Invite 83 // May 7

Welcome new subscribers who've joined since last week, and thanks to Falmouth Land Trust and Two Maine Mermaids for the recent shout-outs.

As mentioned in last week's email, I'll be using the intro section of the email to share positive outdoor news and stories from the last year. Here are a few bits of good happening in the outdoor world to kick us off.

• A new campsite opened on Verona Island, expanding the multi-day paddling opportunities on the Penobscot River Paddle Trail​
• Portland Public Schools launched a new outdoor ed program at the Arts and Technology High School
• The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands opened nearly 3,000 acres of land for recreation near Mt. Abraham
• Videographer Greg O'Connor captures the magic of the ever-expanding Gorham community mountain bike network in a YouTube short​

More to come throughout the month. Now, on to the good stuff.

✌️ Max

Disclaimer Time: Nature is unpredictable and events change. Always double-check the organization's event page before heading out.

This issue of the Maine Outsider is sponsored by Amble Therapy, offering walk & talk mental health counseling at nature preserves around Portland and telecounseling statewide.

Note: My views of this sponsor are in no way influenced by the fact she's my wife, I deeply respect her work, and I've benefited from a few great walks myself.

Life Happens Outside Challenge

Fri, May 9 - Fri, May 16 | Statewide | Free

There's still time to register your teen and their middle school for this statewide outdoor challenge by Teens to Trails that encourages students to spend as much time outside and log their minutes with the top 3 schools winning prize money.

​Learn more​

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Rubbish Project at Tandem Coffee

Sat, May 10 | Portland | Free

It's Rubbish Project season, which means monthly trash clean-ups around Portland in a friendly social setting. Head over to Tandem Coffee for their May morning edition, and check out the full schedule on the website.

​Learn more​

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BCM Introduction to Mountain Biking

Sat, May 10 | Gorham | Paid

Learn the basics of mountain biking on the flowy trails of Gorham with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

​Learn more​

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Selkie Shindig: Sauna Beach Party

Sun, May 11 | Phippsburg | Paid

Possibly the most intriguing event I’ve featured yet. The Selkie Shindig is a sauna party at Popham Beach that includes a Lithuanian dinner, dancing, beach fire, a seal call contest, and a full moonrise over the ocean. I love this.

​Learn more​

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Full Moon Bonfire

Mon, May 12 | Brunswick | Free

Maine Coast Heritage Trust will host full-moon bonfires throughout the summer at the Woodward Point Preserve. Put on your mud boots and head out next week for a night under the moon with new friends.

​Learn more​

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Downeast Spring Birding Festival

Fri, May 23 - Mon, May 26 | Whiting | Paid

Spot puffins, warblers, and more at the Downeast Spring Birding Festival in Maine, where you can enjoy guided hikes, boat tours, and expert talks amid the spring migration and breeding season.

​Learn more​

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Maine Fly Fishing Festival

Fri, May 30 - Sun, Jun 1 | Greenville | Paid

Spend your days exploring the AMC 100-Mile Wilderness with a fly rod in hand and cozy up at night in the cabins at Little Lyford Lodge as part of this early summer fishing festival.

​Learn more​

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Acadia Running Retreat

Wed, Jun 18 - Sat, Jun 21 | Bar Harbor | Paid

Lace up for this running retreat in Bar Harbor, Maine, where you'll spend four days immersed in trail running adventures, yoga sessions, and lakeside s'mores with a group of like-minded peeps.

​Learn more​

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Bay of Fundy International Marathon & Half Marathon

Sun, Jun 22 | Lubec | Paid

I'd feature this regardless, but the idea of the collaborative marathon that crosses the Canadian & US border just hits differently right now. Register today for any of the three race distances.

​Learn more​

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Better with friends. Some of life's best outdoor experiences are shared with others. Share this newsletter with a friend to inspire your next group adventure by forwarding this email or sharing a link to subscribe.

Previously Featured & Upcoming

​Slow Blooming Course | Sun, Mar 30 - Sun, Jun 1 | Paid​

​Spring Novice Ride Series | Thu, May 8 - Thu, Jun 12 | Paid​

​Riverlands 100 & Relay | Sat, May 10 - Sun, May 11 | Paid​

​East Grand Adventure Race | Sat, May 10 | Paid​

​Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K | Sun, May 11 | Paid​

​Women's Spring Skills Day | Sun, May 18 | Paid​

​Trail Festival at Pineland Farms | Sat, May 24 - Sun, May 25 | Paid​

​Run with the Alewives 5K | Sat, May 24 | Paid​

​Maine's High Peaks Paddlefest | Fri, Jun 20 - Sun, Jun 22 | Paid​

​Sail Maine: Youth Summer Camps | Mon, Jun 23 - Fri, Jul 4 | Paid​

​Breaking Trail Running Weekend | Fri, Jun 27 - Sun, Jun 29 | Paid​

​Maine Summer Adventure Race | Sat, Jul 12 - Sun, Jul 13 | Paid​

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Trail Log: Share your Experience

Have you attended any of these recent activities? Use the quick check-in links(30 seconds or less) to log your attendance and share your experience.

📝 Get Out! Nature Walk: Vernal Pools - Wed, Apr 23​

📝 2025 Portland Plog - Sat, Apr 26​

📝 Star Party - Sat, Apr 26​

📝 Marsh Clean-Up - Sat, Apr 26​

📝 BCM Bike Rodeo - Sat, Apr 26​

📝 Portland 10 Miler - Sun, Apr 27​

📝 Trails in the Valley - Fri, May 2​

📝 Big A 50K Trail Race - Sat, May 3​

📝 Calf Unveiling Day - Sat, May 3​

Your responses help us decide which events to feature again and motivate the newsletter's continued creation.

The Maine Outsider is your invitation to get outside. Our mission is to connect you with outdoor organizations offering impactful events and experiences around the state.

We monitor 300+ organizations but can't know everything. If you're hosting an event or have a tip about an upcoming experience, use our tip line to let us know.

Thanks for reading. Now, get out there!