UMaine Bodwell Center

08/29/2026

🌊🌊The Children's Water Festival will return to Orono on Tuesday, October 13th!

While UMaine students will be on Fall Break -- hundreds of local 4th, 5th & 6th graders will come to campus to learn about our local watersheds.

Volunteers are needed to make it happen!

Sign up: Umaine.edu/volunteer and click the button that says "list of volunteer opps".

08/27/2026

The Black Bear Exchange will be closed for the first week of classes so we can prepare our staff and participate in campus-wide activities. We will post our schedule soon, and we will open for the semester on Wednesday, Sept 9.

08/27/2026

🐻🐻🐻 Black Bears -- you're invited to the sewing circle!

Bring an item to the Bodwell Center that you want to mend -- or pick something out from the Black Bear Exchange that needs mending!

Want community service hours? Mend something from our Mending Projects bin to be donated to the Black Bear Exchange! Don't know how to sew? That's okay - you can get volunteer hours just from attending and learning.

Needles and thread will be provided by the Bodwell Center.

Come to stitch, stay to B!@ #$.

08/26/2026

🐻🐻 Black Bears... check out this community service opportunity in October! The Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley is hosting their biggest event of the year, and they need volunteer help to make it happen!

Shifts are:

Oct. 3, 9 am - 12 pm
Oct. 3, 12 pm - 3:30
Oct. 4, 9 am - 12 pm
Oct. 4, 12 pm - 3:30 pm.

Sign up by going to umaine.edu/volunteer and clicking on the "List of Volunteer Opps" button -- OR through the link in our bio.

***If you sign up to volunteer, please plan on staying for the duration of your shift.

Questions? Reach out to the Bodwell Center for help.

08/26/2026

The Black Bear Orono Express (BBOE) is returning Monday, Aug. 31! The Black Bear Orono Express is a FREE shuttle service connecting the University of Maine campus and downtown Orono, with stops in between.

It provides free transportation for students, staff, and visitors, and is funded jointly by the Town of Orono and the University. The BBOE follows the University's break schedule and does not operate during the summer.

Learn more: bangormaine.gov/290/Schedules-Live-Map

📸: UMaine Marketing

08/20/2026

Volunteers are always needed at the Bangor Area Recovery Network!

💙 MAKE A DIFFERENCE — VOLUNTEER WITH THE BARN! 💙

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? The BARN is always looking for caring, dependable people who want to get involved and make a positive impact!

There are so many ways to volunteer, including:
✨ Community events
📣 Outreach activities
🎨 Special projects
🤝 Center activities & programs
💙 Helping us create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors

No recovery experience is required — just a willingness to help and a passion for supporting our community!

Volunteer hours are also available for students, community service, and anyone simply looking to give back.

Your time can change a life — maybe even your own. 💙

📞 Interested? Contact Kathy, our Volunteer Coordinator, at (207) 945-8095 or [email protected].

Be part of something bigger. Volunteer with the BARN! 🙌

08/18/2026

🐻🐻Black Bears and friends... Bristol Hospice in Bangor is looking for volunteers!

Volunteers are needed for; Bristol's greeting card program, bereavement calls, patient requests, et al.

***Everyone is welcome and encouraged to volunteer. This is not just an opportunity for students.

***There is a necessary onboarding process prior to volunteer work being completed.

07/29/2026

When the potatoes have a message for you.

06/16/2026

Attention wood workers, metal enthusiasts, and crafty people . . . in the next month (or so) UMaine will be making these items available (probably at $1 ea). There are 4 items pictured which were used for lofting beds, but are no longer used. Pictured left to right: End 38" W x 24" T, posts 1.5" thick, slats 1" thick; Rail 57" W x 16" tall x 1" thick; Steel rail 6'8" L, 2" T x 1" thick; ladder 58" T x 14" W x 3" deep. There is a yardstick leaning against the rail for scale. All of the wood is solid and beautiful. Is anyone interested??? If so, like this post, comment below or email us @ [email protected] so we can make sure you know about the sale plan. We have hundreds of each of these and are making a list of the buildings where we are going to find them.

05/28/2026

Finally! We are almost done with the Clean Sweep program, and the BBE will re-open next week. For next week only we will be here Wednesday and Friday. After that regular hours will be Wednesday and Thursday (both noon to 4:00 pm), and every other Saturday 9-12. REMEMBER, current students MUST be registered for either summer or fall classes to be eligible. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please double check your account before you come over. New students will be eligible on their first day of classes. Happy Summer!!