Family Field Day Scheduled for August 1 on Swan Island,Maine

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

 

  The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is hosting a family field day on Swan Island in Richmond from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 1, 2015.

This event is designed to provide fun and learning for the whole family. Activities include fishing, archery, geocaching, orienteering, ATVing, trapping, firearms (both shogun and rifle), bird house building, paddling, a working dog demonstration and more! All equipment and instruction will be provided.

 The cost to attend is $5.00 per person or $20.00 for a family. Participants will be able to complete six 50-minute sessions on topics of their choosing with a break for lunch.  This event is also a perfect opportunity to explore the island, a great place to hike, camp, and watch wildlife!

Ferry rides are provided to and from Swan Island and we strongly encourage participants to arrive early.

Registration is required; materials are available online at bit.ly/SwanIslandFieldDay

  

Swan Island, known for its abundant and often quite visible wildlife, is actually an abandoned 18th and 19th century town called Perkins Township, and has long been recognized for its varied and interesting history. There are five standing homes that date back to the 1700s. The wildlife management area, about 1,755 acres in size, is located in the Kennebec River between the towns of Richmond and Dresden. The Island's public visitation season generally runs from May 15th through Labor Day (with limited access through the fall). There are ten Adirondack type shelters available for overnight use; picnic facilities for day use; modern bathroom facilities at campground; and drinking water.

SWAN ISLAND GENERAL INFORMATION

If you wish to visit the Swan Island Wildlife Management Area, you must make reservations for the ferry and/or campground. You may access the island, for day use, via personal canoe or kayak without a reservation; admission fees may be deposited in iron rangers. All visitor fees are as follows: day use, 5 years and under – free; 6 years and older - $ 8.00. For overnight camping, 5 years and under – free; 6 years and older - $8.00 plus $20 per site per night. 

Swan Island, the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area, is owned and maintained by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Its operation and maintenance are supported by your fees as well as revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and federal monies under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program.

To learn more about Swan Island Wildlife Management Area please visit Please visit our website at www.maine.gov/swanisland; or call 207-547-5322, and like us on Facebook!