Vacationland Winter Recreation Course at University of Maine Fort Kent
Photo Credit: Caelan Billings & Heidi Carter
The THOR (Tourism, Hospitality & Outdoor Recreation) Institute hosted its first Vacationland course in early January at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of winter recreation, hospitality, and business in Northern Maine. Students from five out of seven University of Maine campuses came together to participate in experiential learning with a wide range of outdoor recreation activities to enrich their perspectives on tourism while building relationships with each other and with the land at the northern edge of Maine.
Undergraduate UMS students from Farmington, Machias, Orono and Southern Maine joined students in Fort Kent for the Vacationland Winter Recreation Course with UMFK’s Dr. Michael Curran in this initiative from the THOR Institute, which is working to establish new academic pathways and opportunities for students system-wide in an effort to enhance the role of higher education in the THOR industries – Maine’s leading employer and primary economic driver.
According to one Vacationland participant, “this total immersion in Northern Maine allowed me to fully experience the culture. We really got to experience all aspects of Northern Maine recreation.” Participants expressed an appreciation for building relationships with each other, with their local hosts, and with the land and water of Northern Maine in ways that will contribute to their personal and professional development.
The course commenced with programming at Fort Kent Outdoor Recreation Center where students learned about business operations, biathlon training, and cross-country skiing techniques on the ground and among the trails. From there, students ventured to Lugdon Lodge at Eagle Lake for more beloved Maine traditions: dog sledding and ice fishing. With the support of the Lugdon family, students learned the in’s and out’s of the business, including safety guidance on and off the ice, and, despite only catching one fish, were thrilled with the overall experience, including the Lugdons’ moose stew. The next day, students skied or snowboarded the slopes at Lonesome Pine Trails, a ski resort in Fort Kent, and concluded the course on the final day with snowshoeing at the Outdoor Recreation Center.
This immersive place-based experience offered students a deeper understanding of this unique region in Maine, particularly through the lens of its business environment, seasonal recreation opportunities, hospitality and lodging infrastructure. The interpersonal connections made with their local hosts were truly invaluable, as well.
“I hope to open my own guide service at some point. Hearing from Ed [Lugdon] and his family about their business and how they operate it was a great opportunity!” said one participant.
“This course gave me access to types of recreation that I never would have explored as a Southern Mainer. By participating in activities like dog-sledding, I now have a deeper understanding and appreciation of winter recreation,” said one participant.
Overall, the Vacationland Winter Recreation Course was an experience like no other! There truly is no better way to experience a place and its people than to fully immerse yourself in the natural and cultural elements, as shown here in Fort Kent. The THOR Institute looks forward to offering more place-based Vacationland courses in the near future, so stay tuned for more opportunities!
