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Viles Arboretum



Events

Spring into Nature Celebration Food Truck Registration

Free

with Viles Arboretum

Calendar Next available session starts Apr 19, 2025 at 10 am

Join us at our Spring into Nature Celebration on April 19th, 2025 from 10am-2pm. 

We are looking for food trucks. This is an all ages event.

Attendees will; enjoy nature-inspired activities, lend a hand with an Earth Day project, explore our vernal pool, and have the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny! 

Fairy Basket Workshop

$90

with Wood Thrush Wilderness

Calendar Next available session starts May 17, 2025 at 9 am

Join us for a whimsical and creative basket-weaving experience! In this hands-on class, we’ll craft a small fairy pack basket—the perfect size for a tiny fairy or for adding a bit of charm to your decor. You’ll also learn about the history of pack baskets and the traditional materials that have been used to make them.

What You'll Learn

  • The history and evolution of pack baskets.
  • How to weave with reed to create a fairy-sized basket, approximately 5” tall.
  • Step-by-step instructions on shaping, weaving, and finishing your basket

By the end of the class, you’ll walk away with your own finished fairy basket and the skills to create future baskets on your own.

What to Expect

  • A hands-on, step-by-step workshop designed for beginners and experienced weavers.
  • All materials and tools will be provided, with guidance to ensure each participant completes their basket.

We aim to make this class as inclusive as possible:

  • Location: The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms.
  • Seating and Workspace: Tables and chairs are provided
  • Physical Effort: Participants will use their hands for weaving and light assembly. If you have mobility or dextrerity concerns, please reach out to discuss more details.
  • Visual Guidance: Intructions will be provided verbally and visually.

About the Instructor

Wood Thrush Wilderness is an outdoor guiding and educational business that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. As Licensed Recreation Maine Guides, we offer guided canoe expeditions throughout the state of Maine. We also offer classes and training in outdoor education, wilderness medicine, and traditional crafts such as basketry. 

Website: https://www.woodthrushwilderness.com/

Dandelion: Food and Tea Workshop

$110

with Wood Thrush Wilderness

Calendar Next available session starts May 23, 2025 at 5 pm

Dandelions aren’t just weeds—they’re a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition! In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the many ways you can use dandelions to create delicious dishes and refreshing teas. Join us to learn how to collect, process, and cook with this amazing plant, from roots to greens to flowers.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to collect and process dandelion greens for delicious recipes.
  • Using dandelion flowers to make jams, teas, and wines.
  • The beneficial properties of dandelion roots and how to incorporate them into your meals.
  • A variety of recipes, from savory dishes to sweet treats.

In this interactive class, we’ll taste, create, and make some truly delicious dishes featuring dandelions!

What to Expect

  • A fun and educational class designed for beginners and food enthusiasts.
  • All materials and ingredients will be provided, along with recipe cards to take home.
  • Step-by-step guidance from an instructor to help you create tasty dandelion-based dishes and drinks.

Accessibility Information

We aim to make this class as inclusive as possible:

  • Location: The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms.
  • Seating and Workspace: Tables and chairs are provided
  • Physical Effort:Participants will be standing and moving around, with some light lifting and handling of equipment. Please reach out if you have mobility concerns or need accommodations.
  • Visual Guidance: Intructions will be provided verbally and visually.

About the Instructor

Wood Thrush Wilderness is an outdoor guiding and educational business that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. As Licensed Recreation Maine Guides, we offer guided canoe expeditions throughout the state of Maine. We also offer classes and training in outdoor education, wilderness medicine, and traditional crafts such as basketry.

Website: https://www.woodthrushwilderness.com/

Honey Wine Workshop

$220

with Wood Thrush Wilderness

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 27, 2025 at 1 pm

All participants must be 21 years or older. Valid ID is required at check-in.

Discover the ancient art of mead making and transform honey into a decadent, fermented beverage cherished throughout history. Mead, also known as honey wine, is the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. In this immersive workshop, you’ll explore its rich history, learn the basics of brewing and fermentation, and create your own one-gallon batch of mead to take home.

What to Expect

  • History & Tasting: Learn about mead's origins and cultural significance while sampling a selection of meads and honeys from across the country. Enjoy about 4-8 ounces of mead throughout the class.
  • Hands-On Learning: Step-by-step guidance through the mead-making process, from selecting ingredients to understanding fermentation.
  • Tools & Techniques: Learn to measure sugar levels with a hydrometer, determine alcohol content, and practice sterilization and bottling techniques.

Every student will receive the following supplies to continue brewing at home:

  • One-gallon glass carboy
  • Airlock Hydrometer with a cylinder and brush
  • 3-4 lbs. of raw honey and ingredients for a batch of mead
  • Detailed directions and a materials list for bottling your finished mead

This class is perfect for beginners and hobbyists interested in home brewing, wine making, or fermentation. Whether you’re curious about mead or looking to refine your skills, this workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the craft.

Accessibility Information

We aim to make this class as inclusive as possible. Please reach out if you have mobility concerns or need accommodations.

  • Location: The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms.
  • Seating and Workspace: Tables and chairs are provided
  • Physical Effort:Participants will be standing and moving around, with some light lifting and handling of equipment. 
  • Visual Guidance: Intructions will be provided verbally and visually.

About the Instructor

Wood Thrush Wilderness is an outdoor guiding and educational business that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. As Licensed Recreation Maine Guides, we offer guided canoe expeditions throughout the state of Maine. We also offer classes and training in outdoor education, wilderness medicine, and traditional crafts such as basketry.

Website: https://www.woodthrushwilderness.com/





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