Medomak Retreat Center in Washington, Maine opens its doors for the third season this June. The summer 2005 schedule offers a series of programs to spark diverse interests in arts and science, as well as family fun.
Medomak welcomes back for a tenth season Medomak Camp alumni, Kenneth Kiesler, Director of Orchestra and professor of conducting at the University of Michigan, Music Director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the founder of the Illinois Symphony Chorus and the Illinois Chamber Orchestra. Kiesler returns with his highly popular Conductor’s Retreat. The Retreat, June 30- July 17, offers conductors the opportunity to focus on their music, polish skills, and gain new perspectives through music score study: creating the opportunity for novices and experienced conductors to inspire and learn from each other. A final concert with a 40 piece orchestra, open to the public, will be held July 16 in the century old Medomak Retreat Center Lodge.
For a second summer the Medomak Retreat Center will offer a week-long workshop, from July 18-23, with renowned ecologist and biologist Tom Wessels, Professor of Ecology at Antioch New England Graduate School. Dr. Wessels has spent nearly a quarter of a century interpreting the northeastern landscape and teaching others how to listen to the conversations of the forest. He has an uncanny ability to step into a forest and reveal its unique natural history simply by turning over a decaying stump or looking for basal scars (a sign of fire damage) on mature trees. He asserts that by coming to a fuller understanding of our native landscape, we attain a greater sense of place for ourselves, and can be much more effective stewards.
In a series of lectures and field trips over a 6 day period, Tom will teach natural history buffs, teachers, land trust members and lovers of the New England landscape how to read the landscape in the same way one might solve a mystery. Once basic patterns are recognized, the skill, referencing the forested landscape of mid-coast Maine, can be applied anywhere. With little practice during peaceful walks in the woods you will be able to begin to unravel the natural and human history that has led to the current lay of the land. Past participants found the seminars and field study invaluable in helping them develop an even greater appreciation for the land about which they care so much.
In August the Retreat Center will offer a perfect opportunity to get away from the summer city heat and share the wonders of the universe! Astronomy lovers, ranging from school age to post-retirement, will join us for Medomak’s first Perseid Meteor Party. The dark Maine skies are perhaps the best in the country for observing the annual Perseid meteor showers. During the day participants can explore Medomak’s mile of lakefront, join in supervised land or water-based activities, or sit in on a talk by one of our guest lecturers. Medomak is excited to welcome J. Kelly Beatty Editor of NIGHT SKY, a new magazine for beginning stargazers, and Executive Editor of SKY & TELESCOPE as our featured speaker. Along with sharing his extensive knowledge of the night sky, he will be on hand to answer questions about constellations, comets and telescopes. Participants will also have the chance to hear from internationally acclaimed and self-taught artist, Greg Mort. Mort has graciously invited Medomak’s participants to his summer studio, in Port Clyde, ME, to learn about his lifelong passion for nature and astronomy and experience his artwork. Mort serves on the Boards of the McDonald and Lowell Observatories. Carl Sagan included Mort’s works in his book “Pale Blue Dot”. Mort’s works can be found in many prestigious museums and private collections including the permanent collection of Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, NASA and the White House.
Medomak Family Camp and Retreat Center has over a 100 year history of summer camping, located in Washington, Maine approximately 25 miles inland from Rockland/Camden in the mid-coast region of Maine. For additional information:http://www.medomakcamp.com.