What to expect…
Swimming: There will be frequent opportunities to swim pending the weather, and water temperature at our oceanfront location.
Excursions: Chickadees can expect to leave campus for an excursion once a week and we typically keep these close to campus. You can expect to receive information regarding each excursion prior to the start of camp.
Activities: Arts & crafts, nature walks, reading stories, playing games, and community circles are some of the activities you can expect to see every week. These are tied into the week’s theme in addition to the activities that are specifically created to reflect the week’s thematic educational goal and the daily learning targets that align to it.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Take your little explorers on an unforgettable journey specially designed for rising first graders, the Chickadees, where the fascinating history of Mount Desert Island (MDI) comes to life through a perfect blend of fun, education, and adventure. Dive into the rich history of MDI, exploring its breathtaking landscapes and the stories of the Native American Wabanaki people, with a hands-on program crafted to spark curiosity and a love for learning. By the end of summer, our Chickadees will appreciate MDI as a significant historical and natural gem of Maine, learning to identify its key features and enthusiastically share tales of its early inhabitants. The “Discovering Nature on MDI” big activity will have campers experiencing the magic of Acadia National Park and unveiling the natural wonders of MDI’s landscape. A visit to the Abbe Museum is the highlight of our excursions, where campers engage with exhibits that tell the story of Maine’s first people, the Wabanaki, connecting deeply with the island’s history. Activities include hands-on exploration of the island’s natural features, learning about Samuel de Champlain and the basics of exploration, and recognizing the significance of MDI and the concept of a national park, making this a summer packed with discovery and adventure.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Embark on a seaside adventure with “Beachcombers” camp, tailored for the enthusiastic Chickadees group of rising first graders eager for coastal exploration on Mount Desert Island, Maine’s natural treasure. This camp combines interactive learning with hands-on activities, guiding campers through the enchanting world of tidepooling, where they’ll uncover the secrets of the beach, learn about ecosystem dynamics, tidepool safety, and the natural rhythms influenced by tides and lunar cycles. The “Bar Island beachcombing activity” serves as a hands-on exploration highlight, fostering curiosity and respect for marine treasures. Additional adventures include a visit to the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History, enriching campers’ understanding of local biodiversity and conservation. Activities like Tidal Chart Exploration, Moon Chart Discovery, and a Scavenger Hunt will equip our little beachcombers with knowledge to navigate tidal charts and understand the moon’s impact on tides, all while discovering unique organisms shaped by the ocean. “Beachcombers” camp promises a summer of sun-soaked discovery and learning, instilling a lasting appreciation for the natural world as campers gather shells, memories, and a deep admiration for the coastal ecosystem. Join this unforgettable exploration where every discovery tells a story, making every day an adventure on the beautiful shores of Mount Desert Island.
4-day Session: $230 Resident / $300 Non-resident
Description: Embark on a delightful summer adventure tailored for rising first graders and themed “Barnyard Friends”! This unique camp experience, set in the heart of farm life, aims to educate and enchant, fostering a deep appreciation for agriculture and its feathered and furry inhabitants. Campers will explore the roles and characteristics of various farm animals through engaging interactive activities, immersive stories, and hands-on projects. An exciting excursion to the Peggy Rockefeller Farm brings learning to life, allowing campers to embark on barnyard adventures to discover the facets of farm life and play games to learn about animal responsibilities. This comprehensive camp experience promises to leave your child with new knowledge, memorable experiences, and a heart full of love for the agricultural world making it the perfect summer activity for young learners eager to delve into the wonders of farm life.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Dive into the “Plants & Us” session, designed for the curious Chickadees, our rising first graders poised to explore botany and gardening. This session unveils the wonders of plants and their crucial role in ecosystems and daily life. Through engaging activities, excursions, and creative endeavors, campers will learn plant parts, enjoy the gardening process, and embrace environmental stewardship. Highlights include the “Students Garden Activity” where hands-on gardening from planting to harvesting brings joy and hands-on learning. Excursions to local gardens immerse campers in plant diversity and beauty, sparking inspiration. “Plants & Us” offers a summer of discovery, growth, and fostering a lifelong connection with nature, inviting young gardeners to experience the cycle of life in a garden setting and understand the vital relationship between plants and people. Join this hands-on gardening adventure where every seed planted nurtures mindful earth stewards.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Welcome to the enchanting world of the Chickadees Camp session, where rising first graders engage in a “Forest Friends” themed adventure across the diverse habitats of Mount Desert Island (MDI). This unique camp experience immerses young explorers in the local wildlife and ecosystems, fostering observation, interaction, and reflection to develop an understanding of the importance of each species and their contributions to the environment. A key highlight, the “Animal Picture Match” activity, engages campers in a fun challenge of matching animals to their habitats, enhancing their knowledge and connection to nature. The adventure continues with a mesmerizing nature walk through Acadia National Park along the Jesup Path, offering an intimate glimpse into the natural wonders of MDI. Additional activities allow campers to build miniature homes for various species, and others sharpen their ears to the symphony of the forest, identifying creatures by their calls. The Chickadees Camp promises a summer of discovery and learning, where young nature enthusiasts will cultivate a sense of stewardship and curiosity for the natural world, leaving with cherished memories, a deeper appreciation for wildlife, and a commitment to environmental care.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Fly into the magical world of “Bird Basics,” a delightful summer camp session crafted for the eager Chickadees, our rising first graders poised to explore the captivating realm of birds. Featuring an exciting excursion to Sieur de Monts, campers will be thrilled to learn bird identification basics, understand diverse avian habitats, and engage in hands-on activities that connect them closely with the avian kingdom. Campers will embark on an ornithological adventure, learning to identify birds by their colors, shapes, sizes, and songs, nurturing a profound appreciation for birds and their crucial roles in our ecosystems. The highlight of the camp, the “Bird Nest Building” project, along with crafting bird feeders, constructing a giant bird nest, and painting whimsical watercolor birds, promises not only to spark creativity but also to instill a sense of empathy and responsibility towards bird conservation. Sieur de Monts serves a good setting for immersive birdwatching, offering firsthand observation of birds in their natural habitats. “Bird Basics” guarantees a summer brimming with exploration, artistic expression, and joy, inspiring our Chickadees to marvel at the beauty of birds and the natural world around us, making every discovery an opportunity for growth and admiration.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Dive into the “Under The Sea” summer camp session designed exclusively for rising first graders in the Chickadees group in an unforgettable summer filled with discovery and fun beneath the waves. This marine-themed camp promises an immersive journey into the ocean’s wonders, offering a chance to explore its diverse ecosystems and understand the significance of ocean conservation. The “My Little Ocean Cartographer” activity transforms campers into young mapmakers, charting the vibrant underwater world, while excursions to The George B. Dorr Museum and COA Beach, supplemented by an enlightening Allied Whale presentation, provide an up-close look at marine biodiversity and conservation efforts. Through engaging activities like Cartography, Marine Bingo/Match-Up, the “Super Sea Friends” project, and the “Ocean Heroes - Protecting Our Ocean Friends” initiative, campers will not only learn about marine life and their habitats but also how they can contribute to protecting these critical ecosystems. This camp melds scientific exploration with creativity and stewardship, equipping the Chickadees with knowledge, memories, and a sense of responsibility toward preserving our oceans.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Immerse your child in the “Art & Stories of Maine” camp session, a creative oasis for rising first graders in the Chickadees group, where the breathtaking landscapes of Maine inspire a blend of art and storytelling. Here, campers explore sketching, watercoloring, and story crafting, channeling their observations and imaginations into visual and narrative delights. With a focus on developing sketching and watercoloring fundamentals alongside weaving captivating tales, this camp cultivates confidence, creativity, and a love for artistic expression. Central to the experience are the “Our Nature Collage Creations” and “Story Tellers & Illustrators” projects, encouraging campers to merge art and literature to celebrate Maine’s natural beauty and their unique visions. Activities like Color Exploration, My Little Story Book, Nature’s Watercolors, My Story Adventure, Nature’s Geometry, and A Day in My Life further enrich the journey, enhancing campers’ appreciation for nature and storytelling. “Art & Stories of Maine” ensures a summer of creation, discovery, and cherished memories, leaving campers with a portfolio of their work and a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its stories. Embark on this first-grade adventure where art intersects with story, shaping each day into a new narrative to be painted and told.
5-day Session: $285 Resident / $360 Non-resident
Description: Venture into “The Great Outdoors” camp session, tailored for the adventurous Chickadees - our rising first graders eager to explore nature’s wonders. Set against the picturesque backdrops of Jesup & Hemlock Path and the scenic COA Campus, this camp combines outdoor adventure with vital teachings on safety, environmental stewardship, and responsible exploration. Through the “Tiny Navigators: A Compass Rose Adventure,” campers will learn navigation fundamentals using compasses and maps, fostering independence and confidence. Excursions to Jesup & Hemlock Path, COA Forest, and COA (Witchcliff) provide perfect opportunities for applying navigation skills, observing local biodiversity, and embracing the tranquility of nature. Activities like “Nature Safety Explorers,” “Eco Explorers: A Leave No Trace Adventure,” “Weather Wonders: Preparing for Adventure,” and “Safe & Sound” ensure campers become well-versed in outdoor safety, environmental awareness, and ethical behavior. “The Great Outdoors” camp offers a summer of meaningful exploration and education, promising our Chickadees a season of growth, discovery, and a renewed appreciation for preserving the natural world. Join us on this unforgettable journey to cultivate love for the outdoors and learn the importance of protecting ourselves and the environment.