Early morning dew balances gingerly on pine needles as you walk down a fragrant path to meditate, study or just sit and watch the fog slowly lift from the surface of the pond.

Enjoy a cool afternoon swim or feel the resistance of your paddle in the water as you kayak or canoe around Loon Island. Enjoy an exhilarating sail in the cool Maine breezes.

Let the breathtaking view from atop Mt. Battie soothe your soul after you've shared the hike with some new friends.

Experience the splendor and warmth of the campfire under a scintillating canopy of stars as you listen to the echoing serenade of the loons.

On your way back from the Lodge, enjoy the fireflies' illumination of the landscape, and the crickets imbuing the night air with their gentle and rhythmic cantations.

In 1904 Frank E. Poland and Walter Bentley founded Medomak Farm Camp. In 1905, the name was changed to Medomak Camp. Generations of young men and women grew up with the Medomak philosophy: expand yourself; compete with your own abilities and standards. Set your own strategies and vigorously pursue your achievements, but always remember the other person. More than 300 acres include shaded walking paths, lake beaches, an outdoor chapel in the woods, tennis and basketball courts, cabins, the farmhouse where meals are served, the barn, and the lodge. The picturesque Maine coast is less than 30 minutes away.

Kenneth Kiesler has said, "We could hold the retreat at a university or a conference center, but it wouldn't be the same; it wouldn't be a retreat. Medomak's location provides a change, a departure from everyday life." Kenneth Kiesler began going to this place when he was eight years old. "There's still a unique feeling of what this place once was," he observed. "I believe the values that used to be taught here can benefit the world of music in general and conductors in particular. It is the perfect place for conductors to shed whatever veneer they have accumulated or walls between themselves and the music, or between themselves and musicians. It is also simply a great place to get something accomplished. There are few distractions; it's quiet, and everyone appreciates everyone else."

The 2008 application deadline has passed, however applications submitted now will be received and considered, as a few positions occasionally become available during the weeks prior to the beginning of the Conductors Retreat. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to info@conductorsretreat.org.