Although classes finish by the middle of May, the campus is by no means quiet during the summer months. In addition to the 277 Bowdoin students who stayed in campus housing over the summer, hundreds of other people, both from the Brunswick community and from outside it, can be found on campus on any given day. 
Bowdoin is home to over 30 programs that take place over the summer. These programs range from athletic camps to music festivals and academic events. 
The Bowdoin International Music Festival, one of the longest-standing summer programs at the College, welcomes approximately 250 performers from all over the world to participate in music and composition studies. 
The Maine State Music Theatre, also one of the longest running programs, performs musicals in Pickard Theater. Both programs have been on campus for over 50 years. 
In addition, this past summer also featured many new programs. The largest of the new events was the College Horizons Program. The admissions staff was heavily involved in the program, which brought approximately 100 students to Bowdoin.
When considering which new programs to host on campus, the Office of Events and Summer Programs looks at both the logistical factors, such as scheduling and facilities available, and also whether the new program incorporates educational aspects.
“Often times, we’ll try to pick programs that fit the big picture mission,” said Director of Events and Summer Programs Tony Sprague.
“Many of our programs have some educational aspect,” said Sprague. “If it’s something that has some academic nature to it, we’ll often try to get an idea from [The Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs] to see whether it would make sense for it to be here on campus.” 
A large number of summer programs consist of athletic camps. Although these camps are traditionally run by Bowdoin coaches, they are not official College camps. 
Many of the summer camps, including athletic camps and camps that involve other activities, are residential camps, which means the College provides dining, facilities and rooming to those involved. 
Additionally, the College also hosts two major summer camps for children. 
The Bowdoin Summer Art Camp, which takes place in The Robert H. and Blythe Bickel Edwards Center for Art and Dance, and the Bowdoin Summer Day Camp, which takes place in the William Farley Field House and attracts 250-300 campers each week. 
“The camps, in large part, are an opportunity to benefit the community in terms of a place where kids can have fun things to do,” Sprague said. “They’re an opportunity for the families of faculty and staff here.”
A large advantage of these programs is that they create lots of activity that draws a variety of people to campus during a season when classes are not in session.
“There’s a lot of admissions visitors and a large number of students who are on campus,” Sprague said. “Our partnership with a number of these programs provides people the chance to see the campus and see some activity and it’s also a good opportunity for our current students to be exposed to some different things.”
The programs not only draw people to campus but also allow the College to contribute to the arts and entertainment scene of Brunswick. 
“Certainly with the festival and the theater, they provide meaningful contribution to the arts and entertainment culture of Brunswick in the summer and create an active campus and active community,” said Director of Finance and Campus Services Del Wilson, who also formerly served as director of summer events and summer programs. 
Sprague hopes students who stay on campus in the summer will attend more events in the future. 
“For students who are here in the summertime, we hope they take advantage of some of the opportunities that they have, like going to concerts or being able to see some of the shows,” Sprague said.

Although classes finish by the middle of May, the campus is by no means quiet during the summer months. In addition to the 277 Bowdoin students who stayed in campus housing over the summer, hundreds of other people, both from the Brunswick community and from outside it, can be found on campus on any given day. 

Bowdoin is home to over 30 programs that take place over the summer. These programs range from athletic camps to music festivals and academic events. 

The Bowdoin International Music Festival, one of the longest-standing summer programs at the College, welcomes approximately 250 performers from all over the world to participate in music and composition studies. 

The Maine State Music Theatre, also one of the longest running programs, performs musicals in Pickard Theater. Both programs have been on campus for over 50 years. 

In addition, this past summer also featured many new programs. The largest of the new events was the College Horizons Program. The admissions staff was heavily involved in the program, which brought approximately 100 students to Bowdoin.

When considering which new programs to host on campus, the Office of Events and Summer Programs looks at both the logistical factors, such as scheduling and facilities available, and also whether the new program incorporates educational aspects.

“Often times, we’ll try to pick programs that fit the big picture mission,” said Director of Events and Summer Programs Tony Sprague.

“Many of our programs have some educational aspect,” said Sprague. “If it’s something that has some academic nature to it, we’ll often try to get an idea from [The Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs] to see whether it would make sense for it to be here on campus.” 

A large number of summer programs consist of athletic camps. Although these camps are traditionally run by Bowdoin coaches, they are not official College camps. 

Many of the summer camps, including athletic camps and camps that involve other activities, are residential camps, which means the College provides dining, facilities and rooming to those involved. 

Additionally, the College also hosts two major summer camps for children. 

The Bowdoin Summer Art Camp, which takes place in The Robert H. and Blythe Bickel Edwards Center for Art and Dance, and the Bowdoin Summer Day Camp, which takes place in the William Farley Field House and attracts 250-300 campers each week. 

“The camps, in large part, are an opportunity to benefit the community in terms of a place where kids can have fun things to do,” Sprague said. “They’re an opportunity for the families of faculty and staff here.”

A large advantage of these programs is that they create lots of activity that draws a variety of people to campus during a season when classes are not in session.

“There’s a lot of admissions visitors and a large number of students who are on campus,” Sprague said. “Our partnership with a number of these programs provides people the chance to see the campus and see some activity and it’s also a good opportunity for our current students to be exposed to some different things.”

The programs not only draw people to campus but also allow the College to contribute to the arts and entertainment scene of Brunswick. 

“Certainly with the festival and the theater, they provide meaningful contribution to the arts and entertainment culture of Brunswick in the summer and create an active campus and active community,” said Director of Finance and Campus Services Del Wilson, who also formerly served as director of summer events and summer programs. 

Sprague hopes students who stay on campus in the summer will attend more events in the future. 

“For students who are here in the summertime, we hope they take advantage of some of the opportunities that they have, like going to concerts or being able to see some of the shows,” Sprague said.