Habitat Nature Day Camp

Habitat Nature Day Camp SUMMER 2019 Habitat Education Center 10 Juniper Road Belmont

About Camp Habitat Nature Day Camp in Belmont has been engaging children since 1974. We are committed to providing quality outdoor experiences that are guided by a philosophy of discovery. Our motto is: Explore, Question, Connect! We encourage campers, ages 4-15, to explore their surroundings and discover new interests and talents. We want them to question and challenge their understanding of nature and their place within it. And we strive to create a community that connects campers in lasting friendships. We hope that your child will come to love Habitat and its camp program as so many have in the past. Our Camp Staff Camp staff are carefully hired for their maturity and caring attitude toward children. They are environmental educators, teachers, and camp instructors many of whom are former Habitat campers! Each member of the staff provides enthusiasm for outdoor exploration and a passion for education. Small group sizes ensure that campers stay safe and engaged. All staff must pass a background check and receive training in safety, child development, and nature study prior to the start of camp. Lead instructors are certified in first aid and CPR. Our Camp Director Camp is directed by Jane Higgins, who joined Habitat Education Center in 2000. Whether Jane is searching for caterpillars with Ramblers, singing songs with Explorers, or teaching animal adaptations to Ecologists, a day at camp is a good day! A Day at Camp 9:00 9:30 am Camper Drop-off & Choice Time Activities 9:30 9:45 am Opening Circle 9:45 am 12:00 pm Camper Group Time 12:00 1:00 pm Lunch & Free Time 1:00 3:00 pm Camper Group Time or Options 3:00 3:15 pm Closing Circle 3:15 3:45 pm Camper Pick-up 3:15 5:30 pm Optional After-Camp Program Staff are incredible! The combination of physical and natural, educational and social experience are perfectly balanced. 2018 Camp Parent

DAY CAMP P ROGRAMS Session 1: July 1 12* Session 3: July 29 August 9 Session 2: July 15 26 Session 4: August 12 23 Campers may register in ONE two-week session. *Please note: no camp July 4. RAMBLERS Entering Pre-K, Age 4 by June 1 9:00 am 12:00 pm Session 1: $415; Sessions 2 4: $460 Ramble through the woods, using your senses to investigate the world around you. Get to know the plants and animals that can be found at Habitat as well as in your own backyard. PATHFINDERS Entering K, Age 5 by June 1 9:00 am 3:00 pm Session 1: $790; Sessions 2 4: $875 Discover Habitat! Choose a path to follow and uncover Habitat s secret places. Go on a hike to search for critters in the places where they live and grow. Learn what makes different animals unique and what we have in common with them. EXPLORERS Entering Grades 1 4 Session 1: $840 Sessions 2 4: $930 AFTER-CAMP PROGRAM Monday Friday 3:15 5:30 pm Fee: $27, per day This optional extended-day program is available for our two-week and themeweek session attendees. It is not available for Ramblers or Digging in the Dirt. Campers are given a snack and can choose from activities such as hiking, free play, arts and crafts, and nature games. Pre-registration is required. Dive into Turtle Pond. Crawl under logs. Hide in the meadow. Climb through the forest layers. Visit Habitat s many different habitats to find out who lives there and how they survive. Choose from a variety of afternoon activities, such as nature crafts, cooking, outdoor skills, science projects, hikes, and fun games. Finish the day with camp songs, silly stories, and a visit from the Trash Basher and his trusty sidekick. ECOLOGISTS Entering Grades 5 7 Session 1: $890; Sessions 2 4: $985 Deepen your understanding of how nature works by hiking around Habitat and nearby conservation areas. Take a closer look at soil, water, plants, and animal populations. Discover how they are all connected in a fascinating web of life. Explore the Ipswich River in Topsfield by canoe. Complete the experience by sleeping under the stars at Habitat. ECOLOGISTS FIELD TRIPS & OVERNIGHTS SESSION 1 SESSION 3 Field Trip: July 3 Field Trip: August 1 Overnight: July 11* Overnight: August 8* SESSION SESSION 4 Field Trip: July 18 Field Trip: August 15 Overnight: July 25* Overnight: August 22* *Please note: Camp ends at 9:00 am on Friday morning after the overnight. The counselors and the programming come together to make a very special experience, where each child is respected, there is room to learn and grow, and people feel that they can be themselves. A little slice of heaven!

TREKKERS Entering Grades 7 9 Sessions 1 4: $1,265 Expand your horizons and discover habitats beyond Habitat. Go hiking and camping and investigate the geologic history of New England. Examine how our landscape has been shaped over time and how it continues to change. SESSION 1 July 1 12 Day Trips: July 2, 8, 9 Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, World s End, Middlesex Fells Reservation Camping Trips: July 3 5, July 10 12 Cape Cod, Connecticut SESSION 2 July 15 26 Day Trips: July 16, 22, 23 Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sen Ki (Hale Reservation), Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Camping Trips: July 17 19, 24 26 New Hampshire SESSION 3 July 29 August 9 Day Trips: July 30; August 5, 6 Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, World s End, Middlesex Fells Reservation Camping Trips: July 31-August 2, August 7 9 Western Massachusetts, Boston Harbor Islands SESSION 4 August 12 23 Day Trips: August 13, 19, 20 Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sen Ki (Hale Reservation), Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Camping Trips: August 14 16, 21 23 Cape Cod, New Hampshire EXPEDITIONERS Entering Grades 9 10 Fee: $1,490 Are you ready for a challenge? Explore farther and observe closer. Spend two weeks immersed in the geology of New England. Discover the wonders of Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, the majesty of the White Mountains, and the raw natural beauty of Acadia National Park. SESSION 3 July 29 August 9 Day Trip: July 30: Purgatory Chasm State Reservation Camping Trips: July 31-August 2; August 5 9 Cardigan Mountain; Acadia National Park, Maine SESSION 4 August 12 23 Day Trip: August 13: Purgatory Chasm State Reservation Camping Trips: August 14 16; August 19-23 Cardigan Mountain; : White Mountains, New Hampshire LEADERS-IN-TRAINING (LITs) Entering Grades 9 11 8:15 am 4:15 pm, June August Fee: $550 Are you looking for something fun to do this summer? Do you enjoy working with children? Gain valuable leadership experience and community service hours as you assist our teachers in directing nature activities and supervising campers enrolled in our Pathfinders and Explorers programs. LITs play games, read stories, participate in skits, and prepare materials for activities. Each LIT has the opportunity to lead an activity with campers. To be eligible for this volunteer program, LITs must participate in training (June 24 28; ) and be available for at least one, two-week camp session. LITs will receive additional information and forms upon registration. Please contact the Camp Director with questions.

THEME CAMP P ROGRAMS DIGGING IN THE DIRT Entering Pre-K, Age 4 by June 1 June 24-28 9:00 am-12:00 pm Fee: $230 Be a helper in Habitat s Children s Garden. Dig in the dirt and look for worms. Sow a seed and give it water. Pull some weeds and tidy the garden beds. Learn about the different parts of plants that we eat and harvest some for a healthy treat. FEATHERED FRENZY Entering K, Age 5 by June 1 June 24 28 9:00 am 3:00 pm Fee: $440 Spend the week getting to know our fine, feathered friends BIRDS! Discover how birds fly, build nests and find mates. Learn why birds sing songs and why they migrate in the fall. Find out whoo is flying around Habitat. EARTH KEEPERS Entering Grades 1 4 June 24 28 Fee: $465 Become a nature hero! Learn about earth s resources water, soil, air and wildlife and how we depend on them. Identify simple actions you can take to protect our natural landscape. Lend a hand to keep Habitat as a special place for people and wildlife. There s more to explore at Wildwood, Mass Audubon s overnight camp in New Hampshire: Overnight Camp, ages 9 14 Wildwood Warblers, ages 7 8 Teen Adventure Trips, grades 9 12 Leaders-in-Training, grades 10 & 11 Family Camp, all ages! Visit massaudubon.org/wildwood or call 866-627-2267 to learn more. Mass Audubon protects 38,000 acres of land throughout Massachusetts, saving birds and other wildlife, and making nature accessible to all. As Massachusetts largest nature conservation nonprofit, we welcome more than a half million visitors a year to our wildlife sanctuaries and nature centers. Today, Mass Audubon is a nationally recognized environmental education leader, offering thousands of camp, school, and adult programs. With more than 125,000 members and supporters, we advocate on Beacon Hill and beyond, and conduct conservation research to preserve the natural heritage of our beautiful state. We welcome you to explore a nearby sanctuary, find inspiration, and get involved. Learn how at massaudubon.org.

CAMP REGISTRATION INFORMATION All camp spaces are filled through a lottery system. Summer camp registrations must be submitted separate from public program registrations and must be received by 4:00 pm on Monday, January 14 to be included in the lottery. TO REGISTER FOR CAMP Please mail or bring the camp registration form and payment to Habitat Nature Day Camp. One child per registration form, please. Children from the same family may be sent in the same envelope. We strongly encourage you to include second choices. REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION A confirmation email will be sent once your camper s registration has been processed. If the session you choose is full, you will be placed on a waitlist and be notified by email. No phone calls or emails, please. DEPOSIT A nonrefundable deposit is required to register for camp as follows: 1-Week Sessions: $50/camper/session 2-Week Sessions: $100/camper/session The deposit will be applied to your camp tuition and cannot be transferred to another camper, family or camp location. If you are placed on a waitlist, your deposit check will be shredded. If registering after May 15, payment in full is required (unless a payment plan has been established with the Camp Director). REFUND POLICY A full refund, minus the nonrefundable deposit, is provided to camp families who cancel in writing on or before May 15. After May 15 no refund is available. Deposits are not transferable, and refunds are not given for participant dismissal, failure to attend, absence or sick days. If we must cancel a session, you will receive a full refund. MEMBERSHIP We require that all campers be members of Mass Audubon at the Family level. If you are not already a member, please include a separate check for $65, made payable to Mass Audubon, with your registration. Registrations with inactive or no membership will be processed at the end of the lottery. PAYMENT PLANS Payment plan options are available. Please contact the Camp Director for more information. FINANCIAL AID Financial assistance is available based on demonstrated economic need and available funds, and is generally limited to one session per child; however, all applications are considered. Applications are due by March 15. Please contact the Camp Director to request an application or download one at massaudubon.org/campforms. IMPORTANT DEADLINES All camp forms, waivers, and the balance of your camp tuition are due by May 1. If registering after May 15, payment in full is required and a specific camp form deadline will be set for you. A camper cannot attend camp and his/her spot is not guaranteed until all forms, waivers, and payments are completed (or a payment plan has been established). A fee of $25 per camper will be charged for incomplete or late forms and payment. CAMPER REQUIREMENTS Campers are expected to meaningfully participate in age-appropriate activities, including outdoor exploration and nature study. To ensure a successful camp experience, please discuss any pertinent information regarding your child s special needs with the Camp Director. We can accommodate on a case-by-case basis in order to establish the best strategy for a great summer camp experience. All campers must follow stated behavior expectations and safety rules. The Camp Director reserves the right to dismiss a camper when, in his/ her judgment, the camper s behavior interferes with the rights of others or the smooth functioning of the group or activity, or violates the camp s behavior policy. In such cases no refunds will be provided. If you have any questions regarding your child s ability to participate in our camp program, please contact the Camp Director. CAMP LICENSE Our camp complies with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430) and is licensed by the Belmont Board of Health. ACA ACCREDITATION We are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally recognized program focuses on program quality, health and safety, management, and camp operations. CAMP POLICY REQUESTS You may request copies of our background check, healthcare, discipline, bullying, and grievance policies at any time. CARPOOL REQUESTS If you would like to be added to the carpool list, please circle yes on your registration form and your information will be shared with other interested families. Carpool lists will be distributed in June. BUDDY REQUESTS One buddy request per camper will be honored when possible. Both campers must be the same age and both must request each other. All buddy requests must be made in writing at least two weeks prior to the first day of your camper s session. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like your camper to be placed with a friend of the same age. T-SHIRTS All campers will receive a camp t-shirt. Please circle your child s size on the registration form. Camp Contact Info Jane Higgins, Camp Director Habitat Nature Day Camp 10 Juniper Road Belmont, MA 02478 617-489-5050 jhiggins@massaudubon.org massaudubon.org/habitatcamp

CAMP REGISTRATION FORM Please complete a separate form for each camper and return this form and payment to: Habitat Nature Day Camp, 10 Juniper Rd., Belmont, MA 02478 Camper Last Name: First Name: Gender: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Birth Date: / / Age as of June 1: Grade entering in Sept 2019: Returning Camper? YES/NO T-shirt Size (circle): YS (5-6) YM (7-8) YL (10-12) AS AM AL AXL (shirts run small) Buddy request: Last Name: First Name: Relationship to Camper: Phone (Primary): Phone (Secondary): E-mail: Member #: Add to Carpool List? YES / NO Address (if different): City: State: Zip: Last Name: First Name: Relationship to Camper: Phone (Primary): Phone (Secondary): E-mail: Member #: Add to Carpool List? YES / NO Payment Method Please make checks payable to Habitat Nature Day Camp. For payments related to membership purchase/renewal, please include a separate check, payable to Mass Audubon. I understand that refunds will only be provided in accordance with the refund policy outlined in this brochure. I have read and agree to the refund policy outlined in this brochure. Signature: Payment Information Total Camp Session(s): $ Total After Camp Session(s): $ *Mass Audubon Family Membership if Joining/Renewing ($65): $ Tax-Deductible Campership Fund Donation: $ TOTAL DUE: $ Amount Paid Today (Min Deposit $/Camper/Session): $ Balance Due by May 1: $ Day Camp Programs You may only enroll in one two-week session. Please indicate your preference by numbering sessions from 1 to 4, with one being the most desirable. Session 1 7/1 12 Session 2 7/15 26 Session 3 7/29 8/9 Session 4 8/12 23 Ramblers Entering Pre-K, Age 4 by June 1st Pathfinders Entering K, Age 5 by June 1st Explorers Entering Grades 1 4 Ecologists Entering Grades 5 7 Trekkers Entering Grades 7 9 Expeditioners Entering Grades 9 10 Leaders-in-Training Entering Grades 9 11 Theme Camps Check this box to register your child only if there is no space in a two-week Day Camp program above June 24 28 Digging in the Dirt Entering Pre-K, Age 4 by June 1 Feathered Frenzy Entering K, Age 5 by June 1 Earth Keepers Entering Grades 1 4 After Camp Theme Week 6/24 28 Session 1 7/1 12 Session 2 7/15 26 Session 3 7/29 8/9 Session 4 8/12 23 For Ages 5 14 Circle Days M T W F