This session is designed for:

• Wheelchair users age 20+ with moderate, severe, or multiple intellectual and developmental disabilities

• Campers classified “Fall Risk” requiring moderate to total assistance with transfers, or, those bringing mobility adaptive equipment including a Hoyer Lift

• Campers utilizing canes, crutches, front wheeled or rolling walkers, that require a contact guard or continuous stand by assistance for safety when ambulating

• Campers who require 1:1 hands-on assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, toileting and eating

• Campers with limited executive function, safety or self-preservation skills, including campers with wandering tendencies

• Campers with sensory deficits requiring 1:1 assistance and those who are non-verbal

• Campers with physical disabilities that have limited stamina, strength or mobility

• A non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit is due upon registration. To learn more about our Paperwork, Payment & Refund Policy click here. 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 all be submitted online 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. Balances are due no later than June 1st.

• 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.

• Medication MUST come to camp in multi-dose blister packs. To learn more about our medication 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’s country store. You should credit this by logging in to your account and topping up their store account online. 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.

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

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

• Check-out is Friday between 1:00PM and 1:30PM

• For Mini Vacation Weekends check in begins Friday at 1:30pm and check out is Sunday at 1pm.

• Camp is a shared group living environment - verbal or physical aggression towards other campers or staff cannot be supported.

• First time campers must complete an in-person assessment prior to registering for camp.

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 your camper can contribute toward the cost of camp. Deposit details can be found here.

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 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).

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

• You must register and pay the minimum deposit amount 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.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR CAMPERSHIP REQUEST

• 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 individuals with night-time incontinence (please pack double bedding + Pajamas, enough Depends, bed pads to last the duration of their stay). Camp will also launder clothing for campers holding over for a two-week session. Please pack a week’s worth of clothing as a minimum.

• 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.

• Electronic Devices: Please leave electronic devices and mobile phones at home. If your camper must bring a device it must remain in their living area to avoid loss or damage. Assistive communication devices are welcome.

• 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.

CLICK HERE FOR PACKING LIST AND LODGING INFORMATION

HOW IS HOUSING ASSIGNED AND CAN FRIENDS/SIBLINGS BUNK TOGETHER?

Lodging is assigned in advance of check-in day and can occasionally be subject to last minute changes depending on final group size and/or mobility of individuals. Friends wanting to bunk in the same room can request to do so in advance by emailing office@grotonwood.org a minimum of two week before arrival. Our adult campers are assigned housing based on session type and/or mobility.

WHERE DO CAMP STAFF SLEEP?

Camp staff are assigned bedrooms next door or close by to their campers. They are evenly spread out across the building in groups of 2-3. Camp staff sleep in staff designated rooms; staff may sleep next-door to campers but will never sleep in the same room.

HOW ARE LIVING AREAS SUPERVISED?

Camp Counselors are responsible for supervising all activities of daily living, including rise & shine, bedtime routines (ADLs and personal care), behavior management, group moral, socio-emotional support, conflict, camper participation/engagement at activities, and adherence to the camp schedule.

A Unit Leader (Senior Counselor) is located within each housing location.

Unit Leaders communicate emergencies and logistical information to other unit leaders through a camp-wide radio system (walkie-talkies). Radios are with Unit Leaders at all time, including quiet hours. Camp Counselors report to Unit Leaders and Unit Leaders report to the Camp Directors.

Campers stay in Prescott Lodge and Blanchard Hall.

ACCOMMODATION VIDEOS

Click here to watch a video of Blanchard Hall

Click here to watch a video of Prescott Lodge

• We are a low-tech camp, whilst our adult campers are welcome to bring their mobile phones and other electronic devices they are not recommended as they can be easily lost, damaged and can distract from the overall camp experience.

• Assistive communication devices are welcome.

• We ask that mobile phones and tablets remain in the accommodation and only used during down time and bed-time.

• The camp will not be held liable for loss or damage of electronic devices or any other valuable, cherished, or irreplaceable items.

• Rest assured that in the event of an emergency, ill-health, or, homesickness the Camp Nurse, Program Unit Leader or Camp Director will contact you.

• Kindly refrain from calling the camp office for regular updates.

• If you wish to communicate with your camper, consider sending an email (one email per day) which should include positive news from home. Please keep communications light and encouraging, especially if you know your camper may struggle with homesickness.

• If your camper is at camp for two-weeks you are welcome to send a care package (no food or dangerous objects).

• Please ensure you are contactable for the duration of your campers stay anc communicate any changes to authorized pick persons.

• Our campers will have the opportunity to visit the camp store on a daily basis. It is a real highlight of their stay at camp.

• $50 is the recommended minimum amount you should deposit in to your camper’s store account for a week’s stay. Top up more if clothing or specialty items are to be purchased, or, if your camper is going on off-campus trips ($25 extra per trip)

• Recommended amount for Mini Vacation Weekend attendees is $35.00

• We operate a ‘cashless’ system at camp; All spending money is added to your camper’s account using our registration software. prior to their arrival.

• If you need to mail a check in for this purpose, please ensure you add your camper’s name in the memo line and mail well in advance of their arrival.

• Please refrain from handing in cash during check in as this slows our processes down.

• Dietary restrictions are followed at all times and camp staff are on hand to provide assistance and help campers with budgeting.

• The camp store sells candy, snacks, ice creams and soda as well as lots of healthy options (popcorn, seltzers and sugar, dairy and gluten free options).

• We strive to keep merchandize modestly priced. Merch includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, sweatpants, backpacks, pens, plush toys, water bottles and notebooks to name a few. Prices range from $3-$35.

• Any unspent store money can either be returned at the end of their time at camp or held over for their next session.

• Please only top up your camper’s store account with the amount you feel comfortable with them spending.

• If you have specific restrictions for their time at the camp store, be sure to specify this information on the ‘Understanding Your Camper Form’ so that it is documented ready for our team to follow.

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.

Our daily Chapel services are high energy and a real highlight for many of our campers. Practical activities include group prayer (mostly before meals and during services), singing and dancing to live music led by our amazing worship band in the chapel and around the campfire, and sharing the love of Jesus through our actions and words!

As you decide to register for camp, we simply ask that campers and caregivers keep an open mind and respect the Christian values we uphold. Conversely, we meet each camper wherever they are at in their spiritual walk. We encourage curiosity, tolerance and respect through open discussion using Christianity as the foundation for understanding and learning.

READ OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH