Water flowing over beach rocks in the foreground, campers in the background with large evergreen trees in the distance

Travel

Getting to Camp

AIO Address

9 Lower Dunbar Road
Seal Harbor, ME 04675

Emergency Contact on Travel Days

Director phone: 207-669-3561

  1. From Ellsworth, follow signs for Acadia National Park on Route 3 onto Mount Desert Island.
  2. Once over the bridge, veer right to stay on Route 102/198. Look for an overhanging green road sign marked “SW and NE Harbor.”
  3. Continue on Route 102/198 for 4.4 miles, then turn left onto Route 3/198, just past the Freshies gas station.
  4. Stay on Route 3/198 for 5.6 miles.
  5. Take a left onto Route 3 and continue for 3.5 miles.
  6. Pass the beach, then go left at the fork.
  7. Continue past the Lighthouse Restaurant and Acadia Outdoor Center. Take the second left onto Lower Dunbar Road. It’s a neighborhood.
  8. AIO is the third property on the right – a large brick school building.

Please plan to arrive between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM on the first Sunday of your session. We kindly ask that families do not arrive before noon, as staff will not be available to receive students until then.

When You Arrive:

  • Park in front of the building, unload bags and head over to the check-in table where Alicia and Matt will be waiting.
  • At check-in, we will: collect spending money cash, confirm departure details, give you your preordered t-shirt and answer any final questions. It’ll take about 5 minutes.
  • Merchandise will also be available for purchase at this time.
  • A staff member will then escort students into the building, where they’ll choose a bed, go on a tour, and jump into offered activities. Please note only students will be allowed inside the building on Arrival Day.
  • Every student will meet individually with the nurse who will collect medications and review health protocols.

  • Pick-up is on the last Friday of the session between 8:00am and 1:00pm. If your schedule allows, we recommend arriving a little after 11:00am and staying for the family cookout that starts at 11:30am.
  • Pull up in front of the building to load luggage from the front lawn, then park behind the building and come inside for a tour and to view the session slideshow!
  • Need to pick up earlier than 8:00am? No problem–just email us in advance.

  • Hancock County Bar Harbor Airport (15.6 miles)
  • Bangor International Airport (53.9 miles)
  • Bangor Transportation Center/Concord Coach Lines (53.9 miles)

  • To attend AIO, you’ll need a B-2 Tourist Visa. Learn more about Visa requirements here: US Department of State
  • Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can enter the U.S. without a visa for tourism or business visits of 90 days or less. They must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online before traveling.

  • We offer pick-up and drop-off service to AIO for students from Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) and Bangor Transportation Terminal/Concord Coach Lines. As you make your travel plans, please remember to complete the Travel Form in your CampInTouch account.
  • You’ll know the name and contact details of the staff member(s) meeting your student one week before their travel. Staff will be stationed outside the arrival gate or at the bus station, wearing an AIO t-shirt and a nametag.
  • Book flights/buses within the following windows:
    • Arrival Day: between 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    • Departure Day: between 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If you’re having trouble finding travel options within these times, please reach out via email to explore@acadiainstitute.com before booking. Booking outside of designated flight windows will incur a $100 service fee.

  • Most airlines require children 14 and under to travel as a UM. The airline will charge a fee of around $150 each way for this service which provides escort through security/gate, and hand-over upon arrival.
  • Last flights of the day, overnight connections, or long layovers are prohibited for UMs. Do not book late flights, as delays (which are common) will prevent them from traveling.

We’ll email you with the name and contact details of the staff member picking up your student one week before their travel date. You may enter Matt Lubicky as a placeholder on the airline website. Airlines will require the name and contact details of the pick-up person when you check-in at the airport.