Teens to Trails, also known as T3, has launched the Association of Maine Outing Clubs or AMOC.

The association is a membership organization serving Maine High School Outing Clubs and Advisors.

AMOC will establish a unified network of Outdoor Clubs to support club advisors and promote the sharing of ideas and resources. It will also work to establish best practices for Maine’s High School Outing Clubs and make a powerful advocacy group that can raise awareness of the importance of outdoor experiences in the lives of Maine teens.

Benefits for members of AMOC include discounts through many of T3’s Partner businesses and organizations, increased networking with other Outing Clubs, access to free and discounted outdoor adventures put together by T3 and its Partners, an L.L. Bean gift card or first aid kit appropriate for group outings, and discounted entry fee for two advisors to the first ever Association of Maine Outing Clubs Advisor Conference to take place at Sugarloaf on Monday, March 17. The conference will be an opportunity for advisors to gather, network, and take part in professional development sessions to optimize the Outing Club programming available to their students.

High school outing clubs provide invaluable opportunities for Maine teens to have confidence-building and enriching personal growth experiences in the natural world. Teens To Trails aspires to connect every Maine high schooler to Maine’s beautiful wilderness and take advantage of the state treasure that resides just outside our back doors.

“I'm so excited to know that there will be an organization of Outing Clubs in our state to help clubs gain traction and fiscal support as a legitimate and worthwhile extracurricular activity on par with sports, drama, robotics, etc.,” said Yarmouth Outing Club Advisor Catie Wooten. “All kids should have chances to learn how to enjoy the outdoors safely!”

To join AMOC as an Outing Club or Outing Club Advisor or for information about the AMOC Conference, please visit the Teens To Trails website.