EdGE
EdGE offers collaborative and innovative afterschool, summer, and in-school programs to children along the Washington County Downeast coast.
Our students challenge themselves, engage with their communities, explore the outdoors, and gain social and leadership skills to build personal, career, and post-secondary education aspirations. EdGE offers students opportunities to expand their knowledge and experiences through academic and social support and peer mentoring.
More than 900 students take part in EdGE activities each year, and transportation is provided at no cost to the student. Summer camps have a nominal fee, but all other programs are free due to the generous support of our donors. During the summer EdGE students are provided books to encourage increased literacy.
Strong families help foster strong students. With our family engagement approach, we connect EdGE families with community resources to help them achieve their educational, financial, career, and social goals.
In 2023, EdGE offered 1,986 hours in-school, afterschool, and summer camp programming for 828 students.
Afterschool
The EdGE Afterschool program offers educational, social, and outdoor experiences for students, working with homeschoolers and students in seven Washington County elementary schools. Students participate in experiential, creative, thought-provoking activities, and homework support. The EdGE program supports food security and healthy eating habits by providing nutritious snacks. Any given afternoon you may find students in our afterschool programs biking on a nature trail, experimenting with pasta sauces, programming robots, or sculpting with papier-mache. Staff includes school district teachers, outdoor coordinators, artists, college, and high school students.
Marion Kane Leadership Program
The Marion Kane Leadership Program, named for one of the EdGE leaders, brings seventh and eighth grade students to the Downeast Campus in Cherryfield, for three full days of leadership workshops and outdoor experiences at a crucial moment in their development—exploration of self, others, and finding their voices. Students think critically about topics like bullying, peer pressure, decision-making, and substance abuse and how to address these in their schools and lives; challenge themselves on the outdoor ropes course; and experience teamwork. During the course of the school year students participate in additional leadership experiences in their schools and on the Downeast Campus.
Summer Camps
The Mission’s EdGE Summer Camps are weeklong day camps for students from kindergarten to 8th grade from the towns served by our afterschool programs. Children choose from activities ranging from outdoor recreation and sports to technology, cooking, and arts and crafts. Local high school students participate as volunteers and assistant staff.
Journey
Beginning in 7th grade, the Journey program provides students six years of deep mentoring with professional staff, community members, and older peers. Click here to learn more about the Journey Program.
Our work is your work, made possible by your generous gifts.
No matter how hard times get, the Mission will be there, helping sustain and strengthen families and communities. Please join us. Your donations bring warmth when it’s cold, shed light where it’s dark, and give strength when burdens grow heavy.
Contact us to donate, volunteer, or arrange for planned giving.