When Isabella created her museum, she wanted it to be "for the education and enjoyment of the public forever." Join cooking instructor and guide Chris Toy, as he takes you to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Isabella's decades-long collecting resulted in the acquisition of more than 7500 paintings, many from Medieval and Renaissance masters, sculptures, furniture, textiles, ceramics, silver, rare books and many other archival objects collected from around the world. Along with the museum tour, Chris will take you to the North End to explore its eateries and shops. The trip includes transportation via Amtrak and subways. Wear comfortable shoes for this walking tour. The train departs Brunswick Station at 7:25 am and returns from Boston's North End Station 4:45 pm. We will get back to Brunswick around 8 pm. No refunds. Cost does not include meals but does include transportation via Amtrak, a Charlie Card for the subway, ticket and docent tour of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, plus your trip guide Chris Toy. Click here for museum info.

Join Naturalist and Maine Guide Gary Roberts on a guided hike along a roadway where you will pass through mixed woodlands bordered by steep rock ledges, a salt marsh, and a pine barren, before reaching Seawall Beach. The area offers many opportunities to see unique Flora and Fauna including Sweetgrass, Star Mushrooms, seals, Least Terns and Piping Plovers. Departing CHRHS at 8 am for an approximately 3-hour hike, and returning approximately 2 pm. Fee includes bus transportation. For more info click here.

Leave the summer driving to us as we head up and down the midcoast in search of treasures! We'll travel together by bus from the CHRHS parking lot, spend approximately 2 hours in the morning at one location, then take a break for lunch, and head out for 2 more hours before heading back home. Transportation for these day excursions is by school bus. Registrations are limited to 25 so that there is plenty of room on the bus to spread out and bring home your items. Trips run rain or shine, and we'll adjust our stops for more inside or outside time based on the weather. So grab your shopping buddies and join us! Searsport area stops will include the Antique Mall, Treasures & Trash Barn, Pumpkin Patch Antiques, and Captain Tinkham’s Emporium, with others possible as time allows. We'll grab lunch at the Anglers Seafood Restaurant. Cost of lunch is not included in the trip price, and you may order anything off the menu.

In the morning we'll stop at the famed Montsweag Flea Market and/or Wiscasset Antiques Mall, depending upon the weather. We’ll then head into Wiscasset village, where you'll be able to enjoy lunch on your own at one of the numerous establishments that are popular with locals and tourists alike such as Red’s Eats, Sarah’s Cafe, Creamed Baking Company, or Sprague’s Lobster. Take your time and visit the numerous antique shops and other stores in the village during the afternoon before heading home. Cost of lunch is not included in the trip price.

Borestone Mountain sits at the beginning of the Appalachian Trail's Hundred Mile Wilderness. This 6 mile moderately strenuous but kid-friendly hike traverses past three spring-fed mountain lakes and several spectacular views before reaching the mountain's twin-peaked summit. The summit offers 360-degree views of Maine's Northwoods, including Onowa and Greenwood Lakes, Barren Mountain Ledges, and the highest railroad trestle bridge in the State. Participants should bring a bag lunch, appropriate hiking shoes, and water for an approximately 4-hour hike. Departing CHRHS at 8:00 am and returning approximately 6:00 pm. Fee includes bus transportation. For more info on Borestone click here.

This hike takes us from the foot of Rockport's Beech Hill, along and over old stonewalls, through a sugar bush, and along the edge of blueberry barrens to Beech Hill's top. There we will enjoy nearly 360 degree panorama views from the porch of a unique stone lodge, Beechnut, with its beautiful turf roof. Along the way Naturalist and Maine Guide Gary Roberts will identify the many plants and birds seen along the way. We will meet at the preserve's Rockville Road parking lot.

Join us for our first overseas trip! Uncover the chic resorts, sun-soaked beaches and elegant allure that attracts the rich and famous to the exquisite French Riviera. Unpack for a leisurely multi-night stay, embracing the luxury and breathtaking beauty of the French Riviera, or Cote d'Azur. Spend time in the fairy-tale principality of Monaco. Discover the opulence of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Gardens. Watch artisans create fragrant perfumes. Get a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous in Cannes and St. Tropez. Enjoy leisure time to explore on your own. Shop like a local at Nice's coloful flower market. It's time you lived a little bit of the good life. Interested? Get all your questions answered at our Information Night, Thursday, February 27, 2020, 6:00 to 7:00pm, at Great Salt Bay School, Damariscotta. Register today by calling 563-3811.