The annual Maine Canoe Symposium, where paddlers of all ages and abilities learn “hands-on” from North America’s foremost canoeing professionals, will be held on Moose Pond at the historic Winona Camps in Bridgton June 8-10.

Since 1986, this family-friendly weekend has drawn Americans and Canadians alike – young and old, beginners and experts – for a celebration of virtually every aspect of canoeing and camping.

Some of this year’s land workshops include one-match fire building, cooking secrets, bugproofing your camp, choosing a Maine river, resources and tricks for identifying old wooden canoes, menu planning, essential knots, and paddling for aerobic fitness.

Water workshops include Canadian-style solo, skill-building for women, canoe safety, sit and switch paddling, freestyle paddling, double-blade paddling, canoe poling, whitewater strokes, and introductory paddling.

There are many more workshops listed on the Maine Canoe Symposium Web site at mainecanoesymposium.org.

Program leaders – headlined by Becky Mason and Cliff Jacobson – include Maine Guides, ACA Instructors, national champions, authors, artists, explorers, and backwoods gurus. They’re a “who’s who” of canoesport: Polly Mahoney, Harry Rock, Shawn Burke, Lisa De Hart, Rory Matchett, Kevin Silliker, Jane Barron, Lisa and Jim Lisius, Kevin Slater, Caleb Davis, Dave and Lynn Lewis, Geoff Burke, Benson Gray, Kim Gass, Chris Faria, Dan Eaton, Mike and Shauna Patterson, Reid McLachlan, and Rex Turner.

Programs begin Friday afternoon and run through Sunday, enabling attendees to enjoy a variety of experiences – some that are just plain fun, like Saturday night’s campfire, Sunday’s war-canoe race, and the always popular auction and drawing for door prizes.

Headlining evening events are presentations by two of the world’s premier canoe trippers. Cliff Jacobson will show a movie “The Wilberforce Affair” on his wedding on a canoe trip on the remote Hood River in Nunavut. Becky Mason will present “Watershed Moments; Memorable Rivers I Have Paddled.” Kirk Wipper, founder of the Canadian Canoe Museum, will present programs on Voyageur skills and songs.

A variety of accommodations are available, including family-size wall tents, rustic camp-style bunkhouses, and plenty of scenic space for all who bring their own tents. Hearty “all-you-can-eat” meals are served cafeteria-style in the camp dining hall, where campers and staff mingle to share past canoeing experiences and future canoeing dreams.

Registration fees for the weekend are $80 for adults and $40 for children age 12 and under. Meals and accommodations are additional and vary according to preferred lodging and duration of stay. Family discounts are available.

To make reservations, contact Winona Camps at 35 Winona Road, Bridgton, ME 04009, phone 207-647-3721. To contact the Symposium staff, e-mail mcs@canoemaine.com or call 892-3121.

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