Outdoor Programs
Where learning meets the wild
In Our Nature
Learning through outdoor experience
At College of the Atlantic, outdoor exploration is part of who we are. To the east lies the Atlantic Ocean; to the west, the mountains of Acadia National Park. Whether you’re an experienced outdoors person or brand new to adventuring, you’ll find endless ways to push your limits, reconnect with nature, and build lifelong memories.
Weekly Trips
Weekly adventures with COA Outdoor Programs
Throughout the year, Outdoor Programs organizes weekly trips to some of Maine’s most spectacular outdoor destinations:
Fall
Hiking in Acadia, canoeing trips, kayaking excursions, and an annual summit hike up Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak.
Winter
Cross-country skiing, ice skating, winter camping trips, and cozy Friday night Fireside gatherings for handwork, wood carving, and snacks.
Spring
Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and outdoor tea-time craft sessions as the island comes back to life.
Weekend-long camping trips give students the chance to explore beyond Mount Desert Island, including places like Baxter State Park and the Bold Coast.
Your Beginning
Off-campus orientation programs (OOPs)
New to COA? There’s no better introduction than our Off-Campus Orientation Programs (OOPs).
These student-led, week-long trips introduce incoming students to Maine’s forests, mountains, and waters—while forging deep friendships from the very start of your college journey.
All students starting in the fall take part in OOPs trips. Get ready for a week of teamwork, exploration, and reflection in some of the Northeast’s most beautiful wilderness.
Lead Outside
Leadership programs
Sea kayaking
Master navigation, safety, and expedition leadership along Maine’s rugged coastline.
Hiking and backpacking
Learn classic Maine woods survival skills, winter camping, food dehydration, and multi-day expedition planning.
Traditional skills
Explore time-honored methods of wilderness travel, including canoe poling, axe work, fire building, and snowshoeing.
Leadership training requires participation across all three terms and culminates in leading our Off-Campus Orientation Program trips for incoming students.
Stories from the Field
T. Rex ran on its tiptoes “Like an eight-ton chicken”
The New York Times reports on a groundbreaking biomechanics study led by COA’s Adrian Boeye ’26. Read More
Student nets prestigious award
Autumn Pauly ’26 is one of just 441 college students from across the United States to win a 2025 Goldwater Scholarship. Read More
Students join elite science conference
Poster and research presentations from a half-dozen College of the Atlantic students highlight the 2025 Waterbird Society and Pacific Seabird Group Joint Meeting. Read MoreReady to build your own path?
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