through lunch on day two. Lunch will not be provided on day one. We ask that your child has a nutritious breakfast in the morning and comes prepared with a lunch and reusable water bottle.
Gear: Everything needed to spend one night comfortably outdoors will be provided, including tents sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and all cooking tools. If a participant wants to bring their own tent, sleeping bag or pad, please just make note of this in the registration. A detailed packing list will be sent upon registration.
Day Hike, July 1st
What to Expect: On Tuesday July 1st we will have the opportunity to spend a day hiking in the Katahdin Region. We will plan to meet at Katahdin Gear Library early in the morning, do some introductions and expectations for the day, then hit the road!
Preparation: No prior hiking experience is required, but participants should be comfortable spending the whole day outdoors.
Food: Lunch will NOT be provided for this trip. We ask that participants have a nutritious breakfast in the morning, and come with a lunch, water bottle, and any snacks for the day.
Gear: While there is no specific gear needed for this trip, we ask that everybody comes prepared to be outdoors for the day; rain, shine, or cold weather. A detailed packing list will be sent upon registration.
Overnight Hiking Trip, July 8th - 10th
What to Expect: On Tuesday July 8th, we will set off on our first overnight trip of the summer! We will begin our day bright and early at the Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket, where we will discuss our day and activities ahead, as well as do a gear check as a group to ensure everybody is prepared appropriately for our adventure.
Preparation: No prior hiking or camping experience is required, but participants should be comfortable with primitive tent camping with few amenities.
Food: Food will be provided beginning with dinner on day one through breakfast on the final day. We ask that participants come prepared the first day having had a nutritious breakfast, plus a bagged lunch for our first hike and any extra snacks they may want throughout the trip.
Gear: Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking tools, and all other necessary gear to comfortably spend two nights outdoors will be provided. If a participant has a tent, sleeping bag, or any other camping gear they would prefer to bring please just let us know in the registration form or send an email. We ask participants come prepared with weather-appropriate clothing and any comfort items they may want for our trip. A detailed packing list will be sent upon registration.
Mountain Bike Day Trip, July 17th
What to Expect: On Tuesday July 17th, we will spend the day at one of the region’s new trail systems learning some new mountain biking skills and practicing our current skills out on the trails! We will meet at Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket in the morning, load up our gear, and be gone for the day.
Preparation: No prior mountain biking stills are required. However, please note that this program is not intended to teach students how to ride a bike from scratch, it is designed to help build skills specific to mountain biking.
Food: Lunch will NOT be provided for this trip. We ask that participants have a nutritious breakfast in the morning, and come with a lunch, water bottle, and any snacks for the day. We do not want food to be a barrier for this trip, so please let us know if you need assistance.
Gear: All bikes and helmets necessary for this trip are provided. Participants are allowed to bring their own bike and / or helmet if they so choose and all equipment will be inspected by program staff. If deemed not fit for riding, participants may use KGL equipment. Please note in the registration if you will be bringing your own gear. Helmets are mandatory.
Overnight Mountain Bike Trip, July 22nd - 24th
What to Expect: On Tuesday July 22nd, we will set off on our overnight mountain biking adventure! We will begin our day bright and early at Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket, where we will discuss our day and activities ahead, as well as do a gear check as a group to ensure everybody is prepared appropriately for our adventure. We will go over all gear and equipment prior to loading it into our vehicle.
Preparation: No prior mountain biking stills are required. However, please note that this program is not intended to teach students how to ride a bike from scratch, it is designed to help build skills specific to mountain biking. Participants should also be comfortable with primitive tent camping with few amenities.
Food: Food will be provided beginning with dinner the evening of the 22nd, through breakfast on the 24th. We ask that participants come prepared the first day having had a nutritious breakfast, plus a bagged lunch packed for our first day on the trails and any extra snacks they may want throughout the trip.
Gear: Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking tools, and all other necessary gear to comfortably spend 2 nights outdoors will be provided. All bikes and helmets are provided unless a participant chooses to bring their own. If a participant has a bike, helmet, tent, sleeping bag, or any other camping gear they would prefer to bring please just let us know in the registration form or send an email. We ask participants come prepared with weather-appropriate clothing and any comfort items they may want for our trip. A detailed packing list will be sent upon registration. Helmets are mandatory.
Paddling Day Trip, July 29th
What to Expect: On Tuesday July 29th, we will take to the river and explore all the different ways we can travel by water. We will have kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and duckies available for kids to try and lots of different games, learning opportunities, and even a short paddle upriver to take part in!
We will plan to meet at Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket by late morning and travel together to our main location for the day. We will spend the afternoon learning different skills and getting comfortable on each paddle craft, then end the evening with a short paddle upstream for those who are interested.
Preparation: No prior paddling experience is required, however participants must be comfortable in the water.
Lunch: Lunch will NOT be provided for this trip. We ask that your child has a nutritious breakfast in the morning, and comes with a lunch, water bottle, and any snacks for the day.
Gear: All life jackets, boats, and other safety gear will be provided. A detailed gear list will be sent out after registration.
Overnight Paddling Trip, August 5th - 7th
What to Expect: On Tuesday August 5th, we will meet bright and early at Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket in preparation for our overnight paddling adventure. We will discuss our day and activities ahead, as well as do a gear check as a group to ensure everybody is prepared appropriately for our adventure.
This trip will consist of two afternoons of paddling activities that will include both flatwater and whitewater adventures. Day one will be skill building in different types of watercraft in the quiet section of river next to our camping area, day two we will have the opportunity to paddle a small section of whitewater just above our camping area. Be prepared for 2 nights of tent camping, access to an outhouse will be available but no running water.
Preparation: No prior paddling experience is required, however participants must be comfortable in the water and camping overnight
Food: Food will be provided beginning with dinner on day one, through breakfast on the final day. We ask participants come prepared the first day having had a nutritious breakfast, plus a bagged lunch packed for our first day on the water.
Gear: Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking tools, and all other necessary gear to comfortably spend 2 nights outdoors will be provided. All boats, life jackets, and other items needed for the activities we will be doing will also be provided. If a participant has a tent, sleeping bag, or any other camping gear they would prefer to bring please just let us know in the registration form or send an email. A detailed packing list will be sent upon registration.
Questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at KROC@outdoorsi.org.