By
Vermont Sports staff
Posted March 6th, 2009
The Vermont Sports 2009 Summer Camp Guide lists over 30 camps in Vermont that focus on outdoor sports-related activities. Most are the same sports we traditionally cover in our editorial content, such as running, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, climbing, adventure, and outdoor skills. This guide includes a basic description of each camp’s offerings. The section at the beginning on how to choose a camp will help you find the most appropriate one for you or your children. Whatever type of experience you are seeking, you’re sure to find mountains and streams of summer fun at any of the camps described here. If specific camp dates are not included in the descriptions that follow, you can find them at each camp’s web site.
The American Camping Association recommends every parent ask camp directors or themselves the following questions when choosing a camp for their child:
* What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis? Does the camp match your own parenting philosophy? Have you taken into consideration your child’s personality and learning style?
* What is the camp director’s background? ACA minimum accreditation standards recommend directors possess a bachelor’s degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least 16 weeks of camp administration experience.
* What training do counselors receive? At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency response, behavior management, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and supervisory procedures.
* What is the counselor-to-camper ratio? ACA accreditation standards require: for resident camps, one staff member to six campers (ages 7-8); one to eight (ages 9-14); and one to 10 (ages 15-17). For day camps, one staff member to eight campers (ages 6-8); one to 10 (ages 9-14) and one to 12 (ages 15-17).
* What percentage of the counselors returned from last year? Look for a 40- to 60-percent return rate. If it’s lower, ask why.
* How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled? Find out, and decide if you approve of the methods.
* How does the camp accommodate campers with special needs? If your child requires daily medication, make sure the directors understand the situation. Are special foods available for children with dietary requirements?
* How does the camp deal with homesickness and other adjustment issues? Be sure you and your child are comfortable with the camp’s guidelines on parent/child contact.
* What about references? Ask for some and follow up on them.
ABBREVIATIONS
ACA=American Canoe Association; CPR=Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation; WFR=Wilderness First Responder; WEMT=Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician; WEA=Wilderness Education Association.
ADVENTURE,WILDERNESS,&OUTDOOR SKILLS
CATAMOUNT ECOLOGY CONSERVATION CAMP
This weeklong half-day program is for students, ages 9-12, who have a genuine interest in the natural world. This exploratory camp covers topics such as Leave No Trace ethics, nature journaling, active conservation and trail building, wildlife management, and nature education.
Year founded: 2007. Staff/camper ratio: 2:15. Directors: Eric Bowker and Ian Sullivan. Tuition range: $120. Contact info: Catamount Family Center, 592 Governor Chittenden Rd., Williston, VT, 05495, 802-879-6001, 802-879-6066 (fax), camps@catamountoutdoor.com, www.catamountoutdoor.com.
EXTREME ADVENTURES OF VERMONT
VERMONT ADVENTURE CAMPS
VAC is dedicated to helping teens enjoy, respect, and live in harmony with nature. Throughout the summer there are eight 6-day adventure day camps for ages 11-14. There are also four 14-day overnight adventure camps for ages 14-17, where campers embark on daily adventures and return to camp each night, where they sleep in lean-tos or at the Adventure Lodge.
Year founded: 2004. Staff/camper ratio: 1:5. Director: Willie Williams. Tuition range: $800-$1,100/week. Contact info: PO Box 1035, Chester, VT, 05143, 802-875-5626, campinfo@vermontadventurecamps.com, www.vermontadventurecamps.com.
FARM & WILDERNESS SUMMER CAMPS
Farm & Wilderness operates six nurturing and creative camps for boys and girls ages 4-17. Programs emphasize teamwork, community building, individual challenge and responsibility. Campers work on the organic farm, hike, backpack, canoe, swim, create art and music. Visit the website for pictures, videos, and testimonials!
Year founded: 1939. Staff certifications: WFA, WFR, CPR, LGT. Staff/camper ratio: 1:3. Director: Pieter Bohen. Tuition range: $500-$6,800. Contact info: 263 Farm and Wilderness Road, Plymouth, VT, 05056, 802-422-3761, Linda@ farmandwilderness.org; www.farmandwilderness.org.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES
Sponsored by Middlebury Mountaineer, Green Mountain Adventures offers a wide variety of challenging, safe, and supportive day and overnight adventure programs for young people ages 9-15. Participants take part in multi-activity wilderness adventures, including kayaking, fly fishing, mountain biking, geocaching, climbing, and adventure racing. All camps venture into the backcountry in and around the Green Mountains.
Year founded: 1998. Staff certifications: ACA-certified paddle instructors, CPR, First Aid, WFR, WEMT, Firefighter I. Staff/camper ratio: 1:5. Directors: Steven Atocha and Caroline Damon. Tuition range: $150-$600. Contact info: Middlebury Mountaineer,
2 Park St., Middlebury, VT, 05753, 802-388-7245, info@mmvt.com, www.mmvt.com.
HULBERT OUTDOOR CENTER VOYAGEURS YOUTH TRIPS
One- and two-week co-educational adventures for children ages 10-16. Canoeing, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, and more. June 24 through August 18.
Info: 802-333-3405, or visit www.HulbertVoyageurs.org.
MAD RIVER GLEN NATURALIST ADVENTURE CAMP
Children challenge themselves with exciting adventures, skill-building lessons, and an awareness of the natural world. Camp activities include rock climbing, kayaking, biking, canoeing, hiking, and swimming, combined with naturalist skills, such as observation, wildlife tracking, birding, and ecology.
Staff certification: AHA/Red Cross First-Aid and CPR, WFA and Responder.
Staff/camper ratio: 1:7. Director: Sean T. Lawson. Tuition range: $47-$55/day. Contact info: Mad River Glen Cooperative, 62 Mad River Resort Rd., PO Box 1089, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, 802-496-3551 ext. 117, sean@madriverglen.com, www.madriverglen.com/naturalist.
NIGHT EAGLE WILDERNESS ADVENTURES
Located in the Green Mountains, Night Eagle is a primitive summer camp for boys ages 10-14. Campers develop an authentic sense of personal accomplishment and learn to rely on their own ingenuity while they live in tipis, go canoeing, hiking, and backpacking, and learn and practice wilderness skills. The summer camp community fosters cooperation, rather than competition. Two-week, three-week, and six-week sessions available.
Year founded: 2000. Staff certification: Red Cross Lifeguard, Professional Rescue, WFR, RN. Special accreditation: ACA. Staff/camper ratio: 1:4. Director: Bruce Moreton. Tuition range: $625-$800 per week. Contact info: PO Box 374, Cuttingsville, VT, 05738, 802-773-7866, nightegl@sover.net, www.nighteaglewilderness.com.
PETRA CLIFFS SUMMAT DAY CAMP & EXPEDITIONS
(SUMMER MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE TRAINING)
During Day Camp, children ages 6-14 discover adventure and challenge through climbing, kayaking or sailing, caving, hiking, ropes courses, swimming, and games. On Overnight Expeditions, for ages 12-16, kids explore nature and learn skills through climbing, hiking, and sea kayaking or whitewater rafting. Trips go to Maine, Adirondacks, New England, and beyond.
Year founded: 2000. Staff certifications: WFR, CPR, Basic Water Safety, Van Safety. Staff/camper ratio: Day Camp, 1:5; Expeditions, 1:4. Director: Andrea Charest. Tuition range: Day Camps, $315 (discounts available); Expeditions, check web site. Contact info: Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School, 105 Briggs St., Burlington, VT, 05401, 802-657-3872, 866-65-PETRA, info@petracliffs.com, www.petracliffs.com.
ROARING BROOK CAMP FOR BOYS
For over 45 years, Roaring Brook Camp, for boys ages 9-16, has specialized in providing outdoor skills and sports instruction, and backpack/canoe trips. Located on a 650-acre forest preserve with a 15-acre private lake, the camp provides an ideal setting for a fun and exciting adventure. Activities include rock climbing, rappelling, ropes course, Tyrolean traverse, survival, orienteering, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more. Special event days include Woodsman’s Weekend, Survival Solo, Orienteering Day, and Triathlon. Canoe trips are held in Maine, and backpack trips are in the White Mountains.
Year founded: 1965. Staff certification: ACA. Staff/camper ratio: 1:3. Directors: Drs. J. Thayer and Candice L. Raines. Tuition range: 2 weeks, $2050; 4 weeks, $3,850; 6 weeks, $5,350. Contact info: (Winter) 300 Grove St., #4, Rutland, VT, 05701, 800-832-4295; (Summer) 480 Roaring Brook Rd., Bradford, VT, 05033, 802-222-5702; (all year) rainest@sover.net, www.roaringbrookcamp.com.
YMCA CAMP ABNAKI
Camp Abnaki is located at the southern tip of North Hero Island, along the shores ofLake Champlain. The camp accommodates 150 campers, ages 6-16. Activities include swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, archery, crafts, and hiking, as well as wilderness adventure and leadership programs for teens. Labor Day and Memorial Day Family Camp Weekends are also available.
Year founded: 1901. Staff certifications: CPR, First Aid, lifeguard, full-time R.N. on site. Special accreditation: American Camp Association. Staff/camper ratio: 2:5. Director: Jon Kuypers. Tuition range: one-week session $530; two-week session $935. Contact info: 266 College St., Burlington, VT, 05401, 802-862-9622 ext. 8993, 802-862-9984 (fax), jkuypers@gbymca.org, www.campabnaki.org.
ALPINE SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
THE STOWE SUMMER SPORTS FESTIVAL
Instructional Dryland Alpine Ski Racing Camp is July 26-31 (Session I) and August 2-7 (Session II) for boys and girls entering grades 3-10. Campers may attend one or both camps. Technical balance and gate training on inline skates and various forms of dryland training, including mountain biking, are featured.
Year founded: 1986. Staff certifications: All camp coaches are college or prep-level coaches or equivalent. Staff/camper ratio: 1:5. Director: Grady Vigneau. Tuition: $745 for one session; $1,450 for both sessions. Contact info: Round Hearth Lodge at Stowe, 39 Edson Hill Rd., Stowe, VT, 05672, 802-253-7223, 800-344-1546, info@roundhearth.com, www.VTsportscamps.com.
CANOEING, KAYAKING, SCULLING
MAD YAKERS KIDS KAYAK CAMPS
Clearwater Sports offers a variety of fun and educational kayak instructional camps
for kids ages 7-16, in one-day, three-day and five-day programs. Kids learn boat-handling skills in flatwater, then progress to moving-water skills and reading the river, eventually progressing to whitewater paddling on a safe stretch of river. Multi-day camps allow campers to refine and perfect all skills, and the opportunity to explore many New England waterways.
Year founded: 1975. Staff certifications: CPR, SOLO. Staff/camper ratio: Whitewater 1:3, Flatwater 1:6. Director: Guy W. Dedell. Rates: $55-$700, depending on program. Contact info: Clearwater Sports, 4147 Main St., Waitsfield, VT, 05673, 802-496-2708, clearwatersport@madriver.com, www.clearwatersports.com.
CRAFTSBURY SCULLING CENTER
The oldest sculling camp in the U.S., the Craftsbury Sculling Center is one of the definitive training locations and experiences for scullers worldwide. Campers learn all aspects of the sport, from basics to elite racing. The Center was recently purchased and reorganized as a non-profit organization. Check the web site for additions to the traditional summer programs.
Year founded: 1976. Staff/camper ratio: 1:5. Director: Norm Graf. Tuition range: $585 (low-season weekend) to $1,130 (high-season week). Contact info: Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Rd., Craftsbury Common, VT, 05827, 802-586-7767, 802-586-7768 (fax), stay@craftsbury.com, www.craftsbury.com.
HORSEMANSHIP
DARTMOUTH RIDING CENTER HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS
Dartmouth Riding Center offers a series of horsemanship clinics for children throughout the summer in weekly sessions, mornings, 9 a.m. to noon. All clinics have stable management lectures daily, with an emphasis on safety and correct technique. Lectures vary with each session according to level, with the younger children and beginners learning the basics of grooming, grooming tools, parts of the horse, tack parts, tack cleaning, and tacking up. Advanced students have practical experience with bandaging, braiding, and trimming, as well as grooming and tack cleaning.
Year founded: 1980. Staff certifications: ARICP. Staff/camper ratio: 1:3. Director: Sally Batton, Director of Riding, ARICP Level III. Tuition range: $350/week. Contact info: PO Box 351, Etna, NH, 03750, 603-643-1808, www.dartmouth.edu/~drc/
MOUNTAIN BIKING
CATAMOUNT MOUNTAIN CAMPS FOR KIDS
Catamount offers a variety of co-ed mountain bike camps for kids who want to improve their off-road riding skills. Cubs 5-Day Mountain Bike and Activities Camp (ages 8-9) is a half-day camp; Cadets 5-Day Camp (ages 9-10) is a full day camp; Catamount Kids 5-Day Camp (ages 11-13) is a full-day camp; Juniors 5-Day Camp (ages 13-16) is a full-day camp or overnight week option; Junior Intermediate/Advanced Camp (ages 13-16) is a full-day or overnight week option; Freeride Camp (ages 13-17) is a full-day camp. All camps include bike handling skills, safety, and mechanics. Extra options include Wednesday night races, overnights, and strategies/tactics, all in a non-intimidating environment.
Year founded: 1994. Staff/camper ratio: 3:20 or 2:15, depending on program. Directors: Eric Bowker and Ian Sullivan. Tuition range: $120-$430, depending on program. Contact info: Catamount Family Center, 592 Governor Chittenden Rd., Williston, VT, 05495, 802-879-6001, 802-879-6066 (fax), camps@catamountoutdoor.com, www.catamountoutdoor.com.
CATAMOUNT LITTLE BELLAS CAMPS
Catamount offers two all-girls camps: Little Bellas 5-Day Camp (ages 8-10) is a half-day camp; Little Bellas 5-Day Camp (ages 11-14) is a full-day camp. Both continue the programming of Catamount’s Little Bellaship and focus on adventure, challenge, and off-road riding.
Year founded: 1994. Staff/camper ratio: 3:20-25. Directors: Eric Bowker and Ian Sullivan. Tuition range: $120. Contact info: Catamount Family Center, 592 Governor Chittenden Rd., Williston, VT, 05495, 802-879-6001, 802-879-6066 (fax), camps@catamountoutdoor.com, www.catamountoutdoor.com.
CATAMOUNT WOMEN-ONLY SKILLS CAMP
This one-day camp for women only is for beginners and intermediates and is taught by women who focus on building confidence and skill.
Year founded: 1994. Staff/camper ratio: 2:15. Directors: Eric Bowker and Ian Sullivan. Tuition range: $80. Contact info: Catamount Family Center, 592 Governor Chittenden Rd., Williston, VT, 05495, 802-879-6001, 802-879-6066 (fax), camps@catamountoutdoor.com, www.catamountoutdoor.com.
CATAMOUNT CO-ED ADULT SKILLS CAMP
This one-day camp for men and women is divided into beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced.
Year founded: 1994. Staff/camper ratio: 2:15. Directors: Eric Bowker and Ian Sullivan. Tuition range: $80. Contact info: Catamount Family Center, 592 Governor Chittenden Rd., Williston, VT, 05495, 802-879-6001, 802-879-6066 (fax), camps@catamountoutdoor.com, www.catamountoutdoor.com.
COYOTE HILL MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP
Coyote Hill Mountain Bike Camp offers a wide variety of overnight camps and day programs for juniors and adults of all ages and abilities. Skills and mechanics clinics are taught by former professional mountain bike racer Tom Masterson, his wife Gabriela Formankova, and other experienced staff. Coyote Hill has a trail network that includes miles of singletrack, doubletrack, dirt roads, a challenging freeride park, dirt jumps, lots of exciting downhills, a pump track, and a traveling downhill camp. Lodging includes rooms in the farmhouse, cabins, and a bunkhouse, with hearty homemade meals. Overnight camps include all meals, snacks and lodging.
Year founded: 1996. Staff certifications: WFA, CPR, licensed NORBA coaches. Special accreditation: Vermont Camping Association. Staff/camper ratio: 1:4. Director: Tom Masterson. Tuition range: $225-$695. Contact info: PO Box 312, Fairlee, VT, 05045, 802-222-5133, coyotehill@valley.net, www.coyotehillcamp.com.
GRAFTON PONDS OUTDOOR CENTER
Campers are introduced to the surrounding outdoor world, while participating in mountain biking, canoeing, and hiking, and learning to be responsible stewards of the environment.
Year founded: 1998. Staff/camper ratio: 1:6. Director: Bill Salmon. Tuition range: $250. Contact info: Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, PO Box 9, Grafton, VT, 05146, 802-843-2400, info@graftonponds.com, www.graftonponds.com.
RUNNING
CATAMOUNT CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING CAMP
Catamount offers two camps: Trail Running for Fun (12-17 years old), which provides an opportunity to those who are interested in improving their physical fitness; and Trail Running for Competition (13-17 years old), for those wishing to hone their skills and gain a competitive edge. Both are weeklong, half-day programs.
Year founded: 2006. Staff/camper ratio: 2:15. Directors: Eric Bowker and Ian Sullivan. Tuition range: $120. Contact info: Catamount Family Center, 592 Governor Chittenden Rd., Williston, VT, 05495, 802-879-6001, 802-879-6066 (fax), camps@catamountoutdoor.com, www.catamountoutdoor.com.
CRAFTSBURY RUNNING CAMPS
For nearly 30 years, runners and triathletes of every level and all ages have come to Craftsbury for expert coaching, camaraderie, healthy food, and an unmatched natural environment. Runners learn technique, training schedules, racing tips, nutrition,
biomechanics. Hiking, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking also available. The Center was recently purchased and reorganized as a non-profit organization. Check the web site for additions to the traditional summer programs.
Year founded: 1976. Staff/camper ratio: 1:7. Director: Greg Wenneborg. Tuition range: $785 for 5-day camps; $419 for weekends. Contact info: Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Rd., Craftsbury Common, VT, 05827, 802-586-7767, 802-586-7768 (fax), stay@craftsbury.com, www.craftsbury.com.
GOLD MEDAL CAMP AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
This running camp is designed to help high school runners prepare for the fall cross-country season. Campers train twice daily and attend two meetings a day to learn
more about their sport. Campers stay in Dartmouth dorms and their training runs take place on and around the Dartmouth campus in Hanover, NH. This year’s camp dates are August 2-6.
Year founded: 1969 (in Pennsylvania, at Dartmouth since 1993). Staff certification: Director is collegiate coach. Staff/camper ratio: 1:9. Director: Barry Harwick. Tuition range: $480 for individuals; $460 for teams of 5 or more. Contact info: 12 Reservoir Rd., Hanover, NH, 03755, 603-646-2540, 603-643-3348 (fax), barry.harwick@Dartmouth.edu.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RUNNING CAMP
Green Mountain Running Camps are endorsed by Nike and held between semesters at Lyndon State College. High school athletes are instructed, coached, and entertained on backcountry dirt roads and nearby cross-country ski trails. Past guest coaches and runners have included Vinny Lananna (Oregon), Maribel Souther (Dartmouth), Marcus O’Sullivan (Villanova) and Barry Harwick (Dartmouth). Each day features 30 running-related topics from which to choose. Three one-week sessions are August 2-8, 9-15, and 16-22.
Year founded: 1974. Staff/camper ratio: 1:6. Director: John Holland. Tuition: $675. Contact info: 1720 Baptist Church Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY, 10598, 914-962-5238, jhhgmrc@aol.com, www.greenmountainrunningcamp.net.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RUNNING COACHES WORKSHOP
The Nike Support Program for coaches is held concurrently with the Green Mountain Running Camp, August 2-8. The program is designed to help strengthen coaching at the grassroots level in both cross-country running and track. It is geared to both veteran and new coaches who lack extensive background in physical education or exercise science. The curriculum is based on Coach Roy Benson’s book “The Runner’s Coach, A Workout Book.”
Year founded: 1992. Director: John Holland. Tuition range: $325-$1,750, depending on duration and accreditation. Contact info: 1720 Baptist Church Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY, 10598, 914-962-5238, jhhgmrc@aol.com, www.greenmountainrunningcamp.net.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN WOMEN’S RUNNING CAMP
Created specifically for women, this running camp, located at Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, offers participants a unique vacation of activity, education, relaxation, and camaraderie. Under the guidance and support of an expert, all-female staff, women of all abilities train on flat backcountry roads and soft trails. Daily workshops include principles of training, form drills, stretching, core strengthening, water-running, track workouts, nutrition information, sports psychology, and injury prevention. This year’s camp is June 7-13.
Year founded: 2004. Staff/camper ratio: 1:4, maximum 20 campers. Director: RunVermont camp director Andréa Sisino. Tuition range: $125/day; $1,300/week. Contact info: RunVermont, 1 Main St., Suite 305, Burlington, VT, 05401, 802-863-8412, 800-880-8149, info@runvermont.org, www.runvermont.org.
THE STOWE SUMMER SPORTS FESTIVAL
The Cross-Country Running Camp is a weeklong residential and commuter instructional sports camps. It will be held August 9-14 in Stowe at dedicated youth group lodges. Camp offers technical instruction for boys and girls entering grades 7-12.
Year founded: 1986. Staff certifications: All camp coaches are college or prep-level coaches or equivalent. Staff/camper ratio: 1:5. Director: Grady Vigneau. Tuition range: $475. Contact info: Round Hearth Lodge at Stowe, 39 Edson Hill Rd., Stowe, VT, 05672, 802-253-7223, 800-344-1546, info@roundhearth.com, www.VTsportscamps.com.
TEAM SPORTS
CRV HOCKEY ACADEMY
CRV Hockey Academy offers a 3-on-3 league Skills Camp, including a variety of sports and adventure activities, off-ice as well as on-ice. New this year is Therapeutic Adventure consultation for summer adventure activities.
Director: Joe Perron. Tuition range and Contact info: see www.cvrhockeyacademy.com.
ELITE HOCKEY TRAINING CENTERS
Offering both boarding and day programs at Norwich University and Dartmouth College, several sessions for boys and girls, ranging in age from 5-17, are held throughout the summer. Women’s Clinic is offered at Dartmouth College July 17-19 for ages 21 and up.
Year founded: 1986. Staff/camper ratio: 1:5. Director: Patti Crowe. Tuition range: $350-$750/week. Contact info: PO Box 169, Hanover, NH, 03755, 603-643-2078, elite.hockey@valley.net, www.elitehockeycamps.com.
WATERSPORTS
STORMBOARDING ADRENALIN WATERSPORTS CAMP & LEARN TO SAIL
WITH LCCSC
Explore, swim, windsurf, kayak, and learn to sail—this camp runs entirely on Lake Champlain. Leave from the Community Sailing Center and explore shipwrecks with an ROV (underwater robotic camera), swim in waterfalls, explore islands, and learn to windsurf and sail. Great for active kids ages 11-15 who love the water. This is a partnership camp between Stormboarding and the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center.
Year founded: 2004/1996. Staff certifications: U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captains, windsurfing instructor, sailing instructor trainer. Staff/camper ratio: 1:6 max.
Directors: Rachael Miller and Kate Neubauer. Tuition range: $350/week full-day sessions. Contact info: 802-864-2499 (LCCSC), www.stormboarding.com or www.communitysailingcenter.org
