Star Gazing and/or Night WAlk
For eons our ancestors gazed at the stars and learned. Navigation, anticipating the changing seasons, creating a calendar and so much more. As they gazed, they created constellations of stars that represented people and creatures from their culture. They told stories about them and watched as they moved across the sky. Later scientists would help us understand that stars were suns that made up our galaxy. They would discover other galaxies and so much more. We can star gaze too!
Explore the World after Sunset
Night skies can be clear or cloudy so flexibility is often needed for night walks, particularly an astronomy walk where a walk where the stars can be seen is different from one under a cloudy sky. For more information read the descriptions below.
Option one: Night Walk
Put your flashlights in your pocket and take a walk in the woods. Really!
We’ll practice our night vision and open our other senses.
We’ll answer questions you didn’t even know you had!
How much can we see, smell, hear at night? Where is the moon?
What animals are out at night?
How do they survive the winter?
Is night vision different from day vision?
Do heads really disappear when we look straight at them in the dark?
Take a ‘Night Walk’ and find out! Gain confidence and have some great stories to share over dinner.
Option 2: Moon and Stars Walk
This full moon/star gazing experience is part direct observation, part history and part science. It’s adaptable to the audience and weather. Clear skies or clouds; it’s a special experience. Full moon, partial moon or no moon; we’ll wander and share stories-fun, fiction and fact!
If there is a moon; we'll learn all about it!. Where did the moon come from? Why was it important to our ancestors? How does the moon influence life on earth?
If there are stars and planets visible; we'll map the night sky; learn how the constellations change throughout the year and why importance of the zodiac.
In any weather we can learn about our ancestor's understandings of the night sky; it's importance and how it evolved over time. Maybe we'll event take a journey from the sun to each of the planets to learn about our solar system; it's origins and each of the planets.
Logistics
Length: 1-2 hours, clear skies to moderate rain.
Time: Sunset; start time depends on season.
Locations: Walks can be scheduled at Sebago Lake Land Reserve in Standish, Clifford Park in Biddeford, Two Lights or Crescent Beach State Parks in Cape Elizabeth, or Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal (near Freeport). Other locations are possible provided permission to lead a walk on the property is granted by the land owner. This is often possible on state and town parks and lands. Properties that are privately held or owned by nonprofit organizations are also possible on a case by case basis.
Rates
January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
$45 per person 2-3 hour walk twelve or more participants
$50 per person 2-3 hour walk, seven to eleven participants
$60 per person 2-3 hour walk three - six participants
$85 per person2-3 hours one-two participants.
Available daily based on availability. Must be reserved
a minimum of three days in advance.
Half day and full day flat rates provided upon request. These are generally used when the cost of the walk is paid for by an organization and individuals participate at no cost.
Next Step: Click on the button below to fill out a form and we'll schedule a walk.