What if there was a magical place on the beach where you could bask in the afternoon sun, take a morning walk through a grove of sunlit trees and enjoy the company of others as they travel along this journey called life? What if this place offered a loving community of people, healthy and delicious food, good coffee, lots of music, and time for reflection–in addition to a frolic in the surf?
Ferry Beach is all that and more, a place where those challenges you thought you would never shed just seem to melt away when you are not even looking, a place that offers rest and relaxation in addition to an opportunity to step into your greatness. At Ferry Beach, you can experience the joy of community, the challenge of personal growth, and the comfort of spirit.
With 32 acres and 19 buildings, Ferry Beach is a retreat community center with 1000 feet of beach front in Saco, Maine. Ferry Beach is a respite away from the everyday world. It is a collection of meeting spaces, wide porches, an art and pottery studio, an outdoor chapel, a performance space, many gathering places and a wonderful dining hall. It is a place of renewal and rejuvenation for families, couples, and individuals.
Ferry Beach is all that and more, a place where those challenges you thought you would never shed just seem to melt away when you are not even looking, a place that offers rest and relaxation in addition to an opportunity to step into your greatness. At Ferry Beach, you can experience the joy of community, the challenge of personal growth, and the comfort of spirit.
With 32 acres and 19 buildings, Ferry Beach is a retreat community center with 1000 feet of beach front in Saco, Maine. Ferry Beach is a respite away from the everyday world. It is a collection of meeting spaces, wide porches, an art and pottery studio, an outdoor chapel, a performance space, many gathering places and a wonderful dining hall. It is a place of renewal and rejuvenation for families, couples, and individuals.
Summer Retreats:
Adult Retreats
MUSIC RETREATS:
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Choral FestEnd of July/Early August
ChoralFest is "A Summer Choral Experience for Treble voice singers"! All Treble voice (Alto and Soprano) singers are welcome at ChoralFest, regardless of experience or proficiency. We sing every day at ChoralFest with sessions in the morning and afternoon! Our repertoire includes a variety of choral works ranging from simple chants and rounds to complex multi-part selections that stretch us technically and vocally. We prepare some fun pieces to sing at a Thursday night Talent Show. Our week culminates with an inspirational chapel service when we blend choral performance and worship in a unique and memorable way. |
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Circle of MusicIn Mid August
Circle of Music is all about music, every day, in every way! Every year we have a new guest musician who leads are week in song; in previous years it has been MAGPIE, the well-know duo Atwater-Donnelly, this year's featured musicians are Emma's Revolution, a well-known folk band known for their activism. In the morning & afternoons enjoy countless music workshops, learn how to play different instruments, porch sings, an evening coffee house, bonfire s'mores and songs, two special concerts, a Talent/No Talent show and lobster dinner night! You will have plenty of opportunities for singing, teaching, creating, playing and learning. Your days at Ferry Beach can also include the beach, naps, walks or all of the above.
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HEALING RETREATS:
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Zen Tide RetreatEarly July
Find your path. Experience true full body healing! Everything changes when you finally choose to take care of yourself— this retreat is known to do just that! Each day is intentionally crafted to awaken your inner peace and power. Flow through deeply grounding yoga sessions, quiet your mind in guided meditation, and experience the profound energetic shift of immersive sound baths that help release emotional blockages and restore harmony within. With over 20 healing workshops offered you can choose what is most healing and fulfilling in your life. Go deeper with tarot, astrology and mediumship offerings to gain greater clarity, direction, and validation for your path.
Let go of what’s been weighing you down and step into a lighter, more aligned version of yourself, all while in a naturally healing environment, days by the beach! |
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Women's HealingEarly-Mid August
Enjoy a wellness retreat by the beach. Days of meditation, yoga, lots of hands on healing (Reiki), aromatherapy, intuitive work and sharing, along with a ritual to honor our ancestors and the earth itself. There will be beach time in the afternoons and a chance to sign up for foot reflexology. This retreat is a chance for attendees to renew, reconnect and rebalance.
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WOMEN'S RETREATS:
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In the Company of WomenMid August
Come relax, refresh and renew, … In the Company of Women, where you can bring your full authentic self to be welcomed and appreciated by caring, curious, creative, supportive and friendly companions in a safe and loving environment. You can look forward to activities such as: drumming, dancing, nature walks, yoga, sharing our stories/building connections to our deeper selves and others, leisure time, reveling in sunny beach time, guest speakers and concerts, music, singing, writing workshops, and the time honored summer camp tradition of arts & crafts!
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"ADULT SUMMER CAMP" - CRAFTS AND OUTDOOR FUN!
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The Beach GetawayEnd of August
If you aged out of summer camp years ago but still long for the camaraderie and activities of camp, the Beach Getaway is for you. Join us for arts and crafts, games, New England country dance, a Bocce tournament, PickleBall, a book discussion, beach time, singalongs, and more. Our activities are geared for adults of all ages and abilities; single folks, adult children and their parents, friends, couples, siblings or small adult groups. We are mostly women.. The pace is yours: take it all in or step away and simply enjoy the beach or the rocking chairs that look out over the ocean, take time to walk, hang out on the beach, create on your own, or visit with friends. |
QUILTING RETREAT
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Quilting by the BayEnd of August/Early Sept.
We offer 2 other quilting retreats in the fall & spring as well! Quilting by the Bay welcomes you to a special week of convivial sewing. If distractions of beautiful fabric make you want to leave your machine and go shopping, we are usually interested in those expeditions, too. In the summer enjoy various project classes/demos, morning sewing sessions, a show & tell quilt night, a lobster dinner night and of course free time at the beach! The perfect oceanside quilting experience awaits! |
DANCE RETREAT
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Sacred Circle Dance CampMid-End August
Sacred Circle Dance brings people together for an experience of intentional community, mindfulness, and dances both old and new. Many dances have roots in cultures from around the world (including Balkan, Greek, and Celtic), while others are newly choreographed. The dances include moving meditations and lively, spirited dances. “Sacred” refers to the intention to create a reflective experience, even for lively dances. Dance steps are simple, repetitive, and easy to learn - NO partners or previous dance experience needed and all dances are taught each time. |
MEN'S RETREAT
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GAYLAMid-July
GAYLA is among the nation's longest-running retreats for men who love men. Imagine a week of escape, discovery and community. Picture yourself at an oceanside retreat center with other Queer men who seek the same world you seek. Embrace joy, understanding and brotherhood.
Bring your curiosity. Bring your talents and passions. Bring your sense of adventure. This is GAYLA. |
Family-Friendly /Multigenerational Retreats (Great for all Ages!)
Ferry Beach is the perfect venue for the parents/caregivers who want to be with their whole family for vacation but don’t want to cook, clean or be the social director all week! With the beach in one direction, the dining hall in the other, and age appropriate activities for every family member, all the ingredients for a fabulous time are here. Ferry Beach offers the best in family getaways. We are an open and affirming community and welcome all families!!
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Sand & Stars
End of June - Early July
Sand and Stars is the ultimate summer getaway happening during the week of the 4th of July. This special getaway is known for being a fun-filled week with celebratory festivities, adventures for all, and plenty of beachside relaxation opportunities! On the 4th of July there is a special day long celebration with time much beach fun, a sandcastle competition, family games, an outdoor BBQ with a live concert followed with fireworks on the beach! All week long, expect to experience renewal through art, nature, and community!
In the morning, engage in workshops in both art and ecology. In the afternoons, enjoy optional field trips, beach, time and various afternoon activities. Evenings include campfire s'mores, games, singing, relaxing yoga, and a Talent/No Talent Show. Sands and stars is known as the ultimate family getaway with activities for all ages. |
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Family & Friends WeekEnd of July - Early August
Family and Friends is the perfect vacation whether you come as a couple, an individual, a young adult, with your extended family, grandparents, or any combination of these. There is something for everyone to enjoy, with morning workshops and activities for adults, young adults and children. There is even children's programming lead by youth leaders so parents can enjoy their own programs. Multigenerational activities are plentiful in the afternoons and evenings. Family & Friends is known for being a wonderful family friendly vacation, where no one has to cook or clean, just enjoy their time away.
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Circles of LifeEarly - Mid August
Dive into the ultimate beachside escape at Circles of Life, an unforgettable multigenerational retreat. Whether you are traveling solo or bringing the entire family, this welcoming week offers the perfect balance of inspiring morning workshops like world drumming and mosaic art, and high-energy youth programming. Your afternoons will fly by with exciting local kayaking adventures, coastal hikes, and plenty of well-deserved beach relaxation. As the sun sets, the magic continues with beach time, campfires, a talent show, and dancing fun in the evenings. Don't wait to experience the joy of this adventure filled multigenerational getaway by the beach.
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Labor Day WeekendDate: Always Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day Weekend is an end of summer celebration weekend with activities for kids, teens, adults, singles, couples or families! Enjoy festivities all weekend-long including: an outdoor movie night, arts & crafts, beach bingo, yoga, a bubble walk/run, games (board games, volleyball, pickleball, and various others), a special cookout & lobster bake with live music by local musicians, a sandcastle competition, beach time and more! This weekend is packed with festivities- choose to participate in just a few or all!
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Spiritual Getaways
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RE WeekEarly-Mid July
Join us for Religious Education Week at Ferry Beach! We explore faith development, spiritual growth, and leadership in a week for colleagues, friends and families.
Each summer we create a dynamic community of individual congregations and families to form this vibrant multigenerational gathering where all kinds of families work and play alongside religious educators. We come to learn as well as to put into practice what it means to be Unitarian Universalist leaders and be part of a beloved community |
