The town of Machias is the county seat for Washington County and a lovely but less-traveled part of Downeast. The word Machias in the Passamaquoddy language means “bad little falls”, which refers to the beautiful and rugged waterfalls located on the Machias River in the center of the community. The town became famous as the location of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, 250 years ago this year. In 1775, locals were told of the battles of Lexington and Concord. When a small Royal Navy ship demanded Machias provide lumber to be used by British forces down in Boston, the locals decided on a different plan. The Machias Patriots sailed after the little British ship, fought its crew, and captured it. Today, you can visit Burnham Tavern (built in 1770), where the Patriots came up with their audacious plan to take on the British, and which was set up as a hospital during the battle. Nearby Machiasport is known for the unique Jasper Beach, a sandless beach covered in beautiful stones worn round by the sea—a beach with its only match in faraway Japan—and the 1810 Gates House Museum. This trip will include a guided tour of Burnham Tavern, and visits to Jasper Beach, The Gates House, Helen’s Restaurant for lunch (famous for their blueberry pie), the stunning Bad Little Falls, and a final stop at lovely Roque Bluffs State Park. No meals or optional admission donations are included. We will meet at Camden Hills Regional High School then travel on a coach bus to Machias, with a brief rest stop in Ellsworth. Checks or cash only for this trip. No senior discount.

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.

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.

In this course, we will weave a 15-17” tall basket with ash. We will go over the history of pack baskets and what materials have been used. Students will have the opportunity to pound an ash log. All ash has been prepared for the class ahead of time. The instructor will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step ensuring all will walk away with a finished basket. The baskets will have a wooden base, feet, and handle, along with pack straps. There will be a variety of color straps to choose from. No handouts: be prepared to take notes. NO REFUNDS UNLESS THE CLASS IS CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED.

You don’t have to put fish in this beautiful basket—it's also perfect for picnics, vegetable gathering, or collecting fun things while foraging in the woods! Size is approximately 13"W x 8"H x 8"D. The lid will be cut to fit during class and added on with a piece of cut piano hinge. No handouts: be prepared to take notes. NO REFUNDS UNLESS THE CLASS IS CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED.

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.