Camping and Hiking

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.


Appalachian Mountain Club Logo


Hiking at Harold Parker State Forest

Group Photo of Teens During 1 Mile Hike
Teens Walking Over Bridge During 1 Mile Hike
Teens Hiking 1 Mile
Teens Working Together to Set up Tent for the First Time
Teens Relaxing by the Water During 1 Mile Hike
Group Photo  of Teens After 1 Mile Hike

Camping at Ponkapoag Pond

Group Photo During 4 Mile Hike
Teens Learning About How to Leave No Trace When Camping
Teens Working Together to Set Up a Tent
Teens Cooking Breakfast
Teens During 4 Mile Hike
Teens Swimming in Ponkapoag Pond
Teens Making Smores Around Camp Fire
Teens Writing out a Group Agreement and Goals on an MTEC Go Malden T-shirt
Two Teens proud to have complete the set up of their tents