Community Engagement

Lewiston Community Engagement (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

Here you will find a full list and description of the different Community Engagement trips we offer. Click on the drop-down boxes to learn more about the awesome Batesies who will lead them! 

Habitat for Humanity (Low Physical Activity)

Habitat for Humanity I Leaders: Maggie Phelan and Sam Finland-Golden

Hello there! My name is Maggie, I’m a senior, and I’m so incredibly psyched to maybe be one of your AESOP leaders this year! I hail from the great city of Lewiston, Maine- maybe you’ve heard of it- and I’m pumped to do whatever I can to welcome you to your new home here at Bates. I’m a huge humanities head as a double major in English and Philosophy, which means that I can write a heck of an essay, but I haven’t looked at a number in three years, so luckily math major Sam will be around to figure out the geometry behind pitching tents while the rest of us discuss free will or whatever. As a lifelong Mainer, I love this state with all my heart, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to hang out for a few days and show you how much you could love it too. Habitat for Humanity 1 is where it’s at, folks. Get hyped. See you in August- can’t wait to show you my tool belt.

Helloooo to all you wonderful Class of ’23 Bobcats!!! I cannot wait to see all of your wonderful faces soon! AESOP was one of my favorite experiences ever at Bates, so get h y p e d. I come from the land of Amherst, Massachusetts, which lies two hours west of Boston by car, or 20 hours by foot. Amherst is just far enough away from any decently sized city to be incredible for hanging out with nature, and I’ve taken many a casual hike through the nearby hills in my days. At Bates, I study the riveting subjects of Math and French. Outside of classes, I’m the musical director of the greatest co-ed a cappella group known to humankind, the Crosstones, and an active participant in the student-run theater organization, the Robinson Players. I also dabble as a Bonner leader at the Harward Community Center and a tutor the Math and Statistics Workshop. Needless to say, I’m a huge lover of all things Bates and Lewiston, and if you ever have any questions about pretty much any aspect of Bates, I’d be more than thrilled to answer. I’m seriously so excited to meet everyone and share this wonderful, beautiful place I call home! Have a wonderful summer and see you soon!!

Habitat for Humanity II Leaders: Anna Gouveia and George Schouten

Hey, Y’all! Welcome to the Bobcat family! My name is Anna Gouveia and I’m from the great state of Tennessee, so if you have any questions about how to survive your first winter here I’ve got you covered! At Bates, I plan to be a Bio Chem and Visual Arts double major. When I’m not in Dana Chemistry Hall, you can find me taking laps around commons, wandering around outside, or zooming around in my minivan. I can’t wait to meet you all this fall!

Hello. Welcome to Bates. I’m George Schouten, and I’ll be a sophomore this fall. At Bates, you can find me either at the radio station or the rugby pitch. I’m from NYC and I plan to major in Politics and Econ. Can’t wait to meet you!

Start your College Career off by doing something of which you can be truly proud. The Habitat for Humanity AESOP trips will work on projects in the Lewiston/Auburn and Bath, ME areas. These trips will camp out of Range Pond park for the Lewiston/Auburn project or Thomas Point Beach for the Bath project. Get to know and provide great service to the local community by helping build houses for people in need! You will be able to explore and get to know your home for the next four years all while doing a great service on these trips.

Lewiston Community Engagement Trip (Low Physical Activity)

Lewiston Community Engagement Trip I Leaders: Alexis Hudes and Ian Rashleigh McNally

Heyo!! My name is Alexis. I’m a rising senior from Baltimore who majors in physics and dabbles in environmentalism and math. In my time at Bates I’ve had a blast being involved in a wide range of things from the Multifaith Chaplaincy and Theater Tech to Environmental Coalition and Ultimate Frisbee. I’m always down to try new things, which is part of why I’m so stoked about our trip! I’ve had some great experiences getting to know Lewiston and am excited to learn more alongside all of you.

Hey Hey, welcome to Bates and Lewiston Community Engagement 1! My name is Ian and I’m a salty sailor from the Ocean State (Aka Little Rhodie, AAka Rhode Island). I’m also a bio major and somehow already a senior :O When I’m not counting birds or staring at slides down in the depths of Carnegie, I pass my time sailing the high seas of Taylor Pond and goofing around outside. Other than that, I love to eat (not trying to bribe you or anything, but our trip will totally have extra snacks), read them books and play a little music (the guitar and recorder of course). Anyway, Alexis and I are so excited to get to know you and explore our little corner of the world together. So come hang out with us on Lewiston Community Engagement 1! (also remember the snacks)

Lewiston Community Engagement Trip II Leaders: Isabel Pearson Kramer and Michael LaCava

Hellloooo there, future member of the best AESOP trip there is!! I’m Isabel. I was born and raised in New Mexico and came to Maine for the first time on my very first day of Bates! I understand that it can be daunting to come to a new place and not know much about it, so luckily you’ll have me! I spend lots of time exploring Maine–for the past three years I’ve been trying to find the best places watch the sunset, go for runs, and see the coolest views. I’m a Philosophy major here at Bates, but when I’m not contemplating whether we truly exist, I’m usually found playing my guitar, hammocking on the quad, or basking in the sunshine in various places around campus. I’m so excited to show you the best parts of Lewiston and beyond so you can know all the secret spots before anybody else ;), and also so you always have places to escape to and enjoy the view.

Hi Bobkittens! I’m Mike. I, like many others, hail from the JOB region (Just Outside of Boston… Wayland, Mass to be exact), and I am beyond pumped to lead this AESOP trip. At Bates I am a Psychology/Math double major, but when I am not studying hard in Pgill I am usually found singing some sweet tenor tunes with my a capella group, the ManOps. I also enjoy laying in the sunshine in various places, sailing, and anything having to do with seafood (I LOVE seafood.) or the ocean. I’m excited to show you around Lewiston so you know all the best and closest places to swim, relax, eat, and enjoy the view. Come along for the ride and you’ll get a VIP introduction to all the places everybody else has to discover by themselves :)

The Lewiston Community Engagement trip is a great opportunity to learn about the greater community, and get to know Lewiston-Auburn. The LCE trips spend their days volunteering at local gardens, food banks, living communities and getting to know the community. Along with partnering with organizations in the community, this trip will be exploring the area in the afternoons with possibilities like day hikes, swimming at Range Pond and canoeing on the Androscoggin River. These trips sleep in local partner churches.

Questions?  Contact us at aesop@bates.edu