Looking for events on specific dates? Click here to see our public calendar.
Fall O.W.L. Outings
September 20th, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Canoeing on the Narraguagus, Register Here
October 18th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Klondike Mountain–Foraging
November 15th, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Backfield Park, Great Wass Island–Unique Organisms
OWL outings are for women ages 16+. Free to participate
Click here for more information on OWL and these outings. OWL is a collaborative project between Maine Outdoor School and Women for Healthy Rural Living.
Outdoor Discovery for the Whole Family
with Women for Healthy Rural Living
September 27th, behind Milbridge Elementary School, 1:00 pm
Are you looking to unplug and reconnect with nature and each other? Join a Registered Maine Guide from Maine Outdoor School for an afternoon of outdoor fun and exploration. Through engaging nature games, fascinating facts, and time to connect with other local families, you’ll come away with fresh ideas for spending more time outside together.
This event will be at the woods and field behind Milbridge Elementary School.
All ages are welcome! This event is free, but registration is required. Register Here
Homeschool Orienteering Programs
with Independent Downeast Educational Alliance (IDEA)
Tues, September 30th at Schoodic/Black Mountain from 12:30 - 3:30 pm
Put your map and compass skills to the test! From the summit of Pigeon Hill or Schoodic Mountain, brush up on your ability to triangulate and identify distant landmarks using only a map and compass. These programs are designed for people who already know how to take bearings using a compass and are looking to maintain and improve their existing orienteering skills.
This program series is designed for the Independent Downeast Educational Alliance (IDEA) of homeschoolers. For more information and to register, email independentdowneast@gmail.com.
Map and Compass: Practice Your Skills!
with Women for Healthy Rural Living
October 5th, 1-3 pm, Milbridge Commons
Have you used a map and compass before, but are out of practice? Or maybe you’ve forgotten the basics altogether? Your phone or GPS won’t always work, but a map and compass will–if you’re confident in your skills! This program will go over map and compass basics for folks who are new to these tools and will serve as a review for those who are old pros. Orienteering with a map and compass is a skill that must be used or lost, so let’s use it and stay fresh! Registrants will receive a brief handout on the basics before the program to ensure everyone knows what to expect during the program. Register Here
Custom Outdoor Experiences
Interested in a guided hike or other outdoor learning experience? Visit our Guiding page to schedule your own personalized event!
Virtual Programs
Check out the Outdoor Women Lead (OWL) series, which aims to teach outdoor and naturalist skills through videos, blog posts, and suggested backyard activities. Also visit our Virtual Programming site, which includes a variety of videos that aim to get you engaged in outdoor learning in your own backyard or at a local park or hiking trail.
Past Events
Map & Compass Basics for Women and their Families wth Women for Healthy Rural Living, Spring ‘25
Annual New Year’s Eve Sunset Hike with Crabtree Neck Land Trust, Winter ‘24
OWL Outing Club for Women finding fungi, discovering mosses and mushrooms, and learning tips on winter plant identification with Women for Healthy Rural Living, Fall ‘24
“Take Any Subject Outside” Workshop at Dear Teacher Conference with Island Readers and Writers, Fall ‘24
Community Hike with the Natural Resources Council of Maine and Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Fall ‘24
Family Watershed Program with Beech Hill Pond Lake Association, Summer 24
Riverside Family Scientist Series with Ellsworth Public Library and Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Summer ‘24
Watershed Camp with Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Summer ‘24
Forest Camp with Downeast Coastal Conservancy, Summer ‘24
OWLette Girls Camp with Women for Healthy Rural Living, Summer ‘24