Nature’s Gallery

Let the colors and forms in nature inspire your inner artist, as you experiment creating 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional artwork from natural materials that you will find on Mount Desert Island. Paint with natural pigments, sculpt with rock, clay, wood, and seashells, and trace the paths of some of the rusticator artists. Take in the vistas and stop for a swim along the way.

June 24-28
5 day-session: $230 Local / $265 Non-Local

Day turns to night

Trek out into the dusk and discover which MDI creatures are nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular. Many animals change their activities in the evening hours or hide under the cover of darkness. Watch a beaver search for food, call in owls, listen for loons and catch amphibians. Celebrate the celestial wonders of the night sky by peering through telescopes at the summer stars and planets, or witness the moonlit water sparkling with bioluminescent dinoflagellates in Frenchman Bay. Finish out the week by experiencing the sunset and sunrise during an overnight camping trip. 

Note: This session runs from 4:00pm-9:00pm. Please send your child with a picnic dinner.

July 1-12 [No session on Thursday July 4th]
2-week session: $390 Local / $420 Non-Local

trekking above treeline

Summit some of the most picturesque peaks on the island while gaining a new perspective on the landscapes and bodies of water below. Swim in a high elevation pond and investigate some of the hardy flora and fauna that make their home in the unique environment of the alpine zone. Plenty of games, art, and exploration along the trail!

July 15-18
4-day session: $195 Local / $230 Non-Local

downeast wild rivers

The watersheds of coastal Maine have defined the landscape since the retreat of the glaciers. They have shaped and fed human communities for thousands of years. In this unique series of adventures, we will spend a week exploring the near watersheds of Frenchman and Union Bay with day trips from COA, followed by a second week of exploration and camping in Downeast Maine*.   Throughout the session, participants will learn to proficiently paddle canoes, understand the significance of Salmon in Downeast rivers by visiting hatcheries and riverscapes, explore blueberry agriculture, and work with organizations such as Frenchman Bay Conservancy. Through our interactions with people and places, we will begin to understand the region's unique watershed communities, the importance of its health, and have fun along the way!

*This session includes an extended overnight from 7/29-8/1.

July 22 – August 1
2-week session: $420 Local / $450 Non-Local

Farm to Fork: MDI & DownEast

Have fun harvesting seasonal veggies, preparing farm-fresh lunches, and quacking with the ducks, while getting a glimpse of our local food system through fun days spent at Beech Hill and area farms. The first week of the session will be based out of Beech Hill Farm, with visits to other diversified island farms. The second week we will be camping* and exploring farms and food systems in Downeast Maine, along with hiking, swimming, and evening campfires. Make ice cream form fresh milk, create delectable, fresh recipes, and get acquainted with barnyard animals.

*This session includes an extended overnight from 8/12-8/15.

August 5 – 15
2-week session:  $420 Local / $450 Non-Local