On Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, Belfast Community Outreach Program in Education (B.C.O.P.E.) will be hosting a bash to celebrate the anniversary of procuring its building and granting students a sanctuary

B.C.O.P.E. has been supporting alternative learners for 32 years. The program began in September 1990 for a small group of students who were not succeeding at the high school. The program is located at the Belfast Center. By 2002,  B.C.O.P.E. had grown to over 40 students.

“In October of that year, after a long struggle, they succeeded in giving us a home,” said B.C.O.P.E., in a news release. “Our community support and success are the reason we have our home. For 20 years on Merriam Drive, we have been providing alternative education to those who need it most.”

The celebration will consist of a series of traditional B.C.O.P.E. activities such as pumpkin decorating, a game of capture the flag, and telling scary stories for the younger crowd. 

“We will be providing lunch and snacks in the meantime so you can catch up with fellow alumni,” said B.C.O.P.E. 

There will be slideshows, past publicity, artifacts of the students’ learning, and thousands of pictures of BCOPIANS over the years.

Everyone is welcome.

“We would love to collect memories from the community of B.C.O.P.E.,” said the release.

If you have something to share you can contact B.C.O.P.E. at hscipione@rsu71.org, (207) 323-2799, or by the B.C.O.P.E. website.

“We're hoping to create a book of memories to commemorate graduates' time spent here,” said B.C.O.P.E. “BCOPIANS are everywhere in our community – stop by, tell us your story, and be a part of our continuing legacy.”