John “Jack” Donoghue is a rising senior at Bowdoin College.

When starting at Bowdoin, the college sends students throughout Maine in a random group, without phones to camp and truly experience the state. My group was sent up to northern Baxter State Park. While I had not been there, I thought I had done enough camping and wanted to start experiencing college.

But, I realized this trip was not really for me. On our first night, all of us were sitting around the fire under a typical sky. No shooting stars. No northern lights. Not even a full moon. Yet, I heard something I will never forget from one of my fellow students: “This is the first time I have seen the stars in person.”

Shocked, I pressed to see if he was telling the truth. He was from Los Angeles, and he had never really been out of the city’s light to be able to see the stars. This is what the trip was, a sharing of the Maine that we know with those who do not have the gift of seeing it every day.

The proposed campsite in Kingfield would continue and expand this mission of the college. The project would include seven gravel campsites on a 20.7-acre lot. At full capacity, it could have 28 tents. This is not a place for students to go up and party. It would be one of the options students have to better see our great state.

Although I am not a part of the Bowdoin Outing Club (the prospective managers of this site), I know some students who are and the organization’s general attitude. It is made up of students and staff who are respectful and want to see as much of Maine’s outdoors with the little time at Bowdoin that we have.

While residents in the area may generally agree with this mission, they have understandable concerns with the infrastructure surrounding the specific site. The concerns over existing infrastructure regarding the Iron Bridge Road and bridge itself are best understood by the residents of Kingfield.

But, I know Bowdoin. The college is going to go to every length to protect its students and ensure safe transportation. With that, the college has proposed to help pay for infrastructure improvements and maintenance of the roads throughout the year. The college has pledged to donate $5,000 a year to the town to maintain the roads after initial improvements.

If you are a resident or visitor to the area, improvements to the safety of the road and bridge are overdue. In protecting its students, Bowdoin is offering to protect all the people who travel these roads. To me, in a state riddled with infrastructure issues, offers like these should not be dismissed.

I can say for myself I have not appreciated my time in Maine’s nature as much as I probably should have. Every time I return to the state after an extended amount of time away my awareness of what we have grows.

Maine ought to be shared with those who have not had the chance to get used to the expansive wilderness around us. With this proposed campsite, my college is looking to do just that in the most safe and respectful way possible.

For the residents of Kingfield, you will benefit not only from what the college provides, but from knowing that the love of this great state continues to expand to people who will appreciate it so much.