About the summer ecology academy
The Summer Ecology Academy at River Bend Farm is an immersive, ecology-focused summer learning experience designed for middle school-aged campers. During a week-long program, campers will explore and connect with the ecosystems that make up Maine’s unique ecology. Daily adventures will be grounded in The Ecology School’s 25 years of ecological teaching and taught by our team of experienced educators. Daily, campers will explore with their field group and get to choose from a variety of activities such as canoeing, nature Olympics, and art. Each day ends with gathering and reflection around the campfire.
Maine Students:
Thanks to the Maine Department of Education’s Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative we have a limited number of full scholarships available to support students currently enrolled in a Maine School to attend the Summer Ecology Academy! If you are interested in your rising 5th-9th grade student attending the Summer Ecology Academy, but can only do so with financial assistance, please review the eligibility requirements and apply here. Please note that this will be a highly competitive process with need-based scholarships that are more limited than in past years.
CONNECTICUT STUDENTS:
At this time - all funds have been awarded to campers. We will update if this changes. Thanks to the generosity of the Daniel E. Offutt III Connecticut Scholarship Fund, we have full scholarships available to support students currently enrolled in a Connecticut school to attend the Summer Ecology Academy! If you are interested in your rising 5th-9th grade student attending the Summer Ecology Academy, but can only do so with financial assistance, please review eligibility requirements and apply here.
Dormitory
Campers will stay the night in our state-of-the-art dormitory at River Bend Farm.
Each room has four twin-sized beds (two bunk beds) and campers will be in rooms of 2-4. Each floor has six rooms and will have two counselors. Bathrooms are singles, each including a shower, sink, and toilet.
Campers will have an opportunity to request roommates upon registration, which we will do our best to honor but cannot guarantee. Campers will be roomed by similar age/grade.
Gender Inclusive Housing
As part of the registration process, caregivers/campers will have an opportunity to request same-gender, gender-inclusive, or no preference in housing. Floors in the dormitory will be dedicated to ensure that campers are housed as requested. At The Ecology School we strive to create a safe living and learning environments for all our participants - inclusive of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. Providing gender-inclusive housing is an important aspect of that effort.
Poland Spring Education and Dining Commons
Food is energy. Food is community. Food is ecology.
Meal time at The Ecology School is a time for campers to eat delicious and nutritious, kid-friendly foods, re-energize, and connect with one another. Learning focused on food systems and social emotional skill building are intentionally integrated into meal time. Campers are active participants in meals, helping to clean up or volunteering to read a short description of the meal’s sponsor. (Sponsors are aspects of the food system, that are critical to bringing food to our plates, like transportation and farmers!). Meals are a time to connect food, humas, and the environment.
Summer at River Bend Farm is delicious, nutritious, and sometimes picked by peers and friends! Our productive farm fields provide our kitchen with fresh vegetables when seasonally available and we do our best to source our food as locally as we can. The menu is varied and delicious. Fruit is always available to campers during meal time and as a snack between meals. The Ecology School works with parents to address the needs of campers with food allergies or sensitivities. Counselors sit with campers during the meal and help to make sure everyone is satisfied and nourished.
Screen Free & Outside!
A focus of The Ecology School in general, and the Summer Ecology Academy specifically, is the opportunity to connect with each other and the world around us, as well as build independence. Campers are not permitted to bring cell phones and other connected devices to camp, as they work directly against that goal.
We recognize this can be a new thing for both campers and parents. Parents are always welcome to call The Ecology School and we are happy to let you know how your child is doing. Rest assured that if we need to be in touch with you about something, will certainly reach out. Also, there are few things at camp more exciting than mail call each day - taking the time to exchange good old fashioned snail mail letters can be a really special way to connect!
The Ecology School’s no device policy isn’t about secluding or cutting off contact, but rather about helping campers to be in the moment, connect with one another on a deeper level, and giving them a break from the day-to-day burden of keeping up on social media. We often hear from students and campers that despite their skepticism about being without their phone, the opportunity to connect directly with peers without the distraction of devices was a favorite aspect of their camp experience.
Questions? Check out the list of Summer Ecology Academy FAQs here.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation before June 1 (July programs) and July 1 (August programs) - Full refund minus the $100 registration fee
Cancellation after June 1 (July programs) and July 1 (August programs) – If paid in full, 75% of tuition will be refunded ($825), if not paid in full, anything above $275 will be refunded.
Cancellation within week of program date – credit applied to next program, no refund.