ROCKPORT — It’s a secret, but I’m going to tell you about it and then it won’t be a secret anymore unless you keep it, so the heat's off me and I can tell you. Two little words, Beauchamp Point. Shhhhh, it’s probably one of the best kept secrets in the Midcoast. Locals have been enjoying its peace and quiet for years as a place to be alone with one’s thoughts and enjoy some solitude, or share a wonderful view with friends.

How do you find it? That’s the part I’m not going to tell you. Partly because I don’t want to violate too much of the Local’s Creed by giving away secret locations and partly because I think it would be fun to give you hints with some pictures and let you have an adventure all your own.

Let’s start with the Children’s Chapel. It’s close to Beauchamp Point, easy to find and a lot of people know it’s there. Weddings abound there in the summer. Its tended grounds flourish in a beautiful tress, with shrubs and flowers on the front side of the chapel. Then, there’s the view of the ocean on the back side. There are benches set around the grounds to allow you to sit and do nothing more than contemplate your state.

It’s a relaxing place to spend some time early morning, noon, or early evening. Artists have been known to use the backdrop to paint and sketch. Enter through the arch and enter the chapel to meditate and pray. The official name is Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel, it was built in 1960 by Helene Bok, but its history goes a little further back then that.

Cheryl Lezin, of Warren, was taking her dog, Trapper, for a walk around the chapel. I asked her how she felt about letting the secret out.

“I’m meeting some friends here, and Trapper and I are taking a walk around the chapel before we all head off to Beauchamp Point,” she said. “It’s quiet, it’s beautiful/ I’m almost speechless trying to describe it. It really is just a lovely space. It’s hard to share it with people, but I think it has enough room for everyone.”

It was a summer home and later the Tamarack Lodge, which was destroyed by fire in February 1954. Part of the lodge’s foundation was incorporated into the chapel. Bok purchased the land in 1960 and built the Swiss styled chapel that can accommodate up to 50 people. The nondenominational, all-denominational chapel is open to the public during daylight hours.

A dedication plaque in the chapel reads: This chapel is built to the memory of all young people who have passed through this world and gained God by so doing. It stands for freedom, thought, prayer, and action. It stands for holiness within the body, and for God in the heart each waking hour. May the Lord bless all young people who come here for spiritual and mental refreshment. — Helene Bok

Bok enlisted enthusiastic children to cut shrubs, pull weeds and help groom the space.

Easy to find: Hidden between Rockport and Aldermere Farm take Calderwood Avenue past the Megunticook Country Club. On your right you’ll find a driveway with a low boulder and the words, Vesper Hill, inscribed on it. But, Vesper Hill is just the beginning of your adventure.

Continue on and look for the other signs your journey is nearing an end. You’ll know it when you find it because there are usually cars parked along the road and people walking to and fro. Everyone is friendly; it’s a neutral space, so greet them with a smile and a wave. Take the short walk into the trees and you’ll come out to a craggy, outcropping of rock that you’ll realize is a remote spot of Rockport’s outer harbor. Word of advice: There’s more rock at low tide, so try to time your visit accordingly.

Ruth Scott, of Camden, was taking in Beauchamp Point when I happened upon her. She was unsure how to answer my question about what she thought of being out on a sunny day, but the conversation went something like this.

“I like, oh I like everything, it's mmmmm.”

“Mmmmmm, I’m going to print that you know. Mmmmmm.”

“Ohhh, I love to feel the ocean breeze, and look at the blue sky, and breathe it in and feel the sun. There’s nothing like it anywhere I’ve been.

“And how do you feel about this being one of the best kept secrets on the Midcoast?”

“I hope so,” she laughed.  

Only that small portion of Beauchamp Point is accessible to the public. Most of the shoreline is private property and belongs to the houses that line the road. Be careful before you start heading out to a shoreline because it looks so pretty with that lovely rock wall. You’ll more than likely be trespassing and residents of Beauchamp Point are a pretty private bunch. The jut of land the road follows eventually winds its way up into Rockport where you can head into the village or back toward Camden on Russell Avenue.

The many rocks and their angles make for lots of natural seating, or a place to stretch out, maybe for a nap. You can find a cozy little nook that seems like it was made just for you, or space enough for a small gathering of friends. From a romantic interlude to light conversation to meditation, there's a place waiting just for you at Beauchamp Point.

Stop for a while and take in the serenity of the scenic outlook. It’s not a park, or a public space, or anything for that matter, just a place along the scenic byway, a lovely spot where locals find a way to get away from it all if only for a brief time. Your adventure has come to an end. If you decide to head back to Camden from Rockport Village be wary crossing the bridge if a man tries to offer you a pitcher of beer. Ah yes, but that’s another story altogether and another adventure for you.  

Chris Wolf can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com