Outdoor Discovery Camp; ages 7-14

Built on prior years of summer camp's at Viles Arboretum, this summer enrichment experience will give children the chance to become scientists for the week. Children will collect samples, use tools like microscopes, learn real-life survey techniques and more. Coupled with summer camp classics like group games, arts and crafts, and time to just explore the woods, this week is a celebration of the great outdoors.

In addition to in-depth exploration, children will also have the opportunity to tackle their own service project as environmental stewards, helping to take care of and celebrate the rich Arboretum resource.

The price of camp is calculated using a sliding scale income-based model. What you pay for camp is adjusted based on household income. This price is calculated in the cart when you answer the "what is your household income" question. The price breakdown is as follows:

• Less than $10,000 - Contact us!

• $10,001 - $30,000 - $107

• $30,001 - $60,000 - $155

• $60,001 - $90,000 - $225

• $90,001 - $120,000 - $273

• $120,001  and above - $316

Outdoor Discovery Camps Family Handbook

Want to learn how to prepare healthy foods on a limited budget? Come to a workshop taught by trained nutrition professionals! 

This FREE 4-class series will give you the skills to shop, cook, and eat healthy foods while staying within your food budget. There will be recipe demonstrations and tastings at each fun and interactive session. 

All participants will recieve a colorful cookbook with 24 healthy, low-cost recipes and nutrition tips.

We are excited to announce that there will be one additional class offered at the end of this series where we will discuss container gardening. Each class participant will receive a free garden tool kit, a small grow bag, soil and seeds. 

Class will begin July 31, 2024 and run through August 28, 2024. We will meet weekly between 12:00PM and 1:00PM at Viles Arboretum, located at 153 Hospital Street Augusta, ME.

Click the 'Register' button below to reserve your seat for all 5 dates!

The Arboretum is looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals to assist with maintenance of the area around the visitor center.

As a grounds maintenance volunteer, you will play a crucial role in helping to keep our outdoor visitor center area well maintained and welcoming for all visitors.

Responsibilities include:

• Operating lawnmowers and weed whackers.
• Raking lawn clippings.
• Gardening and landscaping.
• Shoveling and salting walkways.

The first time slot you sign-up for will be an orientation and training will be provided. Staff will remain on site during your volunteer time. Duration listed is the time frame that the task can be done within and does not necessarily reflect the amount of time it will take to complete the task. 

If the days and times listed do not work for you, reach out to Bethany, our office manager, to discuss other times at info@vilesarboretum.org. 

Join Deborah Perkins of First Light Wildlife Habitats to learn more about the fascinating lives of our native bee species and how you can help save them. This exciting walk and workshop will cover the following topics:

• The ecology & behavior of our fascinating native bees
• Habitat needs and environmental stressors
• How you can create a high value habitat in your own dooryard, farm, field, or forestland How to boost biodiversity and pollination services
• How to experience what Deb calls “Zen and the Art of Bee Observation”

The first portion of this class will feature a in-person presentation in our Viles Room followed by an interractive walk on the Arboretum grounds.

The Arboretum is looking for friendly, energetic individuals to support our staff in our Visitor Center this summer! 

As a volunteer visitor center attendant, you will play a cruicial role in creating a welcoming and informative environment for our guests. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Greet visitors and help them find their way around.
• Provide information about the Arboretum, it's trails and grounds, membership and giving, and its history.
• Support gift shop operations through sales and restocking.
• Help to maintain the visitor center's appearance.

The first time slot you sign-up for will be an orientation and training will be provided. Staff will remain on site during your volunteer time to assist. 

If the days and times listed do not work for you, reach out to Bethany, our office manager, to discuss other times at info@vilesarboretum.org. 

On this walk, we'll meet some plants, both wild and cultivated, and learn how they might be used from an herbal, homeopathic, or flower essence perspective.  Some plants might be very familiar (often our local weeds are actually wonderful medicinals), while others might be less well-known. During these late summer walks we will be meeting plants at the end of their growing season. For those that have attended previous walks, a new variety of late-season plants will be covered during this program. We'll talk about identifying factors, parts of the plants used, and preparation. Come be nourished by spending time with these healing friends.

This is a three-part series, you may choose to come to one, or all of the sessions. We will cover unique species as the seasons change. Example of species we may cover across the different sessions are listed below;

Session 1:

• Burdock
• Violet
• Cinquefoil
• Oak
• Sumac
• Elderberry
• Willow
• Bloodroot

Session 2:

• Red clover
• Comfrey
• Ginkgo
• Red Cedar
• Yarrow
• Hawthorn

Session 3:

• Elecampane
• Mugwort
• Lesser periwinkle
• Sassafras
• Goldenrod
• Queen Anne's Lace

 There will be the opportunity to taste tinctures made from plants found on this walk. 

Please dress for the weather. We recommend footwear such as boots or hiking shoes you dont mind getting dirty. 

Debra Bluth, CCH, is an herbalist, homeopath, flower essence practitioner, and movement teacher with a practice in midcoast Maine and online.  She also is affiliated with Delta Gardens, a center for flower essence research, education, and practice located in NH. 

Recommended for ages 16 and up. We will be doing some walking so bring good shoes! 

We do not wish for the price of this program to be a barrier for anyone interested in attending, and have several scholarship opportunities available.  Please reach out to us by emailing education@vilesarboretum.org for more information.. 

Join us for a free pancake breakfast! All members of the Viles Arboretum community are welcome. Whether you're a longtime donor, volunteer, or someone who enjoys our trails in your free time, we invite you to participate in this special event.

Gather at the Education Center to savor a delicious breakfast prepared by our dedicated staff and volunteers. After breakfast, we'll convene for our annual meeting.

Registration is not required but is helpful! All ages are welcome!

Help make our Pancake Breakfast & Annual Meeting a success! 

Volunteer to help set-up, serve, or clean-up for this FREE community event that celebrates our members, volunteers, and everyone who visits the Arboretum.