Editor’s Note: Student Union is written by students at Hampden Academy, Brewer High School, Old Town High School and Schenck High School in East Millinocket. The weekly column is a joint effort among the schools, the Bangor Daily News and Acadia Hospital. This week’s column was written by Schenck High School students. Their adviser is Eric Steeves.

The Katahdin area is in economic decline; many stores and businesses have closed, and budget cuts have limited what recreation departments and schools can offer. The lack of movie theaters, arcades and winter recreation complexes leaves students with few opportunities during their leisure hours.

In a recent survey of student interests conducted by the guidance personnel at Schenck High School, it was evident that students wanted more “hands-on” activities and extracurricular offerings.

Becky Perkins, a junior at Schenck High School, said, “If you’re not athletic there is nothing to do,” which demonstrates that some students believe that athletics are the only activities available to students after school hours. In a separate survey, the student council adviser at Schenck High School, Peter Fisher, asked about student interests and concerns. Results of his survey yielded information that the vast majority of students were upset about the lack of activities to participate in after school, during vacations and on weekends.

This issue has not gone unnoticed. Actions have been taken recently to increase student involvement in extracurricular activities. John A. Doe, principal at Schenck High School, has been listening to students’ concerns. He started an after-school enrichment program in 1997 in which teachers offer unique programs, special courses, and recreational activities giving students some options. Doe believes that the program has been well-received.

Many students now are involved in entertaining activities such as weightlifting, interior decorating, kayaking, photography and a debate club, to name but a few. According to Doe, the program has been fairly successful, but financing the number of programs students want is a major drawback. “Due to limited funding and budgetary constraints, we can only offer a limited number of programs and activities, but I am hopeful we can expand this program in the future,” Doe said.

Greg Friel, the physical education teacher at Schenck and a Registered Maine Guide, has worked to establish after-school programs to meet his students’ needs. He often takes students on camping trips, canoeing expeditions, and ski trips as part of his outdoor physical education program. His goal, along with that of the school’s guidance staff and science department, is to create an adventure-based counseling program that focuses on “at-risk” students.

Friel wants to provide more students with opportunities to learn teamwork, explore the outdoors, and develop an appreciation for nature and lifelong activities. “A lot of students here don’t fit into the regular scheme of things, but they are really excited to learn new things and are really interested in unique activities such as kayaking, archery and fly tying. We need to do more for these kids as they really have few options for leisure pursuits in our area,” he said.

The lack of activities is not only a school issue; the problem also lies within the rural community setting as well. The director of the East Millinocket Recreation Department, Frank Clukey, has been working to improve the situation. Clukey says that kids complain about not having enough to do in the Katahdin area. He has been trying to obtain greater funding so he can expand his recreation program and provide more facilities for students. New projects that are under way include lighted tennis courts, ski and hiking trips, and expanding recreation programs. Clukey also works with school officials to combine recreation and school programs. “If the students have a sincere interest in something, we try our best to offer it, but funding is still the major factor as to what we are able to accomplish,” Clukey said.

Robert Marquis, a social studies teacher at Schenck High School, hears students’ concerns daily, the greatest one being the complaint that the community has little to offer young people. Many students have suggested that the school remain open on weekends, vacations and after traditional school hours. Kayla Hathaway, a Schenck High School junior, said, “If the school could be open on weekends, we could use the library, gym and other facilities, and at least have a central gathering place to get together.” Without a teen center, cinema, community center or other places for students to meet, the local schools are obviously the next best option.

Though steps have been taken to solve the problem, there is still room for improvement. However, lack of funding and budget cuts have put a limit on what the community can do; new ideas are always welcome. Donald Libby, a Schenck High School business education teacher, said, “If we could offer more diverse evening, after-school and weekend programs for students such as crafts, ceramics, digital photography or drawing, it would entice more students to find their niche, as well as give them something productive to do. Many students just tell me they are bored and really would like some more options.”

Students in the Katahdin area are concerned about the limited opportunities available to them, but are pleased to see that it has not gone unnoticed. They appreciate new ideas from community leaders and teachers, and hope the future will bring more activities and opportunities for them. At present, the major drawback is finding adequate financing to support the students’ quests for more options for recreation, entertainment and other activities to engage in during their spare time.