By Isabella Venziale '20

This past summer, I had the opportunity to go on a trip to Maine and New Hampshire with 11 other GA students. The Germantown Academy Experience (GAXP) program formed three years ago and ever since has been a flourishing program that is free for selected students. This trip, in particular, revolved around learning different paddling techniques. Going into the trip I definitely did not see myself as the outdoors type, but I left feeling the exact opposite. For six days, I was entirely one with nature, except for one night when we got to stay in an Airbnb, which I can not lie, sleeping in an actual bed was definitely a highlight of the trip.

We spent the first three days of our trip in Maine. We set up camp along the shore and each day we would get up and begin paddling out on Lake Sebago. We got to paddle to different islands all around the lake and stop and explore each island. On one of the islands there was a quarry and we got to swim and relax for a bit before getting back on the water. One night we got to camp out on one of the islands. After a long day of paddling, we all set up camp, prepared dinner, and got to watch the sunset. On our third day of sea kayaking, we encountered a few baby seals that swam throughout our various kayaks. Each day we got to see new animals and plants. Luckily for us, Mr.O'Hern, who chaperoned the trip, was always able to provide information about each species. Next, we spent two days canoeing on the Saco River. The weather both days was gorgeous and we had time to get out and swim again. The river was lined with rope swings and each time we saw one we stopped and attempted to do different tricks off of them.

Each night, Dr. Hyland, another chaperone on out trip, helped us prepare quick and simple meals that, after a long day of paddling, always seemed like the greatest meal ever. Sectioning off into teams, we all tackled a different task each night. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, or setting up the fire, everyone played a role in the nighttime routine. This trip allowed me to bond with 10 other students in a very different way. Far removed from school work, we got to know each other sitting around the campfire each night, playing on rope swings, cliff jumping in quarries, exploring the various islands off the coast of Maine and so much more. It was overall an extremely memorable trip.