The next generation of wilderness leaders: High schoolers conquer the Allagash

Eight high school students from Ashland and the St. John Valley just proved that the future of the Allagash is in excellent hands. Emerging from the North Maine Woods this past weekend on Sunday, May 31st, these motivated young paddlers successfully completed the 2026 Youth on the Allagash Advanced Leadership Trip — a transformative five-day wilderness expedition.

Now in its fourth year, this elite trip is designed specifically for high school alumni of our eighth-grade YOTA program. This year, the eight participants returned to the river not just to paddle, but to step up as true wilderness leaders, mastering backcountry campcraft, team navigation and outdoor resilience.

Running from May 26 to May 30, the five-day expedition was guided by Dave Conley and the expert team at Canoe the Wild. The group launched into the pristine wilderness of northern Maine, experiencing everything the Allagash has to offer.

According to the trip summary provided by Canoe the Wild, the students did an incredible job stepping up as wilderness leaders, handling the physical demands of the river with enthusiasm and curiosity.

“We’re ecstatic that the students involved in our Youth on the Allagash Advanced Leadership trip had such a fantastic time on the river last week,” said AWWF Executive Director Dan Dinsmore. “Dave Conley and his crew at Canoe the Wild do a terrific job of exploring the Allagash. They have so much to share with these students.”

By returning to the Allagash as high schoolers, these participants are able to deepen their connection to the North Maine Woods, build lifelong leadership skills, and gain a profound appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of their own backyard.

An expedition of this scale is only possible through the incredible generosity of our community partners and foundations. We extend our deepest gratitude to our 2026 YOTA Presenting Partner, Acadia Federal Credit Union, as well as the foundations and local businesses whose funding directly supports these transformative youth experiences.

AWWF’s Youth on the Allagash program is supported by Acadia Federal Credit Union, our 2026 YOTA Presenting Partner, the Dorr Foundation, the Quimby Family Foundation, Widgeon Point Charitable Foundation, NBM Railways, NorState Federal Credit Union, Daigle Oil and individual donors.