Event and Program List
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The Great Malden Outdoors Rx Program
The following four week programs are a great fit for: people with a mental health or serious stress management need, or people with a physical, intellectual, sensory, or developmental disability where adaptive equipment and staff would help them access these programs.
All locations for programming are accessible via public transportation in and around the city of Malden.
All participants will be asked to fill out a quick and anonymous mental health survey: before, during, and at the end of the four weeks of programming. The survey will be managed by mental health professionals at And Still We Rise.
These programs are limited to groups of 12 participants and we ask that anyone signing up review the schedule to ensure they are available to attend all four weeks of the program. We require that registrants are at least 18 years old to participate.
No insurance information, proof of a diagnosis, or outdoor recreation experience is necessary to participate in this program. Any specialized outdoor equipment, art supplies, and professional instruction will be provided.
As of 3/30 program registration is for residents of any city.
This program is FREE to all participants thanks to funding from: Molina Healthcare and the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation.
For more information about each program and how to sign up, please read below.
Local birding guide and professional photographer, Michael Bryant aka Nature Man Mike will lead a series of 4 birding tours in and around the city of Malden. These tours are open to people who’ve never gone birding before as well as experienced birders, either way you will enjoy learning about bird identification and their behavior.
These tours will happen on the following dates and times:
Saturday 4/18 9am to 11am
Sunday 4/26 9am to 11am
Saturday 5/2 9am to 11am
Saturday 5/9 9am to 11am
These events were designed for adults who have the capacity to enjoy a 2 hour or more walk or hike. The activity of bird watching is made easier when participants can hear both bird songs and the guide. This series is not recommended for dogs, please leave your pet at home. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to each location.
Each birding tour will have a different description sent in advance to help guests understand the difficulty of the terrain they’ll cover, restroom available, parking, and distance traveled. Loaner binoculars will be available if guests do not have their own. No bird watching experience required!
About Michael Bryant, aka Nature Man Mike:
Michael Bryant is a professional photographer, instructor, bird walk guide, host of international bird photography tours, and workshops. Over 18 years experience as a nature photographer and 14 years as a professional portrait, wedding, and event photographer. Through the world of birding, he’s worked with various organizations such as Mass Audubon, Franklin Park Coalition, Brookline Bird Club, Arnold Arboretum, Fenway Civic Association, and more.
Have you not drawn since you were nine? Or have you drifted away from art? This is a class for all levels where we will build a fun habit of making art every day. Research shows that any kind of art-making, even scribbling, benefits us mentally, physically and emotionally. We will find inspiration in observation, imagination, and in the natural world around us.
We will always leave our sketchbooks with the start of ideas for the next day. No blank page anxiety for us. A micron pen and two sketchbooks are included. One pocket size sketchbook is to carry around daily, and a lap-size sketchbook is included for home assignments. Additional materials will be shared in class each week.
Participants will meet at Pine Banks Park during four Saturday mornings in May, rain or shine. Dress for spring outdoors in New England. Participants should be able to traverse dirt paths, and hilly paved roads in order to access this class as you’ll need to get to the covered meeting area and surrounding park from the lower parking lot or the bus stop on Main Street.
This class will run on these dates and times:
Saturday 5/2 9am to 11am
Saturday 5/9 9am to 11am
Saturday 5/16 9am to 11am
Saturday 5/30 9am to 11am
About Sharon:
Sharon Santillo taught art for 27 years and in 2011 was named Massachusetts Art Educator of the Year. She truly believes we are all artists, that creativity is inherent in what it is to be human. In this course she shares her love of the outdoors, sketchbooks, and the peace and contentment that comes with making a little art every day.
Join us for a mindful outdoor experience lead by Sue Novick, based on the Japanese practice of forest meditation or Shinrin-Yoku. Forest meditation is a practice of immersing in the atmosphere of the forest by slowing down and engaging all the senses. Studies show the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature. Participants often experience an increased sense of calm and well-being.
The programs will start with an introduction. The program will include Qi Gong (mindful movements and breathing), a guided meditation, a silent walk, a sensory exploration of natural items, and a closing circle. There will be opportunities to share reflections. Ideal participants should be capable of a short walks over natural surfaces and have the ability to sit down and get up from a seated position on the ground.
This program will run on the following dates and times:
Saturday 5/2 10:30am to 12pm
Saturday 5/9 10:30am to 12pm
Saturday 5/16 10:30am to 12pm
Saturday 5/30 10:30am to 12pm
About Sue Novick:
Sue has been leading mindful outdoor experiences since 2023, when she was certified as a mindful outdoor guide through Kripalu. She is a retired occupational therapist. Learn more at Friends of the Fells.
Join Waypoint’s experienced trip leaders and outdoor guides on hikes exploring the beauty of the Middlesex Fells. We will be adventuring around the Greenwood Park and Fells Reservoir areas. During these adventures we will observe the signs of spring renewal in the woods and focus on finding the joy and beauty in nature.
The hikes will be designed to promote access to our natural world regardless of physical abilities, cognitive delays, or communication styles. To ensure that we have the correct adaptive and accessible equipment for participants, a staff member will reach out to you prior to the first hike to talk about what special equipment you may benefit from. This call will also help us plan our routes for each week, so that the level of challenge and adventure is appropriate for the participants.
This program will run on the following dates and times:
Saturday 4/25 10am to 1pm
Saturday 5/2 10am to 1pm
Saturday 5/9 10am to 1pm
Saturday 5/16 10am to 1pm
About Waypoint Adventure:
At Waypoint Adventure, we recognize the willful spirit inside each of us, and we help unleash it. Free it. We see adventure as a teacher, one that breathes confidence into us all. Once you’ve taken on that challenge of adventure… you’ll begin to invite opportunities that can change the way you think and transform your life.
Challenge yourself! You can do more than you think. Waypoint will be there guiding your discovery, meeting you right where you are – ensuring that you have the necessary equipment, encouragement, and the experience of being supported by community.
Where “I can’t” becomes “Yes, I can”, Waypoint Adventure is here to help free what’s possible.
Ready to sign up?
Follow the instructions below.
Are you dealing with a mental health or serious stress management need? Click the button below and a team member from And Still We Rise will reach out for a quick digital screening and will assign you a program that fits your needs.
Do you have a physical, sensory, intellectual, or developmental disability where adaptive equipment and staff would help you access these programs? Click the button below and a team member from Waypoint Adventure will reach out to ensure they can accommodate your needs.
Seasonal Events
$20 8-Week Rock Climbing Program
Join Rock Spot Malden for their annual Middle School Student Indoor to Outdoor rock climbing program. This typically costs over $200 but thanks to funding from the MA Office of Outdoor Recreation it’s just $20
FREE Guided Hikes
Join the Friends of the Fells on several family friendly hikes this Spring learning about local flora and fauna leaving from DCR Gate #55 in Malden on 4/26, 5/2, and 6/20
Outdoor Climbing Class
If you've ever wanted to give outdoor climbing a try, then this is the program for you! Rock Spot staff will provide all the necessary equipment and take care of anchoring the rope at the top of the cliff. Recommended for all ages and abilities regardless of climbing experience. Classes are 10am to 1pm at Waitts Mount on multiple dates below.
Sport Climbing 202 Class
Sport Climbing 202 reviews the 201 class material in an outdoor environment. Participants will be "mock leading" with a top rope backup while they practice. Expect to be tested on multiple anchor situations at the top of the climbing route under the direct supervision of the instructor. Classes are 2pm to 6pm at Waitts Mount on multiple dates below.
FREE Nature & Science Walks
Join Earthwise Aware on several biodiversity and climate walks and nature conservation participatory science events in the Middlesex Fells Reservation all Spring and Fall.
Birding Tours
With Nature Man Mike in and around Malden, select a date below for more details. No Birding experience required and loaner binoculars available. Tours are just $5 thanks to the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation
Family Outdoor Art Class
Our popular “Stop Scrolling and Start Sketching” outdoor art class for families is back now as a 4-week program starting on Sunday 5/31 through Sunday 6/28 at Pine Banks Park
Adult Outdoor Art Class
“Stop Scrolling and Start Sketching” outdoor art class for adults is back starting on Saturday June 6th to the 27th at Pine Banks Park
All Year Events
FREE Run Club
Join the Run Club of Malden with runs on Wednesdays at 6pm from Faces Brewery and Saturdays at 8am from Bikeeny Cafe.
FREE Run Club
Join The Bridge Running Club for weekly run and walk outings all year long, Tuesdays at 6:30pm at 23 Commercial St in Malden.
Active Petitions
Let’s Take Action!
The Great Malden Outdoors wants to create more safe access to outdoor spaces.
We’re working to build a list of folks who’d like to see: crosswalks, hiking crossing signs, and map kiosks on DCR properties. Our most popular trailhead into the Middlesex Fells does not have a crosswalk and sits just after a blind corner. It’s also very popular amongst student groups who take the T from Oak Grove.
To learn more, please click the link below to sign the petition.
