Sand & Stars
Sunday, June 28- Sunday, July 5, 2025
Sunday, June 28- Sunday, July 5, 2025
Description
Pricing
Description
Sand and Stars: A multigenerational retreat 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! * 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.* |
REGISTER TODAY!Photos from previous Sand & Stars Weeks!
View of the 4th of July Fireworks
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Daily Morning Workshops:
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. |
• 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!
Our LocationFerry Beach is a beachfront retreat center in Southern Maine (Saco, ME). A respite away from the everyday world, with 32 acres of porches, a wonderful dining center, courts, playgrounds, an art studio, outdoor chapel, meeting spaces and of course the beach!
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LodgingChoose the desired lodging accommodation that works best
for you/your loved ones. We have a wide variety of cabins & cottages, dorm rooms (single/double/family size), and campsites to choose from! |
What to ExpectLooking for suggestions on what to pack, wondering what your experience will entail and all other details regarding your stay? Click "read more" below to help you prepare. Standard arrival check-in is 4:00pm and room check-out is 10:00am.
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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 Conference Fees + Lunch Only) Youth Commuter (ages 9-17): $315 (Includes Conference Fees + Lunch Only) 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]. |