Maine Sail & Backpack
A multi-sport adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains, featuring backpacking, whitewater canoeing, and rock climbing.
▌ Editor's read The Outward Bound Maine – Sail & Backpack course website loads successfully, detailing a high school wilderness program focused on sailing and backpacking. Outward Bound is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with an expiration year of 2024, confirming adherence to industry standards. The organization's 'About Us' section highlights its founding by Kurt Hahn and 80 years of operation, establishing it as a long-standing non-profit. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks. This specific course is an overnight program. Google reviews for 'Outward Bound' generally reflect positive experiences, with an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 1,000 reviews, frequently praising the transformative nature of the programs and the quality of the instructors. Social media handles found are @outwardbound on Instagram and OutwardBound on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 194680+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 14–16
Maine Sail & Backpack serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1946 (80 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 14–16
- Hours: Full Day
- Address: 2588 Friendship Rd, Friendship, ME 04547, USA
- Phone: 866-467-7651
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: The total cost for the 15-day course is $5,325.
↗ What parents like
- Backpacking, canoeing, and climbing
- Blue Ridge Mountains
- Multi-sport adventure
↘ Watch for
- Physically demanding
- No prior experience needed
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Maine Sail & Backpack
- What ages does Maine Sail & Backpack accept?
- Maine Sail & Backpack is open to children ages 14–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Maine Sail & Backpack cost?
- Maine Sail & Backpack publishes $2,485/week for the standard session. The total cost for the 15-day course is $5,325. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Maine Sail & Backpack's hours?
- Maine Sail & Backpack runs Full Day. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Maine Sail & Backpack accredited?
- Yes — Maine Sail & Backpack is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 80 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Maine Sail & Backpack?
- Maine Sail & Backpack is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 80 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Maine Sail & Backpack provide lunch?
- Yes — Maine Sail & Backpack includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Maine Sail & Backpack with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Maine Sail & Backpack.
- Maine Island Adventure · Ages 13–14 · $2,850/week
- Maine Island Adventure · Ages 13–14 · $2,850/week
- Maine Island Adventure · Ages 13–14 · $2,850/week
- Maine Island Adventure · Ages 13–14 · $2,850/week
- Maine Sail & Backpack · Ages 14–16 · $2,399/week
- Maine Coast Veterans Sail · Ages 18–18 · $58/week
- Maine to Bahamas Leadership Semester · Ages 18–22 · $1,846/week
- Maine Coast Veterans Sail · Ages 18–21 · $58/week