Forest & Forage returns for its fourth year at Maine Huts & Trails with a fresh focus on plant identification and understanding the natural world. Held at Flagstaff Lake Hut, this immersive experience lets participants explore Maine’s ecosystem, learn native flora and fungi, and enjoy a cozy lodge stay with a multi-course dinner. Join us and blend education with a relaxing getaway.
This year we welcome Registered Maine Guide Tori Gray and Chef Frank Giglio to our event. Tori has an extensive background in foraging, and will be leading a guided nature walk into the hut with an afternoon herbal tea making session. For our annual multi-course Forager’s Dinner, we are excited to bring in Chef Frank Giglio from Farm & Forage Kitchen in Belfast, Maine.
Who This Is For:
Beginner to experienced foragers and nature-lovers
Learn to identify herbs, fungi and trees in a casual environment from a professional educator.
Small Group Experience
Limited to 20 guests (this event sells out every year!)
A smaller group allows for a more personalized, high-quality experience and gives you a better opportunity to form connections with others.
What’s Included
- Overnight stay at Flagstaff Lake Hut
- Guided sessions with Tori Gray
- Multi-course dinner by Chef Frank Giglio
- Morning breakfast
- Round trip gear shuttle
Two lodging options:
- Private bunkroom for groups of 2 to 6 people – $300 per person
- Shared bunkroom – $250 per person
Private rooms attendees should be purchased on the same transaction. The two shared rooms sleep up to 8 guests each. Rooms do not have power outlets, so please reach out if you have medical needs.
The Educator
Tori Gray
Tori comes from a strong lineage of foragers, though it wasn’t until she worked as a ranger with Baxter State Park that she devoted herself to the craft. Through intensive self-study, elder wisdom, and herbalist studies with Earthwalk School of Herbal Traditions, Tori is now recognized as an expert forager, whose teachings are highly sought after. She has taught at many venues across the state, including Maine IF&W’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman program. She approaches the teachings of plants and fungi in a grounded manner to blend science with spirituality and stewardship. Her lesson plan for the Forest and Forage workshop with Maine Huts and Trails aims to deepen one’s understanding of the healing power of plants and fungi. If you’d like to learn more about Tori’s private offerings, visit her company website, The Wilderness Guru.
The Chef
Frank Giglio
Frank Giglio is a Maine-based chef, forager, and fermentation enthusiast rooted in seasonal, local food. Drawing inspiration from the woods, fields, and coastal farms of Midcoast Maine, his cooking blends traditional techniques with simple, nourishing ingredients. Through his work as a private chef and food producer, Frank shares a deep respect for the land, offering meals and experiences that connect people to place, season, and tradition. He is the owner of Farm & Forage Kitchen and his creations can be found weekly at the United Farmers Market in Belfast, Maine.
The Location
Flagstaff Lake Hut sits along the eastern shoreline of Flagstaff Lake, offering a comfortable and modern backcountry retreat. The hut is accessible by an easy 2 mile trail from the parking lot.
Amenities:
- Bunkrooms with mattress and pillows
- Hot showers and private bathrooms
- Access to canoes, kayaks, and PFDs
- Woodstove, leather couches, and handcrafted furnishings
- Board games, puzzles, and books
- Drying room for wet gear
- Outdoor firepit with seating
Our year-round events support the nonprofit mission of Maine Huts & Trails.
Tickets may be cancelled for a full refund up to 15 days before the event. Cancellations within 14 days of the event are non-refundable.
- Date
- July 11th, 2026 1:00pm–July 12th, 2026 10:00am
- Location