Women’s Spring Skills Day Presented by Maine Outdoor Programs

Date:
Sunday, May 18, 2025
8:30AM-4:30PM

Location:
Camp Beech Cliff
264 Beech Hill Rd. Mount Desert, ME 04660

Cost:
General Admission: $75
Student Discount: $50

Maine Outdoor Programs

Maine Outdoor Programs, offered by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, provides hands-on learning experiences for people of all ages and skill levels to connect with the outdoors. Whether you're looking to build new skills or strengthen existing ones, our programs offer opportunities to explore hunting, fishing, trapping, outdoor preparedness, and wildlife viewing in a welcoming environment.

The outdoors is for everyone, and learning in nature is a lifelong journey—there’s always something new to discover! Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, learning opportunities through Maine Outdoor Programs will help you gain confidence, expand your knowledge, and deepen your connection to Maine’s incredible natural resources.

Workshops:

Reading the Forested Landscape with Tom Wessels

Led by renowned terrestrial ecologist Tom Wessels - professor emeritus and founder of the conservation biology master’s program at Antioch University New England - we will explore how to interpret a forest's history, including previous agricultural use, wind and wildfire disturbances, plus former logging histories, as well as how to date each of these events. We will also explore some of our tree's unique adaptations and interesting, coevolved interrelationships that occur within our woodlands. For over 50 years, Tom has studied forest, desert, arctic, and alpine ecosystems around the world, but he has made Mount Desert Island home in large part due to its epic geological story and natural and cultural histories. This workshop is inspired by the teaching in Wessels’ seminal book Reading the Forested Landscape. Full of wonderful signs and clues, with careful attention and specific knowledge the landscape reveals profound stories.

Bushcraft and Survival in the Maine Woods

Why just survive when you could thrive? Dive into the world of bushcraft with an introductory workshop tailored for those seeking to become more comfortable and confident in the outdoors. Perfect for beginners to experienced outdoors-women, this foundational course offers a gateway to outdoor adventure. Join Bushcraft Instructor and Registered Maine Guide Tessa Storey as we explore essential principles and techniques, from axe and knife use to setting up a tarp, tying knots, and building a fire in wet weather. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, gain practical experience and confidence in your ability to adapt and thrive in the Maine woods. Whether you're brand new to bushcraft or simply looking to refresh your skills, the Introduction to Basic Bushcraft Skills provides a welcoming environment for learning and exploration.

Learn to Hunt

Hunting is an exciting way to spend time in the woods while matching your skills with some of Maine’s sought-after species. Spring turkey hunting and fall deer hunting are a great introduction to the traditions held sacred in Maine and a way to learn about this important species in our ecosystem, while supporting Maine’s conservation goals. This workshop is a blend of hands-on demonstration and practice, led by Registered Maine Guide and experienced hunter, Carmen Bombeke.  Participants will learn scouting techniques, hunting tactics and equipment, personal safety, shot placement and basic game care.

Introduction to Wildlife Tracking and Field Ecology

Want to dive deeper into the rich and diverse wildlife and ecosystems of Maine?This is the session for you, join CyberTracker Conservation Certified Wildlife Tracker Amy Martinez Beal as she takes you through the techniques of wildlife tracking and increases your awareness of the natural world and ecology around you. Myriad animals make their homes, hunt, feed, breed and raise young in the landscapes we also call home. In this session, we'll explore the lands surrounding Camp Beech Cliff with the intention of discovering tracks (footprints) and signs (scat, pellets, scent marks, etc.) left behind as clues to who else is spending time on the nearby land. We'll utilize helpful resources - field guides, journals, sketch pads, nature museum artifacts - to practice both systematic and intuitive approaches to wildlife tracking.

Land Navigation - Map and Compass

GPS use is on the rise, but basic map and compass skills are the key to navigation in the back-country. Learn how to read topographic maps and put a compass to use. Orient a map, set a bearing, and set a course, and soon you’ll find out how much fun it is! We’ll cover triangulation, declination compensation, and route planning.

From Field to Fork: Wild Game Cooking

There’s a growing number of folks returning to wild game meat for healthy, sustainable food. Plus, wild game is delicious! Explore new ways to prepare wild game meat outside the kitchen using recipes that are easy to follow and do at home. In this class, we will teach you the art of outdoor cooking. We will introduce cooking directly in the coals with Dutch ovens, and camp stoves with cast iron skillets. Providing for yourself is very rewarding and the skill isn’t quite as hard as it may seem; with the right direction from our experienced instructors, you’ll leave with recipes and new ideas and a deeper connection to where your food comes from. Game meat may vary depending on what we can obtain.

Intro to Archery and Bowhunting Skills

Ever wanted to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow safely and accurately but haven’t had the chance to learn? This workshop will get you familiar with the equipment and various types of bows, and you’ll be hitting the target in no time! Archery is a fun recreational activity that anyone can learn and with a little practice, you’ll be confidently hitting the bullseye. We’ll cover various types of bows and arrows, shooting position and form, and how to shoot at various distances. We’ll also include shooting 3-D targets and discuss how to get started in archery hunting, why it’s an important component in Maine’s wildlife conservation efforts, shot placement, and the benefits of archery hunting. 

Gifts of Nature: Identifying and Foraging Edible and Medicinal Plants

New England is home to a vast diversity of plant life—some edible, some medicinal, and some best avoided. In this hands-on session led by Karen Zimmerman, a Maine Master Naturalist and Registered Maine Guide, participants will learn to identify common plants of Mount Desert Island, explore ethical foraging practices, and understand how native plants support local wildlife and ecosystems. Whether you're curious about wild foods, plant medicine, or simply looking to deepen your connection to the land, this workshop will sharpen your observation skills and broaden your ecological awareness. We'll sample a few wild flavors and walk the forest with fresh eyes—learning to recognize the gifts and cautions nature provides.

Introduction to Wildlife Identification and Foraging

Maine is home to immense plant and wildlife diversity, and the chances of seeing some of these beautiful examples is high on Mount Desert Island! In this session you will learn wildlife identification, edible plant identification, and foraging skills. In Maine, and anywhere you call home, you are surrounded by wildlife whether you realize it or not. Beaver or Muskrat? Wood Frog or Spring Peeper? Downy or Hairy Woodpecker? Led by Camp Beech Cliff’s Head of Nature Programs Molly Stewart, this workshop will launch you down the path toward familiarity with Maine's wildlife. You will learn how to identify and use the multitude of edible plants found in your own backyard and beyond. Knowing what is safe for human consumption can be a wonderful way to supplement your natural diet or perhaps one day might save your life in a survival situation. This workshop will provide some basic recipes as well as expose you to general foraging ethics and legal considerations, and rules and regulations for the Mount Desert Island area.