LEWISTON — A foundation created by a group of local runners recently sponsored an opportunity for six area teens to attend a variety of Appalachian Mountain Club Teen Wilderness Programs.

The Bridge Run Foundation provided scholarships for Nick Ayres and Thorne Hutton from Lewiston Middle School; Haylee Chase and Breanne Patrick from Auburn Middle School; and Liam Curran and Amber Veilleux from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine’s Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse.

The foundation was created to promote a healthy conscious community by using proceeds from the L-A Bridge Run to sponsor area teens to several different camps this past summer. These unique outdoor opportunities provided local youth with experience in backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing adventures. 

“It was hard. It was a physical challenge, but it was pretty fun,” said Curran, 15, of Lewiston, one of two teen members from the Boys & Girls Club who won a scholarship. “My favorite part was learning from the bicycle professional with us. Actually, I’m going to remember everything. It was a fun-filled, great experience!”

The Bridge Run Foundation has been sponsoring teens attending the AMC outdoor wilderness adventures for the past several years. This is the second year that the foundation sponsored teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine’s Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse. 

“The foundation provides opportunities for teens in our community to experience unique programs that foster an appreciation for the environment, develops self-esteem, promotes teamwork and friendship and instills a spirit of adventure,” said Mike Lecompte of the Bridge Run Foundation.

“Given that healthy lifestyles are one of the important focuses of our program, this partnership is a wonderful extension of the work we do here at the Boys & Girls Club,” said Andie Hannon, unit director of the Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse.

The Bridge Run Foundation also paid the registration fees for all children 14-years-old or younger who ran in any of the Triple Crown 5K runs. 

The foundation also provided scholarships for the Kid’s Obstacle Course at the Bands on the Run event.

This year’s Bridge Run saw a record number of participants with over 850 registrants.