KIDS OVERNIGHT CAMPS

ACCOMMODATION

Our youth campers sleep in two locations, Judson Village, and The Larkin Family Center.

A floor plan of a Judson cabin is pictured below.

Click here for a video of Judson Village

Judson Village received an interior renovation in February 2022. The cabins have new bunks, flooring, lighting, paint, wall hooks and floor length mirrors. With capacity for up to 44 campers, and comprising of 4 cabins and one large lodge (usually used for support staff), each cabin sleeps ten campers and up to four staff (who sleep in an adjoining room). Each cabin boasts two modern bathrooms with hot running water, bunkbeds, electricity and box-fans.

The Larkin Family center sleeps a total of 30 campers and comprises of three cabins affectionately known as Mustard, Ketchup and Relish to denote their door color. Renovated in early 2019, the cabins received a complete makeover that included new exterior siding, windows, doors, beds and new modern bathrooms. A separate gathering space can double up as a meeting or dining room for up to 80 campers and staff.

Click here for a video of Family Center

LUGGAGe, labels & PACKING LIST

All items (including bedding) should fit in to no more than 2 secure and well-labeled pieces of luggage. We recommend one (1) suitcase, trunk or duffel bag and one (1) backpack for personal and comfort items. To ensure the safe return of your child’s belongings, please ensure ALL their stuff is labeled. There are lots of great iron on options available online, or you can just use a sharpie. Please leave electronic devices and mobile phone at home.

Be sure to pack and label all bedding, including pillow/cover, flat sheet, the insides of shoes, towels (use washing label), laundry bag, toiletries and plush toys. For efficiency (and peace of mind!) we recommend packing one outfit, including underwear and socks into a labeled gallon Zip Lock bag for each day of the week, see below for further guidance.

Our counselors will love you for it! ❤️

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Camp is a place for personal growth and development, learning social skills and independence is part of the total experience. As such we are a tech-free camp, mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly not permitted. Rest assured that in the event of an emergency, ill-health, or, extreme homesickness the Program Unit Leader or Camp Director will contact you.

If you wish to communicate with your camper, consider sending, a letter, an email (one email per day) which should include news from home, or a care package (no food) to the address below.

Please keep communications positive, light and encouraging, especially if you know your camper may struggle with homesickness. Kindly refrain from calling the camp office for regular updates (we’ll be way too busy having fun!).

The camp will not be held liable for damage or theft of electronic devices or any other valuable, cherished, or irreplaceable items that is brought to camp.

THE CAMP STORE

The camp store sells candy, snacks, ice creams and soda along with modestly priced camp merchandise such as sweatshirts, hats, sweat pants, leggings, tote bags and back packs, pens, plush toys, water bottles and notebooks to name a few. Prices range from $3-$25.

We operate a ‘cashless’ system during the week. All spending money is added to your campers account using our registration software. Any unspent store money is returned at the end of their summer at camp.

$35-$50 is the recommended weekly amount. You should deposit more if trips are scheduled or multiple items of camp clothing or specialty items are to be purchased.

HOMESICKNESS & COMMUNICATION

The camp Director will contact you in the event of emergency, ill-health or extreme homesickness. We ask that you kindly refrain from calling the camp office for regular updates. If you wish to communicate with your camper, consider sending a letter, care package (no food) or an email (one email per day).

financial aid available

Tuition costs should never be the barrier preventing campers from attending summer camp. We're able to provide financial assistance to those who require it. Simply complete our quick and easy online Campership Request Form and we will get back to you within a week. The request must be received at least 10 days before the chosen session start date.

Note that you are responsible for the minimum deposit for your chosen session. Your Campership award will be applied toward the balance due and will rarely cover the outstanding balance so please make provision for this.

FAITH BASED ACTIVITIES

Our faith based programming focuses on sharing fundamental Christian values, such as treating each other as we would want to be treated. Participation in faith based activities is voluntary and campers do not have to be affiliated with any religious organization to take part. We plan programming on the assumption that most campers are experiencing a Christian environment for the first time.

Practical activities include prayer, mostly before each meal and in chapel, singing and dancing to christian inspired music, daily kid-friendly chapel services, and evening Vespers, which are quiet reflective evening services.

We simply ask that campers respect the Christian values Grotonwood upholds and conversely we meet each camper wherever they are at in their spiritual walk. We encourages curiosity, tolerance and respect through open discussion using Christianity as the foundation and spring board for understanding.

Grotonwood complies with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430,000), and is licensed by the Groton Board of Health.

Copies of camp policies on background checks, health care and discipline policies are availble on request.