When lost in a car accident in 2005, Edgecomb's Sara Leone inspired the creation of a scholarship to send teens on a 3-week summer wilderness experience providing an extraordinary adventure in self-discovery, made possible by a partnership between Teens To Trails and Chewonki. 

Wiscasset High School junior Colleen Hendricks was selected as this year's recipient and has recently returned from spending three amazing weeks paddling through some of Maine's most wild and scenic lands as part of Chewonki's Allagash Canoe Trip.

"Depending on the day, we would paddle five to 17 miles before setting up our campsite for the night,” Hendricks said. “I think going on these trips and spending time outside gives you the chance to be pushed physically and mentally. It was also cool to spend three weeks making friends with girls I had never known before while helping each other through daily challenges.”

Hendricks thanked those involved for the opportunity.

“Colleen paddled along with her fellow Chewonki trippers the length of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway across remote streams, lakes and ponds,” said Carol Leone, Sara’s mother. “We know these outdoor experiences can change a life and we were happy to give Colleen this opportunity.” 

Founded by Sara's family and friends and now completing its sixth year, Sara's Scholarship endeavors to spark student interest in the outdoors and encourage the growth of Outing Clubs across Maine — all goals of the Teens To Trails organization.