Common Ground | For Children and Youth

FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

For children and young people, Common Ground is a place to explore the outdoors, develop environmental understanding, and learn in a way far different than traditional classroom learning. Common Ground provides programs during school vacations, after-school opportunities, and summer camp. Common Ground’s site can also be rented for birthday parties with educational and environmental themes.

Summer Farm and Nature Camps for ages 4-13

Camp registration is now open. Click here for registration materials.

Ecology Camp

Three-week sessions for ages 6 – 8 & 9 – 12

Camp fee: $400

Dates:

Session 1: July 7 – July 25

Session 2: July 28 – August 15

Ecology Camp Times:

Drop-off, 8:30 – 9:00.

Camp Activities, 9:00 – 1:45

Pick-up, 1:45 – 2:00

Extended day, 2:00 – 4:00 (additional per-hour fee for extended day)

Ecology campers will learn, make friends, and have adventures while exploring Common Ground’s organic farm and surrounding forest. Activities include hiking, games, helping on the farm, tasting in the garden, cooking and art projects, nature lessons and activities, field trips, and an overnight campout at the farm.

Cooking Camp

One-week sessions for ages 8 – 10 & 11 – 13

Camp fee: $150

Dates:

Session 1 (ages 8 – 10): July 28 – August 1

Session 2 (ages 11 – 13): August 4 – 8

Cooking Camp Times:

Drop-off, 8:30 – 9:00

Camp Activities, 9:00 – 1:45

Pick-up, 1:45 – 2:00

Extended day, 2:00 – 4:00 (additional per-hour fee for extended day)

Cooking campers will use the farm and garden to learn about cooking, nutrition, and Connecticut farm products. Activities include harvesting and cooking food from the farm, trying new foods, a trip to a local farmers’ market, and an end of the week homemade pizza party! Campers will also participate in short hikes and games and spend time with the farm animals.

Sprouts Camp

One-week sessions for ages 4 & 5

Camp fee: $125

Dates:

Session 1: July 7 – July 11

Session 2: July 14 – July 18

Session 3: July 28 – August 1

Session 4: August 4 – 8

Sprouts Camp Times (Campers may only be signed up for ONE time slot per session):

Mornings, 8:30 – 12:00

Afternoons, 12:30 – 4:00

Sprouts campers will enjoy mornings or afternoons on the farm, with time for play and exploration, farm and nature crafts, walks in the woods, stories, games, tasting fruits and vegetables in the garden, and helping to care for the farm animals.

General Information for all Camps

Registration:

A $50 deposit and completed camp registration are required to hold your child’s place in camp. These may be mailed or dropped-off. The deposit will go towards your total camp fees.
Remaining paperwork (including a doctor’s physical dated within 3 years of the first day your child starts camp) and the full camp fee are due by June 23 for ALL sessions.
Spaces cannot be reserved by phone or email. Questions by phone or email are welcome.

Information for Parents:

Extended day is available from 2:00 – 4:00 at $5/hour
Maximum enrollment for each camp session is as follows:
- Ecology Camp: 30 campers per age group in each session
- Cooking Camp: 12 campers per session for ages 8 – 10, 16 campers per session for ages 11 – 1
- Sprouts Camp: 12 campers in each morning and afternoon time slot per session
Children in Ecology Camp & Cooking Camp must bring lunch daily. Sprouts Campers must bring a snack. All lunches and snacks will be refrigerated.
Campers must be dressed for the weather and for outside, possibly dirty activities. No sandals or other open-toed or open-heeled shoes are permitted at camp. Note that Common Ground does NOT have air-conditioning and that we will be outside in both heat and rain as long as it is not dangerous.
All campers will receive a camp T-shirt. Ecology campers will also receive a 32 oz. re-usable water bottle.

Financial Aid & Refund Policies

Financial Aid is available to any qualifying camper on a sliding scale based on family income. Please call Alexis at 203-389-4333 ext 209 to discuss.

Refunds:

Withdrawal BEFORE June 23: 100% refund less the $50 camp deposit.
Withdrawal AFTER June 23, but at least 14 days before your child’s camp session begins: 50% refund of the total camp fees paid, less the $50 camp deposit.
Withdrawal less than 14 days before your child’s camp session begins: no refunds given.

Vacation Programs

Common Ground offers educational, active environmental programs for children ages 6-12 during the New Haven Public School February and April Vacations. All programs take place both indoors and outdoors in all weather. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day. Shoes must have a closed toe, a closed heel, and be good for walking, running, and hiking. Children should bring their own bagged lunch each day. Space is limited to 30 children per program, registrations accepted until each program is full. Payment must be received in full for your place to be reserved.

View the program catalog for more information on program dates and times