Interested in teaching at the Moose Ridge Gathering this year?
About
Moose Ridge Gathering is an unforgettable experience of learning and community, all with a relaxed and family friendly atmosphere. This is a not-for-profit event, with ticket prices applied towards actual costs. Our goal is to reconnect humans and Nature, and to preserve and perpetuate the incredible skills and knowledge of our ancestors.
Choose from 20 or more classes offered by experts in
Ancestral Skills Homesteading Traditional Crafts Survival Skills Nature Connection Herbalism Holistic Health Bushcraft Kid's Activities and everything in between!
Rustic campsites are nestled between balsam and spruce in the sub-boreal wilderness. Enjoy miles of scenic trails and views, both on the property, and a short walk down the road.
We offer work trade opportunities!
Inquire at: contact@mooseridgewild
2023 Classes and Instructors
Coal Burned Bowls
Wool Felting
Broom Making
Rabbit Processing
Pelt Tanning
Shelters
Medicinal Plants
Wilderness First Aid
Tracking
Home Canning
Tinctures & Infusions
Leather Wallets
Buckskin Pouches
Animal Husbandry
Soap Making
Kid's Activities
Forest Therapy
Raising Poultry
Spoon Carving
Friction Fire
Campfire Cookery
Tree Identification
Naturalist Walks
More classes will be added soon!
Schedule
(subject to change as everything is finalized)
THURSDAY
2:00-5:00 PM
Arrive and set up camp
5:00-6:00 PM
Dinner (bring your own or purchase)
Kids Wildlife Bingo with Lainy and Leah
6:00-7:00 PM
Instructor Fair/Barter/Announcements
8:00 PM
Campfire
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
All Day Classes
Wet Felting with Rosemary Wells (limited to 6 students)
Atlatl Making with Bob Berg
9:00-10:30 AM
Medicinal Plant Walk with Sonia Acevedo
Poncho Shelters with Cheeny Plante
10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Tracking with Mike Dube
Poultry Husbandry with Kitty Michelotti
Eating Acorns with Julieann Hartley
Kids Woodland Wands with Lainy and Leah
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Firearms Safety with Kevin Bouck
Rabbit Processing with Tim Swanson
Pattern Based Tree ID with Jonathan Shapiro
Pemmican Making with Doug Householder
Fermentation with Jay Morse
Kids Coal Burnt Spoons with Emma Markowitz
12:30-1:30 PM
Lunch
1:15-2:00 PM
Atlatl Competition with Tim Swanson
2:00-5:00 PM
Rabbit Skin Tanning with Coleen Butler
Animal Tracking with Jonathan Shapiro
Soap Making with Marie Somers
Carving Dough Bowls with Joshua Pavese (limited to 5 students)
Food Canning with Krystle Bouck
Dutch Oven & Campfire Cooking with Kevin Bouck
Spoon Carving with Andy Dobos (limited to 8 students)
Kids Medicine Pouch Crafting with Gaianne Dube
5:00-6:00 PM
Potluck Dinner
Axe Throwing Competition
8:00 PM -
Campfire
MicMac Story Telling with Mike Dube
Meditation with Amanda Spring
SATURDAY
Morning Yoga with Amanda Spring
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
All Day Classes
Coal Burnt Bowls with Kristee Nichols
Flint Knapping with Bob Berg
ATV Certification Course with Mike Mayo (9AM-4PM)
9:00-10:30 AM
Broom Making with Hannah Mitchell
Poncho Shelters with Cheeny Plante
Kids Flower Pounded Bandanas with Emma Markowitz
10:30 AM-12:00 PM
A Soldier’s Rations (campfire cooking) with Kevin Bouck
Tracking with Mike Dube
Kids Fire Workshop with Ryan Johns
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Soap Felting with Marie Somers
Tinctures and Infusions with Grace Krupkowski
Learning the Land with Jonathan Shapiro
Friction Fire with Andy Dobos (limited to 8 students)
Melon Baskets with Doug Householder
12:30-1:30 PM
Lunch
1:15-2:00 PM
Kids Trade Blanket with Tim Swanson
2:00-5:00 PM
Wool Felting with Misse Axelrod
Buckskin Pouches with Coleen Butler
Wilderness First Aid with Sonia Acevedo
Nature Therapy Walk with Kandi Karkos (limited to 10 students)
Muzzleloader Handling and Safety with Brian Nichols
Kids Shelter Building Competition with Emma & Tim
5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Dinner
7:00 PM -
Trade Blanket
Campfire
Meditation with Amanda Spring
SUNDAY
Morning Yoga with Amanda Spring
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Archery with Kevin Bouck
Medicine Walk for Kids with Mike and Gaianne Dube'
Foraging Walk with Grace Krupkowski
Broom Making with Hannah Mitchell
Nature Therapy Walk with Kandi Karkos (limited to 10 students)
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00-3:00 PM
Pack up, exchange info with new friends, and say goodbye till next year!
Our Location
Moose Ridge Wilderness School is in the Western Mountains of Maine, not far from the New Hampshire border. Though we may be located 'off the beaten track', the area's natural beauty and remote, unspoiled wilderness is well worth the trip.
All within a short drive of our campus (15 miles or less):
-Lake Umbagog
-Androscoggin River
-Magalloway River
-Swift Cambridge River
-Rapid River
-Dead Cambridge River
-Swift Cambridge River
-Bear River
-Frye Brook
-Whitecap Brook
-Campbell Brook
-Umbagog Wildlife Refuge
-Grafton Notch State Park
-Screw Auger Falls
-Appalachian Trail
-Step Falls Preserve
-Dunn Falls
-Old Speck Mountain
-Baldpate Mountain
-Puzzle Mountain
-Dozens of ponds, hiking trails, and vistas
When registering for the Moose Ridge Gathering, let us know if you would like to arrive a day or two early to enjoy the area.
Also...
Campfires EachNight
Micmac Story Telling
Artisan Sales Tent
Raffles and Door Prizes
Atlatl Contest
Kid's Camp Activities
...and more
Questions?
Ask away at: contact@mooseridgewild
Food
*Attendees can either bring their own food, or buy-in to our community meals*
If you choose to bring your own food, you may bring a camping stove, or cook over our central fire. We have grates and cast iron to lend.
Community meals are provided at-cost (of the food, and the preparation by our team of chefs). Our food always gets rave reviews!
*You must sign up for meals at the time of registration*
At Moose Ridge, food is one of the most important things we can share with others. Wholesome food, carefully prepared, not only nourishes the body, but also brings people together in community.
Our food is organically grown, local, and/or wild.
Friday Potluck
Friday dinner is our traditional potluck. Bring or prepare a special dish to share!
Trade Blanket
Our Saturday Night Tradition
The Trade Blanket is a tradition that has its origins with French trappers, who used this method to trade with the Native Americans, even when language was a barrier.
Here is how it works. The first participant puts an item in the center of the blanket, and the other participants then have an opportunity to put down an item they’d like to trade for it. The first participant can then either choose one of the items in trade, refuse all trades and take their item off the blanket, or ask someone to “sweeten the deal” (add something to make a trade more enticing). No mention of monetary value is made. The process continues at least until everyone has had an opportunity to offer something for trade. Side trades can be made later off of the blanket.
Almost anything can be traded! In the past items have included: knives, jars of jam, animal pelts, hand-crafted items, jewelry, and even small appliances!
Save time at check in!
Print and sign our liability waiver here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the bathroom situation?
A: When we have so many people visiting at once, port-a-potties are our only alternative. They will be centrally located. Peeing in the woods is also an option!
Q: Do you have WiFi/cell signal?
A: We are in the wilderness, and there is little to no cell signal except for a few of the highest points on the property. We do have WiFi available near the main cabin for emergencies and checking in with family and friends. The is also a landline if you need to make a call.
Q: Are there showers?
A: Not at this point, although we're working on it. There is a warm water hose for washing hands/dishes/etc. Many people enjoy driving a short distance to Lake Umbagog or one of the many nearby rivers or brooks to take a dip.
Q: Can kids take 'adult' level classes?
A: Most of the classes welcome kids as well as adults. However there may be a minimum age on classes that are a bit more dangerous for our youngest attendees. An example would be flint knapping, where razor sharp edges are produced. Instructors will set appropriate age limits for each class.
Q: I want to attend, but I don't want to camp. Are there any other options?
A: If you don't like camping, or are physically unable, you can book a nearby Inn or hotel. Upton House Inn is only a mile away, but make sure you reserve a room well in advance! There are many other options in Bethel (25 minute drive), but again, book well in advance as rooms fill up fast in the summer.
Q: I'm only free on the Saturday but I really want to attend. Can I come for just one day?
A: Yes. Please email us for a special rate for registration and meals.
Q: Do the community meals have vegetarian or gluten free options?
A: Yes. We do our best to have vegetarian and gluten free dishes at every meal. However, when serving such a large number of people it's impossible to accommodate all food restrictions/allergies, so if you have a very restricted diet you may want to bring your food with you.