August Community Expedition
August 16–23, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable all-ages expedition as we row and sail our two gigs throughout Penobscot Bay, Maine. Over eight days, we'll travel between and camp on islands surrounding Vinalhaven, learning together as a supportive, adventurous community.
This expedition is designed for intergenerational participants ages 14 and up who want to learn, grow, and be part of a cooperative crew. Each day offers opportunities to practice traditional seamanship, rowing, sailing, and navigational skills while traveling through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the Northeast. We’ll practice Leave No Trace camping as we travel, learning about weather, tides, anchoring, navigation, and the coastal ecosystems that surround us.
Our gigs require coordination, communication, and shared leadership to maneuver well. Every participant will have the chance to step into leadership throughout the expedition. With guidance from AC USA instructors, you’ll rotate through a variety of roles both on and off the water, including:
Skills covered will vary based on the weather and passages each day, and may include:
No prior experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
Provisional Itinerary:
* This itinerary may shift due to changing weather conditions.
Aug 16 - 1pm Ferry Rockland to Vinalhaven, short power boat ride to Greens Island. Orientation.
Aug 17 - Greens Island, get familiar with the boats, re-pack for the expedition
Aug 18 - Isle au Haut
Aug 19 - Isle au Haut, or nearby in Merchants Row
Aug 20 - Seal Bay, Vinalhaven
Aug 21 - Calderwood Is.
Aug 22 - Greens Is.
Aug 23 - Return via 2:45pm ferry from Vinalhaven to Rockland, Maine, arriving at 4pm.
Logistics:
Ages: 14 and up
Group Size: Maximum of 24
Boats: Two gigs
Have any questions? We’re happy to help answer anything, please reach out if you’re wondering whether this expedition is right for you or if you’d like more information.
*We will plan a separate expedition northbound from Massachusetts once we are closer to our new gig's launch date.
August 16–23, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable all-ages expedition as we row and sail our two gigs throughout Penobscot Bay, Maine. Over eight days, we'll travel between and camp on islands surrounding Vinalhaven, learning together as a supportive, adventurous community.
This expedition is designed for intergenerational participants ages 14 and up who want to learn, grow, and be part of a cooperative crew. Each day offers opportunities to practice traditional seamanship, rowing, sailing, and navigational skills while traveling through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the Northeast. We’ll practice Leave No Trace camping as we travel, learning about weather, tides, anchoring, navigation, and the coastal ecosystems that surround us.
Our gigs require coordination, communication, and shared leadership to maneuver well. Every participant will have the chance to step into leadership throughout the expedition. With guidance from AC USA instructors, you’ll rotate through a variety of roles both on and off the water, including:
- Refilling group water jugs
- Stowing sails and oars
- Creating the daily passage plan
- Assisting with group meals
- Coxing under sail or oars
- Serving as mast captain
- Raising and lowering the sails
- Navigating
- Setting or following the stroke while rowing
- Leading call-and-response rowing songs to keep the crew in rhythm
Skills covered will vary based on the weather and passages each day, and may include:
- Points of Sail
- Sail Theory
- Sail Trim
- Reefing
- Handling a Dipping Lug Sail
- Steering Forces –– learning how our weight and sail trim help steer the boat
- Tides
- Navigation
- Docking
- Knots
- Anchoring
- Anchorage Assessment
- Weather Observation and Interpretation
No prior experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
Provisional Itinerary:
* This itinerary may shift due to changing weather conditions.
Aug 16 - 1pm Ferry Rockland to Vinalhaven, short power boat ride to Greens Island. Orientation.
Aug 17 - Greens Island, get familiar with the boats, re-pack for the expedition
Aug 18 - Isle au Haut
Aug 19 - Isle au Haut, or nearby in Merchants Row
Aug 20 - Seal Bay, Vinalhaven
Aug 21 - Calderwood Is.
Aug 22 - Greens Is.
Aug 23 - Return via 2:45pm ferry from Vinalhaven to Rockland, Maine, arriving at 4pm.
Logistics:
Ages: 14 and up
Group Size: Maximum of 24
Boats: Two gigs
Have any questions? We’re happy to help answer anything, please reach out if you’re wondering whether this expedition is right for you or if you’d like more information.
*We will plan a separate expedition northbound from Massachusetts once we are closer to our new gig's launch date.
Payment covers: Instruction, Insurance, Equipment (lifejackets, first aid kits, toilet paper, propane, etc), meals and snacks, powerboat safety boat and fuel.
Sliding Scale Tuition:
Our sliding scale reflects the belief that financial resources, including income, should not be the sole determining factor in accessing our program. Participants with greater financial means who are able to contribute at a higher level help make the program more accessible to others. We offer three sliding-scale tuition rates based on household annual income. Please select the rate that best reflects your current financial capacity. Choosing a higher rate, when possible, directly supports participants who require additional assistance. If the number of reduced-rate requests exceeds available funds, we will work together to fundraise to ensure the program can move forward.
Baseline rate: $1200
Supportive rate: $1,440
Reduced rate: $960
Work trade, and limited financial aid is available.
Please email us about work-trade opportunities. Or please fill out this financial aid form.
Deposit Information:
A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to hold your spot.
If we are unable to accept you into the program or if the program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Please let us know if you need a payment plan for the deposit or tuition, or if you need the deposit fee waived.
Sliding Scale Tuition:
Our sliding scale reflects the belief that financial resources, including income, should not be the sole determining factor in accessing our program. Participants with greater financial means who are able to contribute at a higher level help make the program more accessible to others. We offer three sliding-scale tuition rates based on household annual income. Please select the rate that best reflects your current financial capacity. Choosing a higher rate, when possible, directly supports participants who require additional assistance. If the number of reduced-rate requests exceeds available funds, we will work together to fundraise to ensure the program can move forward.
Baseline rate: $1200
Supportive rate: $1,440
Reduced rate: $960
Work trade, and limited financial aid is available.
Please email us about work-trade opportunities. Or please fill out this financial aid form.
Deposit Information:
A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to hold your spot.
If we are unable to accept you into the program or if the program is cancelled, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Please let us know if you need a payment plan for the deposit or tuition, or if you need the deposit fee waived.
