Wabanaki Youth Running Camp 2026
with Wings of America
Saturday, May 9th 10am-4pm at Indian Island School
Wabanaki REACH is pleased to partner with Wings of America (WoA) to host a Wabanaki Youth Running Camp at Indian Island School on Saturday, May 9.
Wings of America provides sports programming to “encourage American Indian youth to look to the future while embracing a past they can be proud of.”
We are hoping to bring together 60 Wabanaki youth (ages 12 -college) for a day of events including:
- Movement Instruction
- History of Native Running Presentation
- Games/ Community Building
- Information about the upcoming Alewife Run on May 23, an annual 80-mile relay to raise awareness of the importance of alewives.
- Information about future leadership camps with WoA
Lunch and snacks, t-shirts, and help with transportation provided.
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT OUR REGISTRATION FORM
Please contact Nick Bear at [email protected] or 207-817-0037 with registration questions
About Andrew Sockalexis:
Andrew Sockalexis (Penobscot, 1892-1919) was an Olympic track and field athlete and
one of the best runners from what is now called the state of Maine. Sockalexis lived on
Indian Island, learning how to run in all seasons with the goal of becoming a marathon
runner.
Andrew completed the Boston Marathon three times, coming in second in 1912 and
1913. His 1911 time qualified him for the 1912 United States Olympic Team tryouts.
Sockalexis participated in the 1912 Olympics hosted by Sweden at the age of twenty-
two years old, narrowly missing a medal by coming in fourth.
Andrew Sockalexis died young at twenty-seven, from complications with Tuberculosis.
But his athletic influence continues to inspire Wabanaki runners, from the “Andrew
Sockalexis Track Club,” established in the 1980s, memorial runs named after
Sockalexis, and the Andrew Sockalexis Training Trail, a mile and a half course on
Indian Island where Andrew ran, highlighting the importance of health and wellness for
Indigenous people.
Learn more from the Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department:
https://www.penobscotnation.org/departments/cultural-historic-preservation/historic-
preservation/andrew-sockalexis/
By Tilly Laskey