“This isn’t about politics,” says Team Democracy co-founder Ken Powley. “It’s about reminding ourselves and our fellow Americans that our politics don’t define us, and that when we work together as a team, we can meet any challenge that’s in front of us.”
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One of Waynflete’s Third Thought Initiatives for Civic Engagement, The Can We? Project works in high schools across Maine to provide opportunities for students to learn and practice the skills of dialogue across political and other differences.
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“This was an amazing outdoor experience on the Kennebec, with the added benefit of meeting several current and former Maine legislators who I never would have met based on where we all live,” said Third Thought and Can We? Project Director John Holdridge. “My hope is to use these new relationships to make connections between our students and their elected leaders in the Maine Legislature and to continue the work of bringing people together to engage across various differences and to celebrate our similarities and common hopes and dreams for the future.”
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Representative Amy Arata from House District 104 Gray/New Glouscter was a rafter in a boat guided by Jeff McCabe, former State Representative and current Deputy Director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation. Reflecting on the experience, Rep. Ararta said, “One thing that I came away with is how much this experience helped build trust in a person who is at the opposite end of the political spectrum from me. I had to follow his instructions and trust him not to steer me into danger. I put my life in his hands, and survived! I can consider him a friend now, not just a political adversary.”  
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“The R.A.F.T. for America Challenge was notable not only as a platform to exchange different perspectives, but also as a fun and challenging way to find common ground,” said Third Thought advisory network member Lee Warner. “With our expectations set to knowing we'd be with others with different perspectives, time together before and during the event fostered good listening and genuine curiosity that allowed us to share different viewpoints while navigating white water on the Kennebec.”