Nature Summer Camp 2025

Age Groups 

Chickadees: Entering Kindergarten*
Grey Squirrel: Entering grades 1-2
Red Fox: Entering grades 3-4
Black Bear: Entering grades 5-6
Leaders in Training: Entering grades 7-9
Climate Collaborative Campers: Entering grades 7-9

NSC 2024 Titles and Dates by Session:

Session 1: June 24 - June 28 (one week)
Our Micro World
Climate Collaborative Camp
Chickadee Camp

Session 2: July 1 - July 12 (two weeks including July 4) 
Making and Tinkering
Leadership Training Camp
Chickadee Camp

Session 3: July 15 - July 19 (one week) 
Raindrop to Reservoir
Chickadee Camp

Session 4: July 22 - August 2 (two weeks) 
Making and Tinkering
Chickadee Camp

Session 5: August 5 - August 9 (one week)
Our Micro World
Chickadee Camp

*Campers can register for a Maximum of 2 sessions per summer. If you register for more than 2 sessions, we will cancel the third (or fourth) session(s) and issue a full refund.

Chickadee Camp

Entering Kindergarten*
Mondays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 1 pm
Session 1: June 24 – June 28 (one week)
Session 2: July 1 – July 12 (two weeks)
Session 3: July 15 – July 19 (one week)
Session 4: July 22 – August 2 (two weeks)
Session 5: August 5 – August 9 (one week)
Fees for 1 week session: Tier A $384; Tier B $320; Tier C $272; Tier D $208
Fees for 2 week session: Tier A $768; Tier B $640; Tier C $544; Tier D $416

The Chickadee program is a safe, nurturing first outdoor day camp experience for young ones. Attentive and loving counselors facilitate safe and curious exploration of the Discovery Yard and Hitchcock trails while sharing enthusiasm and joyful nature connection. Our “Nest” (the gazebo) and pollinator gardens are our home base. Each day has a specific nature theme and includes free play, morning circle, snack time, songs, stories, lunch time, chores and games. Sand kitchen play and sprinkler time are also part of each day! Our goals for our Chickadees are to use all their senses to explore nature, to feel comfortable and safe learning and playing outdoors, and to be part of a caring and respectful group. Space is limited to 10 campers per session.

*Chickadee Camp is primarily for rising Kindergartners (children entering Kindergarten in fall 2024), but parents are welcome to sign up their developmentally younger or less outgoing rising first graders as well. Children must be five years old by September 1, 2024 and entering Kindergarten in fall 2024 to be eligible to participate. As with the rest of Hitchcock summer camp, campers are limited to a maximum of two sessions per summer. This camp runs from 8:45am to 1:00 pm.

Our Little Micro World

Entering grades 1 - 6
Mondays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 3 pm
Session 1: June 24 – June 28 (one week)
Session 5: August 5 – August 9 (one week)
Fees for 1 week session: Tier A $534; Tier B $445; Tier C $378; Tier D $289

Get ready to get very tiny this week as we explore all things small. Who are the creatures that can fit in your hand, or on a penny? We’ll investigate teeny tiny ants, pillbugs, worms, and other invertebrates that have important jobs in nature. We’ll pay attention to the tiniest flowers and plants and discover their importance to their ecosystems. Through live animal visits, exploration, hikes, and art projects, campers will investigate the tiny things in life! There will be no field trips this week.

Making and Tinkering

Entering grades 1 - 6
Mondays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 3 pm
Session 2: July 1 – July 12 (two weeks)
Session 4: July 22 – August 2 (two weeks)
Fees for 2 week session: Tier A $1008; Tier B $840; Tier C $714; Tier D $546

Become a nature-inspired inventor! Campers will spend this week outdoors exploring science and biomimicry, and then applying what they learn to create! Chain reaction machines, beaver dam challenges, and other engineering design challenges will be part of the fun too! Through investigation and play, campers will discover nature’s smartest lessons and use them to playfully solve problems. We will also have field trips for the two older groups. By learning from the world around us, we can become sustainable engineers!

Raindrop to Reservoir

Entering grades 1 - 6
Mondays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 3 pm
Session 3: July 15 – July 19 (one week)
Fees for 1 week session: Tier A $534; Tier B $445; Tier C $378; Tier D $289

How many drops of water can fit on a penny? What lives in the rivers and streams around us? We will be having a wet and wild time as we explore the properties of water, why water is important, and how water connects all living things. From beaver dam challenges to our Living Building’s water system to sprinkler time - good times will reign! This session will feature a field trip to the Fort River, engineering challenges, games, crafts, and more.

Leadership Training Camp (LTC)

Entering grades 7 - 9
Mondays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 3 pm
Session 2: July 1 – July 12 (two weeks)
Fees for 2 week session: Tier A $1080; Tier B $900; Tier C $765; Tier D $585

LTC is a place where teens can develop their skills as naturalists, problem solvers, and community members, and returning leaders can strengthen the skills they’ve been working on. It is designed for those who may want to be a Counselor-in-Training or Junior Counselor at Hitchcock or other camps, who want a chance to build leadership skills in life, or who just want to learn new skills and have some fun. This is done through our “spiral” system, with spirals representing your experience in LTC (spiral 1 for first-year campers, spiral 2 for second-year campers, etc.) and each spiral holding different expectations and skills. 

We’ll be tackling challenges such as rock climbing, ropes courses, field trips, hikes, and our camping overnight. We’ll take time to learn how to support each other as a group, to work with the younger campers to put what we learn into practice, and to be campers ourselves: playing in the woods and learning about and exploring nature. We expect leaders to be excited to build communication skills like listening and considering the needs of the group and to be willing to challenge themselves by choice in a safe and supportive environment. 

Leadership Training Camp is jam-packed with outdoor adventures, group challenges, nature hikes, fun, and discussions on what makes good leaders. 

Please note that drop-off and pick-up times for LTC may change on some days depending on our schedule for that day.

LTC: Climate Collaborative Camp

Entering grades 7-9
Mondays - Fridays, 8:45 am - 3 pm
Session 1: June 24 – June 28 (one week)
Fees for 1 week session: Tier A $534; Tier B $445; Tier C $378; Tier D $289

Do you have a teen who wants to be part of Hitchcock Summer Camp and gain a new and unique set of leadership skills? Climate Collaborative Camp is for them! Climate Collaborative is just like summer camp but with even more of a hopeful, climate-oriented twist. Over the course of the week, campers will play games and explore the science and art of climate action. We’ll ask questions about the history and future of the land and our connection to it as a community and be inspired by the Hitchcock Center Living Building. The week will culminate in a camper-led climate action. This week will be fun, hands-on, and outdoors!

We will continue to offer the tiered-scale fee structure that we have adopted during the pandemic. This tiered system will, for this year, be taking the place of our financial aid applications. This tiered system aims to provide greater flexibility in allowing you to choose a price that is right for you and your family. When registering for camp you will be asked to select one of four tiered-fee options. 

• Tier A: The fee is set 20% higher than what it costs to run the program and helps to support those who cannot afford the full cost of the program.
• Tier B: The fee is set to cover 100% of the program costs.
• Tier C: The fee is set at 15% less than what it costs to run the program.
• Tier D: This fee is set at 35% less than what it costs to run the program. This option is available for EBT, WIC, and Connector Care participants, that is, households receiving benefits through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Health Connector.

What to bring to Camp

Here is our list of what to bring to summer camp. To have fun and be safe in the outdoors, it is important that each camper brings the following items to camp. Each camper will be responsible for caring for his/her own possessions during the day as we move from building to van to the activity site.

***Please label all items with your child’s name!***​

Checklist:

• Hearty snack and lunch that do not require heating or refrigeration
• Proper footwear. We recommend bringing one pair that can get wet/muddy and one sturdy closed-toe pair for hiking and running. No flip flops, please.
• Change of clothes: shirt, bottoms, underwear and socks. This can stay at camp throughout the session.
• Rain gear
• Two masks
• Hand sanitizer (optional - counselors will provide if needed)
• Water bottle (screw top or canteen style, no straws please)
• Back pack that fits and is comfortable to wear
• Hat with brim for sun protection
• Sunscreen and insect repellent ( we can only apply what you provide)
• Swim suit and towel for sprinkler play

A Typical Nature Summer Camp Day

8:45-9:00 Arrival, Mystery Corner/Landing activity/ Outside Game
9:00 Morning Circle: Name Game, Songs, Group Challenge, Theme of the Day
10:00 Snack
10:15 Outdoor Adventure and Exploration or Field Trip
12:00pm Lunch, Story and Siesta
1:15 Outdoor Nature Free Play
1:45 Craft and/or Science
2:40 Clean up
2:45 Closing Circle
2:55-3:00 Pick Up

Each day consists of outdoor play, guided hikes and field investigations, songs, crafts and team building games. Campers spend each day doing activities related to the daily theme, such as Creeping Crawlers or Fantastic Flyers. Snack time, lunch, quiet time, and unstructured play time are also parts of each day. For our two week sessions the Brown Bears (entering grades 5-6) travel by van or bus to the field trip sites two times per week and Red Foxes (entering grades 3-4) travel by van or bus to field trip sites once a week. On some days, we may choose to walk to the “far away woods”, and have all of our programming in the forest. Due to COVID-19 we will not be having any all camp family shares at the end of our sessions.

A Typical Chickadee Camp Day

8:45-9:00 Arrival, Landing activity
9:00 Morning Circle
10:00 Snack
10:30 Outdoor Adventure
11:30 Game
12:00 pm Lunch and Story
12:45 Closing Circle
1:00 Pick Up

Drop Off

Camp drop off will be from 8:45am to 9:00am (please try and have your kids here by 9:00 so they don’t miss out on any programming). Please call the Hitchcock Center - 413-256-6006 if your child can not make it to camp, or if you know ahead of time, inform your counselor.

We will have different areas in our parking lot for drop off for the different groups. We will have signs for each group. Due to our limited parking we are encouraging live drop off with out parking for children who are easily able to separate from their parents is preferred after the first day. The Eco-Investigators will be the first location, Nature Explorers, the second, and Young Naturalists the third, and Chickadee Camp last. Please pull your car up to the correct area to drop off your child. If you would like to walk your child to the drop off location, please park your car in a parking spot.

It is wonderful to have your children come to camp with sunblock and bug spray, already applied. If you want to apply sunblock/bug spray at drop off, we will ask you to first find a parking spot. If you do this, please walk your child to their counselor, as the parking lot will be very busy.

If you think that there is anyone that you would like to add to your list of people who can pick your child up from camp, please send them to him. We will ask you to check this list at drop off on the first day.

Pick Up

Pick Up for Chickadee Camp is at 1:00 each day**

Pick up for all other groups is from 2:55 to 3:00 each day**

We will ask you to come out of the car, and meet one of your children’s counselors to sign your child out. Please ensure that you have provided a list of all potential people who will be picking up your child. We can’t release a child to someone who is not on the list.

Our counselors are busy preparing for the day before 8:45, and need time in the afternoon for cleaning up and additional prep the next day, so we ask you to please not drop off your children early or pick them up late. We ask that you please park in the parking lot when picking up your child/ren, as we require campers to be signed out at pickup. There will be a lot of activity at these times, so please drive slowly and carefully, and be aware while leaving the car.

Learn all about our 2024 Nature Summer Camp staff 

**Our Covid-19 policies are current as of 1/5/2023 - Our health guidelines will be reassessed in April 2023 based on current conditions

While some things will be different about camp this year, we will provide you with the same quality experience that our community has come to depend on us for.
With the recent changes in the safety requirements for Covid, we are hoping to have camp feel as normal as possible.

• We will hold a full six-hour camp day.
• There will be four separate groups determined by grade.
• Our days will be packed with games, forest exploration, meaningful discussion about
  nature, laughing, and fun.
• The size of our camp group will be 12-15 campers.
• Safety is our priority.

This past few years have been a lesson in flexibility and creativity. In order to provide
the best quality camp experience while remaining safe and mindful, we have
the following requirements this summer:

• We will wear masks indoors.
• Daily health screenings will be required as part of drop off at camp (no temperature
  screenings).
• All groups will have their own indoor and outdoor classroom space.
• We are planning to have some indoor based activities, which will be dependent on the risk level of Covid-19 at the time, but will be masked when we do.
• We will have an 15 minute window for drop off 8:45am to 9am and a ten minute
  window for pick up 2:55pm to 3:05pm.
• We may change our policies at any time based on additional guidance provided by the town, or state relating to Covid-19

The Hitchcock Center Nature Summer Camp has great opportunities for teens in 2024! Our “Counselor-in-Training (CIT)” program, is for teens entering 8-9th grade, who love nature and working with children. Our “Junior Counselor (JC)” program for 10-12th graders ready for more of a leadership role. We encourage current rising 8th - 12th graders to register for summer 2024!

Applicants for both programs should earnestly wish to build their leadership skills and contribute to a fun, safe camp environment by being mature and appropriate role models for the kids. Learn more...

Nature Summer Camp 2024 details will be emailed to the Hitchcock Center email list in January, and can be found on this web page. Not sure if you’re on our mailing list? You can sign up to be on our email list here.

Registration begins online: Wednesday, January 31 at 8:00 pm.  Final camp payments and all camp paperwork are due on June 10, 2024.

REGISTER HERE

We will continue to offer the tiered-scale fee structure that we have adopted during the pandemic. This tiered system will, for this year, be taking the place of our financial aid applications. This tiered system aims to provide greater flexibility in allowing you to choose a price that is right for you and your family. When registering for camp you will be asked to select one of four tiered-fee options. 

• Tier A: The fee is set 20% higher than what it costs to run the program and helps to support those who cannot afford the full cost of the program.
• Tier B: The fee is set to cover 100% of the program costs.
• Tier C: The fee is set at 15% less than what it costs to run the program.
• Tier D: This fee is set at 35% less than what it costs to run the program. This option is available for EBT, WIC, and Connector Care participants, that is, households receiving benefits through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Registration will begin on January 31 at 8:00 pm, and a deposit of $150 will be due upon registration. Final payment for summer camp will be due on June 10th (along with final paperwork). 

Looking to register for camp, but don’t have internet access? No problem, call our office at 413-256-6006, during our open hours, and we will assist you. 

**Due to increasing demand for our camp, we ask that you limit your registration to two sessions per child.** 

The Hitchcock Center for the summer of 2024 will continue the tiered pricing system. See the registration tab, above. 

Hitchcock also provides full scholarships for children for whom camp isn’t possible due to severe financial hardship. Full scholarships are awarded based on nominations from teachers and guidance counselors at local schools. If you feel you’re eligible for a full scholarship, please contact the camp director at jeff@hitchcockcenter.org. Please note: the deadline for receiving these nominations is Friday, February 9.

The need for camp scholarships has grown dramatically over the last three years. This year, close to 30% of our campers are receiving either a full scholarship or financial aid. We strive to be able to make our camp affordable and accessible for all, and could use your help. If you have not already donated to our camp scholarship fund, this is another great opportunity to do so. Here is the link to make a donation: https://www.hitchcockcenter.org/support-us/scholarship-donate/

Please see our website for an overview of our camp and frequently asked questions about camp - https://www.hitchcockcenter.org/programs/children-and-family-programs/camp-programs/. You can also reach out to Jeff at jeff@hitchcockcenter.org with any questions.

**Our Covid-19 policies are current as of 5/1/2023 – Our health guidelines will be reassessed based on current conditions as required.

Our programs are designed to be fun and engaging and above all safe. The COVID-19 program guidelines below are designed to help protect everyone as we meet the strict health and safety requirements of the CDC and our state.

We require all vaccinations required by the Town of Amherst’s Board of Health for Public Schools. The Hitchcock Center highly encourages all campers to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to ensure that our camp can be as safe as possible for all participants. The Amherst Board of Health requires COVID-19 vaccination for students 16 years of age and older (except for medical or religious exemptions) to attend Amherst public schools. Should FDA approval occur for children ages 5-12, we anticipate the town will also require vaccination for that age group.

Please take the time to read our complete COVID-19 program guidelines thoroughly, and use our Covid-19 Health Screening Self Checklist each day prior to coming to a Hitchcock program. If you feel that you or your child(ren) cannot follow these guidelines, we ask that you wait until these restrictions have been lifted to join one of our programs or events. We may change our guidelines to reflect new guidance from CDC and Massachusetts.

The Hitchcock Center highly encourages all campers (and requires all staff and campers 16 and over) to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to ensure that our camp can be as safe as possible for all participants. We require all vaccinations required by the Town of Amherst. 

The Amherst Board of Health now requires COVID-19 vaccination for students 16 years of age and older (except for medical or religious exemptions) to attend Amherst public schools. Should FDA approval occur for children ages 5-12, we anticipate the town will also require vaccination for that age group. We will follow Board of Health guidelines.

Health Care Policy

• The Hitchcock Center will have the following information on site for all campers and staff: medical concerns, allergy information, current immunization record, emergency phone numbers, physician signature and/or parent signature pertaining to the camper’s ability to participate in camp. No camper will be admitted to camp without a completed health form, current physical and certificate of immunizations.
• All emergency phone numbers will be posted next to the phone of each camp. Those phone numbers include the number of the Camp Health Care Consultant, Police, Ambulance, Fire Department and MA Poison Info. Center.
• All staff working with children are professionally trained and certified in Community CPR and Standard First Aid, or their equivalents and shall complete the Heads Up online head injury safety training program.
• The Hitchcock Center has measurers in place to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. We follow exclusion policies for serious illnesses, contagious diseases and reportable diseases. No camper may attend camp if they are sick. All communicable diseases must be reported to the Camp Director. All campers with fevers over 100°F and/or vomiting must leave the property as soon as possible and not return for 24 hours of being symptom free. In the event of a serious contagious or reportable disease, the Camp Director will notify all parents, in accordance with the Department of Public Health recommendation.
• No medication will be administered without a written consent form from BOTH the parent/guardian AND the Camp Health Care Consultant. We will have two Health Care Supervisors on site at all times.  Health Care Supervisors shall be trained or instructed by the Health Care Consultant to administer oral or topical medications. All prescription medication must be provided in the original prescription container with the pharmacy labels. For prescribed medicine, camp staff will not vary from the prescribed dose, appearing on the original label of the medication, without prior approval from the prescribing physician. All over the counter medications must be kept in the original containers, which shall include direction for use.
• All medication will be kept out of reach of the children in a locked container. In the case of anaphylactic allergies, be sure that any necessary treatments are left at the Hitchcock Center and any EpiPens are left with the Counselors or Camp Director. Campers shall self-administer and carry their EpiPens if the camper is capable of self-administration and the Health Care Consultant and the campers parent/guardian have provided written approval. The Health Care Supervisors and Counselors will be trained in the administration of EPI Pens under the direction of the Health Care Consultant. Medications that require refrigeration or to be frozen will be kept in a locked container in the refrigerator or freezer. All medications, with the exception of EPI Pens which are time critical, shall be administered by the health supervisor under the supervision of the health care consultant or a licensed health care professional. When no longer needed, medications shall be returned to a parent or guardian whenever possible. Outdated or unused medication will be properly disposed of. A medical disposal log shall be maintained for at least three years, documenting any medication that could not be returned to the parent or guardian. Needles and Syringes will be disposed of in accordance with 105CMR480.000. (CMR430.160)
• A Medical Log is kept for all medications given and disposed of and for the documentation of all first aid administered by camp staff and reported injuries. Staff will not perform first aid beyond the certified knowledge (CMR 430.155).
• The camp office has a fully stocked First Aid kit on hand.  In addition, the Counselors will carry First Aid packs wherever they go. The first aid kits shall meet the American National Standards Institute Z308.1-2015 requirements, including at minimum one Class B Kit and one or more Class A kits as necessary.(CMR 430.161)
• In the event of a major accident, injury or death during a Hitchcock program or trip, the following steps should be followed:
  • • Call 911 for medical/police assistance. The Amherst Fire Department Ambulance Service will dispatch an ambulance if needed.
    • Attend to all serious/life threatening injuries immediately and administer First Aid/CPR as needed. Under no circumstances will the victim or other children be left unsupervised.
    • When help arrives, call the Hitchcock Center for further assistance.  Whether you reach a staff person or our voice mail system it is imperative that you leave a complete message with your name, the victim’s name and injury, your location, cell phone number, and the nature of the accident.
    • The Camp Director will notify a parent/guardian or a parent alternate from the child’s form if unable to reach a parent.
    • A Camper Injury Report Form will be completed by day’s end and sent to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Board of Health no later than seven calendar days from the date of injury (CMR430.154).
• When off site, at least one of the Counselors will carry a cellular phone. While on-site, at least one Counselor per group will carry a walkie
  talkie which also can be used for emergency purposes.
• Copies of the health forms for each camper are kept in the van for emergency uses.
• Tick checks will be done when returning from being on the trails prior to entering the building. The Counselors will teach campers how to do tick checks. We encourage parents to perform thorough tick checks on their child at the end of each day.
• The Hitchcock Center requests that if Campers need insect repellent it is applied prior to the beginning of the camp day. Campers are requested to bring their own insect repellent. If given permission, Counselors can apply the insect repellent provided. All applications of insect repellent must be done outside.

In the event of a mild injury i.e. sprained ankle or wrist:

• The child will be given ice and a place to rest to keep the area elevated. 
• If the child is unable to return to the camp activities the parent will be notified. 
• The Camp Director will notify a parent/guardian or a parent alternate from the child’s form if unable to reach a parent.

In the case of a mild sickness i.e. upset stomach: 

• The child will be given a place to rest. 
• The parent will be notified. 
• The Camp Director will notify a parent/guardian or a parent alternate from the child’s form if unable to reach a parent.
• If the sickness warrants, the parents will be requested to pick up the child.

In the case of a head injury or suspected concussion:

•   The child will be given a place to rest.
•   The parent/guardian will be notified.
•   The Camp Director will notify a parent/guardian from the child’s form if unable to reach a parent.
•   The parent/guardian will be provided a Heads Up – Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents, and will require a note from a healthcare professional to ensure that a camper can return to camp, if any symptoms of a concussion were observed.

The Hitchcock Center for the Environment (HCE) provides a safe and healthy environment for our campers and staff to the extent reasonably possible. Campers identified with life-threatening allergies will be provided for as medically necessary. The HCE guidelines will help reduce exposure to allergens to the best of our ability, knowing that we can be allergen-aware, not allergen free, and to follow established procedures to treat allergic reactions. The HCE is a public building and we can not control if allergens are brought into the building.

A camper identified as having a life-threatening allergy must have a written statement clearly documenting the allergy from his/her health care provider/allergy specialist along with a written medication order, parent/guardian consent for required interventions and medication. HCE will provide training to educate Counselors in the management of life threatening allergies. 

If there is a camper with a severe peanut or tree nut allergy, or other life-threatening allergy in a session, families and campers for that group and session are respectfully asked to refrain from bringing nuts or foods processed with nuts in lunches and snacks (or the relevant allergen). At the end of each snack and lunch and at the end of the day, tables are cleaned and students will be asked to wash their hands before and after eating.

Camp’s Responsibility 

• The Health Care Supervisor will be available for campers who have a life-threatening allergy. A back-up plan will be in place when the Health Care Supervisor is not available on-site.
• Counselors will have cell phones to maintain contact with the Health Care Supervisor and/or other camp staff in case of a medical emergency. 
• The camp’s emergency response plan will include a written plan that outlines the management of life threatening emergencies. 
• In the event of an allergen exposure, policies and procedures will be reviewed. 
• Camp personnel will receive appropriate training in allergic response recognition and response as needed. 
• After reviewing the health records provided by the parent/guardian, the camp Health Care Supervisor in conjunction with the Health Care Consultant will develop an individual health care plan. 
• If the camper is carrying their epinephrine auto-injector, the counselor will check in with the camper to ensure that they have the epinephrine auto-injector at the beginning of the camp session.

Recommendations for Campers 

Based on the camper’s age and developmental level, campers are encouraged to be proactive in the care and management of their allergies and reactions. All guidelines below are considered recommendations but it will not be assumed that any child can take full responsibility for their own allergy management. 

• Wash hands with soap and water before and after eating (hand sanitizer is not effective). 
• Learn to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction. 
• Promptly inform an adult as soon as possible exposure occurs or symptoms appear. 
• Do not trade or share food. 
• Do not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen. 
• Develop a relationship with the camp Health Care Supervisor and other adults in the camp to help identify issues related to managing the allergy in camp. 
• Notify an adult immediately if feeling threatened or bullied as it relates to their life threatening allergy. 
• Camper may carry epinephrine auto-injector on self if camp Health Care Supervisor, parent or guardian and licensed prescriber are in agreement. 

Health Care Consultant: Dr. Peter Everett, 413-584-8700

Health Care Supervisors: Jeffrey Mazur, Monya Relles, and Dan Butterworth 845 West Street, Amherst MA, 413-256-6006

Written documentation of immunizations in accordance with the most current Department of Health immunization are required for all camp and camp staff. (CMR 430.152). Staff will follow the recommendations for college or post-secondary students.

 The following is a link to the MA Deptartment of Health required immunizations which are the same as are required for attending public school:

https://www.mass.gov/doc/immunization-requirements-for-school-entry-0/download

If you have any questions about vaccines, immunization recommendations, or suspect or confirmed cases of disease, please contact the MDPH Immunization Program at 888-658-2850 or 617-983-6800. 

Information about Meningococcal Disease and Camp Attendees: Commonly Asked Questions

Cancellation policy update for 2024: Self-cancellation is now available through your Active account. You may cancel your own registration up to 90 days before the start of your session.

• If you cancel more than 90 days before the first day of your session, you will receive a full refund minus the 6% platform fee.
• If you cancel 30-90 days before the first day of your session, you will receive a full refund minus the $150 deposit.
• If you cancel less than 30 days before the first day of your session, you will not receive a refund, unless the program is full and we are able to fill your spot, then you may receive a 50% refund.
• Our camp sessions are booked months in advance and our staffing and preparation for camp begins in the early spring. We cannot provide refunds for absent or sick days, family emergencies, or unexpected vacations.
• Exceptions granted only in the case of a health emergency, evidenced by a written physician's statement, restricting the child from attending camp for the entire session.

A parent, guardian or designated representative for the child shall not send the child to the program if they are ill or have a temperature. All contagious illnesses must be reported to the Camp Director.

If it is determined during the day that the child is ill, is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or has a temperature, the parent/guardian will be notified. It is their responsibility to have the child picked up from camp as soon as possible. 

The parent or guardian shall notify the Camp Director if a child will be absent on a regularly enrolled day.

Parents or guardians shall notify the campers Counselor or the Camp Director when someone other than those named on the child’s Emergency Information will be picking up the child.

Parents or guardians will assist staff in handling any behavior problems or other concerns by being open to discussions and conferences in order to best service their child.

Parents and guardians can request copies of our background check, health care and discipline policies by contacting the Camp Director.

Parents must provide documentation from the camper’s health care providers regarding the camper’s allergy prior to the beginning of camp or as soon as possible after diagnosis. The health care provider should be the allergist or similar specialist to the extent that the camper has such a provider. In the case of a food allergy, provide a list of foods/ingredients the camper child must avoid.

 In addition: if your child has a severe allergy or severe asthma, parents are responsible to:

• Provide the camp with up-to-date medication (epinephrine auto-injector or inhaler), medication orders from a licensed health care provider and parent/guardian consent forms for medication administration. 
• Provide the camp with a way to reach you at all times or an available local emergency contact. 
• Provide the Health Care Supervisor with any changes in your camper’s allergy or asthma status as soon as they occur. 
• Educate your child about their allergy or asthma: importance of avoiding allergens, symptoms of a reaction and how to communicate to an adult if they think a reaction is starting. 

Parents’ and guardians’ questions, suggestions, and concerns are important to the success of Hitchcock Centers Summer Nature Camp. If a staff member is not free to speak with you immediately, please leave your name and phone number, and someone will call you as soon as possible. You can also email the Camp Director. We encourage you to inform the staff if your child is having difficulty at camp. Let them know if changes are occurring at home that are affecting your child’s mood or behavior. Also, if your camper enjoyed a particular event or activity and you appreciate something special at Camp, please tell the staff. 

We strive to make summer camp as accessible, safe, and inclusive as possible. Due to the outdoor and exploratory nature of our camp program, campers must be able to move about on uneven terrain. Campers are expected to meaningfully participate in age-appropriate activities, including nature study. We welcome campers who are emerging multilinguals, queer and questioning, as well as campers with social, emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioral challenges, along with their 1:1 assistant or a personal care assistants. If your camper has social, emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioral challenges, or if you have questions or concerns about how we can best support your camper, please contact our Camp Director to determine whether your camper can be accommodated at camp.

In addition, your child must be able to wear a mask when appropriate, and be capable of being able to thoroughly wash their hands, and maintain social distancing requirements as directed by their counselors.

Non-disclosure may result in dismissal without refund.

One of our primary goals at the Hitchcock Center is to provide a safe and positive environment for all of the children who participate in our programs, all of the time. We cannot work one-on-one with children with behavioral difficulties. We have designed a general policy to be used with all campers. We will handle disruptive and aggressive behavior (hitting, bad language, disrespect to other children or to staff, etc.) as follows:

1. If there is one incident, the parent will be informed.
2. If there are two incidents, we will have a parent, child, and camp director meeting.
3. If the behavior continues and cannot be controlled, the child will be disenrolled. The Executive Director, acting with the advice of the Camp Director or Counselor, will make this decision. 

Note that if circumstances occur, in which, in the opinion of the Camp Director and Executive Director, that a camper’s actions are such, that their presence may impact the safety and well-being of other campers, then at the discretion of the Executive Director, a camper may be disenrolled after the first or second incident.

Parents should judge beforehand whether their child is capable of handling a camp setting, as the Hitchcock Center will not refund camp fees for these reasons. This policy represents our best effort to protect children with behavioral problems, their families, other children, and our staff.

While the Hitchcock Center is a public building, staff and counselors will keep campers separate from any persons who are not a part of camp. Any adults that are unrecognized persons (ie. Non-campers, staff, volunteers, contractors, parents or guardians) will be asked not to interact with campers.

• We promote a culture of using our words to solve problems and to alert staff if a camper is hurt by another camper or otherwise needs help. Staff are trained to facilitate conflict resolution among campers. 
• We foster a culture of respect and care for ourselves, each other, Counselors, and the environment. When disrespect is shown, staff facilitate conflict resolution. 
• Children eat their own food brought from home or snacks given by Counselors only. 
• Children will never be left unsupervised or left alone with a Counselor in Training (CIT).
• The Hitchcock Center encourages the use of sun protection for all, including wearing wide brim hats, long sleeves and pants, and sunscreen with an SPF greater than 25. We request that sunscreen and insect repellent be applied before camp. If necessary, and if permission is given, Counselors can reapply both sunscreen and insect repellent during the camp day.
• All children wash their hands before meals, snack and after going to the rest room. If snack or lunch is happening in a location where hand washing is not available, then hand sanitizer will be provided.
• No child shall be denied food, water or shelter as a form of punishment; subjected to cruel or severe punishment, humiliation, verbal abuse, or corporal punishment, including spanking; or be punished for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet.

The following is our standard procedure to ensure that our employees and volunteers have a background free of conduct that has an adverse effect on his/ her ability to provide for the safety and well being of the campers. The following are minimum requirements for each new prospective employee who may have unsupervised contact with a camper:  

1. 1. Prior Work History (address, phone number) 
   2. Three positive reference checks from individuals not related to the staff person including, but not limited to previous employers or school administration. 
   3. Inquiry by agency into the individual’s prior criminal history (CORI check and SORI). All staff who live outside of MA are to provide documentation from their local chief of police indicating their prior criminal history. 
   4. Based on the required information we will then determine if the potential employees history should disqualify them from any type of contact or presence at the camp.