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Your Guide to Portland, ME.
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Freeport, Maine, just 15 minutes north of Portland, is home to world-famous retailer L.L. Bean. For outdoor lovers, one of the most interesting features at L.L. Bean is the Outdoor Discovery School, where you can take courses, trips and tours from kayaking and fly fishing to clay shooting and cross-country skiing.

Paddling

World-class instructors at L.L. Bean's canoe and kayak schools and trips teach basic paddling skills as well as advanced techniques. Schools begin at the new L.L. Bean Paddling Center at Flying Point in Freeport, Maine. Choices include a half-day kayak course, a one or two-day introductory sea kayak course, a two-day intermediate sea kayak course, three-day island kayak camping courses and trips, and a five-day Allagash canoe trip.

Fly Fishing

Expert instructors at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School use hands-on, personal guidance to teach fly fishing to beginning and experienced anglers. Courses include an introductory fly-casting lesson, private fly-casting lesson, two-day introductory or two-day intermediate fly-fishing course, a three-day fly-fishing camp, a one-day saltwater fly-fishing course, and a preparation workshop for those wishing to become a Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Instructor.

Clay Shooting

At L.L. Bean's fully appointed Sporting Clays Course at Fogg Farm in Freeport, Maine, expert shooting instructors help hunters and sport shooters practice and refine their shotgun skills. Take a one-day sporting clays/wingshooting school, a private sporting clays/wingshooting lesson, or participate in five-stand public shoots.

Outdoor Photography Course

Join expert photographers and world-class instructors aboard a Maine windjammer photography cruise and develop your outdoor photography skills while shooting photos of islands, ocean, sunrises and sunsets, lighthouses, and nesting seabirds, or on a moose photography weekend getaway learning to shoot photos of deer, moose, and other wildlife. Learn to capture Maine's dramatic light on camera.

Outdoor Leadership Courses

Develop or improve the outdoor leadership skills you need to further enjoy the outdoors or to become certified to teach and guide others. Learn wilderness first aid or get the help you need to become a certified instructor or guide in sea kayaking, fly fishing, canoeing, or hiking.

Walk-on Adventures

If you want to try out a new sport before investing money in gear, try an L.L. Bean Walk-On Adventure. These one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hour classes teach you the basics of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sporting clays, fly casting, or kayaking. All equipment is provided. Just sign up at the store on the day of the program. Call 888-552-3261 for more information.

For more information about L.L. Bean and Freeport, Maine, see Guide to L.L. Bean Stores.