Outside adventure, Kai outside

A Local’s Guide to Casco Bay, Maine: From Cliff Island to Hidden Gems I grew up on Cliff Island , Maine — a speck of land on the edge of Casco Bay , just far enough from Portland to feel like its own world. My parents were the teachers at the island’s one-room schoolhouse, and I was one of five students. We shared the same classroom, from kindergarteners to eighth graders, all of us bundled up in winter sweaters or bare-legged in the summer breeze. In the winter , the island emptied out. The summer folks vanished, and the year-round population shrank to just a couple dozen. Snow turned the island into a frozen playground. I used to sled down the hill near the firehouse, the ocean wind freezing my cheeks. In the summer , the island pulsed with life again — boats filled the harbor, kids chased each other down the beach paths, and I’d fish off the dock for mackerel with a handline, hauling them in one after another under the setting sun. These days, I’m one of the summer people. But Casco...

The Best Internships for Teens (and What I’ve Learned from Getting Rejected) When I tell people I’ve interned at a newspaper, a gear company, and a historical society all before turning 19, they usually ask two questions: 1. How did you find those internships? 2. How did you get them to say yes? The truth is, I’ve had both wins and rejections—and I’ve learned just as much from both. So if you’re a teenager trying to build real-world skills, develop a portfolio, or just get a foot in the door, this post is for you. My First Internship: Telling Island Stories I grew up on a small island in Maine—like really small. One-room-schoolhouse, ferry-to-get-groceries kind of small. But even there, I found opportunities. One of my first real experiences was an internship with the Cliff Island Historical Society , where I ran their social media and interviewed longtime residents. It taught me a lot: how to listen, how to ask better questions, how to find a story where most peop...

  Do Performance carbon fiber Insoles Really Make You Jump Higher and Run Faster? Performance insoles, often marketed as tools to enhance athletic ability, claim to help you run faster, jump higher, and even prevent injuries. Brands like VKTRY and DVNK have gained attention for their bold promises, but do these high-tech insoles live up to the hype? Let’s critically evaluate whether performance insoles can truly deliver these benefits or if they’re just another gimmick. The Science Behind Performance Insoles Performance insoles are designed to provide additional support, stability, and energy return. High-end models often use materials like carbon fiber or advanced foams to absorb shock and transfer energy back into your stride or jump. The concept is simple: by improving the biomechanics of your foot, these insoles should, in theory, help you perform better. However, while the technology sounds impressive, the actual science supporting these claims is not conclusive. En...