CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou High School Junior Brady Miller is among 14 percent of a near-record number of applicants accepted into the 2020 Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program at Baxter State Park.
An annual event that involves over a week spent in the wilderness, Miller said he was thrilled to learn that he was accepted into the program. From a young age, Miller said he has always enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, mountain climbing, or just taking a walk.
In addition to enjoying outdoor activities for recreational purposes, Miller is also a member of the Nordic ski team and this year scored in the top five in the county and among the top 10 in the state.
His stepfather, Mark Shea, added that he was incredibly proud of Miller. Shea added in over two decades of being involved with Caribou’s outdoor and recreational programs, he does not recall any other local youth being accepted into the program.
“They only accept sophomores and juniors, so there’s a very small window to get into the program,” Shea said.
The program is scheduled from Aug. 1-9, and will involve backpacking from one end of the 200,000-acre reserve to the other and working with numerous specialists at the park to learn about the natural world, science, art, storytelling, photography, writing and history.
In a letter to Miller, Friends of Baxter State Park Executive Director Aaron Megquier wrote that the selection committee was “extremely impressed” with Miller’s leadership skills and character.
Megquier wrote that while the organization is currently making plans to start this program in early August, they are aware of the COVID-19 pandemic, and due to the uncertain nature of the virus, they may not be able to make a final decision about continuing the event until July.
