Current Programs
2026 Programs for The Rookery
Winter/Spring 2026 Programs
Sponsored by RSU5 Community Programs.
Winter/Spring Location:
Durham Community School
654 Hallowell Rd.
Durham, ME 04222
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Week A Feb 16 – 20, 2026
The Rat Queen’s Entourage -- London Underground Lore
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Current Grades 5 – 10
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: We will explore the lore of London underground, in particular the legends of the Rat Queen and the history of Jack the Royal Ratcatcher to Queen Victoria. We will make our own rats, and costume them in Elizabethan costumes as kings, queens, courtiers, pirates or other characters. Gamers will work on a London underground game.
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Week B April 20 – 24, 2026
Theme: The Raven King’s Court – Welsh Lore
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Current Grades 5 – 10
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: This week’s theme draws on Welsh and English myths and lore about the fey folk who inhabit the burial mounds. We will craft our own Raven kings, queens, courtiers, or other fey creatures who might inhabit the haunted groves of Dunraven Fair – a fictional night fair full of goblins, fairies, and spooky merchants. Gamers will work on a game based on fairgrounds.
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Summer 2026 Programs
Summer Location:
Bowdoin College
Searles Science Building, Room TBA
Brunswick, ME 04011
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Week 1 July 6 – 10, 2026
Gardeners of the Sea – Seaslugs and Friends In Animé
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Rising Grades 6 - 11
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: Sea slugs and other intertidal zone creatures will be the focus of this week’s creations. We’ll look at sea slugs in modern Japanese animé including Pokémon, so this would be a great week for Pokémon players to bring their cards and games. Writers and artists may bring their inspirations from the world of animé and manga from Japan, Korea, or other cultures.
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Week 2 July 13 – 17, 2026
The Dreaming – Greek Myths
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Rising 6 - 11 (Age 10/11 - 16 (or17)
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: This week, we’ll explore Greek ideas about dreams, with stories about Morpheus and Oneiros. We’ll use shadowpuppetry and dream boxes to explore ideas and stories from the Dreaming. Gamers may want to make their own dream-based games.
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Week 3 July 20 – 24, 2026
Eyes of the Beholder – World Myths about Eyes
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Rising 6 - 11 (Age 10/11 - 16 (or17)
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: This week’s inspiration rises from a Dagon’s Eye Adventures discussion about floating eyeballs, which were common guards and lookouts in adventures. We’ll examine stories about cyclops, beholders, seraphim, and so many other one-eyed, many-eyed creatures and symbols from world mythologies. We’ll build game pieces and sculptures for a game where the Eyes have it.
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Week 4 July 27 – 31, 2026
Serpent Roads – Egyptian & Hindu Myths & Games
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Rising 6 - 11 (Age 10/11 - 16 (or17)
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: The Milky Way was often seen as a river, a road, or a serpent – and souls travelled to and from the three realms (Celestial realms, Mortal World, and Underworld) by traveling along this Serpent Road. This idea made its way into the most ancient games, and we’ll examine those games and how they evolved into modern games like Chutes & Ladders. We’ll craft our own stories and games inspired by these precursors.
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Week 5 Aug 3 – 7, 2026
Book of Secrets – Ancient Persian Lore of the Mage
9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday
Rising 6 - 11 (Age 10/11 - 16 (or17)
$350
After Hours: 4 to 5:15 PM, M-F
$60/5 days or $15/day
Description: The word mage has roots that travel back in time through England and France to Rome and Greece, and finally to the ancient Persians with their deeper roots in India. The term referred to the fire priests of the Zarathustrian religion, who were astronomers and scholars known for their learned studies. We will make our own Books of Secrets – and fill them with matters that matter from our own life stories.
