Cow Island Summer Programs and Wilderness Treks
Rippleffect programs help youth build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England. Our programs offer something for everyone! Join us for the adventure.
2025 Summer offerings
Find out more information about our offerings by clicking on the program names below that are appropriate for your camper’s age. Please note that enrollment is limited to 4 summer programs per camper, unless other agreements have been made with the Rippleffect office. Please contact info@rippleffect.net for questions.
2025 registratION dates
Tuesday 1/14/25 at 7AM - Registration will open for Summer Programs to 2024 Alumni families
Friday 1/17/25 at 7AM - Registration will open for 2024 Waitlisted Families (those who remained on a waitlist for the entire 2024 program season)
Wednesday 1/22/25 at 7AM - Registration will open for all other families (new families, those not enrolled in 2024 programs, or who declined a space off the waitlist in 2024)
If you have any questions about which day you are eligible to register, please email us at info@rippleffect.net.
Get Ready!
We are excited to announce that Rippleffect is transitioning to a new, user-friendly enrollment platform - Amilia SmartRec! Our hope is that this change will improve the enrollment experience and help us better serve you! Please see the important Registration Information, as this change does require a few action items on your part to get us started.
Aucocisco Day Programs
Aucocisco is the Abenaki name for Casco Bay, meaning “place of herons”
Our Aucocisco programs offer young adventurers the opportunity to explore our island home, learn the fundamentals of sea kayaking, experience our zip line, go rock climbing, and make new friends.
Waves: Rising 7th - 8th: This program includes an optional one-night overnight
Classic Cow Programs
Our Classic Cow Programs are week-long overnight programs where participants sea kayak, experience the Cow Island challenge course, play intensely fun games, and learn wilderness camping and cooking skills.
Classic Cow Islanders: Rising 6th: This program includes all of the above and the week-long overnight is based on Cow Island.
Classic Cow Explorers: Rising 7 - 8th: This program includes all of the above and a one-night paddle to a neighboring Casco Bay Island.
Classic Cow Journeys: Rising 8th - 10th: This program includes all of the above and a two-day paddle trip to nearby islands.
Treks
Our Treks offer the height of Rippleffect wilderness adventure as Trekkers will have the opportunity to summit White Mountain peaks, expedition paddle throughout Casco Bay’s Calendar Islands, backpack on the Appalachian Trail and more!
Intro to Mountains: Rising 7th - 9th: Participants will set off to explore, learn, and adventure in the mountains.
Mountain Trek: Rising 9th - 12th: This five-day backpacking program is the perfect adventure for any high school student to access the mountains.
Summit 2 Sea: Rising 9th - 12th: This ten-day wilderness adventure will take participants through the White Mountains and onto the ocean for a combo hiking and sea kayaking expedition.
Paddle Trek I: Rising 7th - 9th: Participants will spend their five-day trip paddling around Casco Bay while learning valuable outdoor living and leadership skills.
Paddle Trek II: Rising 9th - 12th: Participants will spend this five-day trip exploring the coast of Maine and camping on some of Maine’s most picturesque and remote islands.
MaineTrek: Rising 9th - 12th: During this 11-day expedition, participants will explore all of what the Northern Maine wilderness has to offer, including base camping in Baxter State Park and a 4-day flatwater canoeing expedition.
Advanced Leadership Programs
Our leadership programs focus on helping participants find confidence and courage through leadership. Along the way, participants will explore the definitions and styles of leadership through experiential activities on Cow Island, guided discussion, self reflection and peer leadership opportunities.
Girls Leadership Week: Rising 9th - 11th: The Girls Leadership Week focuses on helping young female-identifying participants find confidence and courage through leadership.
Sea Kayak Guide in Training: Rising 10th - College Freshman: Our most rigorous program, this eleven-day program will give participants the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a sea kayak guide.
You must have previous Rippleffect Trek experience in order to apply
Youth Leadership Week: Rising 9th - 11th: The Youth Leadership Week focuses on helping young people of all identities find confidence and courage through leadership in an inclusive, affirming, supportive community.
OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS OFFER:
Leadership Development
Challenge course elements (high and low elements), climbing wall, group initiatives, games and team-building activities that cultivate skills in conflict resolution, small group problem solving and communication. Activities focus around 3 tiers of leadership: self, peer and community.
Sea Kayaking
Fundamental technical paddling skills, judgment and decision-making, coastal navigation, winds and tides, island and inlet explorations of Casco Bay and beyond.
Outdoor Living
Wilderness camping and cooking skills, appropriate layering techniques, nutrition, hygiene, and general life skills that are critical to surviving and thriving in an outdoor environment. Special emphasis on Leave No Trace wilderness ethics.
Spirit
Helping students find a place of centered peace and comfort in their own solitude. Yoga, solos, journaling and group reflections and debriefs are critical aspects of all of our youth programs.
Environmental Education
Coastal ecosystems, organic gardening, monitoring invasive species and managing island conservation zones through service learning projects.
Arts and Creativity
Music, improvisational theater, video journaling, metal smithing, storytelling, and environmental art.