Weekends & Vacations

What about weekends? At WA, we have that covered! Boarding students at Washington Academy can take part in weekend activities as part of their WA experience. (Day students are also invited to attend for a nominal fee.)

Sometimes these trips are true "Maine outdoors adventures," such as a whale-watching excursion or downhill skiing. Sometimes, they are laid-back, such as a trip to the movie cinema or the Bangor Mall.

See our area attractions section for some of the things you'll see and do!

Student Road Trips

During Thanksgiving vacation, February vacation and April vacation, Washington Academy offers students some exciting and educational trips at affordable prices. Trips are free to boarding students, with the exception of meals and personal spending. All student road trips are fully chaperoned, with at least 1 adult per 10 students. Students travel in comfortable buses and stay in nice hotels (typically featuring indoor heated pools.)

Some of the memorable trips on our list include:

Boston: The trip to "Beantown" starts with a walk along the freedom trail where students will experience historic sites from the American Revolution. Favorite stops include the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science or the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts.) We also try to visit colleges and Universities such as Harvard, MIT and UMass.

Sugarloaf, USA: If you don't know how to ski or snowboard, the professionals at Sugarloaf will teach you. This mountain has spectacular views, fresh air, and even a mountainside restaurant. This is a very popular trip!

New York: Time Square is amazing. The museums are astounding. This trip even features a show at the Met or on Broadway. We also visit Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and the site of the 9/11 tragedy.

Bar Harbor: Close by, and one of our students' favorite trips. We walk along Acadia National Park's famous Sand Beach, see the views from Cadillac Mountain, watch the boats from Bar Harbor's busy pier, and much more. Students and their chaperones rent bicycles to explore the trails that surround Bar Harbor. The trip also includes a tour of Jackson Laboratories, a world leader in genetic research.

Washington, D.C: Recent trips have included visits to the Capitol Building, the White House, the Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial and the Smithsonian Museum.

Summertime opportunities

While international students on student visas cannot work in the U.S. due to immigration laws, you still have many options should you wish to stay in Maine over the summer.

Should you wish to work as a volunteer, Washington Academy's guidance counselor can help find a place where you can put your skills to work. Typical summer volunteer (non-paid) opportunities include summer camp counselor or arts organization volunteer.

New England offers summer camps for high school students in everything from music to mountain biking to genetic engineering. Here are some summer study and recreational camps you should know about.