Maine Seas, Skies & Leadership Kayak Expedition
Peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower!
The Maine Island Trail offers unparalleled views of an unobstructed sky and there is no better way to explore our ocean playground than by sea kayak. Unconstrained by water depth, sea kayaks allow you to venture into every nook and cranny you find. This trip will ask participants to look up and reconnect with the patterns of the clouds and the stars.
We are excited to offer a sea kayaking adventure weaving the wonders of astronomy, meteorology, and camp craft into an enthralling four days. And this year, our trip will coincide with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower! There is no better place to view this incredible phenomenon than on a coastal island with no light pollution and no moonlight!
As we traverse from island to island by day, participants will practice weather prediction, marine expeditionary skills and even contribute to NASA atmospheric measurement tools. By night, starry skies and blazing meteors will provide myriad astronomical observation opportunities. Our lessons will focus on a variety of cultural star lines that aided mariners and peoples across history. Our discussions will invite reflection on your self-awareness in this place and time and what lies on the horizon.
We will set up camp each night, learn sea kayak techniques and rescues, practice our camp craft, build our team, learn to navigate, develop our leadership skills, and have an all-out blast! Fires, star gazing, musical interludes, swimming, and hiking opportunities will be aplenty. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a supervised mini-solo wilderness experience. This course will test our limits physically and mentally as we set out on an adventure as a fully self-sufficient team into the islands off the Maine coast.
We will celebrate the peak of the shower with a pre-dawn viewing party!
Dates and Age: 8/10-8/14 - Rising 8th-10th Graders
August 10th will be a provisioning and team building day, after which participants will spend the night at home. For out-of-town participants, we can help arrange rustic lodging. On the morning of the 9th, the group will head out for 3 nights of Sea kayaking.
Price: $960-$1100 Sliding Scale - See registration page for more information on sliding scale and additional financial support and scholarship.
This price includes all sea kayak and group camping gear such as stoves, cooking supplies, tents etc. Personal items such as sleeping bags/pads, headlamps, rain gear, mess kits, etc. are available for rent at cost.
Participants will be responsible for transportation to and from the trailhead; MSX will help organize carpools and facilitate transportation for out-of-town participants.
Includes all organic food, local whenever at all possible!
Location: Moscungus Bay, Midcoast Maine
Additional Course Activities: Other themes explored include marine ecology oceanography and tides, knots, and more.
Instructors and Enrollment:
Josh Lipkowitz - Long-time guide and outdoor educator, Registered Maine Guide, Wilderness First Responder
Nina Byers, long-time guide and outdoor educator, Wilderness First Responder, Creative Coordinator of Educational Programs at Fiske Planetarium, Colorado.
Participant to Instructor Ratio - 5:1
Maximum enrollment: 10
Course Information
