Friends of Baxter State Park invites current Maine high school sophomores and juniors to submit an application to participate in the 10th annual Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program. The program includes a nine-day wilderness experience in Baxter State Park, scheduled for early August. The application deadline for the program is Thursday, Feb. 8.

The program offers 10 high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to spend nine days immersed in the finest example of wild country in Maine. Accompanied by experienced wilderness leaders from the Chewonki Foundation, participants learn from a variety of specialists as they backpack from one end of Baxter State Park to the other.

Participants study wilderness through science, art, storytelling, photography, writing, history and recreation. They hike with a geologist, volunteer with a Ranger and paint at Katahdin Lake with a professional artist. These experiences help inspire and challenge emerging young wilderness leaders.

The program includes readings and assignments in preparation for the field experience. After returning from the park, each participant gives a public presentation in his or her community.

Friends of Baxter State Park offers the Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program at no cost to participants.

There is a competitive application process to be accepted into the program. Only students who are currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior in a Maine high school are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted online at www.friendsofbaxter.org by the deadline. Ten participants and six alternates will be announced by early April.

For more information, visit www.friendsofbaxter.org or contact Friends of Baxter State Park at P.O. Box 322, Belfast, ME 04915.

Participants in the 2016 Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership gather on the summit of Katahdin in Baxter State Park.