And it’s only a few steps away from your cabin. Convenience is key, and our camp is ready for it. You’ll enjoy convenient stargazing at any time of night. Sign up using the Registration Form below.
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS CONDITIONS WARRANT)
Covid Safe Learning and Relaxation. That’s our goal for 2021. The public health outlook for summer 2021 appears to be trending in a hopeful direction. Taking into account guidance from the State of Maine and industry best practices, we have plans in place to allow for fun and safe Retreat Center programming.
With the safety of our customers, staff, and community paramount, we have developed a set of participant and staff practices for your time at Medomak. Safety is the responsibility of all of us who will make up the Medomak community this summer.
VACCINATION
We are optimistic that all adult participants and staff will be able to be vaccinated by summer. Though there is currently no concrete evidence that vaccination prevents the spread of the virus, we do know it prevents serious illness. It is our collective responsibility to help prevent any serious illness that arises from being at Medomak this summer. For this reason, so long as vaccination is widely available to the general public by summer, we will require all adult participants and staff to be vaccinated, prior to coming to camp.
TESTING
From the beginning of the pandemic, testing has proven to be an important indicator of infection. The state of Maine requires entering visitors to be vaccinated or produce a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to arrival. To address the possibility of Covid circulation on site, we reserve the right to monitor and test to confirm participants’ health status. Should a Covid positive test be confirmed all members of the affected Household will be required to quarantine in their cabin(s) until results for the entire Household can be made available.
MEDOMAK HOUSEHOLD (PODS)
The simplest Household in the retreat setting includes the people living in one cabin (maximum of 2 people). If all members of a Household are completely vaccinated, the definition of Household can be extended to two other completely vaccinated Households, for a total of up to 6 people.
MASK POLICY
Wearing masks prevents the spread of the virus. With this fact in mind, masks must be worn by all adults and all children 2 years old and over, indoors, and anywhere outdoors when in contact with common use facilities and/or in the presence of others.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Camp is community. Consistent with what we’ve all been doing in our own communities since the beginning of Covid, we require that you maintain a minimum of 6 feet between members of your Household and other people. Ideally, for longer gatherings, it’s best to consider 10-12 feet separation.
COVID EXPOSURE
To limit the chance of spread, Maine requires that you show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, or show you’ve been vaccinated before coming into the State. Prior to arrival at Medomak, you will be required to produce a record of your vaccination (or in the case that the vaccination requirement has been relaxed by Medomak, a negative COVID-19 test) to comply with this State requirement. To monitor potential Covid exposure while at camp, we reserve the right monitor and test to confirm health status. Should a Covid positive test be confirmed, all members of the affected Household will be required to quarantine in their cabin(s) until results for the entire Household can be made available.
MAINTAINING A BUBBLE
Travel involves a high risk of exposure and spread of the Covid virus. As such, for your relatively short stay at Medomak, we are limiting the number of retreat participants going off the retreat center site. Any necessary trips off-site will be limited to one member of your Medomak Household and all precautions must be taken for any potential contact with public areas or people off-site.
ACCOMODATIONS
Cabin occupancy must be limited to members of one’s Medomak Household. Entering another Household’s cabin increases the risk of viral spread and is not permitted. Any maintenance or repairs needed during your stay will be completed without guests present, and staff will be properly masked.
HOUSEKEEPING AND CLEANING
Cabins will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to your arrival. We will be sure to be out of all cabins 18-24 hours prior to arrival of new guests.
DINING
Weather permitting, meals will be served outdoors, under the shelter of a tent. Tables will be safely spaced, and seating at tables will be limited to one’s own Medomak Household. When dining outdoors is not an option, controlled indoor dining will occur.
RETREAT CENTER PROGRAMS
Retreat Center programs and activities will be conducted to the extent that they can be done safely; social distancing and masking requirements are a necessity. Wherever possible, activities will be held outdoors or if indoors in open, well-ventilated spaces.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Maine has much to offer in terms of breathtaking coastline, great seaport villages, as well as wonderful wilderness excursions. Sadly, travel involves a high risk of viral exposure and spread. Once at Medomak, travel off site will be severely limited to minimize risk to the retreat center and surrounding community. Once your enjoyable time at Medomak is over, that would be the time to explore.
PACKING LIST
We highly recommend you add the following items to your packing list:
Alcohol wipes
Thermometer
Face masks (no bandanas or neck gaiters)
Hand Sanitizer
PAYMENTS
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENTS
A non-refundable 5% deposit will be required to register your family and reserve a cabin. 50% of the remaining balance will be due May 1st, with the remaining balance due June 1st. Registration after May 1st will require 50% of the balance to register. After June 1st, payment in full will be required to register.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations within 14 days of your arrival will result in a full credit applied toward a future stay at Medomak. In the event Medomak must cancel a program, a full refund will be given.
Sorry, but Medomak cannot be responsible for nonrefundable airline tickets or other travel or indirect expenses associated with cancellations.
CASH DISCOUNT
A cash discount of 2.6% will be applied to payments made via check, or money order.
COVID WAIVER
The policies and procedures for the retreat center this summer make foremost the safety of our retreat participants and staff. It’s in everyone’s best interest to know what to expect in preparation for coming to Medomak. As an assurance, we will require as part of the registration process that each of our families or retreat participants sign a waiver agreeing to our procedures.
Please click here for some further FAQs. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Amateur astronomer, telescope builder and Director of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston Research and Imaging Observatory (ARIO).
Professor of Planetary Science and Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, currently the Deputy Science Director for the MIT-led NASA mission TESS.
Medomak shines during the day as well.
Medomak is located on a beautiful Maine lake that’s perfect for swimming, paddling, sailing, fishing, or just relaxing on the docks.
You can play basketball, hike the property or settle into an adirondack chair in the shade and enjoy a good book. Mornings are free time, designed to let you have fun, explore the region, or just sleep in.
Each afternoon will feature a series of presentations designed to teach you about astronomy, the night sky, telescopes, and how to view/photograph all those celestial wonders, also included in your tuition.
Each private, one-room cabin has a bathroom and a shower. Simply put, our cabins are simple, in the New England tradition. Cabins are supplied with linens and towels for each guest. There are a few creature comforts like reading lights, rocking chairs, comfortable beds (two twin beds that can be pushed together), and a writing table. Outside each cabin you will find two adirondack chairs to enjoy the warm days and a good book.
If you are staying up late to watch the sky, it is nice to comfortably sleep in through the morning, and get a nice hot shower.
All our meals are chef-prepared, small batch and from scratch.
This isn’t institutional food. We grow many of our own organic vegetables and bake our own breads and desserts. There is always plenty to go around of our hearty, healthy, comfort food. Coffee, tea, fruit and snacks are available all day and well into the night, so you can keep your eyes open waiting for that next brilliant shooting star.
Medomak has two organic gardens that supply many of the delicious ingredients for our meals. And we also have a local organic farmer.
We are also committed to using fresh produce and other products produced by local farmers such as jams, fruits, honey, eggs and poultry. And, of course there is our abundant Medomak blueberry patch. Blueberry pancakes anyone?
Medomak is just minutes from the picturesque towns of Rockland and Camden and a 2-hour drive from Acadia National Park. Local attractions include:
Farnsworth Museum and Wyeth Center in Rockland, Maine
Baxter State Park/Mt. Katahdin
Maine Lobster Festival – if you’re coming to camp at the end of July or the beginning of August you might want to plan a side trip to the festival.
Windjammer Schooner Tours out of the beautiful town of Camden.
Owl’s Head Transportation Museum
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
Rockland Golf Course (1/2 hour from camp)
Samoset Golf (1/2 hour from camp)
Birch Point State Park – One of our camper’s favorite box lunch day destinations. Great tidal pools where the pines meet the Atlantic ocean.
A fun activity is to plan a sea kayaking trip with Maine Sport.
Monhegan Island is an artist colony with plenty of walking trails. Drive to the coastal town of Port Clyde and visit the lighthouse highlighted in the film “Forrest Gump”, stop in to the Dipnet for a lobster roll & root beer and take the Laura B to Monhegan Island.
Dating to the 1700’s, one of the United States’ oldest surviving wooden military buildings can be found at Old Fort Western. This is a National Historic Monument located in Augusta, Maine.
Camden Hills State Park has beautiful views of Penobscot Bay and groomed trails for hiking. Head into town to Cappy’s for their clam chowder for lunch.
Liberty Graphics – Everyone’s favorite 2 dollar t-shirts
Excellent community radio station broadcasted out of Blue Hill
Spruce Mountain Blueberries excellent blueberry chutney and other blueberry things.
Hope Spinnery is a small wind-powered fiber processing mill a few miles inland from the Coast of Maine in the town of Hope Maine. The owner, Bill Huntington, is our lead instructor at our Knitting Retreat.
Seacolors is a source for high-quality wool. All their yarns are sun dyed in seawater using colors inspired by nature. Their wool is grown on the backs of fine-wooled sheep and goats still grazing on the hills of our farmstead in Maine. The farm is located in Washington Maine.
Black Locust is a Bed and Breakfast and cashmere goat farm located in Washington Maine.
Savage Oakes Winery a great place to stop on box lunch day!
Sweet Grass Local wines and distilled brandies and gin.
Moody’s Diner featured on CBS’s Sunday morning…you gotta try the pie. Check out the Four Berry Pie, yummy!
Union pottery – Hand painted stoneware this quaint shop is close to camp. A perfect spot to pick up a Maine souvenir.
A-1 Diner in Gardiner Maine, 30 minutes from camp, has been highlighted on the Food Network’s popular show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Day-long horseback riding camps in the town of Washington.
Red’s Eats in Wiscasset. Some say they have the best lobster roll in Maine!
Sweet Season Farm, Market and Cafe…Dave’s favorite place to eat on his day off. Locally sourced produce and meat, pick your own berries and ice cream, too! Plus the best burger in the mid-coast!
Primo Restaurant in Rockland
Café Miranda in Rockland
Information on Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park area
Town of Belfast chamber of commerce site
The Maine Office of Tourism offical website.
Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, of which we are members, has great info on regional businesses and attractions.
Union Chamber of Commerce has interesting facts on the towns of Washington, Appleton, Hope and Union.
Pictures of Pemaquid light house (most photographed spot in Maine)
The Official Flag of Washington, Maine
Old farmer’s almanac–good stuff about New England
Enjoy a guided tour of the stars like you have never seen before!
Of course, this is a vacation for you and your telescope. There is plenty of space to set up and observe.
We provided dedicated space to store your equipment in our main activities structure. You are also welcome to store your equipment in your private cabin, as there is plenty of room.
Very. Medomak is private property, set several hundred yards off the main road in a secluded setting. Our retreat is limited to 40 participants, so all persons on property are very well known to management.
Medomak has a 12” Dobsonian mounted reflector telescope, which we keep pointed upwards all evening. Our facilitators bring along various other reflector and refractor scopes, as well. Participants are more than welcome to join us for observing, instruction, and learning.
Absolutely. Our facilitators are here to help show you how to get the most of your equipment.
Medomak has a healthy supply of extension cords to supplement you in case you forget to bring your own, or yours is not long enough.
Car lights
No cars will be permitted beyond the parking lot after sundown. This is so you don’t light the observing fields if you need to leave the property after observing has begun.
Flash photography
No flash photography will be permitted after sundown.
Flashlights
Low power red light flashlights are fine as long as they are directed downward and not flashed in the eyes of observers.
Computer/Tablet/Cell Phone Screens
Devices with lit screens may only be used on the observing field if equipped with a red filter.
Main buildings are equipped with red bulbs. Outside cabin lights have red bulbs. Cabin interiors have a desk lamp outfitted with a red bulb. Bathrooms have night nights with red bulbs. Please refrain from using the interior overhead white lights from 30 minutes after sundown on observing nights as the lights can shine onto the observing field. We are happy to tape your light switches if you think you might absent-mindedly forget in the middle of the night.
Most are a couple hundred feet away or less”. Others are a short walk down a hill, but right next to our dining hall and lodge
The most open horizon seen from observing field favors the southern sky. The perimeter of the field does have trees, however their height is not overly tall. From the center of the observing area we estimate that approximately 80% of the sky is visible favoring the southern sky.
Yes.
Our observing pad is power ready. If you choose to set up anywhere else on the field, you will need an extension cord, which we are happy to help you with.
Aerosols/Bug Spray
No aerosol sprays on the observing field. One drop can permanently damage the delicate optics of a telescope or binoculars. If you apply insect repellant, carefully and thoroughly wash your hands afterward.
Music
No loud music on the observing field. If your neighboring observers ask for you to turn down your music, you will be expected to abide by their request. Headphone use is preferable.
Trash
Help us keep the facility looking nice and presentable. Please clean up after yourself. Trash cans and redeemable/recycle bins are located in the main areas and your cabin.
Smoking
Smoke can be harmful to telescope optics. No smoking on the observing pad or around people’s equipment. Smoking may only take place in the designated smoking area, and NEVER in cabins or buildings.
Cabins are simple and uninsulated, but clean and comfortable.
Yes, cabins have private bathrooms, and hot showers.
No, we provide a pillow, blanket, sheets and towels. If you have your own favorite blanket or pillow, you might want to bring it along for your own personal comfort.
Yes.
Our food is delicious! We cook in small batches, with most things from scratch. We buy most produce directly from local farmers or use produce from our own organic gardens.
Of course! This is Maine!
Yes, with appropriate notice, we can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose free, and most other concerns. When you register, please let us know what your dietary concerns are, and we will call you to discuss how we can best accommodate.
COLD Breakfast (breads, cereal, yogurt, fruit) is served from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
HOT breakfast is available anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Lunch is served at 1:00 p.m.
Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.
Meals are served family style, plattered on the table. Help yourself, don’t be shy, and eat as much as you like.
Yes, coffee and tea are available all day and late into the night. Fresh fruit and snacks, too.
Yes, but we ask that you drink in moderation, and be a good neighbor to your fellow participants.
Alcohol is BYOB. There are fantastic breweries in Maine, and we even have a local gin distillery, which is amazing.
Yes, we have a common refrigerator in our dining hall that is available for your use.
We highly discourage it, as it attracts unwanted “guests.”
Washington Pond is the centerpiece of the property. During the day, please enjoy a cool dip in the lake, a nice canoe, kayak, or sailboat excursion all around the lake. It is lovely.
Yes, you may do laundry for $2/load (wash and dry). We provide soap.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations within 14 days of your arrival will result in a full credit applied toward a future stay at Medomak. In the event Medomak must cancel a program, a full refund will be given.
Sorry, but Medomak cannot be responsible for nonrefundable airline tickets or other travel or indirect expenses associated with cancellations.
CASH DISCOUNT
A cash discount of 2.6% will be applied to payments made via check, or money order.
Until June 5
12230 Clarksville Pike, Suite C
Clarksville, MD 21029
(301) 854-9100
Toll-free: 1-(866)-MEDOMAK
After 43 years of pounding the keyboard, he retired from full-time work in early 2018 but remains actively involved in many S&T articles, tours, and other projects. An award-winning writer and communicator, he holds a Bachelors degree from the California Institute of Technology and a Master’s degree in science journalism from Boston University. Kelly has been active in efforts to reduce light pollution for more than 30 years. He served for more than a decade on the Board of Directors for DarkSky International (darksky.org) and is now an officer with its Massachusetts chapter.
Bruce is a past president of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston where he’s served in various capacities including president and observatory director.
His first telescope, an 8-inch reflector made from scratch, won an Optical Excellence award at the annual Stellafane Convention, and its unique mount took an award for Innovative Mechanical Design.
Since then Bruce has built, rebuilt, refurbished or repaired many different telescopes, mounts and observatories. Bruce helped design and now serves as director of the ATMoB Research and Imaging Observatory featuring a .35 meter telescopic imaging system. He has also roamed the world in search of astro-adventure – trekking to California, China and the South Pacific to view solar eclipses. He has taken part in Minor Planet research with a leading university, receiving NSF funding to gather data on minor planets at the Mexican National Observatory in San Pedro Martir and Fortaleza Brazil.
