MTEC has partnered with the Appalachian Mountain Club to train our employees in outdoor leadership with the goal of taking our members outside of the center to enjoy hiking and camping trips. We began with a day long hiking trip in Harold Parker State Forest, where we began to teach our teens to prepare for their upcoming camping trip. Our first overnight camping trip took place on Ponkapoag Pond during the summer of 2021. Youth learned to set up tents, cook meals on a camping stove, and even to paddle a canoe! Our teens also took part in a 4 mile hike around the pond upon which they saw a variety of local wildlife. The trip was a hit with the kids who participated and we look forward to hosting more hiking day trips and camping overnight trips in the future!
Check out our facebook page for more photos of all of our trips.