Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Registering...

Why Camp?
According to author Michael Brandwein, there are 5 factors that sets camp apart from other youth experiences:

Read more of each by accessing the article here.

Why Camp Middlesex?
Camp Middlesex offers a small community with a strong commitment towards campers building relationships with their peers. All of this in a nature-orientated setting that incorporates the 4-H philosophy of developing life skills. Click here to read more about our mission.

How do I register?
You can register online, fax, or by mailing in your registration form. The registration form is located on our forms page by clicking here.

 

How much do I have to pay now?
We require a $100 per week deposit to hold your week(s).

 

When is the final payment due?
If paying by check, the final payment is due 2 weeks before the session begins. We only accept credit/debit card or cash on the Sunday the session begins.

 

What if I want to switch weeks later?
No problem. E-mail (office@campmiddlesex.com) or call the office (978-386-7704), and we’ll switch it for you. There is no charge to switch weeks up until June 1 st of each year. Then we require a $20 cabin switching fee.

 

What if I want to cancel?
No problem. E-mail or call the office and we’ll cancel the registration. Deposits are fully refundable until May 1 of each year (minus a $30 processing fee). After that time, deposits are only refundable with a doctor’s note. The rest of the tuition paid (minus deposit) is fully refundable until the day the session begins.

 

Do you offer financial aid?
Yes. The campership program is funded by different vendors and alumni, and is a fund that we use to give campers tuition assistance each summer.

Families that are in need of financial assistance, apply for a campership using the campership form.  The camp's Board of Directors then looks over the application, and divides up the scholarship money to the deserving families.  Families that have committed to a deposit at camp have a better chance of receiving aid than those that do not.  Applicants do not need to be Massachusetts' residents to receive aid. 

Applications are available on our website at, www.campmiddlesex.com/forms. If you need one in the mail, we ’ll be more than happy to mail it to you.

 

 

During Camp

Is my child allowed to call home?
Due to possible homesickness, we strongly discourage children to call home. However, we do have a system in place where we call all first time parents within the first 48 hours to let them know how their child is doing. We also encourage parents to call the office and request to talk with their child’s counselor to see how they are doing.

 

How do you handle homesickness?
All of our counselors are trained on how to prevent homesickness and how to help children cope (if they need it). If the case of homesickness becomes out of the reach of the counselors, then our camp nurse will help. Parents are notified in extreme cases of homesickness from the nurse for ideas and suggestions.

 

My child has a severe food allergy, how do you handle that at camp?
All allergies for the week are alerted to the nurse, who will meet with you before the session begins. From there, the nurse and you will develop a plan of action on how to best handle the allergy for the week. The nurse will meet with our cook, and give him the particulars of the allergies for the week.

 

My child is staying for 2 weeks, what do I do about laundry?
The best option is to send 2 weeks worth of clothes. If that is not an option, the best time to pick up clothes is during the Friday night Candlelight ceremony (from between 6:30 and 8) and then drop them off on Sunday registration day between 1 and 4. You can also drop them off in the office at any time, but please note that on Saturday we will be on a day trip, so no one will be in the office to receive you.

 

What time do I drop off my child?
For overnight camp, it’s at 1pm for teen campers, 1:30pm if you have both a teen and junior camper in the same family, and at 2pm for junior campers.

For day camp, drop off is between 8:15 and 8:30am each morning.

 

What time do I pick up my child?
For overnight camp, pickup begins with our candlelight ceremony that begins with a drama show at 6:00pm. At 6:30pm, we typically begin our flag lowering and candelight ceremony. We strongly encourage all families to attend!

For day camp, pick up is between 5:15pm and 5:30pm.

 

Can I pick up / Drop off my child at times outside of the normal pickup or drop off?
Yes. Please let us know ahead of time, however, especially for early overnight pick up. All parents are asked to sign their campers in or out in the main office (Erickson Lodge).

 

What time do you arrive at the band concert?
We leave camp at around 6:30pm and arrive at the Ashby common around 7:00pm. We leave at 8:30pm.

 

Any other questions, please contact our office. Thanks!