black bear bound

6 day expedtions

Start your academic career with an outdoor orientation trip!

~In operation since 1983~

Group picture of students wearing Maine Bound T-Shirts outside at a viewpoint.

~ Registration Opens May 11th, 2026~

August 19th-August 24th, 2026

All inclusive cost:

Spend the week camping, exploring the outdoors, learning skills, and meeting new friends. Choose between two expeditions: Penobscot River Canoe or Rock Climbing & Hiking. Each expedition is led by two skilled Maine Bound student staff members. They will teach outdoor skills and answer all your questions about attending the University of Maine! Each expedition will return to campus on Monday, August 24th, just in time to move in for RLE Bridge Week programs.

Registration closes: Friday, July 24th, 2026

Cost: $650

Explore the great Maine wilderness by canoe and camp along the banks of the upper west branch of the Penobscot River. People have been traveling by canoe on this waterway for 10,000 years! Spend the first couple of days on Lobster Lake learning canoeing skills, then continue down the river. Along the way, you’ll learn about leadership, safety, group management, and other outdoor skills. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a moose!

Day 1: 1:00 pm Arrive on campus, pack for the expedition, and stay on campus for the evening.

Day 2-3: Introduction to outdoor skills (canoeing, camping, etc)

Day 4-5: Showcase your group’s new skills on a longer paddle. Spend time in the evenings getting to know your group and learn all you want to know about attending UMaine. 

Day 6: Pack up camp, paddle to a take out, and return to campus in the afternoon.

Learn all about outdoor Rock Climbing! Throughout this trip, you’ll learn beginning and intermediate climbing skills. Visit climbing areas close to campus including crags in Clifton and Acadia National Park. In Acadia, you’ll spend a day climbing on the coast at Otter Cliffs! During the middle of the week, you’ll take a break from climbing and hike a beautiful coastal granite peak.

Day 1: 1:00 pm Arrive on campus, pack for the expedition, and head to camp for the evening

Day 2-3: Introduction to outdoor skills (climbing, camping, hiking)

Day 4-5: Showcase your group’s new skills on a longer hike or harder climb. Spend time in the evenings getting to know your group and learn all you want to know about attending UMaine. 

Day 6: Participate in one last morning activity, pack up camp, and return to campus in the afternoon.

Black Bear Bound Expeditions

Rock climbing photo on granite cliff with 6 people on the ground, and two climbers in the air on ropes.

50% and full scholarships available

application Link

Video credit: Sage Beauregard, 2025 Black Bear Bound Participant & current Maine Bound Staff Member

Black Bear Bound Commonly Asked Questions

No! All experience levels are welcome. Some past participants have never been camping, and others have extensive experience outdoors. Groups learn outdoor skills, leadership skills, and how to work as a team. Orientation trips bring people of all skills, backgrounds, and interests together, allowing everyone to come away with new learnings.

No. Unfortunately, we cannot charge your student account since you have not officially started at the University.

Absolutely not! Once you sign up for a program, you will receive a packing list. Maine Bound provides all gear needed by the group (tents, paddling equipment, climbing gear, cooking gear etc.)

We request that you bring a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and other personal items. We do have a limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, and some clothing items you can reserve for the trip at no charge!

If you cancel 3 weeks before the course start date, you will receive a full refund. Unfortunately, refunds for cancellations made within 3 weeks of the course start date cannot be given. A full refund will be given if Maine Bound cancels the course. Failure to attend the program will not result in a refund. 

All BBB instructors have received lots of training in many areas, including outdoor skills, group dynamics, decision making, and risk management. They all have previous experience on training trips, leading and participating in trips, and facilitating programs. All instructors are certified in wilderness medicine, CPR, and have Educational Trip Leader permits from the State of Maine. Some instructors have specialized skill certifications or training, such as Single Pitch Climbing Instructor or Swiftwater Rescue.

Please have your University of Maine email address and your Student ID number ready when you call to sign up.

Yes! You can attend both! All Black Bear Bound Expeditions will return to campus on 8/24 in time for Maine Hello.

  • Group stands on top of a painted rock with a black bear on it and the words keep Maine beautiful
  • A climber ascending a climb on top rope on a sea side cliff.
  • Group standing on a rocky lake shore in front of towering mountains on a blue sky day
  • Group gathered on the side of the river on a blue sky day surrounded by colorful kayaks
  • 4 people sitting at a campfire at night with marshmellow sticks
  • Group stand arms around each other on a cliffside overlooking the ocean
  • 4 girls stand in front of a lake
  • Group at the base of a cliff rock climbing turning towards the camera smiling
  • A group gathers together in front of the ocean holding sea kayaking paddles smiling
  • A group in green canoes lined up in front of the forest on the water smile
  • People sitting at the top of Otter Cliff watching two climbers climb up a chimney on top rope.
  • Large group of people standing in front of a green forest
  • A group at a picnic table look at a map and using a compass

Contact Maine Bound

Email: um.mainebound@maine.edu || Phone: 207-581-1794