Please check back in January for Summer 2012 sessions & Information!

Summer Field studies 2011

College of the Atlantic's Summer Field Studies (SFS) is a day camp program designed for young people entering first through twelfth grades. Participants explore, play, and learn through a variety of hands-on, minds-on activities to increase their awareness and appreciation of the natural environment. Learning in small groups of 10-12 lets us foster an atmosphere of community and cooperation. Our staff are qualified environmental educators whose leadership, experience, and knowledge create a safe, fun, caring, and rich learning atmosphere. While making new friends and visiting beautiful areas, SFS participants develop both an understanding and a sensitivity toward the natural world around them.

New in 2011: SFS Partnership with Beech hill farm

SFS has partnered with Beech Hill Farm this year for exciting sessions of food systems ecology and farming for grades 3-9. Each “Farm to Fork: Food Systems Fun at Beech Hill Farm and Beyond” session content and activities is tailored to the specified age group. Each session will be team-taught by trained SFS staff, along with a Beech Hill Farm staff member. Sessions will still meet at COA each morning and afternoon, though the days will be primarily based out of Beech Hill Farm, along with visits to other island farms, nearby trails and swimming holes. We are very happy to offer this opportunity this summer!

2011 PROGRAM SESSIONS

First and second graders can explore and discover local ecology in four and five day sessions on College of the Atlantic's beautiful shore-front campus. Third through twelfth graders travel to a variety of field sites on and around Mount Desert Island. Two-week sessions meet Monday through Friday the first week and Monday through Thursday the second week. The camp day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — extended care is available.

Link on age groups below to see specific session descriptions, including some unique schedules and activities.

Students Entering Grades 1 & 2 in the Fall
June 27 – July 1: Mysteries of the Micro World  ***This session is now full.****
July 5 – July 8: Seeds to Sprouts ***This session is now full.***
July 11 – July 15: Food Chain Frenzy
July 18 – July 22: Seashells at the Seashore  ***This Session is now full.***
July 25 – July 28: Mysteries of the Micro World ***This Session is now full.***
August 1 – August 5: Seeds to Sprouts
August 8 – August 12: Food Chain Frenzy
August 15 – August 18: Seashells at the Seashore

Students Entering Grades 3 & 4 in the Fall
June 27 – July 8: Aquatic Odyssey   ***This session is now full.***
July 11 – July 15: Edible Acadia  ***This Session is now full.***
July 18 – July 28: Made in Maine  ***This session is now full.***
August 1 – August 5: Farm to Fork: Food Systems Fun at Beech Hill Farm & Beyond  ***This session is now full.
August 8 – August 18: Nature’s Dwellings ***This Session is now full.***

Students Entering Grades 5 & 6 in the Fall
June 27 – July 8: Flight, Feathers and Falcons
July 11- July 15: Farm to Fork: Food Systems Fun at Beech Hill Farm & Beyond
July 18 - July 28: Under the Sea
August 1- 5: Water Power
August 8 - 18: Art in the Natural World

Students Entering Grades 7*–9 in the Fall
June 27 – July 8: Canoes, Cattails and Conservation
July 11 – July 22: Mount Desert Mountaintops
July 25 – July 28: Farm to Fork: Food Systems Fun at Beech Hill Farm & Beyond
August 1 – August 5: Night Vision ***This Session is now full.***
August 8 – August 18: Science of the Sun

*7th graders are invited to join grades 5 & 6 when sessions for grades 7-9 are not being offered

FEE SCHEDULE

Residents are those participants who live year-round in Hancock or Penobscot Counties.
Please refer to session descriptions for specific cost information.

4-day session: $175 Residents / $210 Non-Residents
5-day session: $210 Residents / $245 Non-Residents
2-week session: $370 Residents / $400 Non-Residents

TUITION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE

If you would like to receive assistance, please download and complete a tuition assistance form with your registration. All submitted materials will be confidentially reviewed by the Tuition Assistance Committee. Tuition assistance of 10-75% are given based on need to families who reside year round in the greater Hancock county area. If assistance is insufficient, you may reclaim your deposit.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations received up to two weeks prior to the session will receive a refund minus the deposit fee. Registrations canceled less than two weeks before the session can only be refunded (minus the deposit fee) if your space is filled by another participant. Sessions must have a minimum of 6 program participants in order to run. If we cancel a session due to under enrollment, a full refund, including deposit, will be given.

BEFORE AND AFTER CARE

We are once again offering extended care from 7:30–9 a.m. and 3–5:30 p.m. This on-campus, supervised care will give children a chance to warm up to the day and quietly wind down after an action-packed day of camp.

Before-Camp Care: $8/day, After-Camp Care: $10/day