Spirit Week: April 22 - 26

The Maine Day of Service Tradition

In 1935 President Arthur Hauck inaugurated MAINE DAY, a day set aside for “spring clean-up” of our campus. The entire campus community  – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – pitches in to spruce up the campus. Historically Maine Day was set on Wednesday of the last week of classes of the Spring semester. Over the decades, the tradition transitioned away from its roots and became a large-scale celebration. 

In the fall of 2024, the University shifted to “Spirit Week”, a week-long focus on beautification, giving back to campus, and increasing Black Bear school spirit. 

Below you will find a frequently updated schedule of events, athletic games, and service opportunities. Sign up for service opportunities at the bottom of this page

Dark blue background with the words "Maine Day of Service" in white with a hammer hitting the e in service. The Student Life logo is in the lower right hand corner.
Image Description: Dark blue background with the words "Maine Day of Service" in white with a hammer hitting the e in service. The Student Life logo is in the lower right hand corner.

Spirit Week and Maine Day of Service Sign Up

Sign up to volunteer during Spirit Week and Maine Day of Service at umaine.edu/volunteer/mdos

Spirit Week Schedule

Saturday (April 20)

Accepted Students Day
Join us in welcoming accepted students to campus!

Community Yard Clean-Up for Senior Citizens, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Eastern Area Agency is joining with the Bodwell Center to help clean up yards for our communities senior citizens.  Reach out to the Bodwell Center to sign up for this opportunity! Sign up on the volunteer website: umaine.edu/volunteer/mdos

Bear Necessities Fan Shop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Come get your UMaine swag at Bear Necessities in the Alfond!

Zimmerman Challenge, 10 a.m.
Compete with a team of 4-5 in the annual Zimmerman Challenge.  For more details and to sign up visit zimfitchallenge.com or email zimmermanfc@gmail.com.

Healthy High Road Race, 10:30 a.m.
The Healthy High makes its return! Visit the New Balance Recreation Center website for more information and to sign up for the race!

Spring Football Game, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come cheer on the Black Bear football team in their annual spring scrimmage. 

Softball Double Header, first game at 12 p.m., second game at 2 p.m.
Come cheer on the Lady Black Bears as they take on UMBC is a double header!

Baseball Game, 1 p.m.
Come cheer on the Black Bear baseball team as they face Rider University!  Bring your children to this Youth Day game with post game autographs!

Mingo, 7 p.m. (North Pod in the Union)
Join the Center for Student Involvement to play Mingo and win some cool prizes!

Sunday (April 21)

Events are TBD
Please check back for updates!

Monday (April 22): Earth Day

Green Campus Initiative Campus Clean Up, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join UMaine’s Green Campus Initiative and Student Government in helping keep our campus clean.  Meet at the Stewart Quad to pick up your supplies!

Grand Opening of the Center for Accessibility and Volunteer Engagement, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the UMaine community for the Grand Opening of the Center for Accessibility and Volunteer Engagement (CAVE) in the old UCU building on Rangeley Road!

Planting Serenity: Stress Management through Potting Plants, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Come learn about stress management through planting with Student Wellness on the University Mall. 

Myers-Briggs Personality Types Workshop, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Join Student Wellness in the Mind Spa to talk about Myers-Briggs personality types!

Senior Week Event: Senior Series Drop In, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Come talk with the Senior Class Council about issues relevant to graduating students in the Career Center. 

Earth Day Innovation Hour, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
This Earth Day, come to the Foster Center for Innovation to enjoy refreshments and network with creative people from across schools and centers at UMaine!

At this brainstorming and networking and event, students, staff, and faculty will be armed with markers and sticky notes, and encouraged to walk around and brainstorm ideas big and small. Together, we’ll come up with a mix of wild and practical ideas for how we might innovate technology and systems to protect the environment.

Senior Week Event: Movie Day at Black Bear Cinema, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Join fellow seniors in watching a movie hosted by Black Bear Cinemas in Orono!

Tuesday (April 23): Class of 2025 Day

Senior Week Event: Cap Decorating, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Come by the Walker Room in the Memorial Union to decorate your cap with all of your Black Bear pride!

Campus Service Projects, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sign up for service projects across campus!  See our volunteer website for more information: umaine.edu/volunteer/mdos

Bear Necessities Tent Sale, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Check out the annual tent sale and stock up on UMaine gear!  Located in the tent outside the Alfond!

Wednesday (April 24): Maine Day of Service

Maine Day of Service Projects, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the Bodwell Center for Volunteerism on the University Mall for volunteer projects across campus! Sign up through our volunteer website: umaine.edu/volunteer/mdos
 
Bear Necessities Tent Sale, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Check out the annual tent sale and stock up on UMaine gear!  Located in the tent outside the Alfond!
 
Maine Day of Service BBQ, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Join UMaine Dining in Hilltop and York Dining Commons for BBQ food!
 
Maine Day of Service Events, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Join UMSG, Inc. and UMaine Campus Departments in the Memorial Union for food trucks, a Dunkin interactive experience, and various activities sponsored by your favorite UMaine Departments and campus partners!
  • UMSG, Inc.: food trucks will be in the Stevens Hall parking lot
  • Dunkin: Live, interactive experience by the Info Booth!
  • St. Baldrick’s: cut your hair and donate to a good cause by the Info Booth!
  • Center for Student Involvement: Hammocks by the Bookstore!
  • Student Wellness Resource Center: Mocktails by the Info Booth!
  • Title IX Student Services: Title IX Paint and Party by the Info Booth!
  • Athletics: Basketball / football games by the Bookstore!
  • CSL Plasma: Tabling in the Memorial Union!
  • Bear Necessities Cornhole: in the Atrium by the Bookstore.
 
Senior Week Event: Cornhole Tournament at Orono Brewing Company, 5 p.m.
Come play cornhole and enjoy a relaxing environment leading into graduation!
 

Thursday (April 25): Class of 2024 Day

Bear Necessities Tent Sale, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Check out the annual tent sale and stock up on UMaine gear!  Located in the tent outside the Alfond!

DIY Stress Ball Making, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join Student Wellness and UMSG, Inc. in DIY stress ball making and pill bottle painting in the Mind Spa. 

Senior Week Event: Senior Series Drop In, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Come talk with the Senior Class Council about issues relevant to graduating students in the Career Center. 

Friday (April 26): GO BLUE FRIDAY!

Bear Necessities Tent Sale, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Check out the annual tent sale and stock up on UMaine gear!  Located in the tent outside the Alfond!

Go Blue Friday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m
Join Bananas T. Bear in celebrating the final Go Blue Friday of the year!

Class of 2024 Thank You Celebration, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m
The first 150 Class of 2024 students who stop into our table at University Bookstore will receive a limited edition Campana Elm medallion and special gifts.

Jump Into Graduation, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join your fellow seniors at the Orono Trampoline Park to jump into graduation!

Harm Reduction

A huge part of the Maine Days is making sure students are staying safe while honoring this long standing tradition. Check out some of these tips provided by the Student Wellness Resource Center which can help you prepare for the Maine Days.

  • Make sure to have a group of people to enjoy festivities with. Watch out for each other and make sure everyone is on the same page.
  • Recognize your personal limits. Don’t go overboard with any substances. Slow down and pace yourself rather than try to consume too much at once.
  • Stick to a plan! There are a lot of things happening throughout each day of Spirit Week. Make a plan for each thing you would like to do and make sure your friends are accounted for throughout.
  • Be in control of your drinks. If you choose to consume alcohol, measure it before mixing. It is a safer practice to have a container that you control during the entire time you participate; Don’t give other people access to your container!
  • Remember to eat and hydrate! Eating food prior to using substances helps to slow down the absorption rate, and drinking water throughout can help replenish the water removed from the cells by alcohol and cannabis.

For more information click on the links below. 

Be an Active Bystander

Watch out for these signs of: Alcohol Overdose

Fentanyl Test Strips: Lower your risk of exposure

Know what’s in your BORG