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YOTA 2026: Registration now live for St. John Valley eighth-graders

Attention parents and guardians of eighth-grade students from the St. John Valley. The digital registration portal for the 2026 Youth on the Allagash expedition is officially open. To ensure your student is prepared for this historic district-wide journey, please review the requirements and submit the mandatory online health forms below.

When AWWF launched YOTA in 2016, we had a hunch that students would benefit from learning in a setting vastly different from a traditional four-walled classroom. Today, that hunch has evolved into a unanimous community commitment. After a decade of vision and partnership, AWWF is working closely with all three middle schools in the St. John Valley to fully integrate the Allagash experience into the eighth-grade curriculum.

The 2026 Expedition: June 2–4

Led by the expert guides of the Chewonki Center for Environmental Education, over 100 students will embark on a three-day journey through the heart of the North Maine Woods during the first week of June. This is more than a camping trip; students will master canoeing skills, explore Maine’s logging and cultural history, and build the resilience and teamwork skills that define a future generation of outdoor stewards.

“This expansion is a culmination of a decade of partnership and vision. We are thrilled to work with the Valley Unified schools to make the Allagash experience a fundamental part of growing up in the St. John Valley,” Daniel Dinsmore, AWWF Executive Director, said.

📋 ACTION REQUIRED: Student Registration & Parent Resources

We want to make the registration process as seamless as possible for families. To participate in the June expedition, please complete the digital health form below and review the essential guidelines.

1. Mandatory: Online Student Health Form

This form is submitted directly online and sent securely to Chewonki’s healthcare team. Completion of this form is required for all participating students.

2. Essential Trip Information

Please download and review these documents to ensure your student is properly equipped and informed:

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

  • Mid-April: YOTA informational meetings with students at all three St. John Valley middle schools.

  • May 18: Final pre-trip virtual meeting.

  • June 1: YOTA Orientation Day (Tech Center, Frenchville).

  • June 2–4: YOTA 2026 Expedition.

Allagash in the Spotlight

The upcoming YOTA expansion has recently been featured across the state, highlighting the unique collaboration between the Waterway and our local schools:

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