If you have any questions while preparing for your visit, call the Summer Programs Office at 800-597-9500 or email us at summer@coa.edu
 
REGISTRATION: Please arrive and register on Sunday between 2:00 and 4:30 pm.  Enter campus through the South Entrance and follow registration signs to Blair/Tyson residence hall.  Campus and program orientation begins promptly at 4:45 pm, followed by dinner and an ice cream social.
 
LATE ARRIVALS:  Please call 207-479-5015.
 
ACCOMMODATIONS: Each suite in the Blair/Tyson student housing complex has small common rooms with kitchens containing full-size appliances.  All bathrooms are co-ed and are shared by one to three families.  Bedrooms are equipped with either twin beds or bunk beds with guard rails, mattress pads, pillows, and blankets.  Families bring their own bed linens and towels.
 
ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: Room assignments are customized according to the number of people in your family, ages of children, and composition of groups traveling together.  For example, a family of four with younger children would normally be housed in one of the quad rooms with bunk beds.  A family of four with older children would be housed in two double rooms next to or opposite one another.
 
WHAT TO BRING: Checklist found here (pdf-11k)

PICTURE ID: A new Homeland Security law requires all persons over the age of 18 to show a picture ID card in order to board a commercial whale watch vessel. 

MEALS:  COA provides three meals a day from Sunday evening through Friday evening.  Meals are served cafeteria style, and box lunches are provided for families upon request.  Menus include "kid-friendly" foods and an optional lobster dinner one evening.  It is very important to have advanced notice regarding food allergies and vegan or vegetarian preferences.
 
TELEPHONE/MAIL: Friends and relatives may leave messages with the COA receptionist (207-288-5015) Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.  After hours, the Blair Tyson residence hall is equipped with phones in common areas.  The number for emergencies after hours is 207-288-9001.  This number is for emergencies only.
 
Address mail to: c/o Family Nature Camp, College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609-1105.  There is a mailbox marked Summer Programs Mail located in the dining hall where we deliver incoming mail.
 
COMPUTER INFORMATION:  All summer program participants are given a login and password that allow them to access college computers.  Wireless services are free of charge to all summer participants who pre-register - Computer Registration Form.   Summer Program participants who register upon arrival will be charged a $10 fee.
 
LAUNDRY: Coin washers and dryers are located in the basement of Blair/Tyson, and there are two laundromats in the village of Bar Harbor.
 
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: The Island Explorer, a free shuttle bus with seven bus routes linking Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers, has a scheduled stop on campus.  Buses are equipped with bike racks and run continuously throughout the day and evening providing access to the Bar Harbor Airport, as well as to the island's hiking trails, carriage roads, and beaches.
 
DEPARTURES: Leave keys in your room prior to 9:00 am departure on Saturday morning.  A $25 fee will be charged for each lost key.
 
DIRECTIONS:
By car: From Boston, Interstate 95 north to Interstate 395 in Bangor; Route 1A from Bangor to Ellsworth; about 19 miles on Route 3 to Bar Harbor.  COA is located on the ocean-side of Route 3, one quarter mile beyond the Bay Ferry terminal.  This is a five to six hour drive from Boston.
 
By plane: Regularly scheduled flights are available to Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton, about 12 miles from campus, and to Bangor International Airport in Bangor, about 55 miles from campus.  Taxi service is available from Bangor.  Rental cars are available at both airports.  Contact your local travel agent for help arranging flights.  For more information, contact COA summer programs at 800-597-9500.
 
CHILD SAFETY LAWS FOR VEHICLE TRAVEL IN MAINE: 
Car Seats: Required for all infants, babies and toddlers.
 
Booster Seats: Required for all children who weigh at least 40 lbs. but less than 80 lbs. and who are less than 8 years of age.
 
Seat Belts: Required for all other children and adults.

DISCLAIMERS:
Occasionally a boat trip is canceled due to bad weather.  No refunds will be given for canceled boat trips.
 
All children must be supervised by adults while on campus.
 

Register here for Family Nature Camp
 
What participants say
 
Field trip descriptions
 
Computer information
 
Contact Information:
College of the Atlantic Summer Programs
Attn:  Jean Sylvia
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, ME  04609
Phone:  800-597-9500
Fax: 207-288-3780
email:  summer@coa.edu