Family Resources
Below is select information about Rippleffect programs. Please see the 2024 Family Handbook for complete information.
transportation
Ocean Based Programs: For the 2024 season, participants will leave from the Rippleffect Dock and ride Rippleffect boats and Fogg Water Taxi boats to get to Cow Island. Rippleffect and Fogg Water Taxi boats are operated by a licensed boat captain and we adhere to all Coast Guard regulations for transporting passengers. Ocean based programs will meet at the Ocean Gateway Terminal located at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, Maine 04101.
Mountain Based Programs: For the Summer 2024 season all mountain based programs will be leaving from the Rippleffect Office. The Rippleffect office is located at 159 State Street, Basement level, Portland, Maine 04101.
Rippleffect Outdoor Community Camp: Drop-off and pick-up will be at the Rippleffect Outdoor Community Center Monday-Wednesday, and Friday*. Directions: 23 Orono Rd, Portland, ME 04102
Drop-off and Pick-up will be at the Ocean Gateway on Thursday* as the Maples and Pines will be headed to Cow Island!
Directions: 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, ME 04101
*For the week of 7/1-7/3, drop-off and pick-up will be at the Rippleffect Outdoor Community Center on Monday and Friday. Drop-off and Pick-up will be at the Ocean Gateway on Tuesday.
First Day Check in, Daily Drop off & Pick Up Times:
Aucocisco Day Camps, Classic Cow Overnight Camps, Teen Leadership Camps, Paddle Treks:
The beginning of the program week, we begin checking participants in for all Cow Island based programs (Aucocisco, Classic Cow, Island-based expeditions, etc…) at 7:30am.
Daily Drop Off after the first day registration will be 8am. Participants MUST arrive BY 8am as we are on a strict boat departure schedule.
Pick Up in the afternoon will be by 4:30pm.
Mountain Based Programs, Trippleffect, Sea Kayak Guide in Training:
Please review your confirmation email or the program’s individual web page as drop-off and pick-up times are program dependent.
Rippleffect Outdoor Community Camp:
Drop-off and pick-up will be at 9am and 3:30pm each day.
Absences, Late Arrivals & Early Pickups
We make every attempt to follow our boat schedules and leave on time. If you are running late, please call the Rippleffect office to let us know. If your child will not be able to attend a program, or miss a day, please call the Rippleffect Island Number at 207.331.3663 to let us know they will not be attending.
If you are late arriving to the program and the boat has already left, it is your responsibility to call a water taxi to bring your child out to Cow Island. Please call us and let us know so that we can make sure our dock is clear and a space is available for another boat.
Camp Living
Bathroom Facilities: Cow Island has 2 bathroom facilities consisting of 4 single stall composting toilets. Handwashing stations with running water are accessible at each bathroom facility, as well as several other stations around the island. There are no shower facilities on Cow Island.
While on expedition, participants will be using a variety of different facilities depending on their campsite location. These may include outhouses/pit toilets, wag bags, or cat holes. At each campsite, Rippleffect guides will ensure that each participant has privacy and is familiar with the specific bathroom requirements of that particular location. Hygiene is a priority on Rippleffect expeditions; participants will have access to hand sanitizer and backcountry handwashing stations throughout the duration of their adventure.
Sleeping Areas: Rippleffect will provide separate sleeping areas designated by gender (exceptions apply based on a participant’s gender identity). Students may be sleeping in either wall tents, traditional camping tents, or under expedition tarps while with Rippleffect. Wall tents on Cow Island are large canvas tents set on wooden platforms that sleep twelve to fourteen people. Traditional camping tents usually sleep between two to six people. Our expedition tarps sleep between five and eight people.
Program Readiness Skills
All Rippleffect participants must:
be willing and able to spend the entirety of the day outside including during rain (severe weather conditions will result in moving programming indoors).
be able to participate independently, or with reasonable accommodations/modifications that do not conflict with the program structure.
be able to respect the public land and facilities that we use during our programming. This includes following the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
be able to take and follow directions and instructions from guides.
interact and participate in a manner that is physically and emotionally safe for themselves and others.
be able to advocate for personal care.
respect others (listening and following directions; using appropriate language; keeping hands and feet to self).
maintain self-control (anger management).
Payments and Refunds
Rippleffect is not responsible for issuing refunds for missed days due to appointments, illnesses, or other reasons.
Refund Policy for our 5-Day Summer Programs:
Before April 1st, a full refund (including $100 deposit) will be provided for cancellations
Please note that there is a 3% cancelation fee for refunds processed through Credit Cards or eCheck
By April 1st, the total program payment is due
If payment is not made by April 1st, Rippleffect will make 2 attempts to contact the primary parents/guardians.
Your child's space in the program will be forfeited if payment is not made by the stated date within Rippleffect communication, unless there has been an agreement made between Rippleffect and the primary parents.
After April 1st, the $100 deposit is non-refundable
After May 1st, no refund is available unless Rippleffect is able to fill your space in the program
After June 1st no refund is available
Refund Policy for our 11-Day Summer Expeditions:
Non-refundable $300 deposit due upon enrollment
By March 15th, the total program payment is due, and no refund is available
If payment is not made by March 15th, Rippleffect will make 2 attempts to contact the primary parents/guardians.
Your child's space in the program will be forfeited if payment is not made by the stated date within Rippleffect communication, unless there has been an agreement made between Rippleffect and the primary parents.
Please note that there is a 3% cancelation fee for refunds processed through Credit Cards or eCheck
Please note this refund policy is in-line with other expeditionary programs in the area and will be implemented due to the advanced planning required for the program.
If you would like to set up a payment plan that falls outside of our payment schedule, please contact our office at info@rippleffect.net