STUDENT FAQ
How many students are in a room?
Most dorms hold 2-6 students. We do have two rooms with larger capacity (10 and 12 students).

Who will my roommate be?
Your classroom teacher is responsible for assigning dorm rooms, so he/she is the best person to ask.

Who is my naturalist going to be?
Your naturalist will be assigned to your study group when you get here, but you can check out our Staff page to see who works here at Ferry Beach.

What is the weather like?
FBES weather is typical of coastal New England: completely unpredictable! We get warm, sunny, beautiful days (even in March and November — REALLY!) and cold, wet rainy days (even in September and June!). No matter when you will be attending FBES, it is a good idea to bring clothes for a variety of weather — layers are highly recommended and rain jacket never hurts!

Can I go swimming?
No — For safety reasons we do not allow students in the water at any time. Besides, it is almost always too cold to go swimming in the Gulf of Maine from September to June. Finally, our insurance policy forbids students from going into the water.

What kind of wildlife will I see?
This depends on many things, including what time of year you are coming, how quiet your group is and just plain luck. FBES students in the past have seen foxes, egrets, squirrels, chipmunks, seals, porcupines, skunks and moose (just once, but it was here!). Then of course there are all the creatures at the tide pools!

What happens during free time?
Free time at FBES is a lot like recess at school — except that there is a beach here! You need to be with an adult from your school during free time and as long as that is true there are a variety of places you can hang out: the playground with a volley ball court, swings, climbing apparatus, and the infamous spinny cups, the basketball court, the beach and/or your dorm.

When is lights out? 9 pm.
Can I stay up later than that? No. Days at FBES can be long and tiring, so you’ll need your rest to be able to keep up! What’s a typical day at FBES? Check out this link to see what a typical day in the life of a student is. (oh, wait, that is yet to be developed’Ķworking on that!)

What should I wear?
Check out the packing list for a complete list of things to bring. Things to keep in mind are that we are on the ocean so weather changes quickly. Lots of layers are a good idea and remember that you will be outside, so don’t bring your best clothes — bring ones you don’t mind getting a bit dirty are a better choice. It is also good to know that if you school has a dress code, it is likely it applies here at FBES too.

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