Camps with nature in Maine

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 4–16 · $380–$575/week

A private school's day-camp division in South Berwick spanning STEAM, arts, and sports programming across a wide age range (3–18), taught by "Berwick faculty and staff, plus visiting professionals"; being embedded in an established private school gives it institutional credibility but the program itself has little independent public review presence.

As published: Day Camp: $380–$475/week; Enrichment Programs: $420–$575/week; Sports Camps: $475/week; CIT Program: $400 (flat); Extended Care $75/week or $20 drop-in; Transportation $85/week — all per-week as published

Ages 7–16 · $5,500–$13,000/session

A small (capped at 90 boys), centennial (1926) wilderness-oriented boys' camp in Waterford distinguished by an unusually rigorous staff program — a 10-day full-staff orientation, resident nurse practitioner and consulting child psychiatrist, and a tight 3:1 camper-to-counselor ratio — signaling a camp that markets itself heavily on care and staff quality rather than size or amenities.

As published: 2027 Dates & Rates: Full Session "$13,000"; Cubs Camp (13 days) "$5,500"

Grades 1 to 8 (about ages 5–13)

A nature-based day camp at the Cathance River Nature Preserve for rising grades 1-8 (Nature Explorers grades 1-5, Trailblazers grades 6-8), Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Campers hike, explore the river, build and test boats, and collect community-science data.

As published: Not published (summer 2027 lottery registration Jan 25 to Feb 2; $10 lottery fee per family)

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 lakefront recreational and educational camp in Dedham, Maine for individuals with disabilities, offering weekly day and overnight camp sessions from late June to mid-August. Family lodging and rentals are also available; Travel Camp is not currently operating.

As published: Not published

Grades 2 to 11 (about ages 6–16) · $2,250–$8,250/session

Camp Chewonki is a nature-based overnight camp in Wiscasset, run by the Chewonki Foundation, for children from the end of 2nd grade through 8th grade, with backcountry trips for teens. Puffins (completing grades 2 to 3) attend an 11-day session, and full-session campers (completing grades 3 to 8) attend three weeks. Camp life centers on canoeing, kayaking, backpacking and ecology and wildlife study, and older campers can join canoe and backpacking trips in Maine, Vermont and Quebec.

As published: 2027 tiered tuition on an honor system: 3-week camp sessions and 3-week trips are $8,250 (Tier 1), $7,250 (Tier 2) and $6,000 (Tier 3); 2-week trips and the Puffin program are $4,500, $3,500 and $2,250. Tier 4 is a scholarship that requires a financial aid application. The camp says it provides more than $400,000 in need-based aid each year.

Ages 8–16

A small nonprofit overnight camp for girls on 84-acre Twigg Farm in Union, Maine, with a private lakefront on Seven Tree Pond, gardens, art and a flexible schedule. Sessions have just 8 to 20 campers.

As published: 2027: Session 1 (Jun 25-Jul 2, grades 4-6) $2,285; Session 2 (Jul 5-17, grades 6-8) $3,965; Session 3 (Jul 24-30, grades 3-5) $1,960; Session 4 (Aug 1-13, grades 7-9) $3,965; financial assistance available; $100 referral discount

Ages 7–17

A licensed wilderness education and survival skills day camp with weekly expeditions and a Junior Maine Guide track. Themes include plant ID, canoeing, lake expeditions, Maine Woodsman weeks and animal week.

As published: 2026: $300 per week for full-day camp weeks; $800 for expedition weeks; pre-registration deposit $50 per week

Kindergarten to grade 6 (about ages 4–11)

A Bangor Region YMCA day camp for kids entering kindergarten through 6th grade, with archery, swim instruction, arts and crafts, nature hikes, drama, music, ropes course and STEAM. The Y also runs Adventure Day Camp (grades 5-10) and Camp Acorn (K-3).

As published: Not published in the page text read (3-tier pricing; financial assistance available)

Ages 5–12

A co-ed, primarily outdoor day camp on a 26-acre property that runs rain or shine, built on YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Campers explore forests, fields and trails, swim and play classic camp games.

As published: Not published on the page (see camp brochure PDF); directory lists under $500 per week

Ages 5–15

A Christian camping ministry of Berea in Lyman, Maine, offering weekly Kit Camp day programs, vacation day camps and an overnight add-on. Staff go through interviews, reference checks and background checks.

As published: 2027 Kit Camp: $300 per person per week before April 30, $315 after; 10 weeks Jun 14-Aug 20, 2027 (Mon-Fri). 2026 overnight add-on was $275 for four nights; residential overnight listed as "Coming Soon"

Ages 4–16 · $345–$407/week

Camp Ketcha, operated by the nonprofit Ketcha Outdoors on 107 acres in Scarborough, has run traditional outdoor day camp since 1964, with programs spanning swimming, archery, farm and gardening, drama, arts and crafts, and a ropes course for ages 4-14, alongside specialty camps like Rope & Rock and Animal Camp.

As published: Weekly tuition generally under $500 (e.g., Cottontails $347/week, Bobcats $345/week, Animal Camp $390-$407/week for 2026); $50 weekly deposit plus $25 annual registration fee

Ages 6–12

A classic non-profit summer day camp on Little Ossipee Lake, about thirty minutes from Saco, with waterfront lessons, nature study, drama, art barn and field games. The site reports all weeks full with a waitlist.

As published: 2026: $300 per week ($285 per week for additional siblings); before care $30 and after care $25 per week

Ages 8–14

An Odd Fellows-sponsored day and overnight camp on True's Pond, open to youth regardless of ability. Activities include kayaking, archery, fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and campfires.

As published: Not published (directory says under $500 per week)

Ages 7–17

Girl Scouts of Maine's wilderness overnight camp on Lower Togue Pond at the entrance to Baxter State Park, with views of Mt. Katahdin. Adventure programs and Junior Maine Guide programs are offered.

As published: Not published on the pages read (the council points to a 2026 Camp Guide); $40 non-refundable registration deposit per session

Ages 10–14 · $750/session

Camp North Woods is a week-long residential outdoor skills camp run by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and hosted at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Maine Game Wardens and department staff teach riflery, archery, map and compass, wilderness survival, canoeing or kayaking, ATV operation, fishing and a hunter safety course. Campers are chosen by lottery, with 96 spots split evenly between girls and boys, and are grouped by younger and older age ranges.

As published: 2026: $750 registration fee for Maine residents and non-residents, including meals, lodging and instruction. Selected Maine resident campers who have not previously received a conservation scholarship get $400 off, lowering the fee to $350.

Ages 7–15 · $13,100–$17,900/session

Camp Pinecliffe is an ACA-accredited, full-season sleepaway camp for girls ages 7 to 15 in the Lakes Region of Maine. Campers rotate through a structured choice program covering land sports, water sports, camp craft, riding, and studio and performing arts, with a summer-long Color War and inter-camp teams. The camp states it was founded in 1917 and offers a shorter four-week session to first-time campers.

As published: 2027 full session tuition $17,900; first-time camper four-week session (June 25 to July 23) $13,100. Additional fees listed: canteen, transportation to and from camp, uniforms, optional horseback riding, senior trips

An ACA-accredited nonprofit boys' camp in Raymond, Maine, with 27 activities including sailing, waterskiing, woodshop and camping trips. Founded in 1917.

As published: 2027: Full season (Jun 24-Aug 11) $13,400; 1st or 2nd half session $8,900 each

Ages 7–16 · $2,900–$13,700/session

Camp Wawenock is an ACA-accredited, all-girls sleepaway camp on Sebago Lake in Raymond, Maine, serving campers entering grades 3 through 10. Offerings include seven-week, half-season and shorter introductory programs, with waterfront, creative and performing arts, tennis, target sports, horseback riding and trips. The camp says girls come from across the country and around the world.

As published: 2027: Full Season (7 weeks, June 30 to August 17) $13,700 ($13,200 early rate); Half Season $9,500 ($9,200 early rate); Wayseeker (2 weeks, June 30 to July 15) $6,000; Wonder Week (July 18 to 24) $2,900

Ages 4–13

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay runs themed weekly day camps in the Gardens for children from about age 4 to 13. Half-day nature camps for younger children explore fields, forests, ponds and wetlands, while longer art and STEAM camps for ages 8 or 9 to 13 cover topics such as botanical drawing and graphic novels, and pastel painting. Aftercare called Extended Explorations is available on some camps.

As published: Not published on the 2026 camp pages (prices appear only at ticket selection, and members save 20%). Nature Adventure Camp runs 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with aftercare 1:30 to 4 p.m. Scholarships are available for families with financial need.

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

Ages 4–11

A childcare and summer camp program in Cumberland County combining nature-based learning with Montessori principles, with themed weeks (vet, mystery, art, engineering) at Freeport, Falmouth, Pineland Farms, Yarmouth and North Yarmouth locations. Founded in 1999; Kristen Tripp has owned it since 2018.

As published: Not published (directory lists under $500 per week)

Ages 6–12

A farm day camp where campers ride horses, walk goats, try goat milking, make cheese, jam and soap, and catch frogs. Runs nine Monday to Friday weeks, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

As published: $545 per camper per week (2026); early/late drop-off $15 per session

Ages 4–15 · $335–$500/week

Farm Camp is a day camp on the 626-acre Wolfe's Neck Center farm in Freeport, with age-based groups from age 4 through 15. Campers do farm chores, care for livestock, tend gardens and explore the forest, salt marsh and coast. Older groups include a cooking and farm-to-table program called C.H.E.F. and an optional overnight on the farm for Farmward Bound campers.

As published: 2026 weekly tuition, standard rate $335 to $410 and "Sustaining Tuition" rate $425 to $500 depending on age group. Counselor-in-training sessions are $200 to $290. Before care is $85 per week and after care is $68 per week. There is a $10 registration fee. Camp runs 9am to 4pm.

Ages 4–14

The Friends School of Portland runs a seven-week summer day camp on its campus in Cumberland Foreside, with Chickadee (ages 4 to 5), Fox (6 to 8) and Crow (9 to 11) groups and a Counselor in Training program for ages 12 to 14. Days include morning and closing circles, games, trips to forest and stream spots, plays, drawing, fort building, singing and sewing, with a focus on connection to the land, community and creative play.

As published: Not published

Ages 6–12

A land-trust nature day camp that began in 1998 as a volunteer-led one-week event and has grown to a six-week program. Campers explore Harpswell's twenty preserves, tide pools, salt marshes, forests and fields with games, arts, science and hands-on exploration.

As published: 2026: ages 6-8 $275 per week (9:00-2:00; optional aftercare 2:00-3:00 for $75 per week); ages 9-12 $300 per week (9:00-3:00); HHLT members get $15 off

Day camps run at a family-owned organic dairy farm in Albion, with summer farm camp, vacation camps, CIT program and farm education. The farm milks about 50 to 60 Holsteins and Jerseys.

As published: Not published on camp site (directory lists $360 per week for 2026)

Ages 12–18 · $1,750–$2,500/session

The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership runs overnight science programs of 6 to 11 days on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, for middle and high school students. The 2027 programs include terrestrial and marine ecology, oceanography, snorkeling for science, art and marine science, and an Advanced Ocean Lab. Tuition covers boat transportation between Rockland and the island, housing, meals and programming.

As published: 2027: $1,750 per program for the 6-day middle school and high school programs, and $2,500 for the Advanced Ocean Lab, all inclusive of transportation between Rockland and Hurricane Island, housing, meals, snacks and programming.

Grades 1 to 6 (about ages 5–11)

Nature day camp at Maine Audubon's Fields Pond Audubon Center near Bangor, with weekly themes for rising first through sixth graders in two groups (Songbirds and Raptors). Maine Audubon's camp page describes camps at both Gilsland Farm and Fields Pond; Gilsland Farm is already in the directory.

As published: 2026: $295 per week for members, $340 per week for non-members (from the 2026 Fields Pond camp flyer as surfaced in search results; I could not open the PDF directly); scholarships available. 2027 pricing: "More information coming January 2027" per the camps page

Ages 3–12

A nature- and conservation-themed day camp run on Maine Audubon's Falmouth campus, using teen "Environmental Education Assistants" alongside professional educators and citing low camper-to-staff ratios (one example group at 5:1); it benefits from being part of a well-known statewide nonprofit brand rather than needing to build camp-specific name recognition from scratch.

As published: Not published for Summer 2026 on pages reviewed (camp's own 2026 news post says detailed program/pricing info was still forthcoming)

Ages 6–12 · $350/week

The Maine Discovery Museum in downtown Bangor runs themed STEM day camps for children entering 1st through 6th grade. Level 1 (grades 1 to 3) weeks include space, robotics and coding, ocean life and art-based science, and Level 2 (grades 3 to 5) covers chemistry, physics and archaeology. An off-site art and ecology camp for grades 4 to 6 includes daily hikes at the Caribou Bog Outdoor Center in Orono.

As published: 2026: museum camps are $350 per week (Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM). Off-site camp price not listed.

Ages 7–14 · $310–$375/week

The Maine Maritime Museum runs two weekday day camps on its Kennebec River campus in Bath. Kennebec Explorers is for rising 2nd to 5th graders and focuses on the Merrymeeting Bay ecosystem, with field trips, river boat cruises, science experiments and crafts. Mariners Adventure is for rising 6th to 8th graders and teaches traditional maritime skills such as carpentry, blacksmithing, sailmaking and navigation, with a day sailing a traditionally rigged schooner. The museum's page lists Kennebec Explorers as wait list only for 2026.

As published: 2026: Kennebec Explorers $310 per week, Mariners Adventure $375 per week. Museum members get 10% off. A $75 non-refundable deposit is required per camper, and early drop-off and late pick-up (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) cost an extra $40. Camp runs 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Ages 8–15

The Maine Youth Fish and Game Association runs a one-week outdoor day camp at its Pickerel Pond facility for ages 8 to 15, with age-separated weeks for ages 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. Activities include fishing, archery, canoeing and kayaking, wilderness survival, range safety and marksmanship, and wildlife lessons from biologists and other experts. Youths aged 12 to 15 have one overnight, and daily buses run from a school in Milford.

As published: Not published (the site says cost "remains affordable thanks to generous donations" and scholarships are available for those with financial needs)

Ages 6–16

Midcoast day camps (Explorer's Club, Making Wild, Best of the Midcoast) plus multi-day expeditions led by outdoor educators and Maine Guides. Founded in 2021.

As published: Not published

Ages 6–10 · $325/week

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and Brightfield School educators run a weekday nature day camp for ages 6 to 10, with drop-off at Brightfield School in Bath. Campers hike at places such as Thorne Head and Morse Mountain, learn to paddleboard, learn to clam and make clam chowder over a fire, and spend a beach day at Fort Popham. Registration is handled through Brightfield School.

As published: 2026: $325 per week, 9am to 3pm. Scholarships of $100 off are available.