Baxter State Park Trip 2023

Thursday July 20^th to Sunday July 23^rd, 2023.

For 1st Session campers, instead of leaving for home on departure day (Thursday, July 20th), they’ll head to Baxter State Park instead and depart on 2nd Session Arrival Day (Sunday, July 23rd). For 2nd Session campers, they will arrive on 1st Session Departure Day (Thursday, July 20th), participate in the trip, returning to camp for the regular first day campfire and activities on Sunday July 23rd, and then continue with their session as planned.

We are only taking 12 campers at this time.

Sleeping arrangements will be done exactly like Trip Week, with campers sleeping in gender-specific tent groups depending on numbers of campers by age. Campers will sleep in tents at the Foster Field Campground. All tents are provided by Camp Waziyatah and tent assignments will be made by the Guides.

Yes, the guides will have a Garmin satellite phone and will be making daily check-ins to camp. In addition, daily check-ins will be had at the ranger stations.

Campers must be age 12 or older to participate and be able to complete a certain checklist of physical skills. The hike to the top of Katahdin, while beautiful, is rigorous. Only campers who are capable of meeting the physical requirements should participate. To view the skills needed, click here.

All Wazi activities are SAFE FIRST and then FUN. Registered Maine Guides, Wilderness First Responders, and Senior Staff members Maddie Acosta and Benji Gonzales have scouted multiple trips with varying ascents to prepare to guide this adventure. Park Rangers will be notified of our arrival, guides are seasoned and certified, GPS beacons will be carried and all precautions will be taken to ensure this life-changing experience meets the utmost safety standards.

All participants MUST HAVE:

• A backpack with a waist strap. There are points where hands must be used for scrambling and packs need to be secure.
• Sturdy hiking shoes. Hiking boots, trail runners, approach shoes. No sneakers, crocs, slip-ons, etc.
• 2L of water bottles or a hydration bladder. Being able to carry a significant amount of water is key on longer hikes.
• A sleeping bag rated to 35 degrees. It is much colder in the evenings in Northern Maine than Western Maine where camp is located.
• Dry wicking layers. Clothing must be synthetic fabrics capable of quick drying.
• A waterproof and breathable (like Gore-tex) outer layer.
• Bug spray/sunscreen. Much like regular camp, protection against the elements and bugs is key.
• Flashlight or head lamp. There is no electricity in Baxter State Park. It gets “a new kinda dark” at night which makes for spectacular star-gazing!

Participants are welcomed to bring:

• Cameras.
• Hiking poles.
• Compass.
• Bed roll or sleeping pad (if they do not have one, camp will provide one)
• Fishing gear ***note, participants over the age of 14 who wish to fish will need to have Maine Fishing License. These can be obtained online and must be presented to the guide before the date of the trip. If participants do not wish to fish (or ar under 14), they do not need to have a fishing license.

Participants may not bring:

• More than 2 bags of clothing/gear.
• Scented deodorant, toiletries, perfumes.
• Electronics.
• Their own food/snacks.
• Knives, fire starters, personal camp stoves, other high-risk, specialized gear.

The trip runs the same dates as changeover and will cost the same amount ($595).

Registration can be done here. If you are unsure if this is the right trip for your camper, set up a time to speak with our Adventure Bound Director, Maddie Acosta. She can be reached at maddie@wazi.com or (804)815-5797.