We welcome all students who have a strong desire to learn and who demonstrate an interest and aptitude in science as evidenced by their teacher recommendation. Due to the extensive work in the field and on board boats however, students with severe emotional, physical or learning issues will have difficulty with the program. Though many students with ADD, ADHD and other mild learning disabilities have done very well at AIO, we are not equipped to appropriately handle more severe issues. Since we want to ensure a memorable experience, academically and personally, for all students, we ask that you seriously consider what is best for your child before registering.

Students can be driven by a parent, take a bus into Bar Harbor or Bangor or fly into the Bar Harbor or Bangor Airports. We will pick students up from the bus stop or airport. There is an additional fee for a pick-up or drop off at the Bangor bus stations and airport (see below). Arrival and departure days are those listed as the first and last days of each session. Students should plan to arrive after 12 noon on the first Sunday depart on the last Friday evening but no later than 9 am Saturday morning. Families are invited to join us for a cookout on the last night.

7 AM: students wake up for showers or morning lab

8 AM: breakfast

9 AM - 1 PM: morning activity (usually academic: boat trips, tidepool, etc)

2-5 PM: afternoon activity (recreational or academic)

5:15-5:45 PM: mini-seminar on various topics offered or free time

6 PM: dinner

7-8 PM: recreation (i.e. volleyball, basketball, soccer, etc)

8-9 PM: evening lecture to prepare for the next morning activity

Yes, since we are able to accommodate most food restrictions and allergies, although you will need to discuss them with the Director prior to attendance. We are able to keep the cooking nut-free, if necessary, and we always offer vegetarian alternatives at meals. We cannot, however, control the food that is sent to students in their care packages or the food they buy while away from the building. We have also found that peanut butter is a staple food for many people, especially vegetarians and vegans so it is offered as an option for lunch. Still, we can and have successfully included students in our program with life-threatening allergies to nuts by strictly controlling where the peanut butter is used and by separating the allergic student’s lunch from others.

No. Our sessions are broken into introductory, intermediate and advanced. The introductory session is for students 10-12 years of age, the intermediate for students 12 to 15 while the advanced sessions are for students who have completed a minimum of a high school science course (preferably biology or chemistry) typically 15 - 19 years of age.

Yes, but most students come alone. If you are attending with a friend, let me know if you want to be in the same dorm by writing it on the application in the space provided. Once the dorm arrangements and splits have been organized, it’s impossible to change it without affecting several other students.

No, though some students may require additional services. Additional costs could include:

• airport or bus pick-up in Bangor $35 one way or $60 roundtrip

• returned check $15 per incident

• Extra overnight before or after session $100 each night

Certainly! Keep in mind, however, students may only leave the property with a friend or non-custodial parent with the expressed, written permission of the custodial parent/guardian.

Yes but the signal is poor since we are surrounded by mountains. Also, no cell phones during activities, please. You will have use of a land phone and internet to check e-mail. Phone cards are available for purchase.