French Camping Retreat
September 16-18

From Friday, September 16, at 5:00 pm, until 10:00 am on Sunday, September 18, French-language enthusiasts will gather for Le Français au bord de la mer, at Blueberry Cove Camp, in Tenants Harbor, for what promises to be a fun, action-packed learning experience, lived entirely in French.

Penobscot School in Rockland and French at UMA are co-sponsoring this French immersion weekend for high school juniors and seniors and college students who have studied French for at least two years; French teachers who would like a refresher; and adults with an intermediate level of spoken French. 

Activities will include games, a treasure hunt (including beach-combing), discussions about contemporary issues, poetry-writing, sports, singing around the campfire, and many other fun things, using French at all times. There is a big lodge where participants will prepare and share authentic meals together, using local, organic ingredients wherever possible.

Accommodations at Blueberry Cove Camp are very rustic. The cabins have bunk beds; most have no heat source and no electricity or running water. There are flush toilets and hot showers, just not in most of the cabins. Says Schulz, "C'est le camping en français!"

Tuition for the weekend is $105 for full-time students and $145 for adults. Please inquire about group discounts. Teachers will receive CEUs.

To Register click here

Here are some samples of past Cultural Events at UMA

Michael Parent Concert at UMA

Franco-American storyteller/singer/songwriter Michael Parent will give a concert at UMA on Wednesday, March 16th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Randall Student Center.  He will be singing songs from his popular CD, "Chantons - Let's Sing."  This event is free and open to the public, and participants of all ages are invited.  We especially hope that families will come with their children.  Come ready to sing and dance!

Michael Parent, a native Mainer of French-Canadian descent, has performed stories and songs in English and French since 1977. He is currently performing three original one-man shows: "One More Thing," "A Beautiful Game" and "The Goofy Show."

From New England to New Zealand, he has been featured at many events including hundreds of schools and libraries, the National Storytelling Festival, and several international festivals.

Michael also leads storytelling, story writing, and performance workshops. He received a National Storytelling Network Circle of Excellence Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the 2001 National Storytelling Conference. He has been called "the storyteller of the underdog."

The French Club will be selling tourtiere, quiche, and pie before the concert, starting at 5:00 p.m.  Come join us with your family!

Website: www.michaelparentstorytelling.com

FACE French Film Festival

For the past two years, UMA has received a grant from the French American Cultural Exchange (FACE) to fund a French film festival on campus. Click a year to see a list of the films from past festivals (2010 2009).

Afterschool French Program

UMA Coloricocola & Porto Seguro

The sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language.
—Ezra Pound (1885-1972)