Submitted by Name: Childress From: Reading, Massachusetts E-mail: Contact
Comments: As two retired chemists, we enjoyed very much our bucket of dirt. Very nice finds. Some will wind up in jewelry. Want to try doing some inlay with the mica. That may have to wait till spring, but will bring it by when its done. We took our stones home. Found more after washing them better. Very well worth the price. Thanks for a great time, excellent knowledge and good conversation.
Bill and Ellen
Added: October 24, 2011
Submitted by Name: Girl Scout, Boy Scout & Cub Scout Troops From: Warren & Union, Maine E-mail: Contact
Comments: This was our second group tour of the Bumpus Mine and sluicing at the Bethel Outdoor Center. The staff were great with all of our Scouts, the kids and parents really enjoyed finding all of the different minerals while sluicing and digging on the tailings piles. We had 37 attendees and everyone enjoyed their day. We'd recommend this tour for families and groups - what a great experience!
Added: October 24, 2011
Submitted by Name: Ken and Pyle From: New Jersey E-mail: Contact
Comments: The Bumpus Mine tour with guide Seabury Lyons starts with a delightful and hands on talk about how rocks are formed and develope special characteristic such as embedded crystaline formations.
A couple hours follow in two of the Bumpus Mines examining manifestations of the above phenomena, which in this particular location constitutes formations of feldspar, quartz, and mica, as well as other more semi-precious but rarer stones.
The tour next moves to the unearthed waste material from eighty years of this mining and initiates the novice into a search for hisown collection of specimens.
While the tour is over, for a small fee back at headquarters Mr Lyon shows his students how to examine buckets of gravelly material from two other mines: silt is first removed via a sluiceway and the remaining specimens are examined, handful by handful, under Mr Lyon's attentive eye.
This adventure is a five-star educational delight. If the kids are along for the ride, to whom Mr. Lyon tailors many of his entertaining illustrations, it's probably best to make this a two day family outing.
Added: October 5, 2011
Submitted by Name: John & Janet Elsesser From: Reese, Michigan E-mail: Contact
Comments: We had a great time exploring the Bumpus Mine with our guide, Seabury Lyon. His knowledge of geology and mineralogy made the tour informative and fun! We even found some nice samples of Beryl to take with us. Thanks for a wonderful time! :)
Added: September 14, 2011
Submitted by Name: Donna and Bob Caplin From: Vernon, CT E-mail: Contact
Comments: The mine tour was terrific and learned a lot about the minerals and rocks and how they are used in industry. The tour guide was very experienced and knowledgeable! Hunting around for specimens afterward was HOT but fun!
Also had a great time with our bucket of rocks- received a lot of assistance in identifying our finds. Lots of small tourmalines and other pretty specimens to bring home. Hope to come again!
Added: July 31, 2011
Submitted by Name: Stram Family From: Augusta, Maine E-mail: Contact
Comments: This trip was everything we had hoped and more. Started at BOA, short drive to the mine and then a short walk into two mines. The staff was very knowledgable and helpful. They made learning basic geology and mining history fun. Kids 6 and 8 both enjoyed themselves. Digging in the rock was like an easter egg hunt. Found Beryl, Quartz and black Tourmaline. Can't believe we waited so long to do this. Definitely going back.
Added: July 27, 2011
Submitted by Name: Dudley Family From: Farmington CT and Spring Hill TN E-mail: Contact
Comments: We loved it! This is a return visit and this year we did the special buckets. Great finds! The kids all found great semi-precious stones. And had a great time doing it...they actually spent over an hour sifting washing and sorting...a parent's dream away from the TV. The staff are super knowledgeable and helpful! We will definitely be back!!!! :D
Added: July 8, 2011
Submitted by Name: The Deschenes From: Quispamsis,NB, Canada E-mail: Contact
Comments: Our family had alot of fun digging in the pile of tailings and then trying to find some treasures. We were impressed by Bryan who had great patience with our four kids as well as his wealth of knowledge. We wanted to say thank you for the great experience.
Added: July 4, 2011
Submitted by Name: The Hersey's From: Cushing, Maine E-mail: Contact
Comments: Our family made the trek from the coast of Maine to the mountains of Maine. Our visit was during peak foliage season, which was quite a treat in itself.
Little did our family know, the experience was about to get even better! The fun manor in which you explain mining and the mining lifestyle of yesteryears kept our children captivated. Pawing through the tailings, panning minerals and crystals, as well as exploring old mines made this a trip to remember for everyone in our family.
Thank you for the memories, and we look forward to seeing you next year!!
Added: October 18, 2010
Submitted by Name: The McCabes From: Wheeling, IL (Chicago suburb) E-mail: Contact
Comments: We loved this experience. Seabury is interesting, fun, knowledgable and very accomodating. We truly enjoyed the minerology and geology portion of our adventure. We learned a lot in a fun way. The area and the mines are a unique way to spend one's time while learning and having a good time.
We found some nice minerals to take back home as sourvenirs. All in all, we rate this experience as A-one and well worth the cost.
Name: Childress
From: Reading, Massachusetts
E-mail: Contact
Bill and Ellen