Camp Policies & Procedures

To ensure that your camper has an amazing summer experience, please read the following information about policies, sliding scale pricing, membership, and more.

Pricing & Payments

The balance of your camp tuition is due by May 15. If registering after May 15, payment in full is required and a specific camp form deadline will be set for you.

Make a payment

Sliding Scale & Financial Aid 

With the sliding scale structure, every family enrolls for camp at a tuition rate based on their annual gross income and family size. Additional financial aid or payment plans may be available. Learn more about sliding scale and find your income tier

Deposits

A nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit is required. If the nonrefundable deposit is still a hardship at Tier 1, please contact the camp director prior to registration.

Refund Policy  

A full refund, minus the nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit, is provided on or before May 15. After May 15, no refund is available. Refunds are not given for participant dismissal, failure to attend, absence, or sick days. If we cancel a session, you will receive a full refund. 

Session Transfers  

Session transfer requests will be honored if there is space available and if a request is made at least two weeks prior to the session start date, after which transfers are not permitted.

Behavior Expectations

Mass Audubon sanctuaries are open to the public and groups may spend time in areas that have moving vehicles, outside groups, and wild animals. In order for all children have a safe and successful camp experience, they are expected to follow Mass Audubon’s Participant Code of Conduct.

Mass Audubon’s Youth Program Participant Code of Conduct

Respect Yourself

• Drink water, eat food, and go to the bathroom when you need to.
• Apply sunscreen and bug spray.
• Stay with your group and on the path.
• If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, talk with an adult.
• It’s okay to make mistakes. Keep trying and ask for help.

Respect Nature

• Carry in/carry out; take trash and recycling with you or put in an appropriate bin 
• Leave animals, plants, and other parts of nature where you found them  
• Observe wild animals from a distance; use your eyes not your hands 

Respect Others

• Listen and follow through with instructions given by Mass Audubon Instructors  
• Stay with your group at all times 
• Listen to all ideas and be inclusive – allow others to join/play with you 
• Treat others the way they want to be treated and celebrate each other’s individuality 
• Use caring and kind language 
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself  
• Respect other people’s physical space and objects

Accommodations for Children with Disabilities

Mass Audubon is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity and inclusion to ensure that everyone can participate fully in the magic of our nature programs. As an outdoor, nature-based program, it is important that families of children who have disabilities understand Mass Audubon’s expectations, programs, and terrain prior to enrolling. 

Due to the outdoor and exploratory nature of our camp programs, campers will be moving on uneven terrain throughout the day. The terrain at our sites varies from hard-packed, gently sloped paths to steeper, uneven trails that may have exposed rocks, tree roots, and other obstacles. Additionally, weather conditions could affect our trails’ conditions. We encourage all families to visit the camp’s sanctuary prior to enrolling to understand its unique terrain. 

If your child requires accommodations, please contact the camp’s director as soon as possible; a delay in request could have the unintended consequence of disrupting your child’s Mass Audubon camp experience.

One-on-one Aides

Mass Audubon camps do not provide 1:1 support; however, we do welcome 1:1 aides with children when they are provided by the family. Aides must follow Mass Audubon’s Child Protection Standards, including obtaining a CORI/SORI and background check prior to their time participating within our programs. Depending on the regulations of a specific Mass Audubon program, more information and training might be required prior to the Aide starting within the program. If your child requires an aide in school, please contact the site's camp director as soon as possible to discuss how Mass Audubon can best support your child.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At Mass Audubon Camps, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and caring camp environment where each person is respected and supported in their learning and growth. We believe that diversity—both in nature and in our human communities—is essential to strength, resilience, and innovation, and we are committed to recognizing the unique contributions of each community member.

To learn more about how Mass Audubon respects and embraces our campers’ and staff’s unique identities and needs, please review our Gender Inclusion at Camp policies and practices.

Licenses & Accreditation

Camp License 

All Mass Audubon Camps comply with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430) and are licensed by the local Boards of Health for the city or town in which each camp is located.  

ACA Accreditation  

Mass Audubon Camps are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. 

Camp Policy Requests  

You may request copies of the background check, healthcare, discipline, bullying, and grievance policies for any Mass Audubon Camp by contacting the Camp Director or emailing us.

Meningitis Fact Sheet

Campers are not considered to have increased risk of Meningococcal Disease, but the Department of Public Health requires us to provide information online.

When Can I Register for Camp?

Registration for Mass Audubon Camps begins in January each year; see the table below for specific dates that each camp will open registration.