2022 Spring Programs

Spring Run Off - Mid-Coast Canoeing

5th and 6th Grades

Travel by canoe is in Maine’s DNA. Starting with the Abenaki, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes through to the present day, canoe tripping in Maine’s rivers and lakes areas has been a source of commerce, sustenance and recreation for over 10,000 years. This course is designed to teach the basics of canoeing that will build up to a Saturday expedition fitting the skills acquired during the week.

The Spring Run off program consists of 4 hands on training sessions taught in the field focusing on flat water. The training sessions will start with foundational skills such as paddle strokes, steering and how to communicate with your paddle partner and progress to more advanced skills such as capsize rescue techniques and portaging (carrying canoes).

To facilitate a safe and happy trip the course will build upon environmental awareness, leave no trace ethics, ecology, route navigation, and other essential skills important for safety and fun on a multi-hour day trip. This is invaluable knowledge that can be applied to any trip into the Maine wilderness.

Led by MountainSea Expedition guides.

Tuition: $175, all equipment included

Week of May 16th: Monday - Thursday 3:45-6:15pm; Saturday 9-4pm

Freedom of the Camden Hills - Rock Climbing

Sessions for 5th/6th and 7th/8th

Coastal Maine is a well known destination in New England for rock climbing. Climbers from around the East Coast flock to Camden, Acadia and nearby areas to experience the accessible climbing that Maine has to offer.

Rock climbing is an amazing way to experience our natural landscape in Midcoast Maine but must be done safely and responsibly. The course, which will be taught in the field, will consist of 4 hands-on training sessions during the week culminating in a longer Sunday mini-expedition.

This program starts to build the foundation of knowledge and skills that students will need to climb outdoors in a top rope setting. Equipment, belaying, anchors, rappelling, and climbing movement are all covered in detail.

If you are interested in outdoor rock climbing, rock climbing class, or rock climbing trips, take the challenge of a Sundog Outdoor Expedition. You will gain not only technical expertise and skills, but more importantly, you will discover a new focus and level of commitment to embracing challenge that will serve you for the rest of your life.

Led by Equinox Guiding Services.

Tuition: $175, all equipment included

Session #1: 5th & 6th grade — May 2-5 & May 8
Session #2: 7th & 8th grade — May 16-19 & May 22

Time: Weekdays 3:30-6pm; Sundays 8-12 noon

Outdoor Art Exploration

7th and 8th and 9th grades

We are surrounded by beauty, by light, by scenes that draw thousands of visitors each year; this is our studio. Each afternoon the group will explore a different place and a different medium.

One day of journalling and sketching with a Coastal Mountain Land Trust Naturalist, another learning the essence of the painting process with Colin Page, next creating natural sculptures in the spirit of Andy Goldsworthy, and learning about basket weaving, cordage-making & local clay from Michelle Finn who was a contestant on “Alone” and is skilled in primitive technologies.

The final expedition will held at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay where we will follow the Troll Trail, build some fairy gardens, and perhaps create a garden of our own.

The focus of each experience will be exploration and experimentation with process being more important that the finished product. Participants will engage in common activities while also having time to become more deeply engaged with the medium that speaks to them.

Led by teacher/artist/musician Sarah Schrader of MountainSea Expeditions who will be accompanied by a different artist/expert each day.

Tuition: $175, materials provided

Week of May 9th: Monday-Thursday 3:45-6:15pm; Saturday 10-4

Sail Tripping Essentials

7th and 8th Grades

Flying over the water, dancing over the waves…Sailing!  There’s nothing quite like that sense of freedom as you harness the wind to propel your boat through the white-capped waters.  There’s also nothing like the waters of Penobscot Bay with its nearly 200 islands and rugged coastline. The winds are generally moderate and predictable, and the dangers are well marked.  This is the perfect backdrop to learn how to sail a sloop.

Our sailing program is provided in partnership with the Schooner Surprise and will take place on their sloop, the Anjacaa. The course, which will be taught in the field, will consist of 4 hands-on training sessions to ensure a safe, friendly and fun way to experience sailing. The wind dictates where our course will take us, each day will be different. Then the course culminates in a challenging day-long expedition.

You will gain not only technical expertise and skills, but more importantly, you will discover a new focus and level of commitment to embracing challenge that will serve you for the rest of your life.

Led by the Nicole & Ramiro de Acevedo Ramos of the Schooner Surprise.

Tuition: $175, all equipment included

Week of May 23rd: Monday - Thursday 3:30-5:30; Saturday Expedition 10-4

F I N A N C I A L A I D I S A V A I L A B L E

When registering enter: SCHOLARSHIP15, SCHOLARSHIP30, SCHOLARSHIP50 and that percentage will be taken off tuition.