Practicing the basic strokes of pickleball keeps your game consistent, but one of the more fun things to do is to try out new shots. Strokes allow you to apply action to the ball, whereas a shot is more specific and happens after you have made a stroke. Get an intro to a variety of shots, including block, dink, lob, and volley. Serve and return of serve will also be covered. To have the best experience in this class, players are encouraged to have taken a Pickleball Taster course or played at the beginner level.

Registration closes 7/16; no refunds, credits, or transfers after registration closes or if class runs on scheduled rain date.

Students will be notified, via text, of weather postponements the morning of class. Rain Date 7/27.

Bring a pickleball paddle, 2 balls marked with your name (approx. $15-$40 on Amazon), and water. Wear weather-appropriate activewear, tennis shoes.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.

Join seasoned forager David Spahr on an immersive mushroom hunt, exploring habitats, structures, and safe foraging practices. Uncover surprises in each walk, shaped by season and location. Suitable for all ages (8-15 with a registered parent), this moderate-difficulty hike promises an exciting, educational adventure. Supply List: Notebook and pen to take notes, sensible clothing and footwear, water, snack and bug repellant. A basket or bags are optional. NOTE: This class will start with an outdoor talk at the waterfront followed by the walking portion.

Wonderful vistas and plants make a stunning background for this fun plein air painting class overseen by Maine Guide and painter Gary Roberts. Standing easels, stools, painting supplies, a surface to paint on (canvas, watercolor paper, etc.) of any size, sunscreen, and bug spray should be among the materials brought with you for this one-day class. Please also bring a bottle of water (or two) and lunch. Class will meet at the parking lot for Union Common.

Join Master Maine Guide Alice Andrenyak starting early morning to avoid the winds on Mere Point Bay. While paddling in solo or tandem kayaks, you'll learn about aquaculture in Maine—fishing, clamming, scallop and oyster farming. You'll learn about the area's natural and human history. We'll visit an oyster farm then land on an island where you'll learn to shuck oysters then taste your success. This tour is beginner- and family-friendly. Sea kayaks, life jackets, and paddles are provided. You provide your own water and snacks. We meet at 8:15 AM and return about noon.

Messalonskee Lake and Stream are wonderful natural resources of the mid-Maine region, offering numerous recreational and conservation activities.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to kayak and explore the lake’s ecology, this class will provide a free kayak lesson, with all necessary equipment supplied. You will also learn about the flora and fauna of the lake and stream, followed by a kayak paddle near shore to observe various specimens.

Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic swimming skills (we will stay close to shore).

What to Bring:

Be prepared with extra clothes in case you get wet.

Age Requirement: Must be 17 or older to register.

If needed, a rain date will be announced.

WRAE is excited to offer a series of summer pottery classes! Our classes cover the basics of handbuilding and/or throwing on the potter’s wheel. Create fun and inspiring pieces. Enjoy your time and let your creativity flow while you experience something brand new! Classes will be held in the air-conditioned pottery studio at Field Allen in the early evenings.

Each class will run Monday through Friday for one week. Each class can accommodate 12 students.

Our first week (July 21-25) will be geared toward beginning students; the second (July 28-August 1) will focus on students with some experience; the third week (August 4-8) is designed for more intermediate students or those wanting open studio time. Students are expected to purchase and bring a pottery tool kit - see Amazon for many options.

Specify session when registering. Course Fee includes 25# of clay, limited glazes and firing. Students are expected to purchase and bring a pottery tool kit - see Amazon for many options in the $15-$25 range.

Ready for an adventure? In this course, we will weave a 21” pack basket. This is our largest basket. This basket will be made with premium reed and will have either an ash or oak handle. All baskets will have a base, feet, and pack straps of various colors. We will also have various colored reeds available to give your basket a little color. We will go through step-by step instructions to ensure that all students finish their basket. This class is for any ability even a beginner. Join us to make this beautiful pack basket and learn a skill for life! No handouts: be prepared to take notes. NO REFUNDS UNLESS THE CLASS IS CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED.

Sea kayak to mysterious Malaga Island where indigenous people summer camped and where there was a colony in the late 1800s that was evicted by the state of Maine. We'll meet at 8:15 AM at a public boat launch, get outfitted for our paddling trip, and go over safety rules and basic strokes. We'll paddle 1.5 miles to Malaga Island, always on the lookout for harbor seals, gulls, great blue herons, snowy egrets, sea ducks, ospreys, and possibly bald eagles. After landing, we'll hike the 1.2-mile-trails of the island, stopping at the southern tip to eat the lunch/snacks each of us brought from home. After finishing our hike, we'll paddle back, returning around 2 PM. You must bring: a very small backpack with your lunch, snacks, extra clothing layers, two twenty- to twenty-two-ounce bottles of water and possibly a change of shoes for hiking. If you are unable to walk unaided over tree roots and rocks, do not book this trip. All paddling gear—kayaks, life jackets, and paddles—is provided for this beginner-friendly tour.