Sand & Stars
Sunday, June 28- Sunday, July 5, 2026
Description
Daily Workshops & Schedule
Pricing
Description
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Sand and Stars: A summer celebration with adventures for all! Experience renewal through
art, nature, and community! Join us for a week of retreat and spiritual renewal through art, nature, and community.
Individuals, pairs, and families are invited to get away to Ferry Beach for the week of June 28-July 5. In the morning, we'll have daily workshops in both art and ecology. In the afternoon, you can take advantage of more time for creativity with the open art room. There will also be optional afternoon field trips on two days, to the Portland Art Museum and to Saco Heath nature preserve. Evening activities will include a campfire with s'mores, game night, singing, relaxing yoga, and a Talent/No Talent Show. Early in the week (Monday & Tuesday afternoon) there will also be a sourdough class offering for anyone interest in learning how to make your own bread. You must sign up in advance if you want to take the class as it is limited to 10 people. Sign up here if you want to take the class, you must be registered in the Sand & Stars conference to attend and be present both days as it is a two-day class. Conferees set their own agendas. You can participate in morning and afternoon workshops on a day-by-day basis. There will be enough activities to keep you busy all week. Or you can renew your spirit by relaxing on the beach or chilling on the porch in the ocean breeze. All family members may 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. Special 4th of July Celebration! The evening of July 4th: Enjoy a live concert. We'll start the evening with dinner, a BBQ at 6pm, (burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad etc.) A live music concert will commence after dinner from 7-9pm. Be sure to stick around after the concert ends, head down to the beach to watch OOB's firework display from down the shoreline (fireworks- 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.* Field Trips: During the week we will be two field trips opportunities; the Portland Art Museum and the Saco Heath nature preserve. Sourdough Bread Class: Want to learn how to make your own bread? Join us for this sourdough bread class offering. This class is Monday, June 29 & Tuesday, June 30 from 1:30-3:30pm. You must attend both days as bread making is a two-day process. If you want to take this class offering please sign up in advance; here. This class is limited to 10 people. Evening Activities Throughout the Week: -Ferry Beach 125th Birthday Party -Campfire S'mores -Game night -Singing -Relaxing Yoga -Talent/No Talent Show Workshops: See more about all the workshops offered on the page "Daily Workshops & Schedule", which is located at the top of this page. Photos from previous Sand & Stars Weeks!
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Ferry Beach is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year (2026). Join us for an incredible year of celebration!
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’!!” |
Looking to attend for one-day?
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 by registering as a commuter above.
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 by registering as a commuter above.
• 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
2026 Daily Morning Workshops:
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Art and Spirit
Come make art in the studio together. We will help you find your creative spirit as we explore nature and art through a variety of fun projects. No art experience necessary. You can continue working on art projects during afternoon open art room. A week-long community art project will invite participation from all program attendees. Led by: 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 the Director of Religious Education at First Church Unitarian in Littleton Mass., and has worked as a Chaplain at Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill Mass. Carol Steinfeld has led kids and adults in nature art projects, such as natural dyeing, at Ecojustice Camp South Shore, a weeklong ecology day camp. She has written books on ecological pollution prevention, including The Composting Toilet Systems Book, and Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine To Grow Plants. Ecology and Spirit
In this relaxing workshop, we’ll get to know the natural world around Ferry Beach. We’ll explore the beach and the woods, find out about the plants and animals in and around Ferry Beach, and experiment with nature art. We'll look at the ways humans have impacts (both positive and negative) on the non-human world. Above, we'll renew our spirits through Nature. Led by: 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, a Mass Audubon certified Field Naturalist, and an iNaturalist Ambassador. Professionally, he’s the minister of First Parish of Cohasset, Mass. Rebecca Reid (she/her) is in her 9th 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 as a Ferry Beach staff member for 3 summers. She also enjoyed coordinating the KFTE group at Youth Camp in 2023. 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. Want a Look at the 2026
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Pricing
Conference Package (Price per Person) |
Conference Package for Lodgers: (Includes conference fee/access to all programming, plus all daily meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner for the entirety of the conference.) Adult: $600.75 Youth: $478.25 Conference Package for Commuters: (Includes conference fee/access to all programming, plus daily lunch & dinner: for the entirety of the conference and the July 4th cookout). Adult Commuter: $539 Youth Commuter (ages 9-17): $413 Child Commuter (Under age 8): Free with paying adult Daily Commuter: Adult: $64 per day Youth (ages 9-17): $50 per day Child Under age 8: Free with 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 |
View our Lodging Page HERE for more information/photos of lodging options. LODGING IS 25% OFF for this OFFERING. Prices include the discount below. Cottages/Cabins: Morris Cottage: $412.50 per night Kelley Cottage: $386.25 per night Claflin Cottage: $386.25 per night Metz Cabins: $187.50 per night Cross Rooms: $153.75 per night Dorms: Quillen Family: $127.50 per night Ocean Queen: $123.75 per night Ocean Twin: $116.25 per night Queen Dorms: $108.75 per night Standard Dorms: $97.50 per night Camping: $45-55 depending on site *NEW * -LINENS are now INCLUDED in your stay, for ALL lodging spaces in 2026! |
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.
