April 2018
Introduction to Outdoor Culinary Arts
Good food can mean the difference between an amazing experience and a complete disaster. I am thrilled to be working with Beth Arnold and Gerry Saunders to offer this introduction to Outdoor Culinary Arts. Both are accomplished outdoor adventurers and educators. We will be using Dutch ovens, fry bakes, reflector ovens, fire, and stoves to create culinary delights. We will start the day by cooking breakfast; omelettes, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls are on the menu. After a break for brunch,…
Find out more »May 2018
SOLO Wilderness First Aid Afloat: Essex, Massachusetts
Wilderness First Aid Afloat is a scenario-based 16-hour course. The curriculum is Coast Guard approved and specifically designed to address emergencies that occur in a marine environment. Upon completion you will receive a 2-year certification from SOLO and the USCG. WFAA contains all the same information included in the SOLO Wilderness First Aid course (Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies). It also includes additional topics specifically designed for boaters including: sea sickness,…
Find out more »June 2018
Wilderness First Aid: On Water Medical Rescue Scenarios
This course is designed for folks who have completed their Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Aid Afloat (WFAA) Certification. Since I have been teaching WFAA the common theme is that folks wished they had more time to practice medical rescues on the water. North Star Adventures LLC and Castine Kayak Adventures are partnering to offer a 3 hour pilot program: On Water Rescue Scenarios. In this pilot we will practice how to manage trauma and medical emergencies while…
Find out more »Women’s Sea Kayaking: Port Clyde Maine
Port Clyde is the quintessential Maine town. Rocky cliffs, coastal islands, emerald green water and the “Forrest Gump” lighthouse are a few of the wonders you will encounter. It is one of my favorite places to paddle! We will meet at the town dock on Saturday morning at 9am for a day long exploration of the emerald green waters. Lunch and all gear is included, we'll wrap up by 4pm. On Sunday June 17th we will embark on an early…
Find out more »Exploration in Art: Summer Solstice Sunrise Hike and Pastel Drawing
Join North Star Adventures LLC and Sweet Maple Corner Arts for a Sunrise Hike on the Summer Solstice Our hiking destination will be Bald Rock Mountain located in Lincolnville, ME. The hike is approximately three miles round-trip. The first mile follows an old carriage road with a gentle incline. The last half mile takes you up the Bald Rock trail. You will be greeted with spectacular views of Penobscot Bay and islands that appear to float on the horizon waiting…
Find out more »Adventures in Art: Inn to Inn Sea Kayaking & Writing with Stephanie Wade
The Maine coast has been an inspiration for writers and for centuries. The craggy coastline, mist enshrouded lighthouses, seals, lobster boats and buoys will be your backdrop for this 3 night 4 day writing expedition.
Find out more »July 2018
Exploration in Art: Canoeing and woodworking with Jim MacDonald, Unity Pond
Learn woodworking skills both by watching and doing as we each create a beautiful and fully functional maple cutting board.
Find out more »Leave No Trace Ocean Paddling
During this two day course participants will learn and teach the principles of Leave No Trace. We will discuss the impact of human activity on the ocean and island environments. Each participant will be required to present a short (15-20 minute) class on one of the principles of Leave No Trace. We will camping on and exploring the Islands off the coast of Maine.
Find out more »August 2018
Adventures in Art: Lake Paddling, Hiking & Painting with Rachel Littlefield
Spend four unforgettable days in the Rangeley Lakes Region of Western Maine. Known for remote islands, and 4000’ mountains this is a perfect venue to challenge yourself physically, mentally and creatively.
Find out more »Sea Kayaking with Friends of Sears Island
Join North Star Adventures and Friends of Sears Island for an introduction to Sea Kayaking on August 4th. We will spend two hours learning paddling technique as we explore Sears Island from the water. You may want to bring binoculars for watching sea birds and scouting for seals. If you have always wanted to sea kayak but don't own a boat or are nervous about paddling in the bay now is the time to learn how to safely paddle and…
Find out more »Adventures in Art: Documentary Photography with Sarah Rice
Join us for this extraordinary opportunity to create, through film, a story of the Moosehead Lake region. Photographer Sarah Rice will guide you through the process of creating the story of this spectacular area of the Maine highlands. We will explore by tandem sea kayak, steamship, and foot. Conditions permitting, we may have the opportunity to do some snorkeling to see what treasures lie within the shallows of Moosehead Lake. Sarah rice is a documentary and editorial photographer based in…
Find out more »Half & Full Day Paddle Adventures: Available every day from June 25th – August 17th
Half and Full day Paddle Adventures: Are you looking to experience the beauty of inland Maine? North Star Adventures will take you on either a full or half day paddle experience. Are you staying Down East, central, southern, or in western Maine? We can put together a plan and meet at an inland lake or waterway near you. If you’d rather paddle on the ocean we can arrange that as well. We will take you to the quiet corners of…
Find out more »Women’s Backpacking
If you have always dreamed of backpacking but aren’t sure where to go or who do go with than this trip is for you. Yes, you will work hard but, you will have the experience of a lifetime.
Find out more »September 2018
Exploration in Art: Sea Kayaking & Nature Journaling with Cloe Chunn
Explore Penobscot Bay and the Holbrook Island area with North Star Adventures and Cloe Chunn. Cloe is a co-founder of the Maine Master Naturalist Program. Spend the day in the company of Harbor seals, osprey, guillemots, eiders, loons, and cormorants. Launching from Brooksville, Maine we will spend the day observing and recording the tranquility of Maine islands and critters that make them their home. Nature journaling allows you to gain a deeper respect and awareness for the beauty and fragility of…
Find out more »Women’s Backpacking: Cutler Coast
Join North Star Adventures for an incredible backpacking experience to the Cutler Coast. Part of the Bold Coast, a spectacular region in Downeast Maine that goes from Cutler to Lubec, the Cutler Coast Public Lands Reserve has 4.5 miles of coastline that overlooks the Bay of Fundy. Tent sites overlook the dramatic cliffs and pocket coves the encompass the region. It is a 4.5 mile hike, most of which follows the coastline, to our campsite. While not a lot of…
Find out more »October 2018
Adventures in Art: Hiking & Writing with Stephanie Wade
Experience the Grand Canyon of the East as we explore the Gulf Hagas region of Maine. We will camp on the Pleasant River. After an evening around a bonfire and stargazing you will be rocked to sleep by the gentle rhythm of the river.
Find out more »Adventures in the Arts: Hiking, Movement & Meditation with Mid Maine Yoga
Spending time in nature on retreat is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in practice, just one weekend away can help you begin cultivating a deeper sense of awareness, increase motivation to practice at home, and reconnect with yourself. Integrating movement and mindfulness Nancy and Caitlin will guide participants on a weekend journey in the 100 Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail. This is an open and non-judgmental environment to freely explore creative self-expression; self-care rituals, and a peaceful…
Find out more »January 2019
Winter Adventures! Half, Full day and Multi-Day!
North Star Adventures will be offering Winter Adventures from January 2nd - March 31st , 2019. Are you looking to experience the beauty of winter in Maine? North Star Adventures will take you on a half, full or multi-day winter wonderland adventure. Adventures may include snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Overnight options include staying in bunkhouses, cabins or Inns. They can be as rustic or comfortable as you would like. We offer something for all fitness and experience levels. Winter…
Find out more »Favorite Places to Ski in Maine
Winter is my favorite time of year. I love the snow crystals as they sparkle in the sun, I love patterns and colors of the ice as the winter freeze takes hold of our lakes, waterways and forests and I love the silent beauty after a storm when the world is sleeping. You can learn to love winter. It's about learning to embrace the beauty of the season. The hustle and bustle of summer has ended and the holiday extravagance…
Find out more »February 2019
Camden Hills Snowshoe Adventure
Camden Hills is the gem of Mid-Coast Maine. Spectacular hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, mountain biking and climbing make this a fantastic multi-sport destination. On Saturday February 9th join North Star Adventures for a Camden Hills Snowshoe Adventure. We will begin our journey from Maiden Cliff Trail head at 9:00am for a full-day adventure along the ridge trail to Ocean Lookout. Enjoy the ice formations, wildlife tracks and the forest as we experience winter on foot. Views of Penobscot Bay will…
Find out more »March 2019
Northwoods Winter Weekend
Experience the North Maine Woods with a Maine Guide. Stay in a rustic cabin, enjoy meals made from locally sourced ingredients, cross-country ski with Mt. Kineo as your backdrop, and enjoy a cozy night by the fire gazing at the winter sky. This weekend will truly be a winter wonderland. Bring your friends, family and neighbors for a true Maine winter experience. March is the perfect winter month! Daylight has started to return, the temperatures are reasonable and we have…
Find out more »May 2019
Wings & Water
North Star Adventures, Sebasticook Regional Land Trust & James Macdonald Art Guitars bring you Wings & Water. Known for its unique and diverse farming community, rolling hills, trail system, and waterways Unity Maine is a hidden gem, just a short drive from the coastal village of Belfast. Spend the morning exploring the wetlands of Unity Pond with ecologist Gerry Saunders. Explore the narrow passageways and listen to the sounds of spring as life returns to central Maine. The majority of…
Find out more »Emergency Medicine in the Backcountry
Discover the beauty of the Bigelow Preserve in this 3 night 4 day backpacking expedition. If you have experience in the Bigelows this will allow you to look at it from a rescuer perspective. If you have not been to the Preserve you are in for a treat! It was created in 1976 to stop development of a ski resort directly across from Sugarloaf. You will learn and practice field-based wilderness medical skills, with an emphasis on group management, scene…
Find out more »June 2019
Outdoor Cooking: Lightweight & Tasty Backpacking Food
The key to any backcountry adventure lies a thoughtful and tasty meal plan. In this day long workshop you will have the opportunity to learn food planning techniques as well as some basic nutritional information that will help you create backcountry culinary delights. We will plan our menu, pack our backpacks, and do a short hike where we will cook using a variety of stoves and techniques. You will be creating meals for breakfast and dinner. A typical field lunch…
Find out more »On Water Medical Scenarios & Emergency Management
North Star Adventures and Castine Kayak Adventures are partnering to offer you a day of medical scenarios and sea kayak emergency strategies and management options on the water. We offered this course two weeks ago in Casco Bay. It was such a success we decided to tweak it (make it longer) and offer it farther north. If you are a paddler and have a minimum of basic first aid certification then this course is something you will want to check…
Find out more »