Summer Camps in Down East, ME

Ages 10–19 · $1,800–$3,400/session

The Acadia Institute of Oceanography is a marine-science camp in Seal Harbor (town of Mount Desert) that has introduced students ages 10-18 to physical, chemical, biological, and geological oceanography since 1975 through classroom instruction, lab work, and offshore excursions. More than 200 students attend each summer from across the country and abroad, and an advanced track offers University of Maine college credit.

As published: Introductory session $1,700; Intermediate sessions $3,300; Advanced sessions $3,300 (non-credit) or $3,400 (with college credit) for 2026

Ages 9–18 · $350–$3,500/session

Acadia Mountain Guides runs rock-climbing and outdoor-adventure day and overnight camps out of Bar Harbor for ages 6-18, ranging from entry-level "Mountain Monkeys" day camps to advanced multi-day Rock Pro climbing progressions led by professional guides, including at least one IFMGA-certified guide. Programs combine climbing, hiking, paddling, and survival skills in and around Acadia National Park.

As published: Day camps from $350; overnight camps $1,500-$1,900; 14-day Rock Masters camp $3,500; multi-sport options from $1,400

Ages 7–15

An ACA-accredited YMCA overnight camp on a 200-acre campus on Branch Lake in Ellsworth, Maine, with Sleep Away Camp, Mini-Camp, Adventure Seekers and Leaders School programs. Teens can join Leader and Counselor in Training programs.

As published: Not published in the page text read (2026 and 2027 rate tables are images; $200 deposit per session; multi-week discounts of $50-$200; financial assistance available)

Ages 12–18

A summer-long residential program for teenage boys on a 750-acre island off Milbridge, built around hands-on work crews, projects and recreation including sailing and swimming. A year-round nonprofit with a winter program in West Bridgewater, MA.

As published: Not published on the pages read; scholarships available

Ages 5–16 · $300–$495/week

Camp Beech Cliff is a nonprofit day camp on 50 acres bordering Acadia National Park in Mount Desert, offering one-week sessions for ages 5-15 that balance outdoor adventure (rock wall, ropes courses, archery) with creative programming. Originally a boys' camp from the 1950s to 1978, it was reborn as a coed day camp in 1991 and became an independently operated, ACA-accredited nonprofit by 2002.

As published: 2026: "$495 for everyone / $300 with resident discount" per week

A second-generation family-run traditional camp for boys and girls on 150 acres on Gardner Lake in Down East Maine, with about 100 campers and 35 staff. It offers 2-week, 3-week and 6-week sessions.

As published: 2027, by registration date (Nov 1, 2026 / Feb 1, 2027 / after): 2-week session $3,400 / $3,500 / $3,700; 3-week session $5,000 / $5,150 / $5,300; 6-week full season $7,300 / $7,450 / $7,650; Anchor Points program (6 weeks) $5,000 / $5,150 / $5,300

Grades 1 to 6 (about ages 5–11)

A nature-based day camp on the College of the Atlantic campus for children entering grades 1 to 6, led by a certified team. Part of COA's summer programs alongside pre-college courses.

As published: Not published

Grades 7 to 9 (about ages 11–14)

A five-day residential leadership camp for teens entering grades 7-9 at Cobscook Institute in Trescott, Maine, with canoeing, fishing, games and workshops. Run by Healthy Acadia and now in its 26th year.

As published: 2026: $315 per camper for five days including meals and overnight stays; full and partial scholarships based on need

Kindergarten to grade 8 (about ages 4–13)

A Maine Seacoast Mission day camp for kindergarten through 8th grade at elementary schools in Addison, Milbridge and Machias, with free breakfast and lunch. Priced at $30 per student per week with scholarships.

As published: 2026: $30 per student per week; scholarships available; Addison and Milbridge Jun 29-Jul 31 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), Machias Jun 15-Jul 10 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Ages 9–19

A chamber music day camp at Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill for young string, piano and wind players ages 9 to 19, with rehearsals, master classes, workshops and student performances. Young artists from Kneisel Hall's festival program mentor the students.

As published: Not published on the page read

A Christian camp offering week-long camps for youth and adults, plus a family week, with wilderness trips described as led by qualified personnel. The site links a 2026 schedule and 2026 pricing.

As published: Not published in page text (the home page links a "2026 Pricing" PDF that I could not read)

A nonprofit sailing club on Mount Desert Island, operating since 1996, with morning and afternoon sailing classes for youth in Optimist, RS Tera, Turbo 420 and Bullseye boats. Classes run Monday to Friday and range from beginner introductions to a racing team.

As published: $250 per session; full-day participation consists of 2 sessions (AM 9:00-11:45, PM 12:45-3:45). Year-round MDI residents can use a scholarship code at checkout. Registration is refundable before the session minus a 25% cancellation fee

Ages 5–14

A nonprofit waterfront day camp on Walker Pond serving the Blue Hill peninsula, with Scamp (5-6), Nichols (7-12) and Adventure (13-14) programs. Its mission is to give peninsula youth a lifelong passion for outdoor recreational and educational experiences.

As published: Not published on the main page (a Rates page exists; directory lists tuition under $300 with a Hancock County discount)

A traditional co-ed overnight camp set between a freshwater lake and the ocean in Brooksville, Maine, with 35+ daily activities including team sports, waterfront, arts, riding, golf, squash and wakeboard academies. Run by the Littlefield family.

As published: 2027: Seven weeks $17,515 ($16,215 if applied by Jan 30, 2027); six weeks $15,680; five weeks $13,780; four weeks $11,760; three weeks $10,185; two weeks (by special approval) $8,295; plus $1,000 registration fee; weekly sessions Jun 27-Aug 15

Ages 5–18

A UMaine 4-H overnight and day camp on a 64-acre wooded peninsula on Long Lake near Grand Lake Stream in Down East Maine, with log cabins, waterfront and remote campsites. Programs include fishing, wilderness, hunter safety and counselor-in-training tracks.

As published: 2026: Day Camp (ages 5-9) $300; two-week overnight program (July 5-17, 2026) $1,485; other program prices not read