Nature Museum 2024 Summer Camp FAQs
Where are the camps located?
All of our camps are based at The Nature Museum’s location at 186 Townshend Road in Grafton, Vermont. However, we do visit several locations within walking distance to explore different habitats, such as local ponds, streams, forests, and more.
What is the typical camp schedule?
Generally, campers arrive between 9 and 9:30am, have morning introductions or games until snack at 10:00, then activities or exploration until lunch at 12:00pm. The afternoon includes more activities, free play time, snack at 1:30pm, and pick-up between 3:30 and 4pm. However, camp schedules may vary depending on the themes and lessons of the day/week and if we have any guest presenters. Note: Wee Explorers camps end at 2PM.
Will the campers be primarily outdoors?
Yes! Our camps are almost entirely outdoors to take advantage of the abundance of learning, exploring, and play opportunities of the natural world. This is why we require campers to come prepared for any weather, and to bring extra clothes if they expect to get wet or cold. If there is hazardous weather (i.e. lightning, hail, etc.), we have access to safe indoor spaces.
When is registration open for camps?
Summer camp registration opens in early February, and we try to publish camp dates well in advance of that. Winter Break camps and Earth Day camp typically open a few months before.
How quickly do camps fill up?
It depends on the camp, but the Brave Bears and Wee Explorers camps have filled up particularly quickly after opening in the last couple years. We do occasionally get openings in camps that have filled, so signing up for the waitlist is recommended – and we’ll be in contact with the next person on the list as soon as there is an opening.
What is pick-up and drop-off protocol?
Drop off begins 30 minutes before the start of camp, and pick-up is for 30 minutes after camp. We unfortunately can’t provide care for longer than that window – so please be sure to pick up your camper on time! We ask that the person picking up a camper be listed on their registration form for safety reasons, and bring a photo ID for confirmation.
How can I help my camper prevent tick bites? What happens if they come home with a tick?
Part of the invaluable experience of being outdoors is interacting with many plants and other animals, including insects. Ticks are one such species that we may commonly encounter. In recent years the prevalence of tick-borne diseases, such as lyme disease, has been on the rise, leading to understandable concern about exposure to ticks. There are ways to reduce the risk of getting a tick bite, such as applying insect repellents (we see greatest efficacy in DEET and picaridin repellents), performing a thorough tick check at home, wearing long pants and socks, and tossing outdoor clothes in a hot dryer.
Removing ticks is a fairly straightforward process if you have a tick-removal tool or tweezers. It is important to remove the whole tick by the mouthpiece. We have more detailed instructions in the camper packet, and there are lots of reliable online resources as well (i.e., the CDC’s website).
Do you offer camp scholarships?
Yes. We offer camp scholarships for families with financial need. Please email camps@nature-museum.org right away to discuss your needs, as camp registrations fill up fast. When you email with an intent to register your camper, we can reserve a space while we work out the details. Please let us know how much of the camp cost you can afford when emailing us!
What is the registration fee?
Our online registration software charges between $12-15 per camper for each camp they sign up for (most of this is credit card fees). We can’t control these prices, but we understand that the fees add up! We added a $5 registration fee to help offset some of these costs, give us great software to work with, and give our staff less time in front of the screen and more time outside preparing for camp!
Who can I get in touch with?
The go-to email address for all things camp-related is camps@nature-museum.org. You can also reach us at info@nature-museum.org, or call our number 802-843-2111. More contact information is available in the camper packet.
How do I find the camp handbook & release forms?
The handbook outlines all our camp policies, and includes the medical form, camper agreement, and release form. There is a link to it in your confirmation email. If for some reason you don’t have a link, email camps@nature-museum.org and we’d be happy to send you the packet.
Cancellation/refund policy
We understand that plans change! However, because we are a small nonprofit, cancellations can make it more challenging for us to manage camp enrollment. Our policy is that cancellations made up to 3 weeks prior to the camp week will receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee. For cancellations less than 3 weeks prior to the date, refunds will be made only if we are able to fill the space from a waiting list. We are unfortunately unable to offer refunds in the case of camper illness or inability to attend for other reasons.