It’s summer in Maine, and therefore, it’s time to take it outside. Here are a few outdoor activities that may interest you.

Take a twilight hike at Thorne Head

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) continues its Summer Exploration series on July 31 with a Twilight Hike from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Thorne Head Preserve in Bath. Put fresh batteries in your flashlight, dig out your favorite marshmallow roasting stick, and come explore KELT’s most popular preserve as the sun sets. A family friendly event, join Maine Master Naturalists, Becky Kolak and Ruth Indrick, on a guided hike to discover the nightlife of the preserve followed by a campfire and s’mores in the preserve parking lot.

Registration is strongly encouraged and any questions can be directed to Becky Kolak at 442-8400 or bkolak@kennebecestuary.o rg. A rain or shine event, the hike is free and open to the public. This program was generously sponsored by the Merrymeeting Bay Trust.

Tour the Harpswell Community Garden

Harpswell Community Garden, located at Mitchell Field on Rt. 123 in Harpswell will host garden and orchard tours, children’s activities and a beekeeping presentation on Monday, July 28. Tours and children’s activities will be ongoing from 4-6pm. Beekeeping presentation will begin at 6pm. All aspects of the event are free and open to the public. Rain date is Wednesday, July 30.

The Harpswell Community Garden was developed in a partnership between the Town of Harpswell and the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. During the garden’s three year history, community garden members have worked with rehabilitation of severely compacted soils, developed a composting system, installed 25 raised vegetable garden plots and an orchard of local heritage apple trees, grown produce in our Common Garden for donation to the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program and partnered with several local organizations to bring gardening into the hands of youth, residents and visitors alike.

For more information about the event or the garden, contact Kara Douglas at 833-5909, karadouglas2010@gmail.com.

Turkey ‘hunt’ with Friends of Merrymeeting Bay

Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) continues its Outside! 2014 series with the first-ever FOMBsponsored

Turkey Hunt on Saturday, July 26 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. This eco-scavenger hunt is perfect for families and people of all ages. The event is free and open to the public.

The ‘Hunt’, a family friendly eco-scavenger hunt, will take place at 52 Roman Road in Topsham, off Foreside Road, in the parking lot behind Tabernacle Christian Academy.

A popular neighborhood tradition for years, the Turkey Hunt was created by Pleasant Point resident Colleen Moore. Moore is partnering with FOMB and Merrymeeting Arts Center (MAC) for the first time this year bringing this educational event to a wider local audience.

“The objective of the Turkey Hunt is to get people of all ages out into the woods and fresh air, learn some interesting facts about the immediate environment we live in, and most importantly to have fun,” Moore says of the event.

Groups are given clues to find laminated turkey drawings at designated points of interest, such as a stump chewed by a beaver. On the back of each turkey is an educational note and clues to find the next station. There will be a short course (1-1.5 hours) and a long course (1.5-2 hours) from which to choose. Attendees can join in as individuals, but will likely be divided into groups.

Participants are encouraged to document their experience through photography, art and writing, and the resulting work will be displayed in MAC’s gallery space.

This is an outdoor event, so participants should dress accordingly with sturdy shoes and weatherappropriate clothing. Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks as well as suntan lotion and bug spray if desired.

Pre-registration is required with Colleen Moore at 720-0541.

Winter lasts a long time in Maine. Get out there and enjoy summer while it’s still here!