Session I: Winterlands Recap

Our first summer session of Dragon's Eye featured a delightful group of Detectives who faced many fearsome challenges with great honor. Our mystery took us through the campus, following the paw prints of a dream bear. We traveled from one campus bear to the next, dodging mist monsters all the way.

The journey led to the Arctic Museum, where we had a wonderful morning tracing the meaning of photographs our little dream bear sent our way. The group learned about Donald MacMillan and his journey to the Crocker Lands off the shore of northern Greenland. The Crocker Lands turned out to be a mirage, an illusion the Inuit refer to as poojok, or mist, but our Detectives had their Dragon's Eyes open, so they learned a few secrets that the great arctic explorer missed!

I won't give away too many secrets here, since I may run this program again in the future. Let's just say that our clever sleuths managed to find the moon-lit road into the Crocker Lands. They discovered who was keeping our dream bear prisoner and why -- and found a clever way to rescue their little friend.

Max Middleton, our intern, introduced his character Nyxos, a dragonmage who specializes in dream magic. Future detectives will learn more about Nyxos as the summer continues!

Thank you to the Detectives for a wonderful week! This group had everything they needed to form a top-notch team of Detectives: They were brave even though they were a little scared of those mist monsters. They were amazingly kind to one another and to the animals they met along the way. (While working on our bumblebees, we even saved a real bumblebee from being trapped inside Sill Hall.) They were wise in choosing the right moment to use their special magic (so wise that the cheetah and stone amulets are still waiting for the right moment). They were deeply respectful to one another and to the Sea Mother and the King of the North. All of this adds up to a group of great honor!

And their imaginations? They blew me away ... along with the Crocker Lands.

Visit our Facebook page to view some images of the beautiful sculptures, oil pastels and the adventure play from this week.

Welcome, Max Middleton, Dragon's Eye Part-Time Intern

Max Middleton in Winterlands, Session I

Dragon's Eye has had a change in personnel since the newsletter was published. Robert Choi was unable to join us this summer, but his good friend Max Middleton has stepped up to help out part-time! Max is working two jobs on campus, splitting his time between the music library and Dragon's Eye. I can't say thank you enough!

It's wonderful to have someone who has read Homer in the original Greek join the team. He comes with his own foundation of fantasy and myth -- and then adds to that a really solid instinct in working with young people. When Max stepped through the door just at the moment the children had seen a magical baby bear at that same door, the children's eyes were huge -- and Max quickly became a beloved addition to the team!

Here is Max's letter of introduction:

Hello Parents of Dragon’s Eye Adventurers,

My name is Max Middleton. I will be Rebecca’s part time helper. I am a member of the Bowdoin class of 2016, studying Classics and Music. I am a huge theater fan/fanatic, and I have performed in productions of plays and musicals at Bowdoin and around the state from a young age. I went to High School at Hebron Academy, where I was a member of the residential life team and class president. For the past few summers, I have worked with the various camps that use Hebron Academy’s campus while school is not in session. I am incredibly excited to participate in Dragon’s Eye Adventures!

Sincerely,

Max Middleton

Summer 2015 Begins with an Arctic Expedition

Session I: The Winterlands starts Monday, July 6 at 9 AM in Sills Hall, Room 209. I am excited to welcome our Riddle Ravelers to this new mystery, which features an old campus friend.

Newsletters went out a week and a half ago, so families should have them by now. If yours didn't arrive, let me know. There's a copy of the newsletter on the Current Program page.

One big change from the newsletter is that Robert Choi will not be able to join us this summer. Instead, Max Middleton will be helping out part-time during each day. Like Bobby, Max is an avid D&D player, a singer and a student at Bowdoin College. The bio will be up in the next few days, and as the summer progresses, Max will introduce a new character to the Dragon's Eye pantheon.

There is still room in three of the upcoming adventures. Check the Current Programs page for details.

Summer 2015 Update

2012 Maine Founders anticipating the roll of the 100s die.
There is no roll with a Maine Founders Amulet.

We have five Maine Founders joining the "Jewel of the Dragon's Eye" crew this summer. What does that mean? The Maine Founders are those detectives who joined Dragon's Eye during its first season in Maine. Each of them has a Founders Amulet, which brings one powerful spell that costs no jewels and is guaranteed to work.

I guess the other side will have to step up their game.

Here's an update on enrollment:
Session I July 6 - 10  Winterlands (Ages 6-9) -- FULL
Session IA July 13 - 17  Black Skystone of Doom (Ages 6 - 9) -- OPEN
Session II July 20 - 27  Pepper's Ghost (Ages 9 -12) -- OPEN
Session III July 27 - 31  Wind Horse (Ages 9 - 12) -- OPEN
Session IV Aug 3 - 7  Jewel of the Dragon's Eye (Ages 11 - 16) -- FULL

Summer 2015 Update

A Visiting Ravenmage

There is still room in four of the five sessions being held this summer on the Bowdoin campus.

Session IA (July 13-17) is "Black Skystone of Doom" -- a mystery for ages 6 to 9 (entering 1st grade to 4th grade). A visit to the dinosaur stomping grounds has its challenges, as the Detectives race against time to save the world from impending doom.

Session II (July 20-24) is "Pepper's Ghost" for ages 9 to 12. We'll be making ghosts appear and disappear all week as the Detectives sort the illusions from the reality.

Session III (July 27-31) is "The Wind Horse" for ages 9 to 12. The elusive horses of the indigo fields lead the Detectives into the shamanic lands of Mongolian myth.

Session IV (Aug 3-7) is "Jewel of the Dragon's Eye" for ages 11 to 16. A thief sneaks into Mt. Draig to steal the jewel of the dragon's eye, the source of the magic used in our stories. Will the Detectives return the jewel to the dragons or will the Starbowl's powers fizzle?

New Teen Adventure Program: Jewel of the Dragon's Eye

The Jewel of the Dragon's Eye

This summer will feature the first teen adventure, an advanced mystery called Jewel of the Dragon's Eye. This jewel is the source of the magic river that flows to the Starbowl, allowing all magic to occur. When the jewel is stolen, the Detectives travel to Mt. Draig to uncover the identity of the thief.

A little high-level tracking and trailing through the dragon realms of ancient Wales is in order--an absolute must for advanced-level Detectives. Walkie-talkies will allow the group to split into two units, and a campus-wide search will be conducted, using only a photo of the stranger.

Can the Detectives rise to the challenges of tougher codes, team-tracking and a truly devious adversary? Madame Drak says, "Beware the lairs of dragons when the battle begins again. Treachery is afoot, and the wise ones seek counsel from the head upon a hill."

Our art projects this week will include illuminated Books of Secrets and Dragon Warding Stones. Both projects will be of use during the adventure and may return for future advanced-level mysteries.

Black Skystone of Doom -- Second Week for Ages 6 - 9

The Riddle Ravelers face Freezing Ice Spells,
otherwise known as incoming yarnballs

Dragon's Eye Adventures is adding one more week to the Summer 2015 programs. This is an additional adventures for ages 6 to 9. Here is a brief summary of the week:

Session IA:  July 13 – 17 Black Skystone of Doom

A paleontologist leads the Detectives on a romp through the prehistoric swamps of the Atrocious Period. This little-known time of the dinosaurs holds a secret that may save the world from a meteor headed its way, if the Detectives can avoid the minions of Humongasaura Regina, the self-proclaimed Queen of the Dinosaurs.

Summer 2015 Programs

The Summer 2015 programs and registration forms are posted on the Current Programs tab.

Maybe it's the long winter that has inspired our first adventure of the summer. The youngest detectives (ages 6 -9) and I will be venturing into the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum for a mystery combining arctic myth and local history.

The second and third sessions are for ages 9 - 12. The first of the two adventures delves into the strange history of a stage illusion known as Pepper's Ghost. I have, naturally, made it even stranger, once again combining truth and fiction into an engaging story.

The second of the two adventures for ages 9 - 12 is the third brand-new adventure of the summer. This one takes the Detectives back to the time of the Mongolian empire, for a wonderful romp with wild horses.

The fourth session of the summer features something new for Dragon's Eye Adventures: An advanced mystery for the experienced adventurer, ages 11 to 16. New detectives may come up to speed through an 8 AM meeting with Rebecca on the first day. Our theme dives into the dragon myths behind the Dragon's Eye Detectives Agency, with a visit to Mt. Draig.

A Fish Story

A nishikigoi at Ueno Park by Lepidlizard
from Wikimedia Commons

Yesterday's birthday party featured a story drawn from two sources: A modern urban legend about Hanoko the 226-year-old koi from Japan and the Chinese myth about the koi transforming into dragons at Dragon's Gate. Our detectives breezed through the challenges and earned the trust and gratitude of the nishikigoi and koi traveling along the Yellow River. Congratulations to the team for an afternoon of fun with fish and dragons!

Pepper's Ghost: Columbus Day Mini Adventure

October is the month for ghosts and goblins--and Dragon's Eye Adventures will open its school-year sessions with a one-day mini adventure called Pepper's Ghost. The adventure will be held on Monday, Oct. 13 (Columbus Day) from 9 AM to 5 PM.

We will meet in the second floor hall of the Pilgrim House across from First Parish Church, at 9 Cleaveland St. in Brunswick. The fee for the day is $60, covering eight hours of spooky adventure.

Here is a brief description of the mystery Pepper's Ghost: 

The Dragon’s Eye Detectives investigate the ghostly apparitions haunting an old London theater. The clues lead back in time to the 1860s, when John Henry Pepper’s Ghost Illusion was all the rage on the London theater scene.

This mini adventure features a hands-on exploration of this special effect, which has been used in “roller ghosters” (the precursors of roller coasters) and haunted houses since the 19th century. Participants will make their own ghosts and bring them to life in our special Pepper Ghost Mini Chamber.

Book of Shadows - Report

Book of Shadows by Mathea Hoy

The final week of the summer 2014 season featured the mystery known as "The Book of Shadows." Eleven detectives traveled to the village of Knockainey in Ireland, to track and trail a mysterious mage known as Mr. Blackthorn.

Trouble plagued the group in the form of bramble traps and false bounty. The detectives lost their Starbowl, their pouch of jewels and four IDs before the week was done, but they managed to overcome all obstacles in their path. Even the Shadow Creatures were no match for our team.

With courage running high, the detectives kept up as Blackthorn moved from one ancient barrow to another, gathering the Book of Shadows and the key that would unlock the portal leading into the Shadow Realms.

Fran Townsend as a squirrel

We were blessed this week with more help that allowed for advanced games. Fran Townsend brought her considerable skills as an arts educator and school teacher, taking on characters like the Shadow Creature and Donn Firinne. She played the Shadow Eye that guarded the artifacts in Blackthorn's tiny briefcase, allowing us to play one of our favorite sneaking games in the halls of Searles Science building.

Mary Melquist as Aine Cli

Mary Melquist also joined us this week, as the Irish sun goddess Aine Cli. She came in glorious regalia, testing the detectives' courage, compassion, wisdom and respect. Aine Cli gave the detectives their Sun Spark Stones, which may be seen in an album on the Dragon's Eye Facebook page.

After a journey into the halls of Donne Firinne, the detectives faced their final magical battle in the shadow realms of the Book of Shadows. Their wonderful Books of Shadows may be seen on the Dragon's Eye Facebook page, along with other albums showing the week's adventure.

Very special thanks go to Fran Townsend and Mary Melquist. Fran's help was invaluable this week and her stamina impressive! The albums are full of her wonderful photos. Mary's performance was full of color and warmth, so fitting for a sun goddess.

Mr. Blackthorn and three shapeshifted detectives,
a moonmage, a blackjack and a Americian saddle horse.

Thank you also to all of the amazing detectives who journeyed with me this week! It was a week of extraordinary courage and heightened imagination.

Take a look at the shadowpuppet album -- each detective chose their magical path as a mage, complete with their favorite transformation. We have chaos, order and balance mages among us who shapeshift into a Shadow Dragon, a Rabbit, a Blue Fire Lion, a Moonmage, a skeletal T-rex, a Phoenix, a Chameleon, a Barn Owl, an American Saddle Horse, a Blackjack and the very rare Mermage.

Mask of Dreams - Report

Eleven Detectives took on the mystery known as "Mask of Dreams" last week at Bowdoin College. While rain kept us traveling from building to building on some days, we managed to eek out a really fun week. Our three new Detectives dove right into the spirit of adventure and the group took on the Oroborus challenge without a single hitch all week!



Kate Sibole joined us as an assistant, opening up possibilities for game play. Ken Walden and Lou Ensel returned for another role as Phantasms. Kate's team and my team were able to split up and track the Phantasms through the labyrinth of the Cave of Sleep. It was a game for the record books, sure to become legendary among those of us who were there!





We started in the Searles science building, where the two Phantasms parted ways. The trackers crossed paths through the bowels of the art building and the trail became twice as dangerous as the Detectives had to watch for freezing spells coming from both directions. Both groups passed an amazing wall of eyes and I had to take a picture -- it was so perfect. Bowdoin is wonderful for the bits of serendipity it provides.


Morpheus the god of dreams challenged the Detectives to a competition in the dreaming. This turned out to be a shadow puppet competition. Each side has three minutes to make shadow puppets. Morpheus began with a story about a hero sailing through the waters in a dragon boat.

The dream became nightmarish when the dragon boat swallowed the hero. The first group of Detectives had three minutes to turn that nightmare into a good dream again. Then Morpheus turned it back into a nightmare and the second group of Detectives turns it into a dream.

Our poor hero was saved by rainbows and unicorns, only to have them turn into pits of doom and sharks. Along the way, the hero enjoyed many burritos and occasionally a taco, but even that came back to bite him in Friday's version for parents, when the Taco monster rose. Fortunately, our clever Detectives saved the day--and Morpheus was entertained by their creativity, their humor and their ingenuity.



It was an amazing week, and the dream masks and shadow puppets are all in albums on the Dragon's Eye Facebook page. The children's art never ceases to amaze me, and these albums are becoming treasure troves of memory for these brief and fleeting adventures!

Thank you to Kate Sibole for such capable help this week! From Phantasms to Charon to Athena to Oneiros the ancient god of dreams, Kate played them all with style and ease!





Thank you also to Ken and Lou for another great morning--tracking and trailing of that kind is an advanced maneuver for the Detectives! More adults on my side even for a short while means trickier games and richer challenges!

Thank you, Kate, Ken and Lou -- and thank you to my wonderful, clever Detectives. This was one memorable mystery! The Mask of Dreams will never be the same.