Photo courtesy L.L.Bean

Blast Some Sporting Clays, Freeport

Let’s face it: things seem a bit more expensive this summer, whether we’re talking about the price of gas or the cost of taking a ferry ride to one of the Maine islands. Which is why it’s even more remarkable that the considerate people at L.L. Bean have decided to honor their commitment to offer fifteen-dollar adventures, which run the gamut from kayaking to fly-fishing to GPS tracking. One of the best deals of these walk-on adventures, though, has to be the chance to blast away at sporting clays for an hour or so — still just fifteen bucks. After you sign up at the store in downtown Freeport, a company van will whisk you over to Fogg Farm, a pretty spot where L.L. Bean hosts several such walk-on adventures. Here an experienced guide will help you select the shotgun that’s right for you, explain how to hold it, and — most importantly — show you how to put on ear protection to prevent your ears from ringing for days. Then he’ll trigger the automatic launcher, and it’s your turn to blast away at the sky, all in complete safety as the guide makes sure the barrel is always pointed in the right direction. If you’ve never hunted or shot before, this is an excellent introduction to the world of firearms. Ninety-minute adventures are offered every day at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; participants must be at least twelve years old. For just fifteen bucks, you may find yourself signing up for another walk-on adventure in the afternoon. 207-552-3028. www.llbean.com