The Maine Winter Sports Center will introduce a new component this summer in the form of overnight wilderness trips for 11- to 14-year-olds from Aroostook County.

The trips will take participants into local wilderness areas on hiking and canoeing trips. The goal is to familiarize youths with the natural resources of Aroostook County while providing a hands-on approach to learning about wilderness skills and ethics.

A canoe trip through the Fish River chain of lakes will take place June 25-28, a canoeing and hiking trip to the Deboullie area of the North Maine Woods is scheduled for July 16-18.

No previous experience or involvement with Maine Winter Sports Center programs is necessary. For more info go to www.mainewsc.org/teamsyouth.html. To sign up for a trip call the MWSC office at 492-1444.

Belfast bike race on tap

The first Belfast Criterium will be held on July 4, featuring multiple laps on a one-mile course in the heart of Belfast.

There will be different length races for men, women, and children.

For more information on the Belfast Criterium, visit www.belfastbicycleclub.org or call Greg Brown at 230-2453 or Margot Carpenter at 338-2385.

Fort Kent derby dates set

Organizers of the Fort Kent International Muskie Derby have expanded the fishing tournament this year from two days to three.

This year’s third annual derby will take place Aug. 10-12, with a $20,000 total purse up for grabs.

The angler who catches the largest muskie will win $3,500. If a lucky angler catches a specially tagged fish, he or she will win $10,000.

For more information on this year’s derby, check the Web at www.fortkent-muskie.com.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.