Coastal Rivers’ nature-adventure summer day camp at Salt Bay Farm celebrates 20 years in 2026!
Registration is open!
Here at Camp Mummichog, nature education comes in many forms: hands-on exploration, physical activity, art, music, writing, games, field trips, and more. Join us as we explore forests, marshes and fields, and unravel some of nature’s many mysteries!
Offered from early July through mid-August, camp sessions are either three or five days long. Each week focuses on a different theme and is geared toward a specific age group. There is also a Counselor-in-Training program for youth ages 12 and over.
Scholarships are available and can be requested during the registration process. Discounts are available for Lincoln County public school students as well as for Coastal Rivers member families.
Coastal Rivers subscribes to the principle of full inclusion, regardless of ability, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race, or sexual orientation.
Questions?
For questions about camp, please email camp@coastalrivers.org.
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Don't forget, one benefit of Coastal Rivers membership at the Oyster Level ($50) or above is discounted camp tuition! If you not currently a member, you can join or renew here.
What you’ll need for registration:
- Your username and password: If you already have a user account with ActiveNet, just sign right in. If the system is new to you, you will need to set up a new user profile (be sure to keep track of your username and password – you’ll need them later!)
- Basic info: You will be asked to provide your contact information and your child’s basic information. For Grandparents & Kids camp, we’ll need the grandparent’s name, email, phone number and address.
- Payment: You may either pay in full right when you register, or select a payment plan option. Full and partial scholarships are also available – to apply for either one, just follow the instructions during registration!
- Health information: You will have until June 1 to complete your camper’s health profile, including basic health information, immunization records, a copy of your camper’s insurance card, and three local emergency contacts.
Camp FAQs
What is special about Camp Mummichog?
We have trained instructors who love sharing nature with children. This is a joyful place that kids love to explore – and staff are the guides, but also the engaged learners themselves. There are always new discoveries to make and the campers find the most amazing things. Once a camper found an ancient spearhead left by the ancestors of today’s Wabanaki people on the shores of Great Salt Bay at Salt Bay Farm. Another time a camper found a pipefish, a type of seahorse, in the bay. When campers watch dog bane beetles launch themselves off leaves to avoid predators or feel a horseshoe crab climb over their foot – the sense of wonder captivates them for life.
Who runs Camp Mummichog?
Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is a nationally accredited, community-supported land located in Damariscotta, Maine. Our mission is to care for the lands and waters of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region by conserving special places, protecting water quality, creating trails and public access, and deepening connections to nature. Camp Mummichog is integral to this mission. We have a camp staff that focuses on ensuring that camp is an outstanding experience for everyone.
What do you do at Camp Mummichog?
We explore, play nature-based games, learn about nature, and do arts and crafts. Mornings tend to be 20-minute mini-lessons like “What makes a mammal a mammal?” or other nature-focused sessions. These might be followed by a hike to look for animal tracks and signs, a game that teaches ecological principles and an art project that is relevant to the topic of the day.
We have lunch around 11:30 am because everyone is hungry then! The young groups often have a story time after lunch. One of our favorite books to read is “The Reason for A Flower,” by Ruth Heller. Some relaxation and free time after lunch is common, with counselors chatting with campers and playing games with them after they eat.
In the afternoon, the group gathers again for a discussion about something related to a nature topic, and then a guided nature exploration generally follows. We might go marsh mucking to find marine worms and learn about salt marshes, for example. The day often wraps up with some games, art time, and nature journaling. If it is very hot, we cool off with games like, “Drip, drip, splash.”
Where is Camp Mummichog?
All sessions are based at Coastal Rivers’ Salt Bay Farm (110 Belvedere Rd, Damariscotta) under a big tent next to the farmhouse. The site offers rolling hayfields fields, forests, salt marshes and Great Salt Bay – all perfect for exploring, playing and learning! If there is a thunderstorm we can retreat to the farmhouse, but usually we are outdoors.
A few sessions include field trips where parents will need to drop their campers off in South Bristol or Walpole, and pick them up there at the end of the day (we do not transport kids). Directions to these field trip locations will be provided.
When is camp held?
The sessions are 3 to 5 days a week, depending on the week. The hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day.
Do you swim at Camp Mummichog?
We do not allow swimming at camp because we do not have a waterfront or lifeguards. We do allow campers to wade up to their knees.
What safety precautions do you take?
All instructors have a Wilderness First Aid certification from Wilderness Medical Associates or equivalent training (this training includes CPR). The Director has a Wilderness First Responder certification. There is an AED on site. The building has air-conditioning units that we can use if campers are over-heated.
All instructors keep first-aid kits, cell phones and walkie-talkies with them in the field. All staff over 18 have taken the State of Maine’s mandated reporter training. The staff training includes safety skill practice sessions which are documented in our camp manual.
Is the camp licensed?
Camp Mummichog is licensed by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. This means we adhere to state requirements for water testing, staff ratios, proper safety measures, and other mandates.
How big are the groups?
Each session has between 10 and 28 campers in it. Groups larger than 15 will be broken into smaller groups as needed, though we also sometimes gather for large group games like “park ranger.” State mandated camper-to-staff ratios (or better) are maintained.
Can my child attend a session that is designated for older (or younger) campers?
No. Unfortunately we can’t make exceptions to this rule.
I hear that sessions fill fast! How can I make sure I'm ready when registration opens?
We are thrilled that so many kids are excited about Camp Mummichog, but we recognize this also creates challenges! Space is limited to ensure that we maintain proper staff to camper ratios.
To increase your chances of being able to register for your chosen session(s), you can do the following:
- When you create an account on ActiveNet, keep your password handy because you will use it to edit registration and health forms;
- Consider becoming a Coastal Rivers e-news subscriber (scroll down to the footer for a link to subscribe) to receive camp announcements by email;
- Be prepared to be at your computer right when registration opens. No payment is required immediately.
Am I eligible for a discount or scholarship?
Discounts: As always, Coastal Rivers’ members at the “Oyster” level ($50) and above receive a discount. New in 2026, we are offering an additional discount for those campers that attend public school in Lincoln County. Campers who are BOTH Lincoln County students and members get the biggest discount.
Scholarships: Both half and full scholarships are available, thanks to our generous community and business sponsors. We believe all kids should have access to Camp Mummichog! At registration, you can simply select the scholarship level you need. We will not require you to provide documentation or proof of need.
How does registration work?
All registration is on-line. When the camp registration goes live, click on the link to our registration page on ActiveNet (find the link on this page, or subscribe to our eNewsletter to have it emailed to you). Follow the instructions to choose the session you want and check-out. You may pay in full at the time of registration or you may choose to pay later using the payment plan feature.
The payment plan due dates are:
- March 1: First payment
- April 15: Second/Final payment
If you register after April 15, you will need to pay in full.
The health forms and other documentation must be completed by May 1 to avoid the risk of losing your spot in camp.
What is a MUMMICHOG, anyway?!
A mummichog is a small but resilient fish with iridescent scales. They eat just about anything – including plankton and horseshoe crab eggs. They live in the salt marsh, and sometimes get stranded in the salt pans when the tide goes out – but not to worry, they persevere even when oxygen levels plummet. These are rugged little fish!
Help send a kid to camp!
2026 sponsors coming soon! Many thanks to our 2025 camp sponsors:
