Recreational Activities

Popham Beach is a favorite weekend destination for Festival participants

Cultural, social, and recreational opportunities, both on and off campus, make Bowdoin a particularly attractive setting for a summer program. Each Festival participant’s participation fee allows him/her access to Bowdoin's practice and performance spaces, libraries, museums, athletic complex, and playing fields.

On Campus:

  • Sports – The college’s sports complex includes a 16-lane pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, squash courts, a fitness center, and other athletic facilities. The residence life and activities staff also organize soccer games, wiffle ball tournaments, and other outdoor activities.
  • Libraries -The college's Hawthorne-Longfellow Library and the Beckwith Music Library contain a large collection of scores, records, compact discs, and books for the use of Festival participants.
  • Museums - The college's two museums are open throughout the summer.
  • Other Fun – The Residence Life and Activities Staff organize movie nights, ice cream socials, tie-dying, and other fun events throughout the Festival.

Off Campus:

  • Weekly – The residence life and activities staff run trips on weekends to Popham Beach and Freeport for shopping. During the week, they also run trips to the local grocery store, Wal-Mart, and Starbucks. Participants need to sign up for a spot on the van to take part in these trips. These outings require additional funds for admission, food, souvenirs, etc.
  • Special events – Participants can sign up for outings to state parks, fairs, movies, kayaking, whale watching, and other special events as the residence life and activities staff plan them. These outings also require additional funds for admission, food, souvenirs, etc.