Camp Policies

Cancellations
  • If you cancel prior to 30 days before the first day of your session, you will receive a full refund minus $100 of your deposit. 
  • If you cancel 15-30 days before the first day of your session, you will receive a full refund minus the entire $150 deposit.
  • If you cancel less than 15 days before the first day of your session, you will not receive a refund, unless the program is full and we are able to fill your spot, then you may receive a 50% refund.
  • Our camp sessions are booked months in advance and our staffing and preparation for camp begins in the early spring. We cannot provide refunds for absent or sick days, family emergencies, or unexpected vacations.
  • Exceptions granted only in the case of a health emergency, evidenced by a written physician's statement, restricting the child from attending camp for the entire session.​

Parents' Right to Review
Upon request, guardians will be provided our policies for background checks of staff and volunteers, our full discipline policy, our full health care policy, and our grievance procedures.

Policy for Care of Mildly Ill Campers​
  1. Your camper will be assessed by a Health Care Supervisor. Campers with minor, non-contagious illnesses (e.g. dehydration) will receive appropriate treatment and the camper will return to activities. 
  2. If a camper exhibits symptoms of cold, flu, or bacterial or viral infection, and/or if a camper describes discomfort that may warrant a visit to a doctor, we will contact parents/guardians and emergency contacts to pick up the camper as soon as possible.
  3. Campers waiting to be picked up because of any symptoms of cold, flu, or viral or bacterial infection may be isolated from other campers until they can be picked up.
​You can review our medication administration policies here.

 


Discipline Policy
Campers will be addressed in a manner that respects and nurtures their individuality, agency, and whole human development. In the case of behavior that endangers or diminishes self, others, animals, or infrastructure, the following guidelines will be followed:

Stage One: 
The staff member directly involved with the camper will have a private conversation with the camper about their behavior (see Helpful Guidelines above). Boundaries, rules, and the reasons for these boundaries and rules will be re-explained. Together, the staff member and camper will develop a basic, immediate plan for how to be with the group in a positive way. Examples of elements of such plans include but are not limited to: taking breaks, having code words to communicate particular needs, or engaging in an alternate activity. Staff should let the director know when Stage One interventions are at play so that a) they are aware of the situation and b) they can communicate appropriately with parents if/when necessary. 

Stage Two:
If the unsafe and/or inappropriate behavior becomes routine, the director may become involved. Consequences will be clearly explained to the camper by the counselor, director, or both. If parents have not already been made aware of the issue, the director will inform parents at this time. A more detailed plan will be developed at this time by the director in conjunction with the parents. We aim for the plan to feel empowering for the camper, rather than punitive.

Stage Three:
While we strive for all campers to feel safe and successful at camp, there may be times when our environment and resources are simply not the right fit for a camper. In the rare instances that a camper is unable to be at camp in a way that is safe for them and those around them, the director may ask them to leave camp, whether permanently or for a given period of time. 

Additionally, when caring for campers, staff must comply with the following:
  1. Corporal punishment, including spanking, is prohibited.
  2. No camper shall be subjected to cruel or severe punishment, humiliation, or verbal abuse.
  3. No camper shall be denied food , water or shelter as a form of punishment.
  4. No child shall be punished for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet.
  5. If necessary, a camper may be invited to take some time away from the group. They will continue to be supervised during this time. 
  6. If a situation should arise that is serious enough to require humane physical restraint for a child’s safety, parents will be notified immediately.​
This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 
and be licensed by the local board of health.
About
Contact
Farm and Garden Camp is located at the Hampshire College Farm Center. Farm and Garden Camp and Vacation Days on the Farm are programs of The Farm Education Collaborative (TFEC). TFEC designs and delivers authentic agricultural experiences that nurture the connections between families, farms, and food in the Pioneer Valley.