$3,095 | Grades 6–8 & 9–12

Maine: Pathway to the Pines

JULY 26 – AUGUST 1, 2026 (GRADES 9-12)

AUGUST 2 – AUGUST 8, 2026 (GRADES 6–8)

JULY 26 – AUGUST 1, 2026 (GRADES 9-12) AUGUST 2 – AUGUST 8, 2026 (GRADES 6–8)

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Our favorite moments

Photos and stories that capture what makes this week so special.

Paddling the Acadia coastline by kayak, weaving through sea caves and rocky inlets.

Working side by side with park staff on Acadia’s trails and conservation sites.

Scaling granite cliffs with ropes, helmets, and coaching from trained leaders.

Setting up camp beneath the pines and learn to cook meals as a group.

Hiking to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for sunrise views over the Atlantic.

Watching the sky change colors from Lookout Point as the day ends.

Swimming off the rocky beaches after a long trail work day.

Spotting seabirds, tidepools, and rugged shoreline on daily coastal walks.

Don’t read it. Feel it.

Want to hear what this trip is really like? One of our OG trip leaders—who’s led RLT trips for the past three summers—walks you through the journey from start to finish and shares what it’s like to be out there.

**An at-a-glance look at the trip**Want the full breakdown? You’ll find it at the bottom of the page.

Day 1: Arrive in Maine and kick off at camp

Day 2: Kayak the coastline of Acadia

Day 3: Begin hands-on conservation & service

Day 4: Serve and swim in Moose Lake

Day 5: Rock climb the granite cliffs of Acadia

Day 6: Hike Cadillac Mountain for sunrise

What real people say about our trips

Featured

Jay T, an RLT parent

Our daughter had the best summer of her life—she’s already signed up for two more. She came back more confident, more connected, and more excited than ever to keep exploring the world.

Caitlin H, an RLT parent

Our sons came back with a new sense of self—more independent, more open, and deeply proud of what they’d done. They had fun, made friends, and grew in all the right ways.

Lisa G, an RLT parent

We were blown away by how much he grew—he came back more mature, proud of what he accomplished, and full of stories about the friends he made and the challenges he tackled.

How we serve in Maine

Hands-on projects that support the parks, people, and places that make this trip possible.

Hauling leaves and clearing trails to prevent erosion and protect native plants.

Restoring the park's entry trails.

Building picnic tables for Acadia’s campers.

Teaming up to haul brush and clear overgrown access trails.

Smiling through a morning of trail clean-up and park repairs.

All the details in one place

From lodging to logistics — here’s everything you’ll want to know before heading to Maine.

Trip Name
Maine: Pathway to the Pines
Who It's For
Middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students (Each group travels in separate sessions.)
2026 Sessions
Session 3A (High School): July 26 – August 1, 2026
Session 3B (Middle School): August 2 – August 8, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return. Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.
Location
Acadia National Park, Maine
Trip Length
7 Days
Service Hours
8–12
Tuition
$2,995
This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.
Day 1: Arrival & Group Intro
Arrive in Portland, meet your group and leaders, and head to the campground. Settle in, play games, and kick off the week together.
Day 2: Kayaking & Coastline Exploration
Paddle along Acadia’s coastline, weaving through sea caves and rocky inlets. Picnic on the beach with time to swim and relax.
Days 3–4: Community Service in Acadia
Partner with Friends of Acadia on trail maintenance, erosion control, and debris clean-up. Evenings include group hangouts, swims, and reflection.
Day 5: Rock Climbing
Climb Acadia’s granite cliffs and build rope skills. Learn to belay, navigate routes, and support your teammates.
Day 6: Cadillac Mountain & Reflection
Hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain at sunrise. End the trip with a final group dinner and reflection circle.
Day 7: Departure
Travel back to Portland and fly home.
We’ll be tent camping in or near Acadia National Park throughout the week.
Group Tents: Teens sleep in shared tents (2–3 per tent), organized by gender identity.
Rustic Facilities: Campsites are basic but beautiful, with access to bathrooms and showers every few days.
Setup & Breakdown: The group works together to set up camp, cook meals, and keep shared spaces clean—an important part of the experience.
What to Expect: Sleeping on the ground, hearing loons at night, and waking up to morning light through the trees.
All meals are prepared as a group at the campsite.
Cook Crew: Each day, a few teens help plan, prep, cook, and clean—rotating roles throughout the trip.
Simple + Fresh: Meals are kid-friendly, balanced, and easy to make outdoors—think pasta, burrito bowls, oatmeal, pancakes, wraps.
All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.).
Snacks + Hydration: Plenty of snacks and water breaks built in throughout the day, especially on active days like hiking and kayaking.
Flights
Families book flights to and from Portland, Maine (PWM).
Do not book your flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.
Travel Days
Session 3A (HS): Departs July 26 (Sun) from Portland
Session 3B (MS): Departs August 2 (Sun) from Portland
These are departure dates. Teens arrive home on the last day of the trip.
Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide all necessary details for check-in and pick-up.
Packing
We send a detailed packing list well in advance—everything fits in a duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
Headlamp
Rain jacket
Sturdy hiking shoes
Swimsuit + towel
No need for any special gear—we keep it simple.
Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and a small carry-on backpack.
Forms & Waivers
Once enrolled, you'll receive access to your RLT portal with required forms:
Health history and medical forms
Participant agreement and waiver
Emergency contact info
These must be submitted before your trip.
Medical Clearance
No doctor's appointment needed unless a new or complex medical condition has developed.
We review all forms to ensure we're prepared to support each participant.
Medications
All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be listed in your medical form. Leaders will manage and dispense meds as needed.
Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review with your teen. We want everyone to feel safe, included, and supported—this sets the tone.
Trip Insurance
Not required for domestic trips, but strongly encouraged. You’re welcome to use any third-party provider. For recommendations, visit our FAQ page or reach out to us directly.
Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required for domestic trips. Please ensure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines.
Passport
Not needed for this program.
Device-Free Philosophy
Our trips are intentionally phone-free. On Day 1, leaders collect all phones and personal electronics. They’re stored safely and returned at the end of the trip.
Why? Because disconnecting helps teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without constant tech
Cameras Welcome
Feel free to bring a digital camera or GoPro—anything that doesn’t connect to the internet. Trip leaders also take photos and share them in an online gallery after the program.
Communication
We’ll be in touch with families during the trip through regular updates. If there’s an emergency, you can reach our on-call team 24/7.

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