Director Ron Fournier Praises Staff, Counselors and Candidates
This summer’s program was a great success! Fourteen testers were onsite during the week in Oquossuc and I would like to thank them for their dedication and time. They demonstrate leadership and a deep passion for the outdoors, and the skills that JMG represents. This year’s testers included: Lynn O’Donnell, Katie Curtis, Virginia Geyer, Bill Southwick, Caitlyn Southwick, Haley Southwick, Marie Keane, K Bolduc, Lou Falank, Bruce McDonald, Pete St. John, Stephanie Emery, Lindley Brainard, and a special thank you to Dan O’Donnell for all the logistical support, set up and take down, and culinary contributions.
A total of 39 JMG candidates came from eight camps. This number is slightly up from last year. Participating camps included: Arcadia, Birch Rock, Bryant Pond, Kawahnee, O-At-Ka, Natarswi, Winona, and Wyonegonic. Seventeen candidates of the 39 passed and earned the distinction of becoming a Junior Maine Guide.
The counselors did a fine job conveying the Code of Conduct policies at the start of the week, and this amazing group of future leaders raised the bar on themselves. Counselors deserve a huge pat on the back for supporting their groups and allowing them the space in which to experience the JMG program individually and with their group. Counselors did several service projects throughout the week, and they helped to make camp run smoothly and made improvements that will benefit future years. This also helps us in maintaining a great relationship with the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve and Bill Roy, the Kennebago/Grants Camps gatekeeper. He was very pleased with the group.
During evening programs candidates had an orientation and heard about the history of JMG, listened to a talk from IF&W Angling and Outreach Specialist Chelsea Lathrop, and was entertained by long-time favorite, Registered Maine Guide and storyteller Roger Lambert. We also enjoyed a visit from MSC Executive Director Lucy Norvell, whose efforts we very much appreciate. Kareem Dieng, director of outdoor education at Camp Beech Cliff also visited. Camp Beech Cliff is one of our newest camps, currently offering the Junior Maine Woodscraft and Maine Woodscraft programs, with hopes of having JMGs in the near future.
A look at overall scores and trends on the various tests revealed that camps who focus on hiking/backpacking and canoeing trips fare much better with practical experience and knowledge. Canoeing in a current, even day trips, will better prepare JMGs in the future. Camps have made some real improvements on axe skills and shelter/ fireplace skills as well as managing the camp kitchen and coolers. This is one area that always needs to be prioritized. The testers will spend time this summer and early fall making adjustments to several testing modules, and we will make sure that all camps have this information this fall so that they can prepare. Materials will be provided to you well in advance so there will not be any surprises.
I applaud everyone involved with the program for doing a great job to navigate the path forward to assure that our young people have this and other opportunities like JMG available to them. I hope candidates enjoyed their experience and hope many will continue as your future CITs, counselors, trip leaders, and future stewards of the outdoors. This program is growing, and we are committed to maintaining relevancy, progress, and accessibility to all that wish to participate.
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