The Whistling Maples and Pines Don’t forget your wool socks, layers, snacks, Nor your head or heart. For you might be surprised What you’ll find When you stay long enough In your pheno spot The pines and maples Hide and whistle Past the yurt, And around the quad Through Binnacle, Gillies, Orchard, and South Hall … The Whistling Maples and Pines Read More » The post The Whistling Maples and Pines appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

On the ride to Chewonki last Sunday, more than 2,000 miles from home, I realized with a pit in my stomach that I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Unfamiliarity isn’t a bad thing at all; adventure is an integral part of the Chewonki experience. At the same time, I want to … All The Little Things Read More » The post All The Little Things appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

There are many traditions at the heart of Chewonki, and one widely-held favorite is the beloved (and dreaded) Polar Bear swims.  No matter the season, intrepid students, campers, and sometimes even staff will take the plunge and test out the waters of Montsweag Creek which runs along the west side of Chewonki Neck. Summertime brings … Polar Bearrrrrrrrrrrrrs……. Read More » The post Polar Bearrrrrrrrrrrrrs……. appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

(Left to right: Johnny Vallo, Isabelle Stewart, Brook Heston, Anna Solomon) This week, we caught up with four faculty embarked on a unique journey- the pursuit of a Masters degree in Teacher Leadership through our fellowship program in association with Mt. Holyoke.  Each of our Fellows arrived from a unique academic and personal background, yet … Inside the Teaching Fellow Experience at Maine Coast Semester Read More » The post Inside the Teaching Fellow Experience at Maine Coast Semester appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

It’s been a month here at the Wonk, which means many things but mainly a month of cabin living! To mark this milestone, I want to do a quick overview of these last four weeks with South Hall cabin. It’s been quite the journey, getting to know and be comfortable with these people I live … Cabin Life Read More » The post Cabin Life appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

I can’t believe this semester is half-way through. This bittersweetness manifests into a sinking feeling in my stomach after the end of every study-hours but also the appreciation for never-ending laughs and friendships. Here are some of my favorite moments so far.  1: Aurora Borealis I’m away for a semester in high school and the … Mid-Semester Reflection Read More » The post Mid-Semester Reflection appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

When you finally lift your gaze from the chestnut-colored ground, finding your balance with the help of your shrinking hiking poles, a new world blanketed in green is uncovered. Hundreds of lichen, moss, and fern species become visible, painting the landscape of the Maine Appalachian Trail. Some are feathery and delicate. Others stand straight and … Backpacking the Bigelows : Falling in Love With the Color Green Read More » The post Backpacking the Bigelows : Falling in Love With the Color Green appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

Autumn in Maine   Mother nature sprinkles secrets of fall in the trees: The pines, The oaks, And maples.  They say hello through their vibrant colors of Butter yellow, Cinnamon orange, Carmine red, And emerald green.  The estuary is an impossible blue. The light shimmers reflecting the rich sun, A blinding white.  I am wearing … Autumn in Maine Read More » The post Autumn in Maine appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

It is 6:00 a.m. on Chewonki Neck, a few weeks into Semester 73. I’ve settled in here; the quilt and blankets on my bunk are rumpled, and a small army of loose items has amassed on the tops of my bookshelves. Not quite enough to cause a mess, but just enough to make me feel … Farm Chores, Early Fall Read More » The post Farm Chores, Early Fall appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more

When I was looking at a sample Maine Coast Semester schedule, I immediately spotted a block dedicated to the polar plunge at 7 AM every Saturday. At that moment, I decided that I would polar plunge every week.  Our semester arrived late January, and we jumped right into polar plunges. After the first week of … Take the Plunge! Read More » The post Take the Plunge! appeared first on Maine Coast Semester ..read more