MaineBusiness.com

NEWS RELEASE
For Information contact:
Angie Helton
(207) 653-0365

PORTLAND, ME (March 27, 2006)) – Rippleffect, a community-based non-profit organization promoting positive youth development through outdoor experiences, is featured in the millions of copies of the new summer catalog from L.L. Bean, the premier outfitter of outdoor enthusiasts.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle for kids while connecting conservation to recreation is the emphasis of this unique public-private partnership between Rippleffect and L.L. Bean. The text in the catalog features Rippleffect’s “Youth Leadership Expedition” and tells the story of a challenging mountain-to-sea trek from the compelling journals of the students who participated in the program. One journal entry reads, in part, “If you had asked me last week if I were capable of hiking 12 miles, I would have replied no. That is what this trip is all about: taking risks and overcoming challenges which build your confidence, not only in your abilities, but in who you are as a person.” Additionally L.L. Bean is telling these compelling stories of the Rippleffect Youth Leadership Expedition with streaming videos on its Web site (www.llbean.com). The video was shot by the young people participating in the program and was produced by a Maine video production company, Redlon Park Creative.
“We are thrilled to be working with L.L. Bean on these important issues about our youth and the environment,” said Aaron Frederick, executive director of Rippleffect. “We are also honored to be featured in their catalog and on their Web site, highlighting one of our premier programs, the Youth Leadership Expedition, which is our mission in action to teach leadership through learning adventures in living classrooms. Students in this 12-day program learn to overcome physical, psychological and emotional challenges while achieving extraordinary goals and accomplishments through hiking Maine’s highest mountain, Mt. Katahdin, and paddling sea kayaks the length and breadth of pristine Penobscot Bay. It’s an amazing experience.”

In the past, L.L. Bean has featured in its catalog such national environmental groups as The Nature Conservancy and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Janet Wyper, Bean’s community relations manager, added, “L.L. Bean believes in the youth leadership mission of Rippleffect. Rippleffect’s leadership allows kids to access the outdoors, to experience activities like kayaking and hiking, and to have confidence in themselves they might not have had before. Talking with some of the kids after one of these adventures tells me that the experience will have a lifelong impact.”

Rippleffect offers a variety of programs that give a young person a chance to build leadership and life skills through learning adventures in living classrooms. In addition to the Portland Waterfront program, which includes intensive paddle courses for kids, Rippleffect also offers day and overnight expeditions to Cow Island. Some of the tools include sea kayaking, challenge course activities, yoga, outdoor living, and organic gardening; the intentional; programming includes environmental education, leadership training and character development.

Visit Rippleffect’s new web site at www.rippleffect.net and register online today.

About Rippleffect

Founded in 1999, Rippleffect is a community-based youth development organization specializing in adventure and wilderness experiences that build confidence and self-esteem. Rippleffect now manages two island facilities on Casco Bay. Although area teens from all walks now have the opportunity to enjoy the Maine Coast, Rippleffects unique programming complements the efforts of area social services dealing with youth in crisis. Additionally, Rippleffect now provides adventure programming with adult groups through its Fort Lyons programs.

About L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean, Inc. has been a trusted source for quality apparel, reliable outdoor equipment and expert advice since 1912. The company is headquartered in Freeport, Maine, just down the road from the original store. The company has grown from a one-man operation to a global organization, with annual sales in excess of $1.5 billion. In 2005, L.L. Bean employed over 3,800 people year-round. Nearly 11,000 people worked for L.L. Bean during the 2005 winter holiday season.