Tekαkαpimək opens to the public! – June eNewsletter

Woods & Waters Day registration, Tekαkαpimək opening day, trail work, summer adventures, and more…

It’s finally here – Saturday, June 21st, Tekαkαpimək Contact Station officially opened to the public for the first time under the care of National Park Service rangers at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument! Your generosity brought this special building and space to fruition and your enthusiasm through the bumps in the road–from a global pandemic to stressors on the construction industry–was inspiring.

Now, let the beauty of the natural surroundings, unique architecture, original artwork and exhibitry, and Wabanaki stories inspire you. Plan your trip today!

• Beginning Friday, June 27th, hours will be weekly from Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The building will be closed Monday through Thursday
• Click over to: Visitor Centers – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

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Woods & Waters Day

Hooray! Registration is now open for our annual Woods & Waters Day, celebrating the 9th anniversary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and nearly a decade of building community and outdoor recreation opportunities for Katahdin region youth and families.

Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters proudly presents this event together with Maine Beer Company and Richardson’s Hardware.

• Saturday, August 16th – 5-9 p.m. at Shin Pond Village, Mount Chase
• Dinner catered by Moe’s Original BBQ
• Beer on tap from Maine Beer Company (first pour is included in ticket)
• Live music from Lazers in the Jungle (formerly Fogtown Family Band)
• Tickets starting at $40
• Show your passion for Friends as a Host (tickets included) starting at $125

A schedule of daytime events on Saturday and helpful resources to explore Katahdin Woods and Waters will be published on the event site and shared via email to registrants in the next several weeks. If you would like to spend one or more nights for the event, we recommend securing lodging as soon as possible. Find options here at the Destination Katahdin lodging guide.

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Friends’ News

Katahdin Woods and Waters – A Place for Learning!

With Maine’s short summer, in June we like to dive right into hiking, camping, and exploring—and the Katahdin Learning Project is spending more time than ever in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument! The team kicked off the season at the Lunksoos group campsites with an experiential two-day (including overnight) Leave No Trace Trainer Course for outdoor professionals. Several attendees, who now hold LNT Trainer 1 certificates, will be leading our youth trips this summer. We’re proud that the seven Leave No Trace principles, from plan ahead and prepare through be considerate of others, will be woven into all their summer treks, trips, and lessons.

 

Just a few days ago we hosted our ninth annual Teacher Camp, a professional development opportunity providing educators of all types training in aspects of outdoor education, place-based learning, and Wabanaki studies. In partnership with the National Park Service and Wabanaki artist and educator Jennifer Neptune, Friends’ education team welcomed 27 teachers from across the state to Tekαkαpimək Contact Station for a special presentation and a workshop on incorporating Wabanaki Studies into their classrooms. Despite the near record-setting heat and thick mosquito coverage, spirits were high and all left feeling inspired. We hope this program encourages further experiential trips for the teachers and their students to our local public lands!

For local 6th-12th grade youth, our free teen summer adventure series launched with an overnight camping trip led by Friends’ place-based educator Maggie and staff from our partner Outdoor Sport Institute. From pitching tents and building fires to cooking healthy meals and staying safe outdoors, students learned the fundamentals of camping—all from the front country group site at Lunksoos. We’ve got plenty more monument trips planned this summer. You can still register for day and overnight trips here.

Calling all rising 4th or 5th graders in the Katahdin region! Registration is now open, but space is limited, for our free day trips to Katahdin Woods and Waters on July 17 and August 21. Click here to sign up today, and get ready for a fun day in the national monument with KLP and National Park Service rangers!

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Behind the Signs

News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

• In case you missed it: Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is now open Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Labor Day. Always check for updates and announcements before heading in: Visitor Centers – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).
• The first weekend of visitation to Tekαkαpimək saw about 160 people come through the doors to experience the stories and art within, many of whom were first-time visitors to Katahdin Woods and Waters.
• Worried about rough roads or getting lost on the way into Tekαkαpimək? No need! Friends’ Executive Director Brian Hinrichs posted this fun tour on Instagram that takes less than one minute to ease your mind.
• The Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS) trail crew spent the first week with [type of staff] from the National Park Service “blending hands-on conservation with traditional Wabanaki knowlege.” Friends is proud to support the WaYS crew and make this program possible.
• Enjoy improved conditions on the Deasey Mountain Trail this summer, thanks in part to the small but intrepid crew from the Maine Chapter International Appalachian Trail. Learn more about the IAT in the monument here: International Appalachian Trail – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

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Ripple Effect

News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond

• Happy 100th birthday to the Katahdin Chamber of Commerce! The Millinocket Visitor Center will soon unveil a fresh look including an accessible ramp and deck. Stop by to pick up the brand new Visitor’s Guide!
• Catch Brian Hinrichs, Friends’ executive director, at the Millinocket Memorial Library Coffee & Chat for Seniors on July 21st to hear updates and ask questions about the national monument.
• Save the Date – Stars Over Katahdin will be held on Saturday, September 27th at Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground. Registration coming soon!
• But you don’t have to wait to enjoy Maine’s night skies – follow Dark Sky Maine for summer star parties, astronomical highlights, and more.

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Sponsor Spotlight

Thank you to our Lookout Sponsor Versant Power for their second year of supporting Friends! Versant contributes time and funding to a variety of nonprofit groups #ForABrighterCommunity.

And thank you to F.A.Peabody for their longtime support with a Barnard level sponsorship! A family company based in Houlton, F.A. Peabody is there for Mainers “Because…Things Happen.”

Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn more about becoming a sponsor in 2025, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.

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—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on June 30, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup