Maine Adaptive programming is open to children and adults with a variety of disabilities. Check out our Guidelines for Participation on the Participate Page for details.

Even though we are widely known for skiing, we do so much more. In the winter, you can join Maine Adaptive for skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. If you are looking for summer activities, join Maine Adaptive for golf, cycling, mountain biking, tennis, paddling, pickleball, or climbing.

Nothing! All lessons with Maine Adaptive are 100% free of charge — winter and summer – including your lift ticket/trail pass, your equipment, and the instruction you will receive.

No. Maine Adaptive has equipment to fit many shapes and sizes. We provide adaptive paddling equipment, including custom seating, paddle adaptations, and outriggers, to ensure a stable and independent kayaking or canoeing experience for all abilities. We are ready to find the right equipment for your needs. If you already own your own equipment, you are welcome to use it during your lesson.

Getting started is easy! All of the forms you need to get started with us are just a click away. Check out the Participate Page for more information.

All of the lessons at Maine Adaptive are taught by experienced and trained volunteers and stress safety, fun, and learning. When you arrive for a confirmed lesson, you will need to check-in. Check in with us at our meeting location, and our staff and volunteers will make sure you have what you need. 

After everyone has arrived, you will be paired up with volunteer instructors for your lesson. Talk to those volunteers about your goals for the lesson – they are there to work with you. You and your volunteers can decide when to take breaks or stop for lunch. At the end of your lesson, you can return any equipment you used and any trail pass you checked out. This is also a good time to talk to your instructors about your goals. Did you meet your goals for the lesson? What do you want to work on next time?

Directions are available to all regular Maine Adaptive programs on the Directions Page.

Transportation to all activities is the responsibility of the participant. The goal of Maine Adaptive is to get individuals active, so they can enjoy sports with their family and friends independently. However, one way people get to lessons is by carpooling with volunteers or other participants. We can provide you with the names and phone numbers of people in your area that would be willing to provide transportation. All you have to do is contact us!

Just pick up the phone and call us at (207) 824-2440. We understand that life is unpredictable and you may need to change your confirmed schedule. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours in advance so that we can fill your lesson space. Our phone is always on – feel free to leave a message.

Maine Adaptive only cancels lessons in the case of unsafe conditions. If you think this may be the case, call the office at 207-824-2440 to hear any cancellation information. The machine is updated by 6:00 AM if lessons are cancelled for the day. If we are still holding lessons but you do not want to travel in the inclement weather, just leave a message letting us know.

Yes, there is typically an entrance fee.

At Range Pond, volunteers and confirmed participants of the paddling program can enter for free by informing the park ranger at the entrance that they are with Maine Adaptive.

At Acadia National Park, you will need an Acadia Park Pass or National Park Pass to park in the parking lot. The National Park “Access Pass” is
a lifetime pass – available to citizens or the United States who have been medically determined to have a permanent
disability (does not have to be a 100% disability. To more pass info: https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass

At Range Pond, after checking in at the gate entrance you will continue down the paved road till the road
splits, to the left is a sign pointing to the boat launch, this is where we paddle from. There is plenty of room to
park in the main lot, before turning onto the marked boat launch. You can then make your way to the boat
launch area where you will find our fleet of kayaks to the left of the boat launch. If someone needs to be
dropped off closer, you can drive down onto the boat launch but please be mindful of how long you are
parked there as other people may need to get in and out of the launch area. Many of the group will station
themselves at the picnic table area to the left of the boat launch looking towards the water. For anyone who
has a tough time navigating the beach sand, we have access to a beach wheelchair.

At Acadia, the Eagle Lake boat launch parking lot only has a dozen parking spots which cannot be reserved, if
you prefer to have a parking spot close to the launch you will need to arrive early as the parking lot will start to fill
up by 9:30. If you do not need to park near the launch, use the lot across the street or
on the side of the road (where allowed). Please stay out of the bus loop turnaround as that is not an approved
parking space or unloading zone.

There are two sessions:

• Morning Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Yes.

At Range Pond, there are multiple outhouses near the picnic area that are accessible via mobility devices. Additional restrooms are located in the center of the park, near the beach area.

At Acadia, there is one accessible bathroom attached to the parking lot for the boat ramp.

Even if you don’t plan on swimming, it’s best to wear clothing that can get wet. A sun shirt and hat are highly recommended for sun protection.

We suggest bringing:

✔ Water
✔ Light snacks
✔ Sunscreen
✔ Bug spray
✔ Layers (windbreaker, rain jacket, etc.)
✔ Closed-toe shoes
✔ Sunglasses

Please remember that Maine Adaptive is NOT providing meals, lodging, or transportation for this weekend so
please plan accordingly.
Many of us will be eating our lunch at the boat launch area, as part of our agreement with the National Park Service;
tables, chairs, and tents are NOT allowed. We can sit on kayaks, bikes, and on our boat trailer or people can move to
their cars for lunch. We will need to make sure that all Maine Adaptive equipment and any of our group’s
equipment is kept tidy and close to our boat trailer (not overflowing into the trail or boat ramp). Carry in & out.

Maine Adaptive paddles at Eagle Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes on Mount Desert Island, encompassing 425 pristine acres and a
portion of the world-renowned carriage road system circumnavigates the lake. Eagle Lake is situated in Acadia
National Park a few miles west of Bar Harbor. Note: Eagle Lake is part of the public water supply for several towns
on this side of Mount Desert Island. Swimming and wading are prohibited.