College of the Atlantic: Summer Field Studies for Children

Summer Field Studies for Children is a curricular-based day camp designed to offer young people entering first through sixth grade the opportunity to explore, play, and learn about the ecology of Mount Desert Island. Through an interdisciplinary, explorational, and hands-on approach to learning our goal is to raise campers’ awareness and knowledge of the natural world surrounding Mount Desert Island.

With program co-leaders working with groups of 10 - 12 campers, every session is designed to foster a fun and safe educational environment. Our 5:1 and 6:1 ratios let us cultivate a cooperative community based atmosphere that creates a rich space for learning. Our curriculum is strategically planned with a weekly overarching educational thematic unit that focuses on stacking campers’ knowledge of the natural world around us. Every day will include intentionally planned activities, nature exploration, field games, and arts & crafts related to the day’s learning target that builds on campers’ knowledge to reflect the thematic unit’s learning goals. Activities and excursions are selected based upon the theme of the week and its age appropriateness. All participants will have at least one excursion per week that may include hiking, nature walking, swimming, and/or canoeing/kayaking depending on the age group of the participant and the session in which they are enrolled.