Bonny Eagle Middle School Pathfinder Program

Faster than anyone ever expects or wants, students and staff find themselves more than halfway through the 2026 Winter Bonny Eagle Middle School Pathfinder Program trip.

It was another cool morning that dawned into a beautiful day. Today’s adventures—following a hearty breakfast in the lodge—included some "forced family fun," as several of the kids affectionately called it.

Once the clutter and chaos of breakfast was cleared, the team set about preparing snacks and packs for a hike around the pond to explore the landscape. While following trails and bushwhacking through others, the team was greeted by a flyover from a local rescue helicopter out on maneuvers. After carefully descending the ridge, the annual Bog Hockey game got underway! Play was competitive, and every student played well and had a blast.

Once everyone was back at camp, we enjoyed a light lunch of sandwiches and chips before an afternoon round of sledding. Later, everyone loved coming back to the lodge for a hearty stir-fry and teriyaki dinner.

After evening journaling—musing over how the kids will eventually describe their camp experience—everyone made their way through the dark to the campfires for S'mores and Oreos before heading off to sleep.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of cleaning and organizing, balanced with stretching every camp minute left before our inevitable return home on Friday.

Here is last night's update from the Bonny Eagle Middle School Pathfinder Program winter team!

"The BEMS pathfinders winter team has once again landed at MYFGA, the Maine Youth Fish and Game Association!

Today, the kids stopped off for a glamorous Subway lunch in Old Town before bidding adieu to technology and indoor plumbing for 5 days. With temps in the high 20s, it was all hands on deck to unload, haul gear, and prep camp for the week.

Every kid rocked it! There were no idle hands as bags and gear made their way up to the campsite.

Once tents were set up and adirondacks were organized, the kids helped organize the pantry of supplies and prepped for dinner - hamburgers, hotdogs, potato’s and green beans over the campfire!

Kids cooked their own dogs and took turns in the smoke flipping burgers.

The evening wound down with a full moon game of manhunt on the pond, reading around the campfire, and some well deserved snacks before bed.

Tomorrow’s adventures will begin with a breakfast in the lodge, ice fishing, and a trip around the pond to break out the snowshoes or skis.

Tonight, as the quiet of a good sleep in the cold Maine woods settles in, sitting by the fire, I have to say I am so proud of and impressed by these kids. Not too bad for day one. I can’t wait to see what fun and shenanigans tomorrow may hold.

Apologies on the limited photos. We brought cameras along for the kids to use and have handed over much of the “documentation” to them. Who knows what kinds of shots we’ll get through their eyes!? 🙂"

I threw in a bonus photo to this update as I've been sporting a beard in Mr. Avery's absence at morning bus duty. Some kids raised an eyebrow while other saw it as a regular day with us outside. So, if you drop your student off at Bonny Eagle Middle School in the morning and have questions about Bonny Eagle Middle School Pathfinder Program, look for the giant beard. ~Director/Coach Simmons

The 2026 Winter Bonny Eagle Middle School Pathfinder Program team is officially off on their grand adventure! The kids were excited and nervous to finally hit the road. Thank you to the trip leaders who are making this week happen for our students. We can't wait to hear all about your adventures when you return on Friday! ~Director/Coach Simmons