Camp FAQs

What if I don’t know how to do something at camp?
That’s great. We are all here to learn and try new things. Let an educator know if you need help. We are happy to help you and explain things in different ways. Maybe next time you will be able to help someone else.

How can I make friends at camp?
You will be in a group with other campers around your age, and we will play lots of games and team-building activities to make new friends. You can choose your activities throughout the week and meet new friends in other groups. If you are coming to camp the same week as a friend, have your adult share that with us so we can do our best to put you together. If at any point you feel like you are lonely, please tell your educator.

What if I get homesick at camp?
Let your educator know if you feel sad or miss home at camp. We can call your family to help you have the best day at camp. You can take a break until you are ready to join the group.

Can I bring toys with me to camp?
We ask that you do your best to leave your toys at home. If your toys journey to camp, we will work to keep them safe in your backpack. A toy could get dirty, broken, or lost, so keep your favorite toy at home.

Adult FAQs

What are the age requirements for campers?

Summer Camp: We accept campers entering 1st through 6th grade.

What are the first aid qualifications of the staff?
Cedar Circle Farm’s camp staff are First Aid and CPR certified by the American Red Cross and must pass a criminal background check. All staff also carry a walkie-talkie, first aid kit, and cell phone in an emergency.

What time does camp start and end?

Summer Camp: Drop off is at 8:50–9:10 am, and pickup is at 4:00 pm. Please plan to arrive on time. After Camp is from 4 pm to 5 pm; if your child is not attending After Camp, we ask that they be picked up by 4:00/4:05. If you are not able to pick your child up on time, please let us know as soon as possible via phone or email. We will use discretion and grace in the first instance. After a second instance of late pick-up, your child will be automatically enrolled in After Camp at a fee of $10 for that day.

How many weeks of camp should I sign my camper up for?
To maximize accessibility and excitement, we recommend signing your camper up for no more than four weeks of Summer Camp. Camp is a week-long experience, and although there is variation in activities offered each week, there is also a great deal of repetition in the general flow and some camp-wide activities. If your camper attends multiple weeks, ensure they know there will be some repetition and are excited to participate. We encourage taking a break between sessions.

How much is the deposit?

Summer Camp: A per camper $40 deposit for the first week of camp and $20 for each subsequent week is due upon registration to reserve their spot. The deposit will go toward your tuition balance, but the deposit is not refundable if you cancel your registration. We do not require a deposit for waitlist registration or if you are requesting financial support.

When is the full balance due?

Summer Camp: We must receive all balances paid in full by May 1, 2024. To be eligible for the early bird discount, we must receive full payment by January 15, 2024. For those registering after May 1, tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration.

How do I pay my remaining balance?

Summer Camp: You can pay your remaining balance, or make payments towards your remaining balance (if you have a payment agreement), online here.

You may also mail a check, payable to Cedar Circle Farm, to the farm at 225 Pavillion Road, East Thetford, VT. Please include the name of your camper in the check memo.

What discounts do you offer?

Summer Camp: We offer discounts for four weeks of camp. They include early bird registration and siblings attending the same week. Each Discount is $15 per week, and we can stack them with other discounts. After four weeks of camp, we cannot offer discounts for additional weeks.

May I use my CSA Card towards camp payments?
CSA Cards cannot be used towards your camp deposit or tuition, nor any other educational programming.

What financial support options are available?
Cedar Circle Farm allocates partial and complete need-based financial support per camper for one camp week. To apply, please register your camper(s) on our website and complete the financial support portion of the registration. This information is confidential and not shared with any campers or educators. We also can create a payment plan to split tuition into up to three payments, whether or not you are receiving financial support. If interested, please contact us. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

What is your refund policy?
For withdrawals more than 21 days before the first day of your scheduled camp week, we will refund your tuition less the non-refundable deposit(s). For withdrawal within 14-21 days of the first day of your camp week, we will refund 50% of the tuition, less the deposit(s). We do not refund withdrawals less than 14 days from the first day of your camp week. We do not give refunds if a camper misses one day due to illness or dismissal. We will consider refunds case-by-case if a camper misses two or more days due to unforeseen circumstances.

Is there a waitlist? How does it work?

Summer Camp: Yes, each week of camp has its waitlist. When registering for camp, if any week you want to sign up for has no space left, you can select the week(s) you wish to be on the waitlist in the form.

Our Process: We will contact you if a spot opens up for a week that you are on the waitlist for, which can happen from the time of registration until the week before that week of camp. When managing the waitlist, we maximize the number of campers who can attend camp.

What is the packing list for my camper to bring to camp each day?

closed-toe shoes that can get wet (a change of shoes can be helpful).
a reusable water bottle (campers will have constant access to water for refills) with camper’s name clearly labeled on it.
a substantial lunch. We have a refrigerator for camper lunches.
sunscreen for reapplication at lunchtime. Please have your camper arrive with sunscreen on.
a complete change of weather-appropriate clothing.
a sunhat.
a raincoat (optional—check the weather before coming to camp in the morning).

What should my camper wear to camp?
Clothes that can get dirty; we hold programs rain or shine, primarily outside. Please have campers dress for the weather and wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes that can get wet and muddy. Your welcome letter will include a more detailed clothing list at the beginning of the summer.

What if my camper is sick?

We ask that you keep your camper home until they have not experienced any of the following symptoms for at least 24 hours:

Fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications)
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Conjunctivitis
Rash, unless cleared by a doctor as not contagious
Lice

We reserve the right to send campers home if they are not well enough to participate in activities or display symptoms that we find concerning.

How are camp groups decided?
Grouping is according to age, but this depends on the distribution of ages for the children that week. Other factors, such as gender mix, may also be considered. Unless you indicate otherwise, siblings may be separated. If you have any special requests for putting your camper in a group with one other friend, let us know at least one week in advance, and we will do our best to make that possible, but we cannot guarantee we can meet requests.

What should I know about food at camp?
A filling breakfast is essential to a successful camp day, so please fuel up your camper before arriving. We provide a healthy morning snack at 10:30 a.m. Campers must bring their lunches, and lunch is at 12:30 p.m.

Summer Camp: We also often harvest vegetables and fruit to snack on during the day and sometimes offer additional cooking or baking projects* with campers.

*Snacks and cooking projects are always nut-free. Campers are allowed to pack nuts/peanut butter in their lunch. We do not allow campers to share their food from home with one another. We do our best to accommodate different dietary restrictions, so please inform us about your camper’s needs.

What if it’s raining?
We hold programs rain or shine; we may modify activities or move indoors. In thunder and lightning, we move activities indoors immediately and remain indoors until at least 30 minutes after the last occurrence of thunder or lightning.

What should I know about the bathroom facilities?
The bathrooms available to campers (and all guests to the farm) are port-a-potties. We encourage you to work with your child before camp to ensure they are comfortable using a port-a-potty. If there is anything we can do to help in that regard, we are happy to do so. If your camper requires an indoor bathroom, please inform us about your camper’s needs so we can make the necessary accommodations.