Camperships have been providing equitable camp experiences for ALL God’s children since Grotonwood was established in 1956. We are committed to helping any camper who might find the cost of camp prohibitive.

Please know that we do not want to deny anyone the opportunity of attending summer camp, however, the demand for financial aid is always very strong and our resources limited. The cost to provide an excellent camp experience is ever increasing and donor support fluctuates year on year.

We therefore ask you to limit your request to just one week of camp and to research all possible means of funding camp including your church, community organizations like the Rotary or Lions club, DDS, DCF, and town/city hall.

Should you still not be able to meet the tuition cost, by all means, please apply by following the steps below.

Step 1: decide which session your camper wants to attend; noting the cost of tuition, the deposit amount, and how much you can contribute toward the cost of camp.

Step 2: complete the online Campership Request Form by clicking on the link below. Don’t forget to hit ‘Submit’ when you’re done.

Step 3: we’ll review your Campership Request within five working days and call to advise you of the outcome.

Step 4: once you have your financial aid agreed, it’s time to register your camper! You’ll need to pay the minimum deposit ($175 or $250 depending on session) to secure your camper’s spot. The remaining balance can be paid in installments or in full by June 1, late fees apply.

Step 5: once your camper is registered, we’ll proceed with applying the financial aid towards the balance due.

Important: Applicants are responsible for the minimum deposit of their chosen session, plus, whatever is not covered by the campership.

Your campership will be applied AFTER you register (and pay the minimum deposit, which is $175 or $250 depending on session).

There is a strict four-week registration deadline once your campership is approved.

You must register and pay the minimum deposit amount ($175 or $250 depending on session) within that deadline to secure your camper’s spot or your funding will be awarded to the next camper on our funding list.

If you need more time to secure payment, please email office@grotonwood.org or call the camp office at 978 448 5763 to explain your special circumstances.

> Campership Request Form

Our kids overnight camping program is not currently designed to support kids with additional needs outside of the designated ratios of care, which are:

1:5 for kids age 7-10

1:10 for kids 11-16

If your child requires heightened medical supervision, socio-emotional or behavioral support please contact the camp office PRIOR to registering for camp.

Call (978) 448 5763 or email office@grotonwood.org to arrange a meeting with the camp director.

In order for your child to thrive and for Grotonwood staff to support your child to the fullest extent possible, we may need to create a care/support plan. All medical diagnosis should be disclosed as part of the enrollment process.

Grotonwood cannot support campers who display physical or verbal aggression, or who elope.

Campers requiring 1:1 support to participate in a camp experience should check out Camp Starfish in Rindge, New Hampshire or research other viable options.

To learn more click here.

The camp store is an Aladdin’s cave of treasure and delight!

$50 is the recommended weekly amount.

Snacks: The store sells candy, snacks, ice creams and soda, plus, some healthier options like seltzer, gluten, dairy and sugar free options. The rule is no more than two snacks and one drink per day. Our staff are on hand to enforce this rule, oversee dietary restrictions and to ensure kids are making positive budgeting decisions.

Camp Merch: merch is modestly priced (as much as custom gear can be!). Items include the classic Grotonwood t-shirt, theme shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, hats, sweatpants, bags and back packs, pens, plush toys, water bottles and sippy cups, and of course, Alpine the camp mascot merch.

Prices for merch range from $2-$35.

We operate a ‘cashless’ payment system at the camp store. All spending money is added to your camper’s store account using our online registration software. You should do this as part of the enrollment process, however, you can go back in and top up your camper’s store account with more funds as needed.

TOP UP MY STORE ACOUNT

Any unspent store money can be refunded, held or donated at the end of their time at camp. By default, any unspent funds will be held and rolled over to the following year.

You should deposit more if your kid is going on off-campus trips as part of their session ($25 more), or, if multiple items of camp clothing or specialty items are to be purchased.

KIDS RARELY GO HOME WITH CHANGE! PLEASE TOP UP THEIR ACCOUNT WITH AN AMOUNT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THEM SPENDING.

• A non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit is due upon registration.

• Checks can be made payable to ‘Grotonwood’ and mailed to: 167 Prescott St Groton MA 01450. Please add the campers name to the memo line.

• All pre-camp medical paperwork (physical, immunization record and medication list) and camp forms (Terms & Conditions, Understanding Our Campers Form and Medical Form) MUST be submitted no later than June 1st. Find a complete list of all the required documents here.

• A one-time $50 Late Paperwork Fee will be applied to your balance due per camper for paperwork received after this time.

• Your balance is due no later than June 1st. A one-time $50 Late Payment Fee will be applied to your balance due per camper for payments received after this time.

READ PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY

• Medication MUST come to camp in multi-dose blister packs. To learn more about our medication packaging and administration policies click here

• Tuition includes accommodation, meals, medical supervision, staffing, and recreational activities.

• It is recommended campers have a minimum of $50 per week for the camp store. You can top up your store account by logging in to your account. Checks for this purpose can be made payable to Grotonwood and mailed to: 167 Prescott St Groton MA 01450 no later than June 1st. Please add the campers name to the memo line.

• Do not pack medications in luggage. Please hand medications to the nurses at check in. Our registered nurses are on site 24 hours a day and manage medication administration and triage episodic events.

• Check-in begins Sunday between 2:00PM and 4:00PM 

• Check-out is Friday between 4:00PM and 4:30PM

• Phones and electronic devices found in cabins will be confiscated and held in the camp office until check out day.

We ask that you personally check your child’s luggage and backpack prior to them leaving for camp to ensure that only camp appropriate items are included. No phones, electronic games, trading cards, valuables or pets are allowed in camp. We provide all the necessary equipment for camp activities. The possession of alcohol, drugs and weapons are prohibited on the camp property.

QUICK LINKS

READ CAMPER BEHAVIOR & EXPECTATIONS GUIDELINES

READ STATEMENT OF FAITH

PHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED

We are a tech-free camp, mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly not permitted.

We ask that you personally check your child’s luggage and backpack prior to them leaving for camp to ensure that only camp appropriate items are included. No phones, electronic games, trading cards, valuables or pets are allowed in camp. We provide all the necessary equipment for camp activities. The possession of alcohol, drugs and weapons are prohibited on the camp property.

Rest assured that in the event of emergency, ill-health, behavioral challenges or, extreme homesickness the Program Unit Leader or Camp Director will contact you.

Camp is a place for personal growth and development, learning social skills and independence is a huge part of the total experience. Please discuss this upcoming ‘screen-free’ experience with your child(ren) prior to arrival so that they are best prepared to handle a week of camp away from home and their device.

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

Email: office@grotonwood.org

Mail: 167 Prescott St, Groton MA, 01450

Please keep communications positive, light-hearted and encouraging, especially if you know your camper may struggle with homesickness.

Phones found in cabins will be confiscated and held in the camp office until departure day. The camp will not be held liable for damage, loss or theft of electronic devices or any other valuable, cherished, or irreplaceable items brought to camp.

We are unable to provide consistent updates/communications home as they disrupt the camp schedule. Kindly refrain from calling the camp office for regular updates (your child(ren) will be too busy having fun!)

In the journey of preparing your child for summer camp, their active involvement in the decision-making process can be a game-changer. Don’t cheapen your child’s experience of camp by telling them, “if you don’t like it, you can just come home”. This is already implied. Conversely, taking a child out of camp early can rob them of great opportunities for socio-emotional development.

Camp can significantly contribute to the development of kids by enhancing their self-esteem and self-worth through the challenges of adolescence. It’s healthy for kids to undergo a little positive stress tolerance in a safe space.

Character, resilience, independence, leadership, kindness, cooperation, teamwork, perspective, and courage are all either learned, tested and stretched at camp.

It’s therefore important to understand the pre-work that goes into preparing for camp - doing some honest work upfront will ensure a successful outcome.

start by asking important questions like - What does your child want from this camp experience? What would be thing that would make them want to come home? These are all important factors in understanding if your child is ready for camp and whether Grotonwood is the right camp for your child.

As you have these discussions, we strongly recommend evaluating your child’s readiness for camp by discussing their interests, previous experiences, and ability to handle personal responsibilities like hygiene, time management, the camp’s expectations of them and of course, the element of socialization that occurs in a shared living environment.

READ OUR CAMPER BEHAVIOR & EXPECTATIONS GUIDELINES

Take time to research camps that align with your child’s interests. It’s important to include your child in the decision making process as selecting the right camp will go a long way to them having a successful experience. 

In preparation, we recommend easing them into the camp experience with day camp of sleepovers at friends’ homes if you aren’t sure whether they will like overnight camp. This can foster a sense of independence and self confidence. Involving kids in selecting their summer camp can have several benefits:

• It strengthens their belief in their own decision-making abilities.

• It helps align the camp programs with the child’s interests and hobbies, making the experience more engaging and beneficial.

• It promotes a sense of excitement for the upcoming camp experience.

• It adds value to the camp experience.

• It not only increases their enthusiasm and confidence but also prepares them for a more positive and successful camp experience.

• Emphasizing the fun and enriching experiences of summer camp, while also addressing homesickness and how to cope with it are important.

We are a tech-free camp - campers are not able to contact caregivers whilst they are in session and we do not provide regular updates home. This is not sustainable when we have so many campers on site as it disrupts the camp schedule.

We operate under the assumption that parents have previewed the camp experience in advance of the camper’s arrival. No refund is given if a child is removed from camp early due to homesickness or behavioral challenges.

If you aren’t sure whether they will like overnight camp, we recommend easing them into the camp experience with sleepovers at friends’ homes. Emphasizing the fun and enriching experiences of summer camp, while also addressing homesickness and how to cope with it are important.

Despite all the fun and thrill, summer camp might also induce feelings of homesickness, particularly among first-time campers. It’s a common issue, and with some preparation, you can help your child cope with it effectively.

Begin by discussing homesickness openly with them before camp starts. Reassure them about the normalcy of these feelings and emphasize the camp’s supportive staff. Teach them coping strategies such as focusing on the fun activities at camp, bringing comforting items, and reflecting positively on past challenging experiences. Encourage your child to talk to a trusted adult at camp if they’re feeling homesick. Writing a letter home can also be cathartic, we are happy to provide some note-paper and an envelope, or you can pack your own.

If severe homesickness occurs, affecting their ability to eat or sleep, it’s necessary to consider allowing them to come home, while framing it positively and encouraging them to try again in the future. Our staff will contact you firstly to try salvaging the camp experience followed by a discussion on their exit strategy.

Packing together for camp fosters teenagers’ sense of responsibility and ensures they know what essentials they’re bringing. Essentials like sunscreen, a water bottle, and personal toiletries should be selected carefully, labeled with the teen’s name or initials to prevent confusion, and chosen based on prior use to ensure comfort. Deciding on appropriate luggage, such as a duffel bag or trunk, is influenced by how easily it can be transported on arrival day, as well as a sleeping bag for warmth, and a bag for daily carry essentials. Apart from packing, consider asking us to facilitate a connection with another camper’s family. This can build a support network and add to the sense of excitement for both parents and teens.

Remember, preparing for camp departure is not just about packing the right things. It’s about:

• Setting the right expectations

• Building connections

• Ensuring your teenager is mentally and emotionally ready for the enriching experience that awaits in the camp setting at summer camp.

If you anticipate your child may suffer with homesickness please start previewing camp with them in advance of check in day. Some great practical steps you can take are:

• Your child should participate in multiple sleepovers at friends houses in the build up to camp to foster a sense of independence and self-confidence

• Include them in the decision making process as you research camps that align with their interests and hobbies

• Get them excited about packing their bag - have a packing party, with snacks…make it awesome!

• Tour the camp (we offer virtual and in person options)

• Visit during Open House, enjoy camp hospitality, do somme activities and chat to other parents / campers / camp director and staff

• During drop off, give the unit leader or registrar a card or note for each day of camp that includes some encouraging words or affirmations on it. They will give them as directed by you. This can often give kids a great boost (alternatively, email your child once per day: office@grotonwood.org)

• Speak to other camp parents or camper (we can connect you)

• Pack family or pet pictures, a comfort item or stuffy from home

• Pack writing materials so your camper can write home

If you have doubts or concerns about your child coming to camp, please email office@grotonwood.org or call (978) 448 5763 to speak with the camp director.

Grotonwood is a home mission for The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. Our faith based programming focuses on sharing basic Christian values, such as treating each other as we would want to be treated.

We plan programming on the assumption that most campers are experiencing a Christian environment for the first. Participation in faith-based activities is voluntary and campers do not have to be affiliated with any religious organization to take part.

Chapel-time: a highlight of the day for most campers. Chapel consists of singing and dancing to christian inspired music. We have a live band and basic choreography to our most loved camp songs. Chapel occurs once a day and is a rowdy kid-friendly church service where we present a bible story through a skit or video and discuss the moral lessons we can learn from it.

Group Prayer: prayer is conducted before each meal, during chapel and at the end of our day. Usually, a staff member will lead prayer but campers are often excited to pray for their group. We encourage this, and if they are nervous because it’s their first time praying, our staff will help them do it.

Vespers: short quiet reflective evening services that provides kids with an opportunity to review the day and go to bed with gratitude and in a good frame of mind. They occur at the end of the day before returning to the cabins.

My child is not a christian / has never been to church: We only 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.

READ OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

• Luggage: All items (including bedding) should fit in to no more than 2 secure and well-labeled pieces of luggage. We recommend one hard shell wheeled suitcase, trunk or duffel bag, and one backpack for personal and comfort items.

• DO NOT USE TRASH BAGS as they are impractical and tear during transportation.

• Laundry: Grotonwood does not launder campers’ clothes. The exception to this is bedding and pajamas that are soiled due to night-time incontinence (bed wetting). If possible, please pack an identical set of bedding + Pajamas for rotating throughout the week.

• Packing List: Please review our recommended packing list below and pack a week’s worth of comfortable and modest clothing for varied weather. Campers will be more active and participate in camp activities that may require the use of safety equipment like a harness - ‘short’ shorts and cropped tops are not recommended as they may cause injuries including chaffing and burns.

• Labelling: To ensure the safe return of your camper’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 to initial their belongings including towels (initial washing label), laundry bag, shoes, toiletries and comfort items.

• Bedding: Grotonwood does not provide bedding or towels. Bedding must include a twin XL size fitted sheet, pillow & pillow cover, flat sheet, and a blanket or sleeping bag. Failure to provide these items will incur a charge.

• Ziploc Method: For efficiency (and peace of mind!) we recommend packing one outfit, including underwear and socks into a labeled gallon-size ZipLoc bag for each day of the week, see below for further guidance.

• Closed toe shoes: Sneakers are great for all camp activities except for swimming. Slides, crocs or flip flops are great for the waterfront only.

• Crocs: Camper are not permitted to wear crocs/slides for Archery, Rock Climbing or hiking as they provide no protection or support.

> RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

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).

If you anticipate your child may suffer with homesickness please start previewing camp with them in advance of check in day. Some great practical steps you can take are:

• Your child should participate in multiple sleepovers at friends houses in the build up to camp to foster a sense of independence and self-confidence

• As you research camps that align with their interests and hobbies include them in the decision making process - this will add value and ownership over the experience

• Get them excited about packing their bag - have a packing party, with snacks…make it awesome!

• Tour the camp (we offer virtual and in person options)

• Visit during Open House, enjoy camp hospitality, do somme activities and chat to other parents / campers / camp director and staff

• During drop off, give the unit leader or registrar a card or note for each day of camp that includes some encouraging words or affirmations on it. They will give them as directed by you. This can often give kids a great boost (alternatively, email your child once per day: office@grotonwood.org)

• Pack family or pet pictures, a comfort item or stuffy from home

Bunking requests can be made by contacting the Camp Office on 978.448.5763 or emailing office@grotonwood.org. You should also specify this in your online pre-camp paperwork (Understanding Your Camper Form).

Each cabin is heated, glazed and has it’s own modern bathroom. They are inspected annually by the Board of Health, and the Groton Building and Fire Departments.

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

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 40 campers and up to 16 staff. The village comprises of 4 cabins. Each cabin sleeps ten campers and up to four staff (who sleep in an adjoining staff 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. It’s a little camp within a camp!

Going Village: was renovated in 2024. Each cabin has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and air-conditioning. Each’s cabin’s deck looks out over Lost Lake. Going Village can accommodate 40 campers plus staff.

Video tours of each village can be found on our YouTube channel here.

In-person tours can be scheduled by emailing office@grotonwood.org.

Families will say their farewells in the parking lot and are not permitted to tour the facilities during check in day. If you are curious about the accommodation or wish to learn more about our camper in-take procedures - Please schedule a visit prior to June 1st by contacting the Camp Office on 978.448.5763 or emailing office@grotonwood.org.