Custom Adventure Programs for Schools and Groups

Alternative Orientation Programs or Wilderness Orientation Programs

These innovative programs make a great retreat or a wonderful kickoff to your school year or corporate campaign. Whether you decide that an Alternative Orientation Program (AOP) or a Wilderness Orientation Program (WOP) is best for your group, we will custom design your program to meet your goals.

Alternative Orientation Programs/Front Country — Alternative Orientation Programs (AOPs) are front-country programs that take place right here at Beech Cliff taking advantage of the 50 acres we own adjacent to Acadia National Park, our indoor and outdoor challenge course, cooking facility, cabins, trails, waterfront and, of course, any of the trails in Acadia. It is possible to even dive into some of Beech Cliff’s great project based learning opportunities such as building a cob oven or building a skin on frame boat!

At an AOP, your group can

• Use Beech Cliff as a base camp, or
• Use a local off-Island State Park as a base camp
• Sleep in cabins, lean-to’s, tents, tarps, or under the stars
• Utilize Beech Cliff’s Challenge Course, or design other group initiatives
• Take Day hikes in Acadia National Park and surrounding region
• Go rock climbing
• Take part in a Tyrolean Traverse
• Participate in projects such as cob oven building or building skin-on-frame boats!

Wilderness Orientation Programs/Back Country — Our Wilderness Orientation Programs (WOPs) can take place over a wide variety of location throughout New England – backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in Maine, the Long Trail in Vermont, exploring the White Mountains, or canoeing sections of the St. Croix or the Moose River – to name a few. Custom-designed for academic groups aged 5th grade through College and adult corporate, family, or nonprofit groups. Programs can span from 2 days in length to 10 days or more.

• Sleeping under tarps, lean-to’s or in tents
• Canoeing
• Backpacking
• Rock Climbing

Our Process - The process of developing a sound AOP/WOP at your school or business begins with gathering information to identify your program’s goals. Beech Cliff can conduct either a detailed Goals Inventory or a full Needs Assessment, consisting of a survey that all involved students and faculty complete and return to Beech Cliff. From these surveys, Beech Cliff compiles a Summary of Findings and formulates a Program Proposal to be reviewed by all appropriate individuals.

Close communication between Kyle Bissell (Director of Adventure Education) and the organization is very important. The Needs Assessment process allows all involved parties to make sure they are on the same page, voice concerns, and point out logistical challenges.

For more information on AOP/WOP options, and for details on what to think about if you are interested in setting one up with Beech Cliff at your school, click on Information for Group Organizers. To schedule a Needs Assessment, contact Kyle Bissell for more information!