(updated 5/18/2009)

The Damariscotta River Association’s Education Program,
The School for Field Naturalists: Our goal is to enable students to make their own discoveries about the natural world. Engaging in this process of discovery is what connects them to nature. All programs are designed to teach basic concepts of ecology and integrate hands-on opportunities to learn scientific methods. Students learn to study, analyze, and interpret natural systems through intensive observation. In the tradition of the great American naturalists like Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson, we teach observation as a critical life skill and as a data-gathering process by which we can discover the natural world. Providing youth and the public with opportunities to better understand and experience the natural world also furthers the Damariscotta River Association’s (DRA) goal of “preserving and promoting the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the Damar-iscotta River watershed for the benefit of all.”

Several programs are offered depending on the season. Click on the following links for more information.

• Jr. Naturalist After-School Program
• Homeschool Programs
• Native American Living Skills and Culture Program
• Midcoast Stewards Program for adults
• Camp Mummichog Summer Camp Program
• Pollywogs and Frogs for the very young
• Natural History Programs for the Public
• Natural History Programs for Groups

School for Field Naturalist Programs
Jr. Naturalist After-School Program: Inquiry-based, hands-on learning program in a safe outdoor environment for Grades 2-6. The DRA site is on a bus route from the local elementary school and near to Route 1. Fee: $30 / $35 non-members. Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except as noted), from 3:15 – 5:00 pm.

• February – Wildlife in Winter (no class Feb. 17/18th)
• March – Wabanaki Ways
• April – Marine Life in Great Salt Bay (no class April 21/22)
• May – Birds!

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NEW! A regular program for Homeschool Families and Groups…We call it: "Wild Encounters": Join us from 10 am to noon on the first Wednesday of each month. Geared for ages 5 and up (younger may come – please call to confirm). Please RSVP as there is a minimum number of participants needed. Fee: $3.00 per child.

• January 7 – How Wildlife Survives Winter and Quinzhee Building
• February 4 – Animal Tracks and Signs (long hike involved)
• March 4 – Tap into Trees (and Maple Syruping)
• April 1 – Great Salt Bay Marine Life
• May 6 – Birds on the Wing (Migratory Birds)
• June 3 – Wild Edible Plants

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Native American Living Skills and Culture: for School Groups, Clubs: October 2009
For two weeks each fall, students come in school groups to Blackstone Point at the DRA Great Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center to learn a variety of outdoor living skills in the tradition of Maine’s native people. Participants build wigwams, smoke meat, make cedar string and spoons from birch bark and learn about Wabanaki culture from a Wabanaki Educator and DRA staff. Here is a link to a blog and video about harvesting special Canary Grass for roofing of the Native American Village.

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Midcoast Stewards 2009: The Midcoast Stewards program will meet April 27h through June 1st on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30pm to 4:00pm this year. Class format includes lectures and discussions as well as many field trips and hands-on experiences. Participants will learn directly from professionals in a variety of organizations including local land trusts, the Lobster Conservancy, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Maine Geological Survey. After completing the course (which has no monetary cost), partici-pants commit to a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service to the protection of midcoast Maine's natural and cultural resources over the next year with a conservation organization of their choice. The program is hosted by the Damariscotta River Association and sponsored by the Maine Coastal Program, Maine State Planning Office. Download a color brochure and application form (pdf format).

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Camp Mummichog 2009

Camp Sessions Approaching Capacity: As of 5/14/09, only two spots were left in any of the camps and these spots are for Insect Mania. All other camp sessions are full, but we still will accept campers for the wait list for all programs except Be Woods Wise and Wabanaki Ways, as even the wait list is full for these sessions. Please call (207) 563-1393 for the current status.
     We offer nature discovery, games that teach ecological con-cepts, arts and crafts, and a supportive environment to grow, learn and play. Summer day camp is offered from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm for youth ages 6 to 13 on selected weeks through the summer. Download the 2009 Brochure in pdf format, or contact us at (207) 563-1393 or via e-mail dra@draclt.org.

Each year Camp Mummichog receives rave reviews from kids and their parents. Parents’ evaluations say that they appreciated the “small size, individual attention, beautiful setting, creative caring, knowledgeable, safety oriented instructors” and “this was the best camp our child has ever attended.” Highlights cited included “tons of real science” and “spending so much outdoor time in the wild.” The focus of each camp session is to provide campers with time to explore nature, play competitive and noncompetitive games that teach ecological concepts and in the tradition of many of the great naturalists, journal about their discoveries.

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Pollywogs and Frogs: Preschool (ages 2-5), 9:30-10:30 or 11:00-12:00 on the First Tuesday each month (note this change); Fee: $2.00/child donation.

• January 6 – Who Goes There? (Animal Tracks and Signs) – bring a sled!
• February 3 – Where Do the Animals Go? Build a Quinzhee (snow shelter) - bring a shovel!
• March 3 – Who Sucks the Sap UP the Trees? And Other Tree Tales
• April 7 – Pond Life – Big and Small (wear boots)
• May 5 – Why do Birds Sing?
• June 2 – Some Like it Salty! (Marine Life of Great Salt Bay) – Hike involved

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Natural History Programs for Everyone 2009: This Spring we are offering a number of exciting programs. Find ones that you like and call us to register at 563-1393.

• Winter Birds March 7th 8:00 am -11:00 am: with Tom Arter (a field class). Focus on waterfowl in the rivers and early migrants. Bring binoculars and field guides. Beginners welcome.
• From Granite to Glacier March 21st 10:00am–12 noon: Join Mark Ward for a trip through time to discover how our landscape came to look as it does (a lecture pro-gram).
• Living with Lobsters April 4th 10:00am–12 noon: Join Diane Cowan of the Lobster Conservancy for a fascinating program on lobster biology, behavior and conservation (a lecture program with live lobsters).
• Annual Amphibian Appreciation Night May 2nd: Meet trip leader Mark DesMeules at 8:00 p.m. Search for breeding amphibians, singing or silent, in local wetlands. Wear boots, bring flashlights, tape recorders if you wish, and don’t be surprised if you get wet.
• Spring Sunday Bird Walks May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31st from 7am – 10:00am: Field excursions with Tom Arter to witness birds in migration and as they prepare nesting territories.

We welcome people of all ages to these classes. All programs meet at the Great Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center on the Belvedere Road in Damariscotta. There is no charge although donations are appreciated. Dogs will not be welcomed at programs.

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Natural History Programs for Groups: We offer many programs for formal groups (school classes, clubs, etc). A program on climate change began in 2008, and there are many additional topics to choose from including: forest ecology, insect adaptations, seeds and dispersal mechanisms, coastal ecology, and mammals of Maine. Programs are designed to work towards state learning results. More information is available here.

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Sarah Gladu, Education Coordinator
Damariscotta River Association
Phone: (207) 563-1393
FAX (207) 563-2639
dra@draclt.org

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