It's that time of the year when the sap comes up from the roots of a maple tree and starts to feed the tree new buds. This is when we tap the maples to gather the sap and boil it down to make maple syrup or other yummy, sweet products. Join us to learn the basics of maple syruping and how you could start making your own maple syrup in your own backyard!  This is an in-person class.

Ellsworth Adult & Community Education Center hosts this class.  It is offered by the Penobscot Bay Sail & Power Squadron-America's Boating Club®, For Boaters, By Boaters® We’ve been making boating safer and more enjoyable for over 100 years.

This basic boating class reduces your risk of accidents and injuries, saves you money on boat insurance, and qualifies you for a state boat license or operator certificate in most states (including Maine). It is the most comprehensive, single source, in-person boating course available to give you the skills you need to enjoy your time on the water and boat with confidence. 

The Penobscot Bay Power Squadron will provide a course manual in one of two formats -print ($40) or ebook ($40). You will want to read through the manual before the start of the course.  Often people take this course with a family member or friend, and the manuals are easily shared so it's not included in the cost of the course. When you register for this course you will be asked to complete a survey regarding the manual. It will give you details about securing it. This is an in-person class.

Scott has been making adventurous use of the sea since his teens. He’s owned several “cruising and racer/cruiser” sailboats over the last twenty years, and is an active member of the East Coast offshore singlehanded racing circuit. He races single and shorthanded to and from Bermuda almost every year, and has sailed across the Atlantic, singlehanded, 2-½ times (he can tell the story of the half-time in class). He currently races (and cruises) in Resolute, a 46’ sloop. Scott is a strong proponent of practical seamanship for all, and holds the Royal Yachting Association’s RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certification, several US Sailing Certifications, and teaches virtually the full range of America’s Boating Club courses. 

This course is designed to get you solidly grounded in the fundamentals needed to enjoy fly fishing. Topics covered include tackle selection and assembly, knots, fly casting, fish foods, artificial flies, fly fishing strategies, entomology, and wading safety. After completing this course, you should have all the understanding and skills necessary to catch fish with a fly rod on your own. This is an in-person class.

This course will be taught in Orono by Kevin Tracewski, a registered Maine guide and author of the best selling book, A Fisherman’s Guide to Maine.

Here is a basket that you can take to the market to grab your fresh produce and bakery items.  Everyone is welcome to join this class.  If you have never weaved before, the instructor will be doing step-by-step directions. You will walk away with a finished basket!

This basket will have two straps that can be worn on the shoulder or carried, with multiple color options on the straps. The material of the basket is flat and half round quality reed. We will also add colored reed into the basket if desired (blue, purple, red, green, or brown).

Jess has a deep passion for the wilderness and for teaching. She has been working in the field of Adventure and Environmental Education for more than 30 years. This leg of her journey is about connecting more deeply with herself, others, and the wilderness. Join her for a program of connection, learning, and growing.

If you are hiking in the forest or wandering in your garden, this is a nice basket for fiddleheads, mushrooms, or herbs.  Size is approximately 4” Width x 8" Height x 10" Length.

Jes has a deep passion for the wilderness and for teaching. She has been working in the field of Adventure and Environmental Education for more than 30 years. This leg of her journey is about connecting more deeply with herself, others, and the wilderness. Join her for a program of connection, learning, and growing.

Are you thinking about going on an outdoor trip this summer with family or friends? Are you planning on being a trip leader for a camp or guide service? Are you interested in knowing how to take care of someone if they were hurt in the backcountry? This is a perfect course for someone who would like to get a basic level of first aid training. The Wilderness First Aid is a 16-hour hands-on course. It will provide a comprehensive look at the standards and skills of dealing with:

• response and assessment
•  musculoskeletal Injuries
• environmental emergencies
• survival skills
• soft tissue injuries
• medical emergencies.

This course includes 16-hours in class sessions, out of class reading, and a final exam. It can include a 2-hour CPR course. Course includes SOLO Wilderness First Aid book, Wilderness First Aid Map, 2-year WFA Certification

We are gauging interest in this class.  The likely schedule will be the last weekend in September.  If you register here, we will contact you when the logistics for the course are finalized. 

This 72-80 hour Wilderness First Responder Course  provides an in depth look at the skills and standards of the following • response and assessment • musculoskeletal injuries • environmental emergencies • survival skills • soft tissue injuries • medical emergencies.  This is an intensive first aid course designed for participants that are working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting such as Maine guides, backcountry leaders, ski patrollers or raft guides.  If you are a current EMT you may receive continuing education credits. Once you receive your WFR certification you may take the steps to become certified as Wilderness EMT.  The course includes SOLO Wildcare Working in Less Than Desirable Conditions and Remote Environment textbook, 3-year WFR Certification, 2-year CPR certification. Note: to receive certification, participants must pass written and practical exams.

We are currently gauging interest in this class which is tentatively scheduled for the month of October on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and two weekends.