MDIBL is a community of families. Lab families are a tradition here, and many summer activites are planned with families, and children, in mind. Here we list traditional summer activites for the investigator and their family, as well as summer programs on MDI specially suited for children.

For a list of year-round staff suggested restaurants and activities, click here.

Summer Programs for Kids

Camp Beech Cliff
Camp Beech Cliff
http://www.campbeechcliff.org

Summer Day Camp (grades 2-8)
$225/week for non-residents

The Beech Cliff day program is designed for boys and girls age 8 to 14. They can spend their days searching for salamanders in the forest, swimming in the cool water of Echo Lake, exhausting their arm muscles in a canoe race, learning to sail, breaking through fear on the challenge course high catwalk log, discovering the elation of creating beauty in art & crafts, shooting a bulls eye in archery and making lifelong friends.

Maine Adventure Trips (grades 7-11)
$625 (2007 price)

Camp Beech Cliff offers two five-day-long overnight trips, to the St. Croix River and the Bigelow Range.  In these trips, campers ravel in self-sufficient groups, carrying all of the necessary gear and food. During the course of the trip, campers learn technical skills necessary for efficient travel and group living skills needed for healthy teamwork.

Camp Beech Cliff
PO Box 381
Mount Desert, ME 04660
(207) 244-0365 (voice)
(207) 244-3355 (fax)

Summer Field Studies
College of the Atlantic
http://www.coa.edu/summer/

Summer Field Studies is an environmental education day camp designed for young people entering first through ninth grades. Our goal is to help participants increase their awareness and appreciation of the natural environment through a variety of hands-on and investigative activities. If you would like to receive a brochure and registration materials, please contact us with your mailing address at sfs@coa.edu, write or call:

Summer Field Studies
Dorr Museum of Natural History
College of the Atlantic
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-5015

Islands Through Time
Islands Through Time
http://www.coa.edu/html/islandsthroughtime.htm

Islands Through Time is College of the Atlantic's new summer program for high school juniors and seniors who want to: (1) Learn in multiple settings-classroom, boat, and seashore; (2) Explore the connections between science, art and the humanities; (3) Engage in an intensive program of reading and study combined with active, applied learning opportunities.

The relationships between humans and their environments must be investigated in an integrative manner (the study of Human Ecology). This program will explore environmental, aesthetic, cultural, political, historical, and economic aspects of coastal Maine islands.

MDI Community Sailing Center
MDI Community Sailing Center
http://www.mdisailing.org/index.html

2008 Rates:
Resident - $145/week
Non-Resident - $195/week

MDI Community Sailing Center is a program of Harbor House Community Center in partnership with Oceanus Institute and The Southwest Harbor Fleet. Our mission is to provide access to sailing, and instruction, at an affordable rate to the general public of Mount Desert Island and its visitors from away. The 2006 Junior Program will begin on Monday June 26th and end on Friday August 25th. There is a one week minimum registration requirement. Students age 7-10 will meet 9:00-Noon (M-F). Students age 10-16 will meet at 12:30-3:30 (M-F). Students of both the morning and afternoon groups will be divided into appropriate individual skill level activities.

Beginners to advanced sailors are encouraged to sign up for any week or multiple weeks. Our staff will see that every student is daily assigned to the proper sailboat class while on the water. During any given morning or afternoon, there will be up to three different skill level groups on the water sailing. This flexibility allows us to offer a wide spectrum from beginners learning to row up to racing tactics on our Club 420s. All MDICS staff is at least Level One US Sailing Certified Instructor.

Every Friday afternoon in July and August, all students participating in our afternoon classes will be offered the chance to participate in the Southwest Harbor Fleet Bullseye Series. Even beginners will have a chance to crew for instructors and experience the thrill of racing.

MDI Community Sailing Center
PO Box 836
Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679
207-244-7905
hhgsquires@adelphia.net

MDI YMCA Summer Camps
MDI YMCA
http://www.mdiymca.org
http://www.mdiymca.org/documents/YSummerCampWeb.pdf (Camp brochure)

The MDI YMCA offers a large variety of summer camps, including sports camps and day camps for kids of all ages. Please visit the MDI YMCA's website or download the brochure for extensive information about the large variety of camps offered.

MDI YMCA
21 Park Street
Bar Harbor, 04609
207-288-3511

Summer Festival of the Arts
Summer Festival of the Arts
http://www.sfoamaine.org

A Celebration of the Arts Bringing professional artists together with children of the Mount Desert Island Community and beyond. Classes are offered in music, dance, the visual arts, creative writing and theater - all taught by professional artists and teachers. The three-week Festival culminates in an exciting Finale Weekend featuring public performances in music, dance, theater, writing and a spectacular art show.

Summer Festival of the Arts
PO Box 58
337 Main Street (rear)
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Tel: 207-244-3855 June 30-July 26
Camp office: 207-288-0205
info@sfoamaine.org

Bar Harbor Yacht Club - Sailing Program

Learn how to sail or improve on the skills you already have with Kate St. Denis and Dick Libby of the Bar Harbor Yacht Club. This camp includes education and hands-on time on the water, practicing your skills. Participants need to obtain transportation to the Bar Harbor Yacht Club for 12:30 pm arrival and be picked up at 4:00 pm. Participants must also provide their own life jackets. For ages 11-18. Three sessions available: July 10 - July 14; July 17 - July 21; July 24 - July 28.

Bar Harbor Yacht Club
5 Stephens Lane
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Tel: 207-288-5033