Hebron Academy's fantastic setting, including 1,500 acres with three mountains, two lakes, two stands of second growth forest, several miles of trails, two waterfront campsites, a number of pitches for rock climbing and a fully-stocked outdoor center and boathouse, affords students limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation and learning. Add a Director of Outdoor Education who is a Registered Maine Guide, Wilderness First Responder, NATO certified telemark ski instructor and NWS certified weather spotter, and a faculty that includes two Registered Maine Guides, two Wilderness First Responders, an EMT and many outdoor enthusiasts, and you have the makings for an exceptional Outdoor Education Program.

Each term, Upper School students can choose to participate in the Outdoor Education Program as a co-curricular activity, meeting every afternoon after classes. It is an alternative to competitive athletics, but is by no means an alternative to being physically active.

One of the primary goals of the program is to provide students with the skills and knowledge essential for safe and comfortable backcountry travel. Our standards are set in part by the Junior Maine Guide Certification program. Students learn orienteering, low-impact camping, wet day fires, trip planning, wilderness first aid and emergency procedures, flat and whitewater paddling, snowshoeing, rock climbing, backpacking, mountaineering and leadership skills. They learn how to sensibly acquire and use appropriate gear and clothing. Each season there is an overnight trip planned by the students. Recent overnights include camping on Mt. Washington and on the Maine coast.