Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

Mt. Desert Island Adult & Community Education



Arts & Crafts

in Lifelong Learning

Nature Photography

$35

with Steve McGrath

Calendar May 13, 2025 at 7:30 pm, runs for 2 weeks

This is a live, online course.

In this Nature Photography online class, we will go over camera settings and compositions and how to get great images of Nature's best like moose, birds, seals and other subjects! We will also learn how to set up a blind to get great images, the best lenses for this type of photography and tripods to get the best stability for your images!

Steve McGrath is a professional freelance Photographer and Photography Teacher who has been creating images for 30 years. Steve began his career by shooting sports photography for local high schools before adding weddings and stock agencies to his repertoire. His love of the outdoors has since led him to focus more on his true passion — nature photography. Many of his images have been published in school text books. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Farmer’s Market Basket

$120

with Jessica Steele

Calendar Jun 8, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This is an in-person, classroom-based course at Mount Desert Island High School.

Here is a basket that you can take to the market to grab your fresh produce and bakery items. Everyone is welcome to join this class. If you have never weaved before I will be doing step by step directions. You will walk away with a finished basket.

This basket will have two straps that can be worn on the shoulder or carried. Multiple color options on strap. The material of the basket is flat and half round quality reed. We will also add color reed in the basket if desired from blue, purple, red, green, and brown.

Wood Thrush Wilderness is an outdoor guiding and educational business that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. As Licensed Recreation Maine Guides, we offer guided canoe expeditions throughout the state of Maine. We also offer classes and training in outdoor education, wilderness medicine, and traditional crafts such as basketry. 

To ensure adequate number of students and to gauge material requirements, registrations will close on May 20.  

Lighthouse Photography Workshop

$180

with Steve McGrath

Calendar Jul 10, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 3 weeks

This is a hybrid class with live, online instruction and in-person photography on location.  Read the full course description for details.

In the first online class, we'll start by learning camera settings, aperture, shutter, ISO, white balance and other compositional techniques critical to lighthouse photography. The following Saturday during the cruise, we’ll focus on photographing wildlife and lighthouses, sharing techniques and approaches. Finally, we’ll meet online the third week to share, learn and critique our images. Limited to 15 students. This workshop is for beginner and intermediate photographers.

Students must purchase their own 3-hour Bar Harbor Whale Watch cruise ticket in addition to the course fee.  

July 10 Online Class 7:30-9:00pm

July 13  On the Cruise out of Bar Harbor at 9:00am. Students must buy

their Tickets

July 17 Online Critique Class 7:30-9:00pm

Steve McGrath is a professional freelance Photographer and Photography Teacher who has been creating images for 30 years. Steve began his career by shooting sports photography for local high schools before adding weddings and stock agencies to his repertoire. His love of the outdoors has since led him to focus more on his true passion — nature photography. Many of his images have been published in school text books. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore.





Forgot password?
Staff Log In