ADULT PROGRAM FAQ's

What facilities/lodging do you provide for special needs campers?

Our campers sleep in either Blanchard Hall or Prescott Lodge. To view our facilities and accommodations video, Click here!

You can also explore camp from the comfort of your own home through our virtual tour - click here.

What time does my camper check in and check out?

Check in: Sunday between 2-4pm // Check out: Friday between 1-1:30pm

A late pick fee of $25 per 15 minutes will be applied to any camper that is picked up after the allocated pick up time. this is to offset the cost to camp for keeping a nurse on site.

Do you provide medical support and nurses?

Grotonwood has 24 hour onsite medical supervision. Our clinical team consists of a Nurse Manager (RN), a secondary residential RN and several per diem nurses that support our camping programs as needed. We also hire a team of Medical Assistants (nursing students and EMTs) that provide further support to our nurses.

The Clinical Team are responsible for medication administration, triaging episodic events and overseeing the health and wellbeing of our campers and staff. Communicating your camper’s medical needs (including medications and any emerging condition) prior to your campers arrival is critical, we invite you to review our health forms Here!

How do you keep campers safe?

Campers are supervised at all time during daily activities (except when actively sleeping (the counselor sleeps in a room next door). Our camper-to-counselor ratios are either 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1 depending on the level of support needed.

Campers are assessed prior to registration to ensure they are enrolled to a suitable session and that our staff can adequately care for them. Additionally, we have the support of Unit Leaders, a Behavior and inclusion support specialist, and our Clinical Team.

Scheduled activities are led by certified Program Instructors and we follow all risk management policies set out in the 105 CMR 430.000 guidelines, which are the guidelines provided by thhe Department of Public Health.

The purpose of 105 CMR 430.000 is to provide minimum standards for housing, health, safety and sanitary conditions for attending recreational camps in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and we are inspected annually by the Groton Board of Health and Fire Dept.

For safeguarding, campers are never alone with one member of staff, we follow the rule of three when providing any form of personal care.

What are the benefits of attending summer camp?

Social connection, empowerment, friendship building, learning new skills, trying fun activities, faith exploration. Your camper will love spending a week in a fun-filled environment, living the summer camp experience surrounded by nature and people who will do everything possible to make their stay as memorable as possible.

What type of training do the staff get?

Our summer staff complete two weeks of pre-camp orientation, which consists of hands-on training, and classroom based learning.

Our Program Instructors consist of medical staff, and recreation and camp professionals. We ensure staff receive all the possible tools, skills and knowledge to be able to do their job to a high standard.

Our Camp Counselors have previous experience in caring for either children and/or adults and ongoing support is provided by the Unit Leaders as necessary.

What are your policies on background searches for staff working with adults with special needs?

We complete Criminal Offenders Registry Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Registry Information (SORI) checks on all staff prior to the start of their contract. International and out of state staff are also required to complete background checks in their home state/country. We secure three references from all employees and volunteers.

Grotonwood complies with 105 CMR 430.00: Minimum standards for recreational camps for children: State sanitary code chapter IV and is inspected by the Groton Board of Health and Fire Dept.

What is the camp transportation system like for wheelchair users?

Grotonwood has a wheelchair accessible van to assist campers with reduced mobility in getting around our facilities (including the beach!). Grotonwood does not provide transportation to/from the home environment.

What is the procedure in case of emergency?

Your camper's safety is our first priority. Our staff training includes emergency preparedness for many different situations, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fires, incidents on- and off-site, and more. It's important to keep in mind that during an emergent event, our staff are typically busy making sure that everyone is safe. This means that answering phone calls is generally not possible until after the incident. It's best to leave phone line open for us to contact emergency services as needed.

The best way to get information is to check for updates on our webpage and social media platforms. We do our best to keep things up-to-date. Additionally, our leadership team, year-round staff, and on-site nurses are here to contact parents and guardians directly in the event of a medical emergency.

If my camper experiences behavioral challenges are the staff trained to deal with them?

The essence of the summer camp experience is in shared community living. For campers to participate successfully in the experience, they must be able/willing to cooperate with requests from staff. For example, transitions to and from preferred activities to not so preferred activities like showering and toileting. Our staff are trained to support individuals to live as independently and as safely as possible in a mutually supportive partnership. Staff provide positive redirection and utilize basic communication strategies to facilitate successful outcomes.

Grotonwood does not tolerate physical or verbal aggression towards other campers or staff or self-injurious behavior that poses a serious risk to the camper. If your camper has a history of self-injurious behavior, or displays physical or verbal aggression towards others, this should be disclosed prior to registration. If your camper assaults another camper or staff member whilst at camp you will be required to pick them up as soon as possible. No refund is provided.

My camper has dietary restrictions, can Grotonwood support this?

Most food allergies can be catered for with advance notice. Our clinical and kitchen teams support all doctor prescribed diets. In addition to regular presentation of food, we typically provide moist-ground, chopped and pureed meals. We also support gluten-free, lactose-free and vegetarian or vegan diets. The caregiver must provide this information during the registration process.