Habitat’s camp programs are staffed by experienced education professionals and directed by Habitat Teacher/Naturalist and Camp Director, Jane Higgins. Habitat camp programs comply with the Regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, are licensed by the Belmont Board of Health and are accredited by the American Camp Association.

Due to the outdoor and exploratory nature of our camp program, campers must be able to move about on uneven terrain. Campers are expected to meaningfully participate in age appropriate activities and must follow stated behavior expectations and safety rules. If you have any questions regarding your child’s ability to participate fully in our camp program, please contact the Camp Director.

Parents may receive copies of camp policies on staff hiring, background checks, health care, behavior management/discipline and grievance procedures upon request.

Whether dipping in the pond for dragonfly

nymphs, sweeping in the meadow for

grasshoppers, or hiking in the woods, Habitat

campers are encouraged to explore, ask

questions, and get closer to nature. Our small

age-based groups allow campers to connect

with each other and the world around them.

Through hands-on, minds-on activities, we

seek to create an atmosphere that stimulates

each camper's individual sense of awareness

and wonder, while belonging to a community.

Mass Audubon’s Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

10 Juniper Rd., Belmont, MA 02478

617-489-5050, habitatcamp@massaudubon.org

Habitat

Summer Camp 2012

For ages 4-15

Spend the day rambling through the woods and discovering all of the secret places of Habitat. Use your senses to learn about animals and plants. Through hands-on activities and daily hikes, Pathfinders learn respect and appreciation for nature as well as for others. Staff to Camper ratio: 1 staff to 5 campers.

Fee: Session 1: $600.00 Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Sessions 2-4: $660.00

Day Camp Programs

Want to deepen your understanding of how nature works? Through explorations of Habitat and nearby conservation areas, take a closer look at soil, water, plants, ecosystems, predator/prey relationships and environmental issues. Learn valuable skills, such as team building and orienteering. Take a field trip to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a canoe ride. Complete the camp experience by sleeping out under the stars and enjoying Habitat at night. Staff to Camper ratio: 1 staff to 8 campers.

Fee: Session 1: $635.00

Sessions 2-4: $705.00

Time: 9:00 am-3:30 pm

Field Trips:

Field trips occur on the first Wednesday of each session.

Overnights:

Please note: Camp ends at 9:00 am on Friday morning after the overnight.

Session 1: July 12 Session 3: August 9

Session 2: July 26 Session 4: August 23

Dive into Turtle Pond. Crawl under logs. Hide in the meadow. Climb through the forest canopy. Visit Habitat’s many different habitats to find out who lives there and how they survive. Following lunch and free time, choose from a variety of activities, such as nature crafts, cooking, outdoor skills, science projects, hikes and fun games. Finish the day with camp songs, silly stories and a visit from the Trash Basher. Staff to Camper ratio: 1 staff to 5 campers.

Fee: Session 1: $600.00 Time: 9:00 am-3:30 pm

Sessions 2-4: $660.00

Campers may register for only ONE session. Camp meets Monday-Friday.

Session 1: July 2-13 (no camp on July 4th)

Session 2: July 16-27

Session 3: July 30-August 10

Session 4: August 13-24

Expand your horizons and discover habitats beyond Habitat. Through day trips and camping, Trekkers investigate the natural and cultural history of rivers in New England. Day trips occur on Tuesdays and the second Monday of each session. Camping trips occur each Wednesday through Friday. Campers will participate in activities such as hiking and canoeing. Staff to Camper ratio: 1 staff to 5 campers.

Fee: Session 1: $885.00 Time: 9:00 am-3:30 pm

Sessions 2-4: $980.00

Session 1: July 2-13

Day trips: Charles, Neponset and Ipswich Rivers

Camping trips: Cape Cod and Boston Harbor Islands

Session 2: July 16-27

Day trips: Concord, Nashua and Merrimack Rivers

Camping trips: Mt. Greylock and Wildwood, Rindge, NH

Session 3: July 30-August 10

Day trips: Nashua, Concord and Blackstone Rivers

Camping trips: Western, MA and Berkshires

Session 4: August 13-24

Day trips: Charles, Merrimack and Neponset Rivers

Camping trips: Boston Harbor Islands and Wildwood, Rindge, NH

Are you looking for something fun to do this summer? Do you enjoy working with children? Do you have a lot of energy, creativity and enthusiasm? Have you always wanted to be a camp instructor? Then we have just the program for you--our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) volunteer program!

LITs gain valuable work experience as well as community service hours. They assist experienced camp instructors in our Pathfinders program with leading nature activities and supervising campers. LITs also play games, read stories, participate in skits, prepare materials and fill in wherever necessary. Each LIT will have an opportunity to develop an activity to lead with campers.

LITs must participate in training from June 25-29 to be eligible to volunteer and must be available for one full two-week session. Volunteers will receive additional information and forms upon registration. If you have questions, please contact the Camp Director.

Fee: $300.00 Time: 8:15 am-4:15 pm

Habitat After-camp program is an extended day option for our camp families. After-camp is available during our two week sessions only from 3:15 until 5:30 pm. Campers will be given a snack each day and have the opportunity to choose activities such as hikes, free play, arts and crafts and nature games. Families can register on a daily or weekly basis, but pre-registration is required. There is no After-camp program during the week of June 25-29.

Fees: Weekly $95 Time: 3:15 pm-5:30 pm

Daily $20

Note: Campers must be 4 years old by May 1st .

“Stop, Look, Listen, Feel and Taste”! Nature has many secrets to tickle your senses. Find out how animals use their senses to find their food, homes, and each other.

Fees: $185.00 per session

Dates: June 25-29, Monday-Friday

Time: Session 1A (morning): 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Session 1B (afternoon): 1:00-4:00 pm

Travel back in time to discover how the earth was created. Journey to the center of the earth as a grain of sand. Explore distant lands as a drop of water. Become a butterfly or frog through metamorphosis. Through hands-on activities and games, we will discover the different cycles that help keep Nature in balance. Staff to Camper ratio: 1 staff to 5 campers.

Fee: $335.00

Dates: June 25-29, Monday-Friday

Time: 9:00 am-3:30 pm

Theme CampsThe following camps are theme camps. Because they cover different topics, campers who are enrolled in two-week sessions may register for these camps.

“What is most endearing is that you have captured a child’s imagination and kept it through a child’s perspective. Not an easy task. Bravo.”

“Habitat is a highlight of our summer. We love the returning community of staff-an exceptionally well trained and qualified group. The activities are first rate and build on each other from year to year.”

“Habitat has made such an impact on my children. It has given them a love of the outdoors and an understanding of environmental science not experienced in the classroom.”

“I really liked that many of the counselors had been Habitat attendees. That’s an indication of how good the program is.”

To Register

Registrations will initially be accepted by mail ONLY, and must be postmarked on or after Friday, January 20th, 2012. Starting February 1st, 2012, registrations will be accepted by drop-off at the sanctuary as well as by mail. Fax and email submissions are not accepted. Registrations will be processed in the order they are received.

To register, please use a separate registration form for each child and enclose forms for siblings in the same envelope. One family per envelope, please. Return the completed registration forms with checks for the appropriate deposits ($50 for one week programs and LITs, $100 for two week programs, $15 for After-camp). All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We strongly encourage you to include “second choices” as it greatly increases the chance of your child receiving a space.

Membership

To attend Habitat camp, we require that all campers be members of Mass Audubon. For $65, you will receive a one year family membership, with benefits of free admission to all Mass Audubon sanctuaries, discounts on programs and items in gift shops, and a subscription to Sanctuary Magazine. If you are a member, please include your membership number and expiration date. If you are not a member, please enclose a separate check, payable to Mass Audubon.

Buddy requests

If your child has a friend who is attending the same session of camp with whom s/he would like to be placed in a group, please put the child’s name on the buddy request line. The friend must be within one year of your child’s age and both campers must request each other. We will honor one request per camper when possible, but cannot guarantee it. Our first priority is to create well-balanced groups.

Confirmations

Enrollment confirmation and camp forms will be emailed or mailed as soon as your registration is processed and in our system. If your child is put on the waiting list, you will receive wait list notification and your deposit will be returned. No information will be given over the phone or in person.

Payment and Camper Forms

All forms and the balance of fees are due on or before MAY 1st, unless arrangements have been made with the Camp Director. For registrations received after May 1st, payment in full is required and completed forms must be returned within two weeks of the date of registration. If your family has a special financial circumstance, please contact the Camp Director to discuss options. We will happily set-up payment plans, but the balance must be paid in full by the first day of your child’s session. If payment deadlines are missed, your slot is no longer guaranteed. A $25 Late Fee will be automatically added for any late or incomplete forms and/or payments. No camper is allowed to attend camp unless all forms, waivers and payments are complete. We accept only checks as payment for camp.

Refunds/Cancellations

All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellations before May 1st will receive a refund of the balance minus the deposit. No refunds will be made after May 1st unless the space can be filled. No rebates will be given for incomplete attendance due to dismissal, failure to attend, absence or sick days.

Financial Assistance

At Habitat, we are committed to giving any interested child the opportunity to attend our camp program. Each year, Habitat provides financial assistance to campers based on economic need and available funds. If you would like to receive an application for financial aid, please contact the Camp Director. If you would like to give other children the opportunity to enjoy camp, you can contribute to the camp fund by adding a donation to your fees. Any support is greatly appreciated.

Carpool Lists

As an environmental organization and a good neighbor, we encourage families to carpool. Carpool lists will be distributed in early June. If you would like to be on the carpool list, please circle the appropriate response on the registration form.

We will begin accepting registration by MAIL ONLY. Registrations must be postmarked on or after January 20, 2012.

Registration Procedures

Camp Registration Form Please use a separate form for each camper. One family per envelope.

Camper Last Name_________________________ First Name _____________ Female/Male

Date of Birth___/___/____ Grade entering (September 2012)_____ Buddy Request _________________________

T-shirt size Youth: S (4-5) M (6-7) L(8-10) Adult: S M L XL Do you want to be on a carpool list? YES NO

Guardian 1 Name_______________________________ Guardian 2 Name_____________________________

Address_______________________________________ Address______________________________________

City_______________ State______ Zip Code________ City______________ State______ Zip Code________

Day phone____________________________________ Day phone___________________________________

Evening phone_________________________________ Evening phone________________________________

Cell phone_____________________________________ Cell phone___________________________________

Email _________________________________________ Email _______________________________________

Two-week sessions (you may only enroll in one 2-week session) Theme programs: Indicate your preference of sessions from 1 to 4. Indicate your preference.

Membership

Membership #

_________________

Expiration Date

____________________

Return this form and deposit, postmarked on or after January 20th:

Habitat Summer Camps, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA 02478

Program Name

Session 1 7/2-13

Session 2 7/16-27

Session 3 7/30-8/10

Session 4 8/13-24

Pathfinders

Explorers

Ecologists

Trekkers

Leaders-in-Training

After-Camp Program Session 1

7/2-13 (no camp 7/4)

Session 2 7/16-27

Session 3 7/30-8/10

Session 4 8/13-24

Weekly (circle): $95/week Week 2 Week 1 Week 2 Week 1 Week 2 Week 1 Week 2

Daily (circle days): $20/day

M T R F

M T W R F

M T W R F

M T W R F

M T W R F

M T W R F

M T W R F

M T W R F

Program Name Theme Week

6/25-29

Sensational Senses 1A (AM)

Sensational Senses 1B (PM)

Amazing

Changing Planet

Payment:

We only accept checks as payment for camp. Please make checks payable to Mass Audubon/Habitat for camp deposits and tuition. For membership, please include a separate check, payable to Mass Audubon.

Nonrefundable, non-transferable deposit per program ________

($50 for 1 week/LITS, $100 for 2 weeks, $15 for After-camp)

$65.00 MAS Family Membership (separate check, please) ________

Optional donation to camp scholarship fund ________

TOTAL enclosed ________

I have read the refund policy (on page 5) and understand that refunds will only be provided in accordance with the refund policy as stated in this brochure.

Please sign ______________________________________________________ Date _______________________