2023 Spring Programs

 

Spring Fishin’

5th and 6th Grades

Standing patiently on the shore, wading into the water, paddling to the perfect spot…participants will do it all as they hear stories from and learn technique from MSO guides. Spin-fishing will be the focus, however one afternoon will be spent learning how to tie flies and cast for fly fishing with guests from Trouts Unlimited.

Whether you are an experienced angler or always wanted to try, this course is for you as all equipment is provided as are patience and practice in trying to outsmart the fish.

If that does happen, guides will demonstrate catch and release techniques as well as show how to clean, fillet, and cook the fish over a lake-side fire. Eating it is optional, of course, but the skills will last a lifetime.

Led by Maine Sport Outfitters

Tuition: $175, all equipment included

May 22-25 (M-Th) 3:45-6:15pm: May 27 (Sat) 9-4pm

Freedom of the Camden Hills - Rock Climbing

Sessions for 4th/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: 4th & 5th & 6th grade — May 8-11 & 13
Session #2: 7th & 8th grade — May 15-18 & May 20

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

Boys Climb: Building Leadership through Challenge & Community

High Schoolers: 9-12th graders

Climbing can be thrilling, daunting, exciting and petrifying — one must trust themselves, trust their equipment, trust their belay partner and clearly communicate their needs. These skills, when applied to the rock allow one to reach great heights; when applied to life they can allow one to ground himself in order to face day-to-day decisions with integrity.

Being a teen is challenging, and while kids of all genders experience those challenges, there are pressures unique to male-identified teens which this course will address indirectly on the cliff and directly through reflection circles and questions facilitated by Michael Reeves, LCSW, from Oceanside High School. Mindfulness, breathing exercises, yoga, scenario analysis and SEL skill development will be intentionally addressed.

Noah Kleiner, of Equinox Guiding Services, will lead the technical side of the course, helping participants build the skills needed to climb outdoors in a top rope setting. Equipment, belaying, anchors, rappelling, and climbing movement are all covered in detail.

In this NEW course, teens will gain not only technical expertise and skills, but more importantly, will discover a new focus and level of commitment to embracing challenge that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Led by Equinox Guiding Services.

Tuition: $XXX, all equipment included

Four consecutive Saturday sessions: May 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 1-5pm

Outdoor Art Exploration

6th, 7th, 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.

Artists and activities include:

  • indigo dyeing textiles with Antonia Munro

  • painting composition with ColinPage

  • creating a tree loom instillation with Coreysha Stone of Chewonki intending to raise awareness of mental health

  • learning about wilderness survival skills from Zach Fowler who was a contestant on “Alone” and is a skilled maker of slingshots & chopsticks, among other things!

During the final expedition, held at Wheeler Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, kids will learn about the ecology & restoration of the habitat and embark on the art of printmaking with Susan Bebee of Rockland.

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 Sundog’s Program Director, Anne Aldridge-Peacock, who will be accompanied by a different artist/expert each day.

Tuition: $175, materials provided

May 22-25 (M-Th) 3:45-6:15pm; May 27 (Sat) 10-3

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

May 30-June 2 (T-F) 3:30-5:30; June 3 (Sat)10-4

Girls Group: Building Leadership through Challenge & Community

High Schoolers: 9-12th graders

Being a teen is challenging, and while kids of all genders experience those challenges, there are pressures unique to female-identified teens which this course will address through a variety of mediums with the anchor being adventure yoga. Being outside, off screens, in the wilderness, doing challenging and novel things is what reminds us of our strength and our interconnectedness.

XXX of Adventure Yoga, will lead the group through rock climbing skills, goat tending, wilderness survival & paddle boarding XXXX

In this NEW course, teens will gain not only technical expertise and skills, but more importantly, will discover a new focus and level of commitment to embracing challenge that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Led by Adventure Yoga & XXXX, LCSW

Tuition: $XXX, all equipment included

Four consecutive Saturday sessions: May 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 1-5pm

 

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.