Sand & Stars
Saturday, June 28- Saturday, July 5, 2025
Saturday, June 28- Saturday, July 5, 2025
Description
Daily Workshops & Schedule
Pricing
Description
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Sand and Stars: A multigenerational celebration with adventures for all, bringing children, youth, and adults together to find spiritual renewal through creativity, nature, and community.
Individuals, pairs, and families are invited to get away to Ferry Beach for the week of the July 4th holiday as each conferee enjoys their independence and interconnection by choosing their own adventure from an impressive array of workshops and activities. From special holiday events like sing-a-longs, campfires with s’mores in the Grove, and fireworks on the beach to inspiring workshops like Ecojustice, Spiritual Art, and Theatrical Explorations, the options for engagement are endless!
There will also be a variety of early morning and afternoon activities to choose from including: ecology field trips, restorative yoga, improv theater, arts & crafts, bum volleyball, games, daily spiritual practices, meditation, yoga on the beach, pilates, intro to Tango, ukulele basics, a field trip to Saco Heath, henna tattoos, glitter or rainbow nails, tarot cards, photo scavenger hunt, and open art studio time in addition to lounging on the beach, chilling in a rocking chair on the porch, or enjoying ice-cream with a new friend. All week, you and your family members will choose what is the most inspiring and fun for YOU! The evening of July 4th: Enjoy a live concert by Borderline 207, a fabulous bluegrass band from Maine. We'll have lots of dancing food and enjoy some light food (burgers, hot dogs, etc.) from 7-9pm. Afterwards be sure to stick around and head down to the beach to watch a firework display (usually around 9:45pm). * This conference highlights multigenerational interconnection in which all family members choose workshops and activities based on their interests (instead of separating into age groups). Children 7 and under will need a trusted, responsible family member to support them in their chosen workshops so they can fully enjoy it as much as the others.* Photos from previous Sand & Stars Weeks!
Looking to attend for one-day?You can get a day pass! Simply view the daily schedule on the "Daily Workshops & Schedule" tab on the top of this page. Find which day interests you most and register for the day.
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Special Daily Rates:
Price includes access to activities & lunch
Adult: $60 Youth (ages 9-17): $45 Child (under age 8): Free with adult Can't join us for the whole week, but want to come for just a day? Join us for a day pass to Sand & Stars with these special rates! Want to join us for the whole week? You can! Commute or lodge with us! What others are saying!“It’s very welcoming and has a great community.”
“We liked the organized workshops in the morning, the campfire night, the breezy rooms by the ocean, meeting people, and talking to everyone, and the food!” “I enjoyed working with a creative group of people.” “I loved yoga, art, the campfire and s’mores, ice cream, and dancing.” “I liked the variety of things to do – that we had half a day of great workshops, and then free time in the afternoon.” “The community is very welcoming and it’s refreshing to talk to new/different people who are interested in things I haven’t heard before.” “Ecology workshops were fun and educational. The schedule was well timed with a good mix of activities and free time. The facility is lovely.” “Lots of great friends and fun activity options!” “I liked the people most. The opportunity to unwind yet be engaged! “We could call it ‘arts and hearts’! Or ‘summer arts for the heart’!!” |
• Fireworks on the Beach • Campfires • Ecojustice • Theater • Meditations • Art Explorations • Games
• Polar Bear Swims • Dance • Sing-Alongs • and MORE!
• Polar Bear Swims • Dance • Sing-Alongs • and MORE!
Daily Workshops & Schedule
Daily Morning Workshops:
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Spiritual Arts
Come make art in the studio with Mandy and Thea. We will help you find your creative spirit as we explore nature and art through a variety of fun projects. No art experience necessary. 2D and 3D workshops may include: Monoprinting, Gelli Printing, Wire sculpture, Soft sculpture, Found object sculptures, Sand Mandalas, and personal projects. Thea Shapiro is a mixed media artist and teacher. She has led numerous art workshops, has been a camp counselor and minister of the week at Ferry Beach. She has led workshops in the Boston area, and upstate New York. Her artwork has been exhibited in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and California. She is also the Director of Religious Education at FCU in Littleton Ma. and has worked as a Chaplain at Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill Ma. Amanda Brown is a sculptor and installation artist living in Montreal. She has taught at Mass Art and at art centers in Mass and RI. She has been an artist-in-residence in Denmark, Ghana, Spain, and Montreal and her work has been exhibited in the US, Canada, Denmark, and China. Ecojustice
with Dan Harper & Rebecca Reid In this relaxing workshop, we’ll explore the natural world around Ferry Beach, from the beach to the woods. We’ll play some fun games based on ecological principles, practice some outdoors skills, and enjoy Meditative experiences in nature. We’ll talk about a few Ecojustice Elders, people who furthered the principles of both economic justice and ecological justice. We might even dissect some flowers. Dan Harper has been leading summer ecology programs for adults and kids since 2006, and is co-director of Ecojustice Camp South Shore, a week-long ecology day camp. He’s a California State Certified Naturalist, and a Mass Audubon certified Field Naturalist. Professionally, he’s the minister of First Parish of Cohasset., Mass. Rebecca Reid (she/her) is in her 8th year of teaching 5/6th grade Special Education English classes in Boston. She is a 3rd generation Unitarian Universalist and is on the Worship Committee at Arlington Street Church. She grew up attending RE Week at Ferry Beach ever since she was in 2nd grade and has worked on staff for 3 summers. She also enjoyed coordinating the KFTE group at Youth Camp in 2023 and being a workshop leader at the 4th of July Family Week. Rebecca is especially looking forward to making Sand & Stars Week a series of days that are full of wonder - especially for the youngest members of our community. Theatrical Explorations at Ferry Beach
with a Special Guest leader and Robi Altamari Join us as we play with some of the most popular theatrical and performative mediums that Ferry Beach has to offer. From improv and music videos to skits written and performed by you, performers of all talents and levels are invited to come discover that the joy of theater is in the process and that performing at Ferry Beach is always judgement free. Experienced and new actors, singers, dancers, gymnasts, acrobats, musicians, mimes, clowns... bring your wonderful self to experience how theater intersecting with nature yields one-of-a-kind, unforgettable, theatrical adventures. Our leaders will help you individually and collectively craft theatrical performances unique to Ferry Beach. Robi Altamari has been an enthusiastic leader at Ferry Beach since 2005 when she led the theater track for the middle school youth camp. She is a registered yoga teacher and works professionally supporting adults with disabilities. One of her joys in life is escaping to Ferry Beach to get into that wonder-filled, imagination vibe with like-hearted people also committed to sharing universal love with our world. |
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Daily Schedule (Tentative, subject to change)
Saturday:
4:00pm: Check-In
6:00pm: Dinner
Sunday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
10:45 am to noon: Line Dance Class
Line dancing is fun for all ages, and dances will be easy with slower pace and music.Instructor, Joyce Bailey has been teaching dance since 1995 (ballroom, Latin, and swing) and more recently became hooked on line dancing!
2:00 pm: Meditation workshop with Thea- Come learn some breathing techniques and quiet your mind. If folks are interested we can create a piece of art after a guided meditation.
3:00 pm: “Let Your Yoga Dance” on the Beach with Robi (if rain, will be indoors)
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Spa night with Thea
Restorative yoga with Robi
Monday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Flower dissection with Dan and Rebecca– Discover the mysterious inner workings of ordinary flowers by dissecting them. Dan Harper and Rebecca Reid are both teachers with a passion for ecology.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Open art room with Thea and Mandy
3:00 pm: Tarot workshop with Robi and Carol
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Tango Cafe with Mandy
Plus tarot speakeasy
Tuesday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Printing workshop w/Thea- In this printmaking workshop we will explore different printmaking techniques. We’ll use Gelli Plates, a small tabletop etching press and rubbings. Each one of these techniques are full of surprises. You will create monoprints and explore the use of color in printmaking.No experience necessary.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Open art room with Thea & Mandy
3:00 pm: Ukulele workshop with Dan– Learn the 4 ukulele chords you need to play 80% of all songs. We can loan you a uke. Dan Harper has been playing uke since 2005.
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Campfire singing with Dan– Sing campfire songs, with or without your ukulele!
Wednesday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Soft sculpture & wearable art with Mandy- From design to finished piece, learn 2D and 3D techniques with fabric, foam, paint and wire. no sewing necessary.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Sand castle contest with Rebecca
Join us for our Annual Sandcastle Contest! Whether you're a seasoned sand sculptor or a first-time builder, this is your chance to let your creativity shine on the shoreline. All ages are welcome to enter the contest!
3:00 pm: Nature photography workshop with Robi
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Line Dancing- Line dancing is fun for all ages, and dances will be easy with slower pace and music. Instructor, Joyce Bailey has been teaching dance since 1995 (ballroom, Latin, and swing) and more recently became hooked on line dancing!
Thursday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: “Monologue Magic” and “Costume Transformations” with Robi. These back-to-back theatrical workshops explore how the words we say and the clothes we wear can both transform us and be transformed by us~ potentially creating an incredible metamorphosis. Robi has been leading theatrical, artistic, and yoga workshops for decades and the key ingredient for her success is always the amazing people who attend.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: “Let Your Yoga Dance” on the Beach with Robi (if rain, will be indoors)
3:00 pm: Pilates with Mandy
4:00 pm: Rehearsal time for tonight’s show with Rebecca (and Robi if needed)
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Talent Show- Open Mic
Friday, Independence Day:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Found object art and open studio with Mandy- Repurpose and assemble objects from the beach, woods and/or thrift shop creating sculptures or collages.
12:00 pm: Lunch
More to come.....
6/7:00pm: Dinner
7-9pm: Concert- live concert by Borderline 207, dancing & food for purchase
9:45pm: Fireworks on the beach
4:00pm: Check-In
6:00pm: Dinner
Sunday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
10:45 am to noon: Line Dance Class
Line dancing is fun for all ages, and dances will be easy with slower pace and music.Instructor, Joyce Bailey has been teaching dance since 1995 (ballroom, Latin, and swing) and more recently became hooked on line dancing!
2:00 pm: Meditation workshop with Thea- Come learn some breathing techniques and quiet your mind. If folks are interested we can create a piece of art after a guided meditation.
3:00 pm: “Let Your Yoga Dance” on the Beach with Robi (if rain, will be indoors)
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Spa night with Thea
Restorative yoga with Robi
Monday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Flower dissection with Dan and Rebecca– Discover the mysterious inner workings of ordinary flowers by dissecting them. Dan Harper and Rebecca Reid are both teachers with a passion for ecology.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Open art room with Thea and Mandy
3:00 pm: Tarot workshop with Robi and Carol
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Tango Cafe with Mandy
Plus tarot speakeasy
Tuesday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Printing workshop w/Thea- In this printmaking workshop we will explore different printmaking techniques. We’ll use Gelli Plates, a small tabletop etching press and rubbings. Each one of these techniques are full of surprises. You will create monoprints and explore the use of color in printmaking.No experience necessary.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Open art room with Thea & Mandy
3:00 pm: Ukulele workshop with Dan– Learn the 4 ukulele chords you need to play 80% of all songs. We can loan you a uke. Dan Harper has been playing uke since 2005.
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Campfire singing with Dan– Sing campfire songs, with or without your ukulele!
Wednesday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Soft sculpture & wearable art with Mandy- From design to finished piece, learn 2D and 3D techniques with fabric, foam, paint and wire. no sewing necessary.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Sand castle contest with Rebecca
Join us for our Annual Sandcastle Contest! Whether you're a seasoned sand sculptor or a first-time builder, this is your chance to let your creativity shine on the shoreline. All ages are welcome to enter the contest!
3:00 pm: Nature photography workshop with Robi
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Line Dancing- Line dancing is fun for all ages, and dances will be easy with slower pace and music. Instructor, Joyce Bailey has been teaching dance since 1995 (ballroom, Latin, and swing) and more recently became hooked on line dancing!
Thursday:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: “Monologue Magic” and “Costume Transformations” with Robi. These back-to-back theatrical workshops explore how the words we say and the clothes we wear can both transform us and be transformed by us~ potentially creating an incredible metamorphosis. Robi has been leading theatrical, artistic, and yoga workshops for decades and the key ingredient for her success is always the amazing people who attend.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: “Let Your Yoga Dance” on the Beach with Robi (if rain, will be indoors)
3:00 pm: Pilates with Mandy
4:00 pm: Rehearsal time for tonight’s show with Rebecca (and Robi if needed)
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Talent Show- Open Mic
Friday, Independence Day:
7:30 am: Breakfast
TBA: Spiritual Art, Ecojustice & Theatrical Exploration Workshops
9:30 am: Found object art and open studio with Mandy- Repurpose and assemble objects from the beach, woods and/or thrift shop creating sculptures or collages.
12:00 pm: Lunch
More to come.....
6/7:00pm: Dinner
7-9pm: Concert- live concert by Borderline 207, dancing & food for purchase
9:45pm: Fireworks on the beach
Pricing
Conference Package (Price per Person) |
Conference Package for Lodgers: Adult: $609 (Includes Daily Meals + Discounted Conference Fee) Youth: $483 (Includes Daily Meals + Discounted Conference Fee) Conference Package for Commuters: Adult Commuter: $420 (Includes Lunch & Conference Fees/Activities) Youth Commuter (ages 9-17): $315 (Includes Lunch & Conference Fees/Activities) Child Commuter (Under age 8): Free with paying adult Meals are included, there is no way to separate meals from the package price. Note: Lodging is not included in the conference package price, it's added on, the price varies depending on your desired lodging accommodation. |
Lodging |
Lodging Prices Vary Base on Selection. See our Lodging Page for pricing information. |
Membership |
Membership must be paid to attend any Ferry Beach program and is due annually. Individual Membership: $40 Family Membership: $65 See our Membership Page to learn more and to purchase or renew a membership. You can also renew your membership on your reservation. |
Register |
To register online click here, by phone, call the office at 207-282-4489 You can also email [email protected]. |
Our mission at Ferry Beach is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
