Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.'s)

Thinking of Applying? Answers to Some Common Questions:

 

Here are a few questions we have heard from potential student applicants. Do you have a question that’s not answered here? Email us or submit questions here, we’ll be sure to respond promptly!

What happens on weekends?
Weekends at CSG are a time for exploration, inspiration and rejuvenation. Maine and the surrounding regions have so many amazing natural, historical and cultural places to see and explore, and it is our goal to share as many of them as possible with you. Every class will take at least one weekend field-trip. Several weekends will be devoted to Marine Science and Leadership Adventure—including destinations such as Acadia National Park, Maine State Aquarium, the Darling Marine Center, and the White Mountains. Sundays, after so much learning and adventure during the week, give students a chance to catch up on cleaning, communication with home, and well-deserved relaxation.

Will we see wild animals or whales while we’re there?
Maine abounds with wildlife. Animals that make their home in Maine’s vast expanse of forests, lakes, rivers and wetlands include moose, bobcat, bear, coyote, otter, badger, eagles, to name a few. Several species of whales, porpoises and seals spend their summers in the Gulf of Maine, joining a wide array of sharks, fish, shellfish and crustacea (including Maine’s most famous crustacean, the American Lobster). As you might guess, the chance of seeing these animals depends on the amount of time you spend in their habitat, and your keen skills of observation. During a CSG semester, there will be numerous opportunities to visit natural areas where wildlife lives; however, most wild animals make it a habit to avoid being seen, as a survival strategy, so there are no guarantees. If you are interested in seeing some equally exciting, but perhaps less dramatic animals, our “backyard” of Wolfe’s Neck Farm hosts a variety of commonly seen animals, including deer, fox, osprey, horseshoe crab, hawks, loons and turkey.

Is there a place to get my hair done?
Good question… first, we want you to know that CSG is a place where you can relax and be yourself. CSG provides an opportunity to get away from the pressures that you face in your normal day to day life—here, you are free to concentrate on learning and discovery—of self, your peers and faculty, academic subjects, local community and culture, and the natural world. We invite you to accept this challenge, with the hope that you will learn by trying out new ideas, styles, and ways of interaction. That said, we want you to be comfortable and to honor your traditions and values, and will work with you to find the services and resources you need.

How will I communicate with friends and family while I am there?

Because of the distracting nature of cell phones, we ask our students to leave their cell phones at home. While technology is a most amazing and often wonderful addition to our lives, it has been our experience that the use of cell phones and other wireless devices detracts from the very community we are working to create. Students have a variety of ways to connect with family and friends during the semester through use of CSG school phones and the internet. Students are welcome to use the CSG "land lines" to call home during our evening Choice Time; however, many students prefer to use our student-assigned laptops for free internet-based programs such Skype, Google Voice, email and Facebook. Finally, we strongly encourage girls and families to participate in the age-old practice of letter writing, as these handwritten treasures offer a piece of love, time and personality that are often returned to over and over again throughout the semester.

 

Can we go shopping?
Many of you have probably heard about the outlet opportunities in Freeport. However, in keeping with our goal of encouraging students to learn, discover and grow, we challenge you to step outside your “comfort zone” by setting higher goals and trying new things. These exciting 16 weeks will go by way too quickly as it is, and we want to be purposeful about how we spend our hours, our days and our weeks. The mall and shopping outlets will always be there, and the shops that you will find offer little in the way of uniqueness or potential for learning. We want you to get the most out of your experience at CSG, and don’t want to take valuable time from your semester to shop—every new thing you learn opens doors and gives you new options and opportunities; who do you want to be? What do you want to do? How high can you go? The only way to know is to try and see for yourself—Dream big!

Still want to visit the Freeport outlets or hit the mall in Portland? Plan for time to explore these cities when you arrive at or depart CSG at the beginning or end of the semester, or during Parent/Special Adult Weekend. In addition to shops, these cities and the surrounding countryside are rich with history and culture and are well worth the visit.