If you love animals and wild life, then this trip is for you! On this trip, you and your group will walk to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, where you will learn more about adoption and volunteer for the Humane Society and/or neighboring dog park. You will also get the opportunity to explore some of the animals in the wild near Lewiston/Auburn by bird watching with binoculars near Lake Andrews (“the puddle”) or at Thorncrag, which is a mile or so away from campus. During this time, you will have access to running water and restrooms at the Humane Society, but the walk to Thorncrag lacks access to public restrooms. Be prepared for long walks and some physical activity as part of the volunteering. You and your group will embark on a moderate-level hike (location TBD, expect access to “backcountry” restrooms, either campsite toilets or wooded areas, hand sanitizer and toilet paper will be provided) and then travel to Maine Wildlife Park. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

Hey bobkittens! My name is Sadie and I am a rising Junior here at Bates studying Politics as well as Digital and Computational Studies! I am super pumped to meet all of you and introduce you to the Bates community, human and animal :) I hail from the “great” state of Connecticut and on campus I am heavily involved in Bates College Student Government, community outreach through the Harward Center, and our Jewish Student Union. In my free time I love going to the local Lewiston Farmers marker to get seasonal treats and explore Maines beautiful wilderness! We can’t wait to meet you!

HELLO BOBCATS!!!! I’m so excited to be a part of this AMAZING AESOP experience this year! I’m Star from Guangzhou, China, where the weather is so warm all year round. Therefore, I’m still trying my best to survive the Maine winter. I’m currently a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in education and dance. You can sometimes find me on the third floor of the library pulling my hair out for a paper, or in the dorm’s kitchen forcing my friends to take a bite from my new-invented, mysterious dishes. In my free time, I also enjoy singing with the college choir at the Olin music center or dancing in the studios in the gym. I’m beyond exciting about our trip together this summer for I’m such a huge animal fan. Can’t wait to meet you all in person and show you guys the pictures of my cats! Hope you all have a FANTASTIC summer, stay safe and I’ll see you guys at Bates! 

Centered at Morse Mountain, this art-based AESOP will provide a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for you. Explore some of Bates’ own beautiful environments at Morse Mountain and Shortridge as you paint and draw many of the natural beauties of Maine. Go for a swim or hike on Morse Mountain, and relax by the beach in the downtime. Camp at Hermit Island Campground, right nearby, with other AESOP groups. While on the mountain, there is no access to running water or bathrooms, but there will be at the campsite. Best for those who enjoy the arts or want a relaxed, chillin-like trip experience to explore them.

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

HEYYYY GUYSSS!!!!!! I’m Ilana (she/her/hers), a rising senior, and Lucie & I are soooo excited to Artchill with you all!!! I’m a double major in American Studies and Spanish, and when I’m not making Lucie put my fitted sheet on my bed, I’m singing with the Crosstones, Bates’ oldest all gender A Cappella group, giving a tour in Admissions, or eating grilled cheeses with (drum roll) Lucie. I’m from Lexington, Massachusetts and am therefore familiar with American Revolutionary War quick facts and also small town things like homemade ice cream and ways to combat boredom. Lucie and I are BEYOND excited to introduce you to Bates & we will see you SOON! <3 

Hey guys! I’m Lucie (she/her/hers) and I have lived in a bunch of different places (Massachusetts, South Africa, New Hampshire, Idaho) but went to high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Bates, I’m a senior studying technical theater and creative writing. I am obsessed with fun earrings which I keep organized in tackle boxes and Ilana and I own all of the same sock repertoire. This year, I’ll be Executive Director of the Robinson Players (student run theater troupe!!). I’m also a big fan of the NYT Spelling Bee game…if you like Wordle check out Quordle or Octordle (they’re better). So excited to meet you all super soon!!!!

ArtSOP will be an amazing way to experience art on numerous different platforms! Spend some time at some of Portland’s art museums, viewing amazing art and seeing a bit of Portland, then spend the rest of your time drawing, painting, and/or coloring some of the beautiful spots at and around Bates. There will be easy access to bathrooms and running water. Artists and people who have never touched a paintbrush are welcomed to sign up for this trip! 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

Hey Bobcats!! My name’s Fiona and I am a rising sophomore from Barnstead, New Hampshire (20 minutes from Lake Winnipesaukee!). I’m super excited to lead you all into your first year of college! At Bates, I spend my time in the acapella group TakeNote, working with the gardening club, and volunteering at the local food bank, the Trinity Jubilee Center. During my free time, I play Tetris, go on walks around campus (rain or shine), read, hammock near the Puddle, or hike. My major is currently undecided but I have taken many Politics and History classes – I am also learning Chinese at Bates! Can’t wait to meet you all this August!

What’s up future Aesop-ers! Welcome to Bates! I’m so excited to meet all of you! My name is Kendall Jones and I’m from Gilford, New Hampshire. When I’m at home I enjoy hiking (though hiking is stretching it I def prefer flat nature walks), skiing, and driving the Kancamagus highway if anyone knows what that is. Some of my favorite things I’ve done this year at Bates are: joining club frisbee, building a set in a day with the Robinson players, skiing glades at Sugarloaf with the club ski team, setting up a hammock fort by the puddle, and freezing/smashing an orange using liquid nitrogen (with professor permission of course). I’m currently undecided for majors, but it’s currently looking like a chem major and maybe theater minor. I can’t wait to run this Aesop and meet all of you! See you all soon!

Ps if you don’t have a longboard with light-up wheels you are missing out :)

Aziscohos is one of Maine’s many amazing lakes to paddle on. Surrounded by towering pines and the sound of canoe paddles hitting the water, you will feel truly immersed in nature. This trip allows you to paddle and explore Aziscohos while also providing lakeside hangouts, cooking sessions, and quality time with your AESOPers and leaders! You will truly be in the woods on this trip, but you won’t be completely secluded as you’re likely to see fellow paddlers. This trip requires intermediate-level physical activity and can be adjusted to anyone’s comfort level. 

• Evacuation Level: 3
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

Hello!!! My name is Carly, and I am a Biochemistry and Psychology double major. I am a rising senior from Los Angeles, California and in my free time I love to play soccer, ski and be outside in the snow! I love all things involving food, and I especially love snacks. My favorite snack is definitely Goldfish. You can’t beat a classic. Carson and I are so excited to get to know you all and make Aesop a welcoming and exciting start to your freshman year!!! We can’t wait to make our collaborative Aesop playlist and have an amazing time. 

What’s up everybody! My name is Carson Pottle, and I’m (somehow) a rising Senior this year from the north shore of Massachusetts. I’m a Biochemistry major, planning on taking GECs in Physics and European studies, and I love getting outdoors and out on the water especially so this trip is totally my jam. Carly and I have been consulting with the rowing team here at Bates about paddling technique so I expect we’ll be experts ready to lead you guys on this canoeing trip by the time we all head out. We both can’t wait to meet you all and have fun enjoying Aesop together!

Buckle in for a drive up North for this trip! Baxter State Park is one of the most sought after hiking spots in all of the Northeast. It harbors Mount Katahdin, the end of the Appalachian trail, so you’ll pass by lots of through-hikers coming from Georgia. This trip is a base camping trip, so you’ll only need to carry the stuff on your back that you need for the day. You will return to the same campsite both nights, cook up some yummy dinner, and get ready for the morning! Baxter is one of the most beautiful places in Maine, especially at the end of summer. This is a higher difficulty trip, with Katahdin being one of the highest peaks in the Northeast! You will get gritty in the woods, and be able to see the most beautiful views from your summits. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

Hey y’all!
My name is Cassidy Meyer and I hail from Carbondale, Colorado! Growing up in the mountains played an instrumental role in my development as a human and I am now an avid skier (of all sorts), hiker, and dabble in climbing. Environmental Science is my intended major and I am a part of the Environmental Coalition and other sustainability centered committees here at Bates. I am also a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team and on weekends can be found throwing discs on the Quad, complaining about my shin splints, or convincing my friends to do cool things with me. You can easily get me talking about the principles of LNT, details of food waste, and Caltopo. Claire and I met on our first year AESOP trip and have been codependent ever since! We look forward to spending some quality time with you all in the woods this fall! 
Written by Claire

Hi bobkittens,
My name is Claire Barlass. I am from Duluth, Minnesota, and like to flex my ability to handle the cold. I love to nordic ski, downhill ski, and go on cool adventures in the woods, especially canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. At Bates, I spend most of my brainpower calculating how to correctly divide my time between STEM homework and spending time outdoors. This usually results in late nights in the library. I am a Sophomore planning on majoring in Math and Biology. You can also find me on Garcelon Field playing ultimate frisbee, at the climbing wall in Merrill gymnasium, on a run on one of the beautiful trails around campus, or eating bowls of whipped cream in commons. Also a fun and slightly incriminating fact about me is I ran 80 laps around the indoor track last winter while training for a running race that I never actually ran. I am super excited to go on cool adventures with you all over AESOP!
Written by Cassidy

Spend your AESOP connecting with other first-years and learning some Buckle in for a drive up North for this trip! Baxter State Park is one of the most sought after hiking spots in all of the Northeast. It harbors Mount Katahdin, the end of the Appalachian trail, so you’ll pass by lots of through-hikers coming from Georgia. This trip is a base camping trip, so you’ll only need to carry the stuff on your back that you need for the day. You will return to the same campsite both nights, cook up some yummy dinner, and get ready for the morning! Baxter is one of the most beautiful places in Maine, especially at the end of summer. This is a higher difficulty trip, with Katahdin being one of the highest peaks in the Northeast! You will get gritty in the woods, and be able to see the most beautiful views from your summits. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

Hi there! I’m Liv, a rising Environmental Politics and Rhetoric senior. I couldn’t be more pumped to be leading Baxter 2 with Nick, get to know you all, and introduce you to Bates! I’m from St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up canoeing and hiking with the YMCA in the Canadian wilderness- I’m super psyched to get back into the woods and (hopefully!) summit Katahdin for the first time with you all. At Bates, I’m on the Sailing team and sing in the co-ed A-capella group, the Crosstones. In my free time during the week I love to run, craft wild Commons creations with my friends, do yoga, listen to podcasts, and indulge in FREQUENT trips to Dairy Joy. On the weekend if I’m not at a regatta or grinding our homework in my fav natural light-filled study spot (Hedge 4th floor Philosophy room, don’t tell!) I might be road-tripping to Popham for a dip in the ocean, cheering on my friends at their athletic and musical events, or just soaking up the sun in a hammock. I met some of my best friends during my Aesop and will always remember how impactful the support of my leaders was before, during and after the trip; I truly couldn’t be more honored to pass that forward to you all. Nick and I are both very enthusiastic but are also both genuinely committed to making this transition to Bates as easy as possible for you. We can promise a) a safe, respectful, and open space for you all to get to know each other b) our best answers to questions big and small c) a ROCKING time exploring a bit of Maine’s beautiful land. Cheers to adventure and a big scoop of Annie’s mac!

My name is Nick and I am a rising senior Econ major on the Men’s Rowing team. I am super excited to lead Baxter 2 with my co-leader Olivia and provide you guys with a great trip. I am from Darien, CT and love going into New York City as much as I can. During my free time I love to hangout with friends, ski, golf, or just kick back and relax. When I am not fortunate enough to have free time, you can find me in the computer lab of Ladd, on absurd amounts of caffeine, grinding out Econ projects. Aesop is definitely one of my favorite parts of Bates and it provided me with an amazing experience when I was a first year. I am excited to lead you guys and give you a trip you will never forget. You will make friends you will have for the rest of your life and will have me and Olivia to help you with anything you need during the rest of the year.

Maine is famous for its coastline, and this Beach Chillin’ trip will take you to some of the best beaches southern Maine has to offer! You will explore a total of three different beaches during your three-day trip: Higgins, Old Orchard Beach, Popham. Higgins and OOB are located just south of Portland while Popham will take you a bit further north, allowing for a change of scenery. Be prepared to soak up the sun rays and enjoy three days of playing beach games, swimming, and making new connections. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

What’s up Bobkittens?! I’m Gabi and I am a senior Environmental Studies Major (aka saving the planet) and an Anthropology minor on the Varsity Swim and Dive team along with my co-merman Tristan Depew. People on campus like my co-leader Pew Pew, like to call me guppy-referencing my 5’2’’ stature and 10 second 50 meter breaststroke. When Tristan and I are not in the water, you will find us either hiking in the beautiful northern Maine mountains, trying the best food in the LA area (Lewiston-Auburn for all you dreamers), or looking for the next adventure out there. Currently I am writing from Tel Aviv Israel also known as “The Mediterranean Capital of Cool” according to the New York Times where I am studying abroad. There’s something special about a city with sand, sea and skyscrapers. I can’t wait to be back though to teach you about the Eastern White Pine, Maine’s State Tree, while exploring the beautiful outdoors of LA! I can’t wait to show you all how we spend our cat-naps away from school work. 

Hi everyone! My name is Tristan and I’m super stoked to be your AESOP leader this year! I am a fourth year here at Bates (saying senior makes me feel so old) double majoring in Earth & Climate studies and Math, and a member of the swim and dive team here. On campus, I’m also a member of the Geology (Earth2Bates), Asian American (AASIA), and LGBTQ (Outfront) club. In my free time, I love surfing with my friends and being by the beach, hiking and exploring new trails, drinking coffee, cooking, and spending hours at commons chatting with people. I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand and moved to Santa Barbara, California in 2011 and have been living there ever since attending Bates. It was definitely a major adjustment moving from the west coast to Maine, but throughout my past three years here, I’ve grown to fall in love with the state and the things it has to offer and I can’t wait to carry that love onto you guys! By also living 10 minutes away from the beach back home, I can’t describe to y’all in words how excited I am to lead an AESOP trip which involves hanging out at three different beaches (these beaches are also the best beaches in Maine so we’re pretty lucky…). Anywho, AESOP was definitely one of my favorite moments at Bates; being able to meet and hang out with 11 other Batesies during the first week of college is pretty awesome, and I got to make amazing memories and meet new people that I still talk to and am close with today. I hope you’re excited and I can’t wait to see you all at orientation week! 

Hey guys! My co-leader is Will and he hails from Houston Texas! When he isn’t riding horses, using the word “y’all” in every-other sentence, and rocking a sickkk cowboy hat… Will loves to play pick up basketball, hang out with his wicked cool friends (aka me) and absolutely wipe out on Lost Valley ski jumps. Some cool facts about Willium are that he once ate ten plates of broccoli as a dare in commons (I don’t think this is actually cool he just wanted me to include it…) and that he actually lived on a life boat for a month… aka he’s ~outdoorsy~. You can also always spot Will from a mile away on campus because even if it’s 0 degrees outside he will ALWAYS be only wearing a t-shirt and shorts (no joke). We are so hyped to be leading an AESOP trip together and we can’t wait to meet all of you!!!

What’s up y’all! My co-leader is Gabby and she’s from Short Hills, New Jersey. She’s an academic beast (majoring in Psychology), she helps Batesies get jobs and #cash (working as a Peer Advisor at Purposeful Work), and she could give Popeye the sailor a run for his money (she’s on the club sailing team). Also, she’s funny, outgoing, and creative. We met during orientation, found out we lived in the same hall, and instantly became friends because she’s the best. We both had so much fun leading an AESOP together last year, AND the year before and we can’t wait to do it again (third year’s the charm). We are AESOP masters at this point. We are so excited to meet y’all; it’ll be a blast! 

Maine is famous for its coastline, and this Beach Chillin’ trip will take you to some of the best beaches southern Maine has to offer! You will explore a total of three different beaches during your three-day trip: Higgins, Old Orchard Beach, Popham. Higgins and OOB are located just south of Portland while Popham will take you a bit further north, allowing for a change of scenery. Be prepared to soak up the sun rays and enjoy three days of playing beach games, swimming, and making new connections. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

Hello and welcome class of ‘26! My name is Risa and I’m a rising Sophomore from Queens, New York City. I’m so excited to lead the Higgins, Popham, OOB trip with Dhruv! At Bates, I’m a member of the South Asian Student Association, the Bollywood Dance Club, the yoga club, and the women’s, non-binary, and gender non-conforming ultimate frisbee team, Cold Front. Growing up in Queens and being exposed to all different kinds of cuisines has fueled my love for good food so I am always down for a good meal. Dhruv and I love the outdoors and are so excited to show you our favorite spots close to campus. Bates is a wonderful place and I cannot wait for you all to experience it. You can reach me at rhoriuch@bates.edu if you want to talk or if you have any questions. I am so looking forward to meeting you and exploring these beaches together!

Hellooo class of ’26! My name is Dhruv and I’m an international student from Kolkata, India. I’m currently a rising-sophomore and I look forward to showing y’all around the beaches of Maine with Risa! While I’m currently an Econ-Math double major, in my surprisingly short 2 semesters here, I’ve taken classes in Politics, Theater, and Music (and even a study-abroad short-term in London!) On-campus, you’ll find me involved in Student Government as a class of ‘25 representative, on the stage acting in a Robinson Players/Theater department production, at International Club events, or in a Commons dining booth on Sunday night just straight up demolishing sundaes. Being an international student, I had never visited the United States before I came to college in the fall of ‘21, so I got to do my fair bit of exploring and discovering around campus. Bates is beautiful and Risa and I cannot wait to show y’all around! As always, feel free to reach me at dchandra@bates.edu for any questions or even just a quick chat. Get psyched and look forward to having a whale of a time! Beach pun? Beach pun. See y’all in fall!

Ride through Acadia National Park’s mountains and valleys on two wheels! On this trip, you will travel down winding carriage roads and over charming stone bridges alongside horses and pedestrians. Intermediate bikers who are willing to tackle a few challenging climbs will be rewarded with picturesque views of Bar Harbor and the Maine coastline. Mileage varies each day; you will cover around 6-10 miles on the first day, level up to 9-11 miles on the second day, and finish off with a smooth-going 4-5 miles on the last day. Your group will also have plenty of time to explore Acadia by foot with an adventurous visit to Thunder Holder, a natural rock inlet, and a relaxing stay on one of the park’s beaches. At the end of each day, you will return to a campground with bathroom and shower facilities about a mile away.

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

Whats up y’all! My name is Wes DeOreo and I am a sophomore from Westport, CT. I am super stoked to be leading Biking in Acadia 1 with Spencer. At Bates, I am a Politics and European Studies major. Outside of school, I love to ski and bike whenever I get the chance. I am also a member of the Rugby team with Spencer at Bates. I had a great time on AESOP my freshmen year and met some of my closest friends at Bates. I can’t wait to start AESOP with you guys, it should be a great time!

Hello, Bobkittens. I am Spencer Obiero, Bates ’25, from Nairobi, Kenya. My co-leader, Wes, and I will be leading biking in Acadia, and I know that’s going to be lit. I like doing outdoor activities, and outside of school you’ll find me rock climbing in Merill, chilling on Mount David, or just walking around campus. I have a passion for music, and I like hummimiang or sometimes mumbling the lyrics to songs that I barely know. Otherwise, I really look forward to meeting you all; I can’t wait for AESOP this year. Congratulations on your admission to Bates and welcome to the club, kittens.

Hey hey! It’s Mia! I am a rising senior and sociology major with a minor in Gender Studies and Rhetoric. Hailing from the western mountains of Maine, I love to ski, mountain bike, and run! A fun fact about me is that I love to knit hats and mittens, but am not in Knit Wits! Can’t wait to ride some bikes (hopefully) with y’all in the fall!

Hey Y’all it’s your potential AESOP leader Eli. A little bit about myself, I’m from Vermont, I’m on the nordic ski team and I love mountain biking. A little fun fact… I am in the Bates Knitting Club, Knitwits, even though I don’t really know how to knit. So now that y’all know my life story I’m stoked to meet you all and hear yours (that was a joke, you don’t need to tell me your life story (unless you want to)). I can’t wait to meet all of you! Yours truly, Eli

Explore Camden Hills State Park and its sweeping views of Penobscot Bay. This base camping trip offers all the challenges of multi-day hiking with close access to bathroom-shower facilities at the beginning and end of each day. You will hike up Mt. Battie and Megunticook, basking in the panoramic views of the rocky Maine coastline at the summits.​​ This trip will take you through long stretches of steep steps and scrambling rocks, so be prepared for some climbing fun! Covering around 4.4 miles on the first day and 5.8 miles on the second day, you will have plenty of time for group-bonding activities complete with card games and roasted marshmallows! The last day will be a relaxing walk along the Shoreline Trail where you might come across a few seagulls as you enjoy a group picnic. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hi everyone! My name is Clare Trinity, and I am SUPER excited to welcome you all to Bates in just a few months!! I am a senior (eek!) this year and I am from Washington D.C. where I lived until moving to Maine for college. I am an Environmental Studies major and am minoring in Education. I play on the club lacrosse team at Bates and am known for stopping to pet any and all dogs I see on campus. In my free time, you can find me drinking too much ice coffee, and laying outside on one of Bates’s many great grassy spots with a good book. Additionally, I am a committed wordle payer and am practically undefeated in game pigeon word games (challenges encouraged). One of my favorite parts about Bates is the access to stunning outdoors, and I couldn’t think of a better way to welcome the class of 2026!

Hey, what’s up! I’m Kian Moaledj and I’m stoked to be co-leading this trip! Wooohooooo!! Fun fact, Clare and I met as first-years in the same Anthro 101 class. I’ll be returning from London after spending my junior year abroad. Before Bates I lived in Qatar, and now my family is based in San Jose. When I’m not GRINDING as an Anthropology and Politics double major, you can find me at WRBC hosting a radio show or chillin in Commonzzz. I’m also a part of the Middle East North Africa club. I did basecamping and hiking for my AESOP and had a blast, so I know you guys will too. We’re pumped to meet all of you — welcome to Bates!

Howdy team! My name is Tim and I am a sophomore here at Bates. I hail from Summit, New Jersey. I am planning on majoring in Economics with a focus in Environmental Policy and Sciences, and I am a big fan of the outdoors. I am the Co-President of the Club Ski Team and I am also pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a freelance sound designer. You can find me cooking up crazy beats in Chase House, our campus’s Environmentally Friendly house, or shredding the gnar at Sunday River. I am beyond stoked to be taking you guys out to Camden for some pretty views and chill vibes. 

Hey team! Welcome welcome welcome to Bates! I love it here, like really a little obsessed, and I am SO stoked to share this with you all. I’m Sydney, a Sophomore from the awesome and fun filled state of Connecticut. I am a hopeful Environmental Studies and Philosophy double major, so some quality time in nature with good company and conversations is kind of… the dream. I am a frequenter of The Plot (our garden here at Bates,) and you can find me table hopping my way through Commons pretty much any hour of the day. I am passionate about the art of being on aux (rumor has it I’ve already started an AESOP playlist…) and I can assure you that this dedication will shine through in our many van rides together. Get ready to dance and come with at least one song to share. Happy AESOP to the 2nd best class Bates College has ever seen, you’re in for quite the ride.

Offering a challenging route, this backpacking trip traverses over multiple 4,000 ft peaks with  a 360 view of the Presidential Mountain Range in all its glory. The first two days of hiking covers around 7 miles while the last day travels a distance of around 4 to 5 miles. The terrain is rocky and steep– this trip is for those seeking out intense physical activity. Ascend up Mt. Hight and Wildcat for fantastic views. You will even have the opportunity to stop by a swimming area with a natural slide, so don’t forget your bathing suits if you are down for the dip! This trip is for those of you eager to stay in tent sites, cook over whisper-light stoves, and wake up early mornings. The campsites will not have any access to running water, electricity, nor bathroom-shower facilities. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

Helloooo AESOPers!!! My name is Patrick Bergin and I am a senior here at Bates College. I come from the rather irrelevant, but nevertheless beautiful area of Western Massachusetts. I am an Econ major with a Mathematics minor, so at this point I would say numbers practically consume my life. On campus, I’m also involved in a few clubs and I am a member of the Men’s golf team. Although I play a rather leisurely sport such as golf, I love to be active with friends whether its lifting weights, playing basketball or going swimming! Additionally, I am practically obsessed with spikeball and have devoted most of my free time in the summers to it. If you are feeling confident enough to challenge me, I dare you to step forth with your best team and watch as I demolish you. I also am constantly listening to music and had over 100k minutes listened last year. Grace and I are going to get an outstanding playlist going for the trip so make sure you think of what’s songs you would want to hear most when you are trail hiking!!! I can’t wait to meet all of you and explore the beautiful scenery that Maine has to offer us!

Hey AESOPERS!! My name is Grace and I am a senior at Bates from Carlisle MA. I’m majoring in psychology and minoring in theatre and getting parking tickets. When I’m not psycho-analyzing people (for my major) I can normally be found in commons, at the local golf range, or trying not to drown on the women’s water polo team. I am also big into the outdoors and the mountains are my favorite place of residence, especially in the summer. I am super stoked to leading this AESOP trip with Patrick because we met on our freshman year floor and have made a stellar duo since. Freshman year can be a lot at first, and we want to make the transition as easy as possible while having an overall awesome time in the beauty of the White Mountains. Look forward to meeting y’all soon!!

Hey bobcats! My name is Sophia and I grew up in Eugene, Oregon. I’m on the swim team here at bates along with my partner Mark! A little bit about me, I like hiking, the ocean and I love our cereal wall here at bates. I’m majoring in Bio and not sure yet what I am minoring in but you’ll probably see me around Carnegie or Bonney ! Can’t wait to meet all of you and show you around !!

Hey first years! My name is Mark and I am a rising sophomore at Bates. I am a biology major and an undecided minor from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am on the Bates Swim Team, where I met my co-Aesop leader, Sophia. Some of my favorite things are going to the beach, lifting, and writing. You can most often find me at commons or at Merrill Gym. I’m so excited to meet you all and show you all the great things Bates has to offer!

Explore three of Maine’s hotspot cities! Freeport, Brunswick, and Lewiston/Auburn are some of Southern and Central Maine’s best spots for food, shops, walking, coffee, you name it! You will explore each of these cities with your leaders and fellow AESOPers. Freeport and Brunswick are both huddled up next to the great rocky coast of Maine, but Lewiston is much more inland and relies on lakes to cool off. Each of these places has so much to offer, and being in Maine, there is lots of nature and city to go around. Knowing these cities a little better gives you a better picture of what’s around Bates campus and what you can do on the weekends! 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hello!! I’m Charlotte an incoming Sophomore from London, England! While I haven’t declared my major yet, I am interested in Sociology and Education to name a few. I love skiing, scuba diving, and volunteering! I’m so excited to meet you all, answer any questions you have and welcome you to Bates! Can’t wait to show you the amazing things your new home has to offer!! See ya soon ! :)

What’s good everyone! I’m Moe and I’m from Palestine! Charlotte and I are so excited to meet you all! I’m probably going to major in Politics and minor in Education but I’m not totally sure yet. I’m in the soccer club which I really enjoy. I can’t wait to introduce you to Bates! This is going to be a great AESOP trip!!!!

Explore three of Maine’s hotspot cities! Freeport, Brunswick, and Lewiston/Auburn are some of Southern and Central Maine’s best spots for food, shops, walking, coffee, you name it! You will explore each of these cities with your leaders and fellow AESOPers. Freeport and Brunswick are both huddled up next to the great rocky coast of Maine, and Lewiston is much more inland and relies on lakes to cool off. Each of these places has so much to offer, and being in Maine, there is lots of nature and city to go around. Knowing these cities a little better gives you a better picture of what’s around Bates campus and what you can do on the weekends! 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hey Guys! I’m Kellen, a rising sophomore from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and I’m looking forward to vibe and have a good time. I’m on the Lacrosse team so if you want to talk sports of any kind I’m your guy. I also enjoy video games and a good anime from time to time. Choose this trip so Summer (pictured in the Chick-fil-a suit) and I can show you a bit of what Maine has to offer!

Hey Bobcats!!!!!! My name is Summer and I’m a rising sophomore from New York City. I absolutely loved my AESOP experience last year and I am super excited about being your leader. I am unsure about my major but am planning to minor in education. Kellen and I could not be more pumped to show you guys around Maine and to help you in your transition to Bates! We are going to have SO SO MUCH FUN. We can’t wait to meet you all!!!!

If you are interested in doing community engagement volunteer work to give back to our local community, then this trip is definitely for you! On this trip, you and your group will make your way down to the local YMCA, where you will engage in some outdoor work where you will likely get your hands dirty. You will also be able to visit the assisted living facility of Montello heights where you will be able to cook breakfast and play bingo with the seniors living there! This group will be coming back to sleep on campus both days.

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hola! My name is Adriana, I am a sophomore from Paraguay. I will major in biology and minor in chemistry. I love drawing and art in general, especially animation. I also enjoy walking outside, weightlifting, and being with friends. I am usually the grandma of the group, so expect me to keep you safe from Ruslan’s endeavors. I couldn’t be more excited to meet you all! 
Fun fact about me: I love chickens :D

Hiiiii first years! WELCOME TO BATES!!! I’m Ruslan and I’m a Sophomore double major in Politics and Theater + Dance with a minor in Francophone Studies here at Bates. I’m from Donetsk, Ukraine, and I’m super excited to lead this trip with my amazing bestie Adri! I’m a Bonner Leader with Harward Center at Bates, so I know some stuff about community work, and sure that we’ll spend a fun time at Lewiston! Some of my favorite things are ballet, creative writing, yoga, swimming, geology, and cats. At Bates, I am likely found at the dance studio or on the second floor of the library. So excited to meet your new Bobkittens! 

Learn more about what your college-town has to offer with this culture, food, and nature trip! You will explore the old mill district, meandering by the Androscoggin River, the Great Falls, and the Longley Bridge. Visits to the LA Museum and the Basilica of St. Peters will give you a true feel for Lewiston’s art and history. Tour City Hall, eat fine cuisine, thrift shop, rollerskate, play a game of golf, watch a film, and more! This trip requires no set of previous skills besides curiosity and a good spirit! You will spend each night in the comfort of your own dorm room on-campus which means that you will have access to bathroom facilities and that the daily schedule of this trip is more flexible to the needs of the group! 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

Hello bobkittens! My name is Frances Hart (& yes, that makes my Bates email fhart), and I am from Charleston, SC. I’m a rising senior, majoring in politics and English. On campus, I can be found camped out in the basement of Ladd, spending way too much time in commons, or speed walking around the puddle. I love hiking, long car rides, funny mugs, and caffeine (specifically Diet Coke and nice, warm coffee). I’m so excited to meet y’all and show you around LA (Lewiston & Auburn)!

Hi! I am a rising senior originally from New York City and I love to walk and get good food! I am a biology and psychology double major, and I spend most of my time between Bonney and Commons. My goal before I finish college is to go to all of the train museums in Maine (there are more than you would think). I can’t wait to explore Maine with you!

Nestled in the vast natural landscape of New Hampshire, the Kancamagus Highway (the Kanc) navigates the White Mountains offering numerous jumping off points to explore this magical location. You can expect to be fully immersed in a natural mountain setting while having the opportunity to explore trails and surmount summits such as Mt. Chocorua and South Moat Mountain. After a day of hiking, you will have plenty of time to hang out with your fellow AESOPers at one of the numerous campgrounds located along the Kanc. These campgrounds provide a vault toilet but do not have any shower facilities. This base camping trip is the perfect easy-going trip for anyone who wants to test their hiking skills and explore the mountains. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hey everybody, and welcome to the Bates family! My name’s Ollie Young (he/him), and I’m a senior from Burlington, Vermont. I’m a double major in sociology and biochemistry, and a member of the rowing team. Any moments I’m not rowing or studying you can find me napping — I’ve been told sleeping is my super power. I’m also obsessed with dogs, but mostly my dogs, so please ask me about them. I’m so excited to be leading this trip with Kerry, I know we’re gonna have a blast. Get ready for beautiful mountains, dad jokes, and to make lots of great memories! Can’t wait to meet you all!

Hello hello and welcome new Batesies! My name is Kerry Ettinger (she/her) and I’m a rising senior from Maine. At Bates I am a Biology major in preparation for veterinary school! Besides regular schooling I am on the rowing team and I joined the equestrian team this past semester. Living in Maine means hiking is one of my all-time favorite summer pass-times, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the whites with you! After two years of planning to co-lead a trip, Ollie and I are psyched to take you on such an immersive experience like AESOP! I am super duper excited to meet you guys and hope you have an amazing summer in the meantime!

Hi first years!! Welcome to Bates!! My name is Lola and i’m a sophomore studying dance and french and francophone studies from Jersey City, New Jersey. Chloe and I actually met on our AESOP trip last year and we are so excited to be leading one together this year! During the winter months here in Maine I enjoy snowboarding at Lost Valley and ice skating on the Bates puddle and when the ice finally melts you’ll find me hiking Mount David and sunbathing on the quad! We are so excited to introduce you to this very special place soon!! 

Hey AESOPERS!!!
My name is Chloe and i’m a senior studying politics and history from Montclair, NJ! When I’m not doing school work or spending too much time in commons, you can catch me talking about the superiority of Jersey bagels, skiing, hiking, watching Downtown Abbey for the 4+ time, basking in the sun on an adirondack chair or dancing with our lovely dance department. We are super duper excited to meet you all and can’t wait to show you all that Bates (and jersey :)) have to offer! 

This trip will be an amazing hands-on experience in developing your own film! Work through every element of the film-making process, from writing a script and characters, to filming scenes, to putting it all together for an amazing film. This trip, while centered on campus, will be able to travel to different locations in the nearby area to film different scenes and different experiences. Anyone on this trip should come prepared to act, screenwrite, or help develop an awesome movie. No previous experience in film or the arts is required, and there will be access to normal bathrooms and running water.

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

Yo yo YO what’s up my names Kyle!! And guess what…I’m Canadian! Yep you read that right and yes I love maple syrup and moose and saying sorry and all that jazz. My other qualities make up for my unfortunate Canadian identity such as the fact that I can SEND it in the park like really rip some snowboarding tricks (my fave being the Double Whammy 696 Torque Flip Spin) and happen to love films! You can usually find me chillin with my boys chatting about incredibly deep and mind altering content…or running around with Emma my number 1. We are what you could call a dynamic duo and can’t wait to make something almost as good as my favorite ~film~ Sharknado 1 2 & 3. I have some experience with my brand Way Of The Road so follow hit like you know I love my fans. Mic drop. Kyle out.

Hey Team! It’s me Emma, your Aesop leader! Now I know there are millions of other Emma’s out there, but I promise I’m not like those other girls (I’m from Brooklyn NYC). I’m the lead singer of one of the hottest bands on campus(Hot Faucet), I love long walks through the forests, and I can be seen, most day, trying to be as cool as Kyle! I wrote and put on a play in high school that was a great success so I am hoping that, just maybe, we can make and watch some movie’s better than Don’t Look Up… Shouldn’t be hard to do. Super excited to have a fun laid back Aesop with you all. Emma Out. 

Explore some of the most beautiful mountain peaks New England has to offer in this very high intensity backpacking trip. Covering 26 miles through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, this amazing backpacking trip includes scenic views, dense forests, rocky scrambles, and ridgeline traverses that are sure to excite even the most seasoned backpackers. Participants can expect long days on the trail with numerous ascents and descents. The group will be spending 2 nights at backcountry tent sites along the route sleeping on tent platforms with tarps for rain protection. Due to the remote nature of these campsites, there will be no showers or standard bathroom facilities available. While there are no requirements for trips, this trip is best suited for those with a can do attitude who are willing to accept the challenges that a backpacking trip of this length entails. Participants who choose to take on the challenge of Franconia will be sure to come away with memories that will last a lifetime and a newfound sense of accomplishment after completing one of the most iconic backpacking routes in New England. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Highest

Meet the leaders!

Young studs! How we just cannot wait to welcome you to good ole Bates College! Robby Sheils and I have been great buddies since freshman year, dreaming about leading YOU on this exact trip. Franconia has been on our bucket list for a while and we are psyched!! Allow me to introduce ROBBY SHEILS, your fearless leader!!!! He is from the incredible metropolis of Portland, Maine #BestCityinThaWurld. Rumor has it that ever since he was a small child eating banana chips and sardines in his front yard, he would daydream of being an Aesop leader! Some extremely fun facts: his blood, sweat, and tears (and Luv) are poured into O-Whip, the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team! On full moons you can find him atop Mt David howling into the wind. Otherwise, you can find him on the first floor of Ladd with the homies, probably racing the Monday NYT Crossword. He also spends a lot of time being a generally great, cool person. This kid was born to lead. Can’t wait to hike with you all!

Sup lil cats! My name is Robby and I’m hyped to introduce you to the 5’3’’ wrecking ball that is my co-leader SOPHIE STEIN!! Growing up on Long Island (not Staten), Soph came into Bates with a deep love for chocolate dipped macaroons and an extensive knowledge of early 2000’s hits. Ever since Sophie was just a mini-sophie she has been preparing for this venture. Her childhood summers were spent at Alford Lake Camp in Camden Maine, where she developed leadership powers and an infectious laugh. As you are reading this, she is leading a group of campers through the Maine & New Hampshire wilderness to the foot of Franconia Notch (she’s saving that one for our trip). At Bates, she can be found wandering the library, making quesadillas in commons, or piling friends into Lizard (her car) to go on a weekly adventure. Even though her hands may be covered with streaks of chocolate and coconut crumbs, they are very, very good ones to be in. (get pumped).

Hi everyone! My name is Ruby and I am a junior from Brooklyn! At Bates, I am a member of the Environmental Coalition and I play club soccer. I love spending time outdoors and trying new foods! I am looking forward to meeting you all!

My name is Colin and I am a junior from New York (used to live in the Bronx but now I live way, way upstate) and I am super excited to be leading an AESOP trip to Franconia! I am on the cross-country and track teams here at Bates, and I love exploring the woods around Lewiston and swimming in the ‘Scog (the beautiful, sanitary Androscoggin river). Ruby and I are beyond excited to meet you all for a super fun start to your Bates experience!

Grafton Notch composes many spectacular views of Maine. This 20 mile backpacking trip will carry you through Grafton Notch State Park. Explore scenic views in this highest-level difficulty trip. Due to the remote nature of campsites, there will be no access throughout the trip to bathrooms and running water. However, those who hike this will experience a great outdoor bonding experience in some of the most beautiful parts of Maine. Those with a can-do attitude and a willingness to hike long amounts of difficult terrain in a short amount of time will love this hike, and it is built for them!

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Highest

Meet the leaders!

My name is Claire Bohmer and I am from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I somehow made it all the way to Maine, and I am soon to be a sophomore at Bates. A few things about me: I adore chemistry, even if it does not reciprocate. My most valuable possession is a pair of pink skis that are in hand when snow is on the ground. My number one Spotify artist for the past 3 years has been Phillip Glass (an iconic classical music composer). My favorite food is pirate booty and blueberries, and one day I hope to live in a house with a yellow door and an orange cat. Zach and I could not be more stoked to meet you guys, and we hope that you are equally as excited! 

AESOPPPERS!
Welcome to the Lew! My name is Zach Van Dusen, and I am a Sophomore. I grew up on a cute little island outside Seattle, named Vashon Island. Fun fact, Vashon is where the modern edition of the Tissue was invented. I am an Earth and Climate Sciences Major that loves looking at rocks, most of which I cannot identify. I am an avid Kanye listener, unfortunately? Maybe? I am an active member of the Bates Men’s Ultimate team (def join!). I am super excited to explore more of the backcountry in the Northeast with you all! It will surely be a hoot.

Want to give back to the community whilst working on your home building skills? If so, then this trip is for you! This will be a great opportunity to work on projects that will serve as a great service to the community of Rockland Maine. Students will be building sheds and refining their carpentry skills at Philbrick commons in Rockland ME (subject to change). First years will be able to get out and explore Maine while offering great service to those in need and bonding with each other over different games! Students will have access to bathrooms, and will be sleeping off campus near the worksite for this trip. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hey Bates 26! I am so excited to meet you all and have a great time during AESOP! I am from Baltimore, Maryland and I am a rising sophomore. I am a part of the softball team here at Bates, and I am thinking about majoring in math or economics. I am super excited for Citysop with all of you and can’t wait to make memories with you! 

Hey you Bob-kittens my name is Bryn Creager and I am a sophomore. I can’t wait to show you the ropes during your first week at Bates. I am from Denver Colorado, situated right at the base of the Rocky Mountains. At Bates I have been involved with club sailing, choir, and dance, and I look forward to working with the Multifaith Chaplaincy during this school year. Although I am currently undecided with my major I plan on studying Religion and Studio Art. Outside of Bates I love flying planes (little Cessnas), skiing, hiking and doing anything outdoors. 9/10 you will find me at Popham Beach even during a nor’Easter (this is a bad idea… just letting you know). I would also like to add my co-leader and I share a love for food! I am so excited to get to know you all and can’t wait for AESOP! 

WHAT IS UP AESOP-ers, my name is Adam and I am beyond excited to be your AESOP leader this year. I am a rising sophomore from just outside of Hartford CT. I have absolutely loved my first year at Bates and I can’t wait to give you all an awesome experience to begin your year. I love music, and can be found singing in Olin with my a capella group the Manic Optimists, or annoying my friends with rants about my love for Billy Joel. I try to spend as much time as possible outside and you can find me playing basketball, spikeball, or just doing homework on the quad. I’m stoked to do some great community engagement work with you all and give you a little taste of Bates. 

Hey everyone and welcome to Bates! My name is George and I am a rising sophomore from Hong Kong. I am planning on majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in DCS, but all of that is still subject to change. Especially being halfway across the world from home, AESOP was an amazing experience for me to meet a group of great individuals. Outside of academics, I’m involved in the Film Board, AASIA, and I also answer phone calls for the IT desk. You can always catch me playing spike ball with my friends, so feel free to join if you see me! 

This is a chill trip where leaders and students spend time in the sun and sand having the options to play games on the beaches, low stack beaches, or free lead conversations with each other. The hike is for 2 miles and the mountain is not very high. Students have options to do whatever they are feeling that day. The amazing beach of Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach has many things to offer such as the amazing places for beach games, hiking, and the options of swimming in the water. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

Hi y’all!!!! My name is Samantha but most people call me Sam! I am a neuroscience major and digital and computational studies minor, from Louisville, Kentucky… home of Louisville Slugger, The Kentucky Derby, and I am a HUGE Kentucky Wildcats fan! I am on the Bates swim team, where I met my co-leader Paul. On campus, I do neural networks research and I am a swim instructor to female identifying Bates students. I love going to the beach (perfect for this aesop), swimming, skiing in the wintertime, and watching sports and reality tv. We CANNOT WAIT to meet our group of aesopers and all you first years. We are so excited to introduce you all to Bates and what Maine has to offer!!

Hey everyone!! My name is Paul and I am a biology major and chemistry minor. I’m from Virginia Beach, VA where I love to chill at the beach with my friends in the summer. I am on the Bates Swim Team, where I met my co-leader Sam. In my free time at Bates, I play piano, go to the gym, and am a part of the Bates Musical Doses club. I am so excited to meet all of you and show you everything I love about Bates and Maine!!

Hi, first years!!! This is Jack Bullock. He is from Seattle, Washington, and is a sophomore at Bates. He loves to play guitar, is on the water polo team, and enjoys skiing and exploring the outdoors. His academic interests are majoring in environmental studies and a music minor. Jack is so excited for AESOP because of the invaluable experience of getting to know one another in an environment outside of the classroom while getting to push one another’s comfort zones. When Jack isn’t slamming goals in the pool, he can be found shredding a face melter on the guitar or perhaps even practicing synchronized swimming. He can’t wait to meet all of you and is so excited to have an amazing trip!

Hellooooo first years!!! This is David King from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He is a sophomore at Bates who loves spending time connecting with his friends, hanging out around campus, and competing on the Nordic Skiing team. He is planning on majoring in physics with a double minor in history and math. He is super excited for AESOP because of his love for the outdoors and desire to serve the future Bates community. While David’s enthusiasm and leadership skills are clear, he also is a sucker for anything Disney-related. He is particularly drawn to the sea as though it calls him. Most of all, his presence in a room is felt by everybody, his positivity is absolutely contagious. We are so excited to meet all of you and cannot wait to lead this trip! 

Hola! I’m Brandon (he/they), a rising sophomore from Nicaragua and Costa Rica who aspires to be a Physics and Neuroscience double major. I’m a very enthusiastic nerd: I’m a science nerd, math nerd, linguistics nerd, fitness nerd… I could keep going! However, besides my STEM-heavy academic focus, I do all kinds of fun stuff like juggling and diabolo (you may wanna google that), Ultimate Frisbee (though I’m quite the beginner), acting, dancing, and singing for this Short Term Musical, and, of course, a cappella! (I’m a Tenor in TakeNote, with Emma!). I would like to let you know that I’m neurodivergent, but don’t let that fool you, I LOVE PEOPLE and I’m incredibly excited about getting to know y’all and having a ton of fun. ALSO, did you know that I missed my AESOP trip because of covid? That’s another reason I can’t wait to experience our first AESOP trip together!
A fun fact about Emma is that she gave me a book with 365 Dad Jokes for my birthday. One of my favorites has been: “Why can’t you hear it when a pterodactyl goes to the bathroom? Because the ‘P’ is silent!”. 

Hey y’all! My name is Emma Collins from Woolwich, Maine and I am so excited to be your AESOP leader this year! I am a Sophomore and an aspiring Psychology major and Chemistry minor and I have many other interests including–but not limited to–singing in my A Capella group TakeNote with Brandon, playing violin, and playing a scrappy game of water polo with my team here at Bates. I am so pumped for our trip this year and I would like to leave you with a fun fact about Brandon: Brandon can recite fifty digits of π(pi) in Spanish!

Moosehead is the biggest lake in Maine!! Don’t worry, you won’t paddle the whole thing. As you paddle on this lake, you will be surrounded by beautiful scenery. Though the paddle will likely be wind dependent, this will give the group lots of time to relax at campsites, play games, and make some delicious meals and snacks to get settled in for the nights! This is moderately difficult in physical activity, and can be adjusted to everyone’s comfort levels. Though you are not in the totally secluded wilderness, you will be able to really feel like you are in the Maine woods. There might even be some wildlife, like a moose!

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hello!! My name is Alice and I am a senior Anthropology and Religious Studies double major! I am from Kingfield, Maine (which is 10 minutes from Sugarloaf) and am super excited to lead another AESOP with Dennis, who I actually met during my freshman year AESOP! On campus, I spend a good portion of my time in Commons eating cereal or chips with buffalo chicken dip (I will share my recipe with you, don’t worry). I enjoy skiing, snowboarding, running, and everything else that the Maine outdoors has to offer. Canoeing is going to be an adventure, I hope Dennis can swim… Can’t wait to meet you and share this special place with you! 

Hello AESOPers!! My name is Dennis and I will be leading the Moosehead 1 AESOP trip with Alice! I can’t wait to meet all of you in the fall, but before that I wanted to introduce myself a bit more. I hail from the vibrant town of Arlington, Massachusetts and am studying politics and history at Bates. On campus, I like to play pickup soccer, relax on Garcelon field (preferably in a lawn chair), and take advantage of the unlimited food in Commons. Outside of Bates, I love to ski, travel, hike, and watch a healthy-ish amount of Netflix (show recommendations are always welcome). I am absolutely stoked to spend some time camping and canoeing with you all in the beautiful Maine wilderness as well as introduce you to everything that Bates has to offer! 

HEYYO, welcome, Bobkittens!!!! This is Phoebe writing on behalf of Mei, and I cannot wait to tear it up in some canoes with y’all. A little bit about Mei: Mei is a senior here at Bates, and she is an Interdisciplinary Studies major in Gender and Sexuality and Digital and Computational Studies (wow, that’s a mouthful), hailing from the Big Apple. You will find her zooming around campus on her skateboard – while rocking a very stylish mullet – pulling out her second keyboard in Ladd while grinding out a paper, or playing Webkinz in Commons while having the most engaging conversation. Mei is a fearless leader (she is training for the Marines, woooo), so on trail we will have a north star guiding our way. Two truths and a lie about Mei to keep you on your toes: 1) she will respond to Johnny Boy. 2) she has a foot long dragon tattoo on her arm. 3) she started a gaelic football team on campus (look it up, you won’t be disappointed). We are so excited to hang with y’all!! 

What’s up Bobcats, welcome to Bates! My co-leader Phoebe and I can’t wait to start paddling with you. Phoebe is a junior Religious Studies major who is an awesome tour guide on campus so you can spot her walking backwards like a pro (you might have met her already too!!) When not walking backwards, she might be scootering around or stealing my skateboard and trying not to fall off. She spends her summers leading canoeing trips so fear not, y’all are in good hands and she knows some fire camp cooking recipes. We are both enthusiastic members of the women’s and non-binary ultimate frisbee team on campus, Cold Front, so if anyone wants to try some water/canoe frisbee we are totally down. I’ll leave y’all with two truths and a lie, see if you can figure out which is which by the time we meet! 1. Her nickname is Trashcan, 2. She won first place at her first nordic skiing race, 3. She was 10 the first time she ate chocolate.

A relaxed atmosphere for a basecamping trip, moosehead basecamping will provide a great intermediate hiking experience near Moosehead Lake. There will be access to bathrooms and running water throughout the trip. Each day, hike between 2 and 5 miles, then relax back at camp for games and activities, or stop by moosehead lake to swim! Easily accessible to beginner hikers, or experienced hikers who want more of a laid-back atmosphere.

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the Leaders!

Bio & photo coming soon

Bio & photo coming soon

Mooselookmeguntic lake is a beautiful 50 miles of open water located an hour and 45 minutes from campus. This trip is an amphibious trip, which means that you and your group will spend half of the time hiking and half of the time canoeing.You will be able to bond over games, cook dinners over fires, and sleep at campsites with your group!

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

HII BOBKITTENS!!! We are SO stoked to explore Maine with you all in September!!! I am Courtney, a rising senior from Hanover, New Hampshire. AESOP (not to be confused with the shampoo company) is a 10/10 time and Jared and I are so excited to meet you and welcome you into the quirky, but incredibly fun, Bates Community. At Bates I am a member of the orchestra, the sailing team (best team on campus hands down), and I also am a part of the Peer Health group on campus. In my free time I like to take random walking routes around Lewiston, sit in commons (circle tables for the win) for unreasonable amounts of time catching up with friends, and check in with my homie Mr. Kim at the infamous Kim’s Kitchen. I am majoring in biology, with a minor in chemistry, and I decided to throw in a math GEC to spice it up. Last spring, I studied abroad in Copenhagen so I am pumped to be back at Bates and meet all of you! Counting down the days ‘til AESOP!!!

HEYYYOO AESOPERS!!!! My name is Jared, I’m a rising senior from New Haven, Connecticut, and Courtney and I are super excited to help welcome you all to the Bates community. To this day, I can recall how nervous I was to start my college journey; I was anxious to make friends and find my place at Bates. AESOP was a wonderful experience for me; it served as an icebreaker and a pathway for me to meet new people and make lasting friendships. In addition, AESOP is an incredibly fun experience; we’re aiming high to make sure everyone has a fantastic time! At Bates, I study Economics and Philosophy; I love to stay active by running and working out. I’m also a huge Boston Celtics fan, and in my free time, I love to spend time with my german shepherd Xabo (Pictured here)! I can’t wait to meet you all and have a great trip!

Inviting all fierce women of color, experienced hikers and beginners! This trip is for those who want to do what they love or for those seeking to try something new in a supportive environment among fellow women of color. On the first day, you will conquer 4.7 miles of Tumbledown Mountain; near the summit, you might take a dip in Tumbledown Pond or simply relax on the rocky edge near the scenic water view. Be prepared for steep climbs and some scrambling rocks on the way up! The second day will let you experience Webb Lake beach after a brief and flat-trailed hike. You might even have a chance to kayak and canoe! A steep 3 mile hike up Mt. Blue, the last day of this trip offers a rewarding experience that features beautiful wildflowers and rocky climbs. This trail leads to a spectacular summit with an elevation of 3,187 feet where you may ascend to the top of an observation tower for an even better view of the mountainous landscape that surrounds Weld and Webb Lake. Enjoy your nightly stay at a campsite near the base of Mt. Blue where you will sleep in tents and cook on whisper-light stoves. Bathroom-shower facilities are within a couple-hundred feet of access.

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Bienvenidos! Welcome class of 2026 to the Bobcat family! My name is Luz. I’m excited to get to know everyone in our AESOP trip, and this is one of the first activities that will introduce you to your wonderful classmates and build friendships straight off the bat. Together we will embark on a new adventure that will be inclusive, creative and definitely one for the books! Now to give a little preview about myself. I am a first generation Latina who enjoys sculpting, painting and currently found a new hobby practicing tattooing. I’m creative, determined and energetic, always looking forward to trying new things and going on new adventures. I know it can be challenging interacting with new people but I can guarantee you that we will support you and guide through the process. I look forward to starting our adventure in the Fall!

ALOHAAAA Bates Class of 2026! Kamusta! I am so excited to meet you guys! My name is Anna and I am a first generation Filipino-Hawaiian from O’ahu, Hawai’i. I grew up on O’ahu, so I apologize in advance if my Hawaiian Pidgin breaks out. If it happens, just call me out on it. It is one easy fix. I am also a nature enthusiast who will literally go on hikes with you (no matter how slow she is) or simply sit out in nature with you. This AESOP trip will be one of your first experiences here at Bates and we understand that. AESOP is important to us too—which is why we chose to do this. We want to make one of your first moments at Bates memorable. I promise you, as two women of color we will foster an inclusive, warm, and supportive environment throughout our AESOP trip. AND we will welcome you into our Bates Ohana with open arms. “Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind” after all. If you get um, bonus points! 

A steep 3 mile hike up Mt. Blue, the first day of this trip offers a rewarding experience that features beautiful wildflowers and rocky climbs. This trail leads to a spectacular summit with an elevation of 3,187 feet where you may choose to ascend to the top of an observation tower for an even better view of the mountainous landscape that surrounds Weld and Webb Lake. On the second day, you will conquer 4.7 miles of Tumbledown Mountain- near the summit, you might take a dip in Tumbledown Pond or simply relax on the edge near the scenic water view.  Be prepared for steep climbs and some scrambling rocks on the way up! The last day will let you experience Webb Lake once more but this time along its shoreline after a brief and flat-trailed hike. You might even have a chance to kayak and canoe! Enjoy your nightly stay at a campsite near the base of Mt. Blue where you will get to sleep in tents and cook on whisper-light stoves. Bathroom-shower facilities are within a couple-hundred feet of access. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry 
• Activity Level: Low

Meet the leaders!

My name is Levi (on the right in the picture), I use he/him pronouns, and I’m so excited to lead AESOP with Alli! I am from Portland, Oregon (which I lovingly refer to as “the other Portland” when I’m on campus). I have loved growing up and adventuring in the beautiful outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, but I have to admit that Maine has some scenery that definitely rivals what I’m used to from home. I’m a junior Neuroscience major and Earth and Climate Sciences minor, so I spend lots of time in the science buildings and studying on the second floor of the library, but on nice days I can probably be found around campus reading or listening to music in my hammock. I can’t wait to introduce a new class of bobcats to everything that Bates has to offer!

Hiya, AESOPers! My name is Alli (on the left in the picture). I use she/her pronouns, I’m from right outside of New Haven, CT, and I’m so excited to be leading Mt. Blue 2 with Levi!! I’m a senior Sociology major, and when I’m not out on Taylor Pond in the neighboring town of Auburn with the Club Sailing Team, you can find me blasting Taylor Swift, refilling my giant tumbler with iced coffee, studying on the library patio, or enjoying cheesy garlic bread with marinara (the only way to do it!) on Sundae Sunday. I love spending time outside, and I can’t wait to camp with all of you in the beautiful Maine outdoors! I’m so looking forward to getting to know you all and welcoming you into the Bates community! I’ve been known to yell across the quad or in Commons at my friends just to say hi, so don’t be surprised if you hear your name soon!

Nezinscot Farm, located just 20 minutes away from campus in Turner, is perhaps the perfect spot to spend a day outside—if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, that is. The farm is surrounded by 250 acres of organic farmland consisting of veggie gardens, rolling fields, farm animals, and the Nezinscot river. Although there are a variety of farming activities included in this trip, related to produce as well as livestock, you can expect to have some dirt under your nails by the end of the day! Running water and toilets are available at Nezinscot farm. This group will be sleeping at Nezinscot for the course of the entire trip. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Frontcountry 
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

As I’m writing this bio for my dear friend Jiayi Yang, I cannot help but admire her many talents and skills. An international student from China, Jiayi is a rising sophomore, planning to major in Sociology and minor in Spanish and Theater, so you know she’s a true, hardworking academic. With her signature iPad and Apple Pencil, she can whip up a quick “doodle” of her friends with the most intricate of details that can rival the works of da Vinci and Picasso. Seriously, watch her make the most elaborate drawing of Genshin characters and call it a “doodle” (smh it literally could be in the Louvre and she calls it a “doodle”). On stage, she acts like Meryl Streep and sings like an angel, having performed in the Robinson Players’ esteemed production of Matilda as well as last year’s One-Act Festival (a play called “Women of the World,” so you know she’s a girlboss). She is also an amazing stage manager, having managed multiple plays over her first year at Bates (and all of us who have worked with her agree that we will throw hands at whoever crosses our queen – join theater, and you’ll see why this is). If you want a mother figure, Jiayi is your girl – she will cook for you when you feel down, bring you snacks when you’re sick with Covid (ONLY if you have Covid… or not, who knows), and be a shoulder you can cry on (I’ve done multiple times already, so you know it’s true). Jiayi is never going to give you up or let you down, she will keep your life together, and she will be the best AESOP leader you will ever get to meet.
Fun Fact: If you find any small pieces of paper with super cool drawings on them in the library, you have been graced by the extremely talented Jiayi Yang. Cherish this piece of paper forever for 10 years of good luck.

Speaking of Joaquin, I cannot think of anything other than how much pressure I am under from the moment I saw my bio written by them. As you can tell, it takes a lot of passion and knowledge to write such a masterpiece; and the author of my bio, Joaquin, is the perfect human being who is always passionate, energetic, motivated, and fun to be around with. Let me get into more details because this person is absolutely worthy to brag about. Joaquin is a rising sophomore and an international student from Philippines. They are majoring in Neuroscience (“Because I am a woman in STEM” —-Joaquin), and double minoring in Theater and DCS. I had the honor of being their stage manager twice during freshman year and I was privileged to watch them perform at every single rehearsal. Their talent, dedication and creativity never cease to bring people surprise and amazement (I’ll skip that one time they discovered they were still costume at least 2 hours after we left the rehearsal :P). Outside of theater, their talent and passion extend to other fields: competitive frisbee (which they recommend you join), club volleyball, baking, publishing a children’s book (called Stargaze; stay tuned and talk to Joaquin to get purple chicken stickers. It’s worth it.), drawing (their Animal Crossing version of people are the cutest thing :D) and many others yet to be discovered. Just adding one fact Joaquin forgot to mention in my bio: I can’t wish for a better AESOP co-leader other than Joaquin. <3 
Fun Fact: stay 5 meters away when Joaquin is laughing. “You don’t want to be deaf” —-Joaquin. We’ll try our best to warn you before it happens. 

Heyyyy bobcats!
I’m beyond thrilled to get to introduce you to Bates (and of course do some pretty cool farm stuff). I’m Lucy and I’m a sophomore at Bates from Westchester, NY. I’m a history major and teacher education minor plus I’m a member of the Bates Club Sailing team (go salt cats!) and volunteer at Lewiston’s local animal shelter. I LOVE dogs and will stop anyone walking their dog on campus for a lil serotonin boost. A weird fun fact about me: I love Grapenuts and eat them every morning (you gotta love the cereal wall). Bates has really become my home and my fave place to be— I really can’t wait to share all its amazing-ness w/ you guys. My incredible co-leader Fiki and I are so excited to meet you! Fun Fact: If you find any small pieces of paper with super cool drawings on them in the library, you have been graced by the extremely talented Jiayi Yang. Cherish this piece of paper forever for 10 years of good luck.

Hi everyone! My name is Fikirte Hunt, but you can call me Fiki. I was born in Awasa, Ethiopia, and adopted at age two into a diverse family. My hometown is New York City, New York. This Fall 2022, I will be a Junior. I am double majoring in Film and Psychology. I am a member of the Africana Club, Model United Nations, and Circus Club. Through these clubs, my AESOP trips, and other campus activities, I have become friends with people from different states, countries, and life experiences. All my professors have been incredibly supportive and genuinely kind. Outside of school, I play chess. At one point, I represented the United States in three international chess championships. While at Bates, in my Sophomore year, I worked on a feature film. I was the Assistant to a Line Producer and was the head of the COVID compliance officer department. I cannot wait to be your AESOP co-leader, introduce you to Bates, help you create new friends, and maybe teach you chess and what it is like to work on a feature film :) 

An itinerary will include art exploration and wonderful places to sit and conversate. Ultimately this trip is meant to be an opportunity for relating to everyone included. This trip is one of the other trips for which leaders and students will be given a set activity for which to bond but instead an ore chill opportunity to talk amongst people in your SOP.  A ten-minute stroll downtown will acquaint you with Old Port, a charming district of cobblestone streets, brick buildings, and fishing piers. This place can be a place where leaders and their group may sit and realize. There will be vibrant boutiques and dining scenes that spark artistic inspiration, but so will the Portland Art Gallery. A unique exhibition space that hosts work from emerging artists based in Maine, the Portland Art Gallery is where you will investigate what it means to be a “Mainer”.

• Evacuation Access Level: 1 
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

I’m Sebastien. I am a junior majoring in history with a minor in DCS. I am French but went to high school in New York City. On campus I am the president of the Bates Historical Society. In my free time I enjoy watching movies, going to museums and spending time with my friends.

Hi, and welcome to Bates! I’m John, a rising junior, and I’m super excited to be your AESOP leader this coming fall, where we’ll spend a few days getting to know the great city of Portland. I’m from Pittsburgh PA (H2P!), and a History major and Latin minor here at Bates. I love hiking (mostly in Montana, where I spend my summers), driving around Maine, and playing the piano. I also am a member of the men’s frisbee team and the co-president of the Historical Society. I can’t wait to spend some time with you all alongside Sebastien, and help you ease into the college experience!

Photo Coming soon

This trip is leader-controlled. Leaders will be given options to where to go in Portland based on their location. But it’s up to the leader to gauge what will be best for their group to do for the day. An itinerary will include art exploration and wonderful places to sit and conversate. Ultimately this trip is meant to be an opportunity for relating to everyone included. This trip is one of the other trips for which leaders and students will be given a set activity for which to bond but instead an ore chill opportunity to talk amongst people in your SOP. 

A ten-minute stroll downtown will acquaint you with Old Port, a charming district of cobblestone streets, brick buildings, and fishing piers. This place can be a place where leaders and their group may sit and realize. There will be vibrant boutiques and dining scenes that spark artistic inspiration, but so will the Portland Art Gallery. A unique exhibition space that hosts work from emerging artists based in Maine, the Portland Art Gallery is where you will investigate what it means to be a “Mainer”.

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Heylo everyone! Can’t wait to meet you freshies!! My name is JadeEmerald or Jade. I use she/they pronouns and am a sophomore here at Bates. I am from the Bronx and am a Physics/Astronomy major and Japanese minor. On campus I am in the Sailing team and 2BEATS our hiphop group on campus! I’m so excited to lead you guys on this Portland adventure, Lewiston is small so it’s nice to remember a city is near by! See ya’ll soon! 

Hey everyone!! I’m Ananya (she/her) and I’m a sophomore from Bedford, NH. I’m hoping to be a Politics and Environmental Studies double major with a theatre minor. On campus Im apart of 2BEATS (hip-hop), and theatre. In my free time I love crocheting, thrifting, and hiking (especially in the summer around NH). We’re so excited to meet all of you this coming fall and take y’all around Portland!! 

Located in the mesmerizing wilderness of western Maine, Rangeley Lake State Park offers the best of both worlds when it comes to experiencing the outdoors. This base camping trip gives you the best of both worlds as you will have the opportunity to hike for multiple days while also enjoying plenty of downtime. You can expect to go on a few relaxed day hikes such as Tumbledown and Bald Mountain, returning to camp and Rangeley Lake where you will spend the rest of the evenings. There are both shower and toilet facilities available in the state park. This trip is perfect for anyone that wants to experience the picturesque natural landscape that Maine has to offer without the intensity of a backpacking trip. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 3
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hey future AESEOPers! My name is Sophie and I’m a rising sophomore from Brooklyn, NY! I am so excited to meet you all so soon! Some things you should know about me: I love being outdoors, but I don’t often get the chance to because I grew up in NYC and I’m often really busy doing theatre. I love doing backstage work for theatre, and I’m considering majoring in it! I am also looking into potentially majoring or minoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. I also love visual arts, and thrifting. When the weather is nice, you’ll probably find me in my hammock somewhere on campus napping or reading and listening to music! You maaay recognise me from running the @bates_class_of_2026 account on Instagram, it has been so fun getting to talk to some of you and become familiar with some new faces that will be on campus in the fall. Owen and I met on our AESOP trip last year, and we’ve remained friends ever since. He’s such an awesome person and you’d be so lucky to have him as an AESOP leader (and as a friend). We hope we can make your AESOP experience as great as it was for us! 

Hey folks, welcome to the class of 2026! My name is Owen Ferguson and I’m a rising sophomore. A few people like me, and less hate me, which I think is nice. Nature is pretty awesome and I love to hike, bike, ski, kayak, backpack, and just generally go outside and do stuff. I’m a member of Bates Sailing and the the music director for my a capella group, The Manic Optimists. I love board games and will destroy you at quite a few of them given the chance. I’m considering majoring in biology or neuroscience with a possible minor in music, but who knows for sure. My cat is awesome when she doesn’t pee on my stuff, feel free to email me if you want pictures of her (or if you have any burning life questions I guess). Sophie is kinda awesome and any AESOPer would be lucky to have her as a leader, can’t wait to meet you all and have a nice summer!

Richardson lake, just west of Rangeley, Maine, is located 2 hours north from campus, and is a beautiful piece of land to paddle and hike through! This trip is a mild amphibious trip where you and your group will spend half of the time canoeing across Richardson and the other half doing some mild hiking. You will be able to bond over games, cook dinners over fires, and sleep at campsites with your group! 

• Evacuation Access Level: 3
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hey bobkittens! My name’s Lauren and I use she/her pronouns. I’m a rising senior majoring in Anthropology and double minoring in French and Education. At Bates I’m a proud member of the women’s and gender non-conforming ultimate frisbee team, Cold Front. I also work for the Harward Center as a Community Outreach Fellow where I help to coordinate some of our amazing community outreach programs! I will no doubt be attempting to recruit you to both play frisbee and get out in the community with me :). My favorite restaurant in Lewiston is Pure Thai, although Mother India is a close second. If I’m not there, you can probably find me reading in a hammock, at the climbing wall, or sun bathing on Garcelon. I am STOKED to be leading you on Richardson with Evan!! We are going to have an amazing time hiking, canoeing, making s’mores, playing games, and telling bedtime horror stories (if that’s your thing). 

Hey there future AESOPies!! Congrats on choosing Bates as your future home, and special congrats on joining us for the Richardson trip this fall!! My name’s Evan (he/him) and I’m gonna be your guide with Lauren through the wild wild Maine wilderness. I’m from a small super exciting town in southern Vermont, and a junior here at Bates studying Neuroscience and Chemistry (don’t ask about my writing ability). I am a decathlete on the track and field team, and when I’m not running in circles I enjoy hiking local hills (fastest known time up Mt David) nordic and downhill skiing, playing spikeball on garc, taking a refreshing dip in lake Andrews and pretty much anything else that campus safety will allow. I’m so excited to meet you and hope you all have an amazing summer!!!

This rock climbing AESOP travels to New Hampshire to climb, swim, and chill. For 2 nights, both Rumney Rattlesnake groups will stay at Rumney Rattlesnake Campground right across the way from the vast Rumney Ledges and in front of the Baker River. The campground is equipped with porta potties and ample fire rings for quality marshmallow roasting. Spend your days rock climbing various rock faces, accessed by hiking between 10 minutes to an hour, and at night, cook at some good old fashioned picnic tables, play frisbee, and relax after a long day. Luckily, Rumney is not home to any actual rattlesnakes. This trip is for all levels, and both those experienced in rock climbing and those wanting to learn for the very first time!

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

HELLOOOO AESOPERS!!! My name is Zoe (she/her/hers) and I am a rising Senior, Politics major, and Hispanic studies minor at Bates. In my free time, you can catch me climbing some rocks, hiking some mountains, playing some water polo, or going on silly adventures with my friends. At Bates, I’m most likely dwelling on the first floor of the library or lounging out on Garcelon field on nice days. I originally hail from California so I am naturally obsessed with kombucha, avocados, and the beach. I am SO excited to share one of my favorite activities and climb with y’all. I am even more excited to be leading this trip with my BBFL, Nathan. I CANNOT wait to meet all of you!!!

Hi everyone!! My name is Nathan Huynh (he/him/his) and I’m from San Diego, California! I am the former youngest person alive and my favorite meal is my mom’s spaghetti. I am a rising senior majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Human Culture and minoring in film/rhetoric/screen studies! In my free time at Bates, I like to try and find the turtles and massive goldfish living in Lake Andrews (the Puddle). I enjoy making art, watching anime, napping, climbing, and surfing :D I can’t wait to meet y’all and go adventuring! <3 Ps: Zoe is a literal ray of sunshine, we are all blessed by her legendary presence.

Hi AESOPers, meet Adelle(she/her)!! She is a rising sophomore majoring in dance and geology. Adelle calls a farm in Livingston, Montana home, and spends every possible moment outside exploring. This summer, she was a rafting guide in Glacier National Park. Here are a few more fun facts about Adelle: she can bake pretty much anything without a recipe, will walk through a snow storm to deliver some surprise bread, is the co-chief of Bates EMS, often has some chocolate chips in her pockets, and really enjoys most types of crafts. We are SUPER excited to get to know all of you and climb up some rocks! 

Hello hello! Meet Sloan (she/her). She is a rising sophomore here at Bates. She hails from Evergreen Colorado and plans on majoring somewhere between biochemistry and geology with a side of steel pan orchestra. She’s on the Nordic ski team at Bates and loves being outside and moving in whatever form it takes. When she’s not outside, you can most likely find her crocheting fruit hats, or laminating her fall leaf collection. One of the many great things about Sloan is she is very easy to spot in one of her seven pairs of overalls or farm themed fleece vests that she sewed herself! Rain or shine Sloan will be outside splashing through puddles, picking up leaves, or camping out on the quad. We are so excited to meet you!!!

Salt Pump will provide a great rock climbing experience combined with more of a chill atmosphere, perfect for more beginner-level climbers. Head to Salt Pump climbing gym for some awesome indoor rock climbing, spend some time at Bates’ own climbing wall, and a variety of other fun outdoor activities, determined by you and your leaders, on and near the Bates campus. There will be bathroom access and running water all days of the trip. 

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hello groovy humans, it is my honor to introduce my co-leader, the Hannah Simmonds. Hailing from the bay area, what is there not to say about Hannah, so little space, so much to say. I’ll start with some descriptions as an attempt to capture the fragments that make up this wonderful human. On a warm fall or spring day, you’ll catch Hannah cruising in her chacos, baggies, with one of a few dope hats on her way to class, commons, or eating an extra sharp white Cabot Creamery cheddar or wicked smooth Mount Tam brie on the quad or Range pond. When climbing routes freeze, bike trails turn to powder, and sails are packed away, catch her absolutely shredding on skis (in-resort, backcountry, backpacking, plastic pvcing, you name it) as she carries the heavy title of Shred Club president. In the warmth of the classroom, Hannah explores the overlaps of earth and climates studies and economy to capture our complex relationship with the environment and sustainability. I apologize for rambling, but all in all Hannah is a pretty groovy and caring human and we are both so stoked to meet you all and have a hoot of a time! -with enthusiasm, Garrett 

Hey there cool cats and kittens, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you all to my co-leader, Garrett Glasgow. Garrett is a fun guy, or should I say fungi, who grew up in the lovely, smog blanketed Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m not entirely sure, but perhaps the root of our friendship is the glorious Mt. Tam. cheese which we both adore so wholeheartedly. While at Bates, Garrett has decided that neuroscience and film, not movies(!), are what he wishes to study. One of Garrett’s most renowned passions is photography; feel free to stalk his social media accounts to get a taste of how amazing his photographic art is. He loves to stay active around campus through shredding the unmatched Maine powder on two sticks, hurling disks at his friends on the ultimate frisbee team, and projecting the “Baby Head” climbing routes on Merrill Wall, among other pursuits. You can always count on Garrett to spot the best fungus on a hike, or to blurt out some obscure, yet fascinating, fact about the human brain, or to give you the best song recommendation you’ve ever received. We are so excited to get to know all of you and have some top tier adventures together! -with gratitude, Hannah

Surf’s up!!! Prepare to shred and learn the basics of surfing at Hermit Island! Maine is a great place to surf and this trip will introduce participants to everything that Maine surfing has to offer. AESOPers will be equipped with wetsuits and boards. Trained leaders will share their knowledge of surfing to help AESOPers learn the ins and outs of surfing. Camp is just a minute walk from the  beach with bathroom facilities and running water. Get ready for a trip full of surfing and beach games! No prior experience is required, so let’s get stoked and ride some waves!

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hey first years!! I’m Miles, and I am a junior. I am an environmental studies major and am always trying to find the next adventure. I grew up in Portland, Maine, and love the ocean and beach sooo much. A few of my absolute favorite things in the world (in no order) are puffins, surfing, Mexican food, and skiing. I am so stoked to get to know you all, while we surf around some of the most beautiful parts of Maine!!

Hey incoming Bobkittens! I hope you are as excited as I am for an amazing year! My name is Darya and I am from Andover, Massachusetts (another J.O.B – Just outside Boston town). At Bates, I am majoring in Biology and Psychology on the pre-med track. My family and friends tell me that my spirit animal is a gazelle. When I am not distracting my friends in Ladd Library at 11pm you can find me rowin down the ‘Scog on the women’s rowing team or snacking on some Commons Vegan Pad Thai every Thursday. On the weekend you can find me hiking one of the steep peaks of Maine and visiting Nezinscot Farm for some waffles. I can’t wait to meet you all and hear about your spirit animals SO soon as we surf these crazy waves!!

Hey new Bobcats!!! My name is Emma. I hail from Colorado and am a professional latte maker, full time skier, aspiring beekeeper, and beginner surfer. However, I have seen Soul Surfer many times so I figure that’s a good start. At Bates I can be found hanging out with the ducks by the puddle or using a magic 8 ball to figure out my future career path. This is the second trip that Cal and I have lead together and we cannot wait to welcome you to Bates with a little adventure and a lot of beach time. Cheers!

Hey! My name’s Cal and I am a New Hampshire grown, skier of all sorts, and adventurer of all wilderness. But for real, I am a happy guy who gets excited by just about anything. It might be from hearing about someone’s latest excursion, seeing others artistic ventures, finding the funkiest hidden musical hit, being offered to join in any sport scrimmage, or to building a box out of wood because it felt right. Whatever it is, I’m excited to do all of the fun things that we end up doing, like surfing! and other stuff! -See you all soon!

Although this trip sounds grueling, it is one of our more laid-back options. With no race to the end, you will spend one day hiking up a breathtaking summit, one day leisurely swimming at the beach, and one day bicycling around Portland. You will hike around 4-6 miles on the first day and cycle around 12-15 miles on the third day. The middle day is designed for relaxation, so you can enjoy some beach and water games along the shore with your fellow SOPers. There will be access to bathrooms and running water throughout the trip.

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hey bobcats!! My name’s Dylan and I’m super excited to lead AESOP for the class of 2026! I was born and raised in Washington, DC but I enjoy getting out of the city for day hikes, camping and going to the beach. During the summer I am usually lifeguarding at the beach or pool! On campus you can always find me in Tarbell Pool splashing around as a member of the women’s swim team and as a physics major and chem minor you can usually find me in Carnegie and Bonney! I can’t wait to meet you guys and I look forward to introducing you to Bates and the lovely state of Maine! 

Hi everyone! My name is Edmond Giang and I will be a senior during our AESOP adventures. Dylan and I both are captains on the swim team and participate in a variety of groups on campus. I am a biology major on the pre-med track so feel free to pick my brain on anything science related. We are super excited to lead the next generation of Bates students and hope to start off your college experience in the best way possible.

You’re probably wondering how to say the name of this lovely trip… it’s um-BAY-gog. Umbagog means “small water,” in Abenaki, an Algonquian language of New England. This lake is one of the most known and loved in the state of Maine to paddle in! At your campsite, you will be surrounded by towering trees and open blue water that you will have the chance to swim in. The lake is 14 ft deep and offers so much in terms of wildlife, views, and good memories. On the first day, you’ll drive a little under two hours to the put-in with your leaders, fellow AESOPers, and canoes. You will paddle a few miles the first day to your first campsite, and settle in for the night. On the second day, you’ll paddle down the Magalloway to Umbagog Lake State Park where you’ll camp for the second night. You’ll do a good amount of paddling on Lake Umbagog, but you will have lots of time to play cards, swim, and make yummy food!

• Evacuation Access Level: 4
• Backcountry
• Activity Level: High

Meet the leaders!

Hello and welcome to Bates!!! I am incredibly excited to meet you all this coming Fall, and cannot wait to lead some of you on an amazing AESOP trip with Soso! My name is Mac Gaither and I am a Junior hailing from the Bay Area in California. Like Soso, I am set to major in Environmental Science and minor in Film but hey who KNOWS what I’ll end up with by the end of my time at Bates. Outside of class you’ll find me tossing a frisbee, working on photography projects, or loitering in Commons for faaaar too long. Other things about me!! I hit the Commons soft serve machine at least once a day (my body is a temple), I seem to find new hobbies to aggressively pursue every 2-3 weeks, and I ALWAYS appreciate a tasteful dad joke. Again, so stoked to meet you all! Can’t wait! UMBAGOG BABY!!!

Hello hello hello! Welcome to Bates!!!!!! I hope you all are having an amazing summer and are getting ready for the exciting road ahead. My name is Soso Hoag (she/they), and I am a soon to be Senior (aaaahhhggggg) Environmental Studies major and Rhetoric and Screen Studies minor. I am from the great green city of Seattle, Washington but I call northern Ontario home. You can usually catch me outdoors whitewater canoe guiding, fishing, surfing, skiing, and mountain biking. And if I’m not doing that, I’m probably listening to music with friends, painting, or watching a true crime documentary. My favorite foods are sushi and ice cream — pesto and franks hot sauce forever. #1 flaw is that my jokes are bad…coffee and tea always…my stomach hurts… and I do the NYT Crossword puzzle and Wordle every morning. 

Hi! My name is Katia Elena Ryan, but my friends call me Katia. I am an outdoor enthusiast, except when I’m not. I love watching national geographic, blue planet, and the Kardashians. My general attitude towards canoeing: why not? I teach yoga so you bet your canoe bottom I’ll be leading us through some flows. After a summer in London and France, I will want nothing more than some quality time in the Maine woods canoeing with some good peeps. Can’t wait to meet you all! 

Hi I’m Sam. I’m from Fairbanks, Alaska, and I sure am beyond excited for some outdoor hanging. It’s actually my specialty. I live for climbing mountains, but our vibe will be much more chill. At Bates you can catch me throwing back tacos (and/or hotdogs) like nobody’s business. I also do “cool” math things (you can ask me about cool math things). My cat’s name is Pussums and I’m on Bates Nordic. That’s all for now… See you soon! 

Get ready to explore LA on any wheel of transportation (bike, skateboard, skates, etc). This is an opportunity to be active at the same time exploring LA and what it has to offer. As you go to the destination of Rollodrome, an old-timey roller skating facility, where you and your group can bond over skating, and/or attempt roller derby. This day will include running water and restroom facilities at Bates Campus and the Rollodrome. As you community together in our various wheels of choice you will have the opportunity to stop by various places from the campus area to the rollerskating facility. Leaders and students will be allowed time to stop at interesting places in LA for food or sightseeing and have staff from the Howard center provide support to the sightseeing of LA. On the day to go to Portland students and leaders will be given choices of a wheel of transportation (bike, skateboard, skates, etc). As a group will be taken to Portland and have the opportunity to spend time with the group in a skating park in Portland. As you go to the destination of Dougherty Field Skating Park, a large park filled with multipurpose fields used by high schools & leagues for baseball & softball. Note: You must ware a helmet on this trip! No WheelSOP without one!

• Evacuation Access Level: 1
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Intermediate

Meet the leaders!

Hi first years!! I’m Julia and I am a junior psychology major here at Bates. I am from Cleveland, OH and I can’t wait to lead an AESOP this year. I am on the swim team with my co-leader JB and when not in the pool I enjoy making ice-cream creations in commons. A fun fact about me is that I whole heartedly believe Bigfoot is real (like this is a hill I would die on). Bates is so awesome and I am so excited to welcome you to the community. 

Hey AESOPers! My name is JB Whiteley and I’m from Tampa, Florida. I am on the swim team with my co-leader Julia and I’m looking to major in Economics. I can’t wait to get to know you all and share what I love about Bates. 

This trip, centered at Popham State park, will combine surfing with the arts over the three days of AESOP. Relax on the beach and explore some of Maine’s natural beauty at Popham, while learning to knit on the beach and surf on the water! Designed to be a beginner’s experience for both of these activities. There are plenty of other activities as well, including nearby day hikes. Perfect for someone who wants to enjoy Maine’s natural landscape and learn something new without the high intensity of a backpacking trip.

• Evacuation Access Level: 2
• Frontcountry
• Activity Level: Moderate

Meet the leaders!

Hey there aesooopers, my name is Sam! I am from Santa Fe, New Mexico (a little further than Yarmouth!) In my free time I love to go outside and also quite enjoy shooting the breeze! My secret talents are waterproofing gloves and i am undefeated in the game slaps. I am a proud yet very mediocre armature surfer and knitter and I’m stoked to keep learning with y’all. 

I am especially excited to lead this trip because Eliza and I designed it after a long discussion what the most epic activities are—we think surfing and knitting are pretty solid contenders. We’re really stoked to meet all y’all in the fall and tear it up with some wool and waves!

Hi there soppers! 
My name is Eliza Skillings and I am from the bustling town of north Yarmouth, maine, just 30 minutes from bates. I am a member of the nordic ski team and an enthusiastic member of the cheese club. My favorite things about Maine are the days in the winter when I can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon—two of my top 5 activities! My other favorite activities include eating cheese, rumping around in the woods, and you guessed it…KNITTING!! 

Sam and I are so stoked to spend 3 days with you knitting and surfing. The real goal of this trip is to be able to knit while surfing, a feat only the most talented craftletes can accomplish. So get ready to meet your peak potentially in sports, crafts and fun!! We can’t wait to meet you!