Skowhegan Savings Foundation has donated $50,000 to the University of Maine at Farmington’s Western Maine Outdoor Recreation Hub of Excellence, money that will fund scholarships in the Career Access through National Service and Outdoor Education, or CANOE, Program, UMF said.
The gift gives campground, RV park, and glamping operators a deeper pool of trained guides, managers, and entrepreneurs ready to step into hard-to-fill roles.
The CANOE initiative, run jointly by UMF and nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan, serves residents of Franklin County, Somerset County, the Dexter area, and AmeriCorps or other national-service members. Participants receive in-field skills instruction, university credit, and leadership training designed to fortify Maine’s four-season outdoor-recreation economy, according to the release.
“Our charitable foundation’s mission is to help build a skilled workforce that drives economic growth here in Maine,” said Dan Tilton, president of Skowhegan Savings. “By partnering with Main Street Skowhegan and UMF on this initiative, we’re not only investing in workforce development and empowering individuals to find meaningful careers – we’re also supporting Maine’s vibrant and growing outdoor economy.”
For campground and RV park operators hungry for reliable seasonal talent, here’s how to plug into the new pipeline. Start by inking six- to 12-week internship agreements that rotate students through guest services, guiding, and maintenance so they meet degree requirements while you gauge future hires. Offering free on-site housing or RV pads removes a major relocation barrier and immediately sweetens the deal.
Early cross-training pays off, too: combine kayak-instruction drills and ropes-course belaying with lessons on reservation software and upselling premium sites. Pair each intern with both a lead guide and a front-desk supervisor to shorten onboarding. End-of-season hiring bonuses or tuition stipends can tip graduates toward your offer, and an annual recruiting calendar—fall career fairs, winter video interviews, spring offer letters—keeps competitors from scooping up talent first.
“Skowhegan Savings Foundation’s support will have a tremendous impact,” said Lisa French, executive director of Main Street Skowhegan. “Not only will it help CANOE Program participants take the next step in their education and careers. It also strengthens our region’s capacity to attract, train and retain the outdoor leaders and entrepreneurs who power Maine’s outdoor recreation economy.”
UMF senior Caelan Billings, an outdoor recreation business administration major, sharpened climbing skills during an internship with Acadia Mountain Guides—a snapshot of the hands-on training the Hub makes possible.
The new money joins more than $680,000 in previous support, including a $475,000 three-year grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission in partnership with USDA Rural Development, a $105,000 award from the Betterment Fund and contributions from Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Camp Manitou and Camp O-AT-KA. The growing stack of funding signals long-term stability and an open invitation for additional employer partnerships.
With a deeper talent pool on the horizon, operators can future-proof revenue by expanding shoulder- and off-season offerings. Start by winterizing premium cabins and glamping tents with insulation, heated water lines, and efficient mini-splits so high-margin units stay rentable when temperatures drop.
Diversifying activities—fat-bike trails, snowshoe rentals, wildlife-tracking workshops—extends the calendar further. Portable bathhouses, four-season yurts, and plug-and-play EV chargers add flexibility as guest preferences evolve, while bundled lift tickets or rail-trail passes tie properties into the broader recreation ecosystem the Hub is cultivating.
Training staff on cold-weather risk management and highlighting low-impact trail design, LED lighting and refillable propane stations align with the eco-centric values of year-round adventure travelers who increasingly shop for sustainable options.
With fresh scholarship dollars and expanding industry alliances, UMF’s Outdoor Recreation Hub is positioned to supply the next wave of outdoor leaders—giving campground, RV and glamping businesses a strategic edge in staffing and product development across all four seasons.