Yes. Our trips are dependent on maintaining an appropriate counselor-to-camper ratio according to ACA standards. Trips are subject to cancellation if we cannot meet staffing expectations. Also, in order to provide participants with a rewarding group experience, each trip will require a minimum number of campers (typically 8 or more) in order to run.
Early dismissals from Adventures camp are challenging to coordinate as the groups are off-campus until approximately 3:15pm every day. If your camper is in the Excursions or Trekkers program, please contact Kirsten Alper (kalper@chch.org) to formulate an early pick-up plan. If your camper is in the Voyagers or Arts Away program, please contact Eric Burke (eburke@chch.org) to formulate an early pick-up plan.
Adventures campers should bring the following items to camp each day: lunch, snack, large water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, bathing suit, and towel. As activities change based on the weather, we ask that campers also come prepared with footwear for any activity (i.e. sneakers, socks and flip flops / water shoes).
In a confirmation packet you will receive prior to camp, there will be a letter detailing supplies needed for specific activities as well as a packing list for the camping trip.
Each camper needs to bring their own non-refrigerated lunch, drink and snack each day during the day trip portion of the session. For overnight camping trips, campers need their lunch for the first day of the trip, as well as snack money. We supply the food for the remainder of the trip.
The day trip sites are all within an approximately one-hour drive from camp. In past years, these activities have included rock climbing, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, beach days, high ropes courses, and museum visits. A detailed schedule of activities will be sent via email at least two weeks prior to your session.
We love helping campers experience new adventures and step out of their comfort zone! That being said, activities such as hiking and biking require some level of comfort to ensure that the whole group can move together at an appropriate pace. Please contact the Camp Office before signing up if you are not sure about your camper’s comfort level.
The Excursions program does not have a camping component.
The Trekkers program features one night of camping on a campground within an hour of the Chapel Hill - Chauncy Hall campus. A detailed schedule of activities will be sent via email at least two weeks prior to your enrolled session(s).
The Voyagers program features a two-night camping trip beginning on the second Wednesday of each session. A detailed schedule of activities will be sent via email at least two weeks prior to your enrolled session(s).
The Arts Away program does not have a camping component.
The camping trips are typically the highlight of the session and offer awesome opportunities for the campers to really engage in the experience. We work with campers to ensure that they are ready and comfortable with the camping trip. There is not an alternative on-campus plan for Trekkers / Voyagers should they chose not to attend.
We pride ourselves on hiring qualified, caring and experienced staff and aim to meet the needs of all campers. However, our ability to offer significant individualized support for campers is limited by the structure of the Adventures program. Counselors provide frequent check-ins with the group and individually with campers as needed, but unfortunately we do not have the capacity to stop an activity for a camper who requires a significant level of supportive intervention. If you have questions about your camper's ability to join our Adventures program, please contact either Kirsten (kalper@chch.org - Director of Excursions and Trekkers) or Eric (eburke@chch.org - Director of Voyagers and Arts Away).
Please note that our Day Camp Leadership Team supports our Adventures staff while on campus, but does not work directly in the program. If you have worked closely with the Leadership Team in the past, please reach out to Alyssa (anastri@chch.org) to discuss whether our Adventures program is a fit for your camper.
Though we have a pre-set schedule, it is subject to change based on weather, timing, vendors etc. We ask that kids come to camp every day ready for anything. Although we preview and review plans as much as possible, “in the moment” changes are inevitable.
Also, we take campers swimming at many different community locations. The camp pool is being used for swim lessons for the Day Camp, so while we may have the chance to spend an occasional 20 - 30 minutes there during an end of the day free swim, we tend to seek out alternate swimming spots (pools, lakes etc.).
In the past, campers have participated in biking, hiking, rock climbing, trampolining, circus arts, beach days, stand-up paddle boarding, high ropes course challenges, zip lining, etc. We ask that campers participate to their best ability and encourage kids to step out of their comfort zone. In some instances (e.g., rock climbing) campers can choose how much they want to do. With other activities, (e.g., hiking or biking) the group needs to be able to stay together, so we expect that kids will have the skills to get to the destination.
RUNNING BROOK CAMPS AT CHAPEL HILL - CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL
Running Brook Camps, located at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School in Waltham, MA, provides summer camps for children and teenagers in preschool through high school.
This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the Local Board of Health.