General information

Please note…

Although this general information is sent to campers, much of it applies to volunteers. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 10am on the day that their camp starts. Campers start arriving at 2pm, so that gives volunteers time to get settled and have an orientation before the camp begins. On the last day of camp, volunteers are asked to stay an additional few hours after breakfast to help with the turnover for the following week’s camp.

If you have questions about logistics, contact Adam, FOHI’s volunteer coordinator, at

Accommodations

The Audubon Camp in Maine is located at the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary in Bremen, about 60 miles northeast of Portland. The camp facilities are on Hog Island (about one-quarter mile offshore) in Muscongus Bay. Housing is in several rustic wood-framed buildings with shared bath and shower facilities. Volunteer housing is in The Bridge with single and double rooms (for couples and friends) and shared facilities.

Camp atmosphere

To provide quiet for those who share your lodging, we request that you not bring radios, video games, or other players. Of course, devices that enhance your birding experience are the exception, but even these should have an option for listening with earphones.

Meals

We provide a hearty well-balanced menu, served family-style, with ample variety to satisfy an array of tastes and diets. Special diets can be accommodated as well as some restricted medical diets (please explain your dietary restrictions on the medical form). Hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate and snacks are available all day. You may bring a mug of your own to minimize paper waste.

Clothing

Dress is casual. Layering and flexibility in clothing are the general rule for comfort. The weather varies tremendously so be prepared. There are no laundry facilities on the island so bring sufficient clothing to last the session. Volunteers: bring comfortable work clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! A FOHI t-shirt will be given to those who volunteer for a one-week session. Wear it with pride!

Linens

The camp furnishes sheets, blankets, a pillow, pillowcase, washcloth and towel. Nights in early June and September can be cool, so a sleeping bag is recommended.

Weather

The weather is unpredictable. The average temperature is 65 to 75 degrees during the day and 50 to 60 degrees at night. It is generally 5 to 10 degrees cooler on the water than on the land. The seawater temperature in Maine averages a chilly 60 degrees even on mid-summer days. The camp’s motto is “Embrace the weather.”

Medical care

In case of severe illness or injury, you will be transported, at your expense, to Damariscotta, where medical services are available at Miles Health Care (207-563-1234). Please read Audubon’s Camper guidelines in regards to COVID and other communicable illnesses for all campers, staff, and volunteers.

Telephone and Internet

Land-line telephone services are not available on Hog Island and cellular phone reception is inconsistent. Participants are asked to restrict the use of cell phones to prevent interference with camp programs. Our phone number for messages and emergencies is: (207) 529-5828. Messages received on this line are collected daily and provided to participants. Wireless Internet is available on Hog Island in/near the camp office.

Mail

Regular mail is delivered to the camp daily and should be addressed to: Audubon Camp in Maine, 12 Audubon Road, Bremen, Maine 0455

Our volunteers hard at work

Camp store

The camp store is a great place to shop for gifts or to find a book for your library. Field guides, other natural history books, postcards, and gift items are for sale. We accept cash, personal check and Visa or Mastercard.

Baggage

Please limit and consolidate your luggage so that it can be transferred easily to and from our boat. At low tide, the dock ramp is steep – two small bags instead of one huge bag will be easier to carry on and off the boat. Bags with wheels are helpful. If you send baggage ahead, use UPS or Parcel Post to the above address and clearly print your name on the outside of the package.

Miscellaneous

Smoking is not permitted in any building or during any group sessions, inside or out, and is restricted to the shoreline. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated; our buildings are over 100 years old. We cannot accommodate pets.

Travel information

There are many ways to travel to Hog Island. Driving directions and public transportation information is available on the website at http://hogisland.audubon.org/getting-camp

Volunteers: For FOHI opening and closing work weeks, plan to arrive between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. For camp sessions, plan to arrive between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Campers will arrive early afternoon.) If for any reason you are detained, please telephone the camp office at (207) 529-5828 or call or text Adam at 413-896-4751 .

Transportation from the local hotels to Audubon Camp

If you stay at either the Newcastle Inn or Oak Gables in Damariscotta the night before your camp session, an Audubon van can pick you up at 3 p.m. and bring you to the camp (note this on travel form).

If you stay at any lodging other than the Newcastle Inn or Oak Gables, the camp van can pick you up at either (1) McDonald’s Restaurant OR (2) in front of the Waltz Pharmacy on Maine Street in Damariscotta. Both are located on Business Route 1 in Damariscotta. Van pickup time is 3 p.m. (note this on travel form).

Departure

Those traveling by air, rail or bus are taken to the mainland at 7 A.M. where a camp van will take you to Damariscotta for the early morning pickup by Mid-Coast Charter or Concord Bus. Driving time from camp to Damariscotta is 1⁄2 hour and to Portland another 1 1⁄2 hours (longer in summer traffic). Check with your limo driver or bus schedule before scheduling departure flights from Portland. Volunteers: Plan to leave after lunch on the session departure day as we need help preparing the camp for the next session.

Nearby lodging, food and points of interest

If you would like to spend time, before or after your camp session, exploring this part of the country, make reservations well in advance as lodging in the area is limited.

Lodging

We can recommend the following facilities:

Damariscotta/Newcastle

Broad Bay Inn – (207) 832-6668
The Oak Gables – (207) 563-1476
New Castle Inn – (207) 563-5685

Pemaquid/New Harbor

The Bradley Inn – 1-800-942-5560
The Gosnold Arms – (207) 677-3727 (mid-May to mid-Oct)
(207) 561-575-9549 (mid-Feb to mid-May)
Hotel Pemaquid – (207) 677-2312 (Mid-May to mid-October)

Rockland

Berrymanor Inn (207) 596-7696
Hampton Inn (207) 594-6644

Dining

There are several dining facilities in the Damariscotta area including: Salt Bay Café, River Grill, King Eider’s Pub, Savory Maine, Newcastle Pub, and Schooner Landing. All are located in the heart of Damariscotta.

Finding things to do in the area

Damariscotta/Newcastle/Pemaquid

Damariscotta Region Information Bureau, 67A Maine Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543; (207) 563-8340; http://www.damariscottaregion.com.
Notable sites: Pemaquid Point and Monhegan Island