College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor on beautiful Mount Desert Island, Maine. The college's 35 waterfront acres overlook the ocean and are adjacent to Acadia National Park. The village of Bar Harbor is within walking distance of the campus and offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants and night spots, as well as art shows, evening concerts, and numerous other summer activities.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Participants share rooms in the residence halls. A limited number of single rooms are available at an additional cost on a first requested, first provided basis. Students enrolled in a two-week course have full use of the residence halls over the weekend. Residence halls have small common rooms and kitchens with full-size appliances. Rooms are equipped with twin beds, mattress pads, pillows, and blankets. Participants must bring their own bed linens and towels. All bathrooms are co-ed and are shared by up to six people. 

What to Bring: Checklist found here (pdf-11k)
More Information on Accommodations: What COA does and does not provide (pdf-10k)

MEALS

COA's award-winning dining hall provides three meals a day from Sunday evening through Friday evening. Meals are served cafeteria style, and box lunches are provided for class field trips upon instructor's request. An optional lobster dinner will be available for one of the evening meals. for an additional $15. Please provide advanced notice regarding food allergies and vegan or vegetarian preferences. Participants enrolled in a two-week course are responsible for their own weekend meals (except for Sunday dinner). A special lunch-only meal plan is available to commuters for $65 per person/week.

TEXTBOOKS/SUPPLIES

The course syllabus contains information about acquisition of books or other study materials. Students may spend between $50 and $100 for books and supplies. Unless otherwise noted, you are responsible for purchasing your textbooks prior to arrival.

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 residence halls are equipped with phones in common areas.

Address mail to: c/o Summer Programs, College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609.

LAUNDRY

There are coin washers and dryers in the on-campus residence halls. Please remember to bring change, as there are no coin machines. There are also laundromats in the village of Bar Harbor.

Local Transportation

The Island Explorer, a free shuttle bus with multiple routes linking Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers, has a regular 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.

DIRECTIONS

By car: From Boston, Interstate 95 north to Interstate 395 in Bangor; then follow Route 1A to Ellsworth where 1A meets Route 3; continue on Route 3 approximately 19 miles to Bar Harbor. COA is located on the ocean-side (left) of Route 3. You will pass the main entrance before coming to the south entrance. 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 and shuttle service are available from Bangor. Rental cars are available at both airports.

More detailed directions are available here.

Arrival and Check-In

Please arrive and register on Sunday between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. Enter campus through the South Entrance and follow registration signs to the Deering Common Community Center. Orientation begins promptly at 5:15 pm, followed by dinner. Commuting students unable to register on Sunday should contact the Summer Programs Office. Download a parking map (PDF, 1.2M) or a full campus map.

DEPARTURES

Courses end on Friday afternoon. Participants must vacate their rooms by 9:00 am on Saturday morning.

Reminders

• Pets are not permitted on the COA campus or in COA housing.
•  Smoking is prohibited by law in all campus buildings including dorms, classrooms, meeting rooms, labs, etc. Smoking is permitted in designated outside areas only.
• U.S. law requires all persons over the age of 18 to show a photo ID in order to board a commercial whale watch vessel.