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COMMON GROUND CAMPS - SUMMER 2010 Please use the information on this page for planning family summer schedules and budgets. Registration will be open by the end of February 2010. We anticipate having financial aid available, and will post information when registration opens.
About All Common Ground Camps Camp mission: Common Ground campers will come home happy, dirty, and tired, full of stories of adventure and discovery. Each day is spent making friends and learning about how all things are connected, from the food we eat to the air we breathe, throughout the farm, the forest, and the city. Common Ground camps emphasize children’s connection to nature, as well as the spirit of summer time fun – mud, frogs, sprinklers, and sun. We pride ourselves on allowing children to explore and play, growing in independence and discovery, while providing a safe and educational environment.
Supervision and safety: We have a very low camper to staff ratio, allowing us to offer personal, hands on experiences in a safe and supervised environment. Campers are always supervised by one adult and one teenage staff member for every 10 campers. Adult staff have first aid and CPR training, and we are licensed and inspected by the State of CT.
New to camp and not sure what to choose? Ecology Camp is Common Ground’s longest running and most popular camp. We recommend that children participate in a 3 week Ecology Camp session before enrolling in week-long theme camps. Ecology Campers rule the roost at Common Ground! They learn all about the farm and forest and become confident and comfortable with exploring our site. We think campers will get more out of a special one-week session if they have previously been an Ecology Camper! All children will be oriented to their program, regardless of their prior experience at Common Ground. (note that all Sprouts Campers are new, or perhaps returning after one summer, and staff will orient them accordingly). Common Ground Ecology Camp Ages 6 – 8 and 9 – 12 Explore the farm and forest in Ecology Camp! Campers will pick juicy strawberries from the garden, hunt for box turtles in the forest, build a fort from sticks and leaves, help feed and care for our family of farm animals, go on hikes throughout West Rock Park, and enjoy a summer’s worth of adventures, stories, and memories. Most days include free time to play and explore on the farm and in the forest, lesson and activity time focused on science, farm, and nature themes, and special, choose-your-own-activity sessions including cooking from the farm, nature exploration, farm animal care, science investigations, natural arts, music, and more! Each session ends with a family picnic on the farm, a magical night hike in West Rock, and an overnight campout at Common Ground (followed by a hearty farm breakfast for the last day of camp!). Time: 8:30 – 3:00, extended day available Session 1: July 5 – 23 (three weeks) Session 2: July 26 – August 13 (three weeks) Maximum campers per session: 60 for ages 6 – 8, 40 for ages 9 – 12 (each age group staffed accordingly) Fee: $500 per session (Due to high demand, campers may only be enrolled in ONE three week session. You may request to be wait-listed for a second session.)
Sprouts Camp Ages 4 – 5 Our youngest campers will spend the week seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and exploring the farm as we learn about where our food comes from. We’ll learn to hold a baby chicken, bring food scraps to the piglets, and pick sweet peas in the garden. Sprouts campers will also go on short hikes in West Rock Park, wade in the stream and chase minnows, picnic under shady trees, make farm and nature crafts, and learn silly farm songs. Specific activities follow the cycles of farm and forest, and each week is a unique adventure, so Sprouts campers may be signed up for any number and combination of sessions. Time: 8:30 – 3:00, extended day available Session 1: July 5 – 9 (one week) Session 2: July 12 – July 16 (one week) Session 3: July 26 – July 30 (one week) Session 4: August 2 – August 6 (one week) Maximum campers per session: 20 Fee: $215 per session (Campers may be signed up for any number and combination of Sprouts Camp sessions.) Sprouts Bonus Days Ages 4 – 5 Sprouts Camp Bonus Days venture from Common Ground to explore nature beyond the farm! Our three days will be filled with new activities, including a field trip to the Garbage Museum to meet trash-o-saurus and learn about what happens to all of our trash and recycling. We will also have a daytime camping adventure, complete with a campfire, marshmallow roasting, fort building, and time for creative play in Common Ground’s cabins in the woods. Time: 8:30 – 3:00, extended day available Session 1: July 19 – July 21 Session 2: August 9 – August 11 Maximum campers per session: 20 Fee: $165 per session (Campers may be signed up for any number and combination of Sprouts Camp Bonus sessions.) Farm to Feast Cooking Camp Ages 8 – 12 Build your own pizza from scratch! Create your own salsa recipe and compete in a salsa contest! Gather fresh eggs from the chicken coop and cook a hearty farm breakfast! Make your own chef hat and apron and get ready to use farm fresh foods to cook up daily feasts. We will harvest fresh ingredients from the farm and garden and enjoy a field trip to our local farmer’s market as we learn about all the foods that can be grown in Connecticut. Each day will include time to visit the farm animals and go on hikes and adventures in the forest in addition to plenty of cooking and eating. We’ll celebrate on Friday with a family farm tour and pizza party! Session 1: July 5 – July 9 (one week) Session 2: July 12 – July 16 (one week) Session 3: July 26 – July 30 (one week) Session 4: August 2 – August 6 (one week) Maximum campers per session: 20 Fee: $215 per session (Due to high demand, campers may only be enrolled in ONE cooking camp session. You may request to be wait-listed for additional sessions.)
Farm to Feast Bonus Days Ages 8 - 12 Three special theme-days that go way beyond vegetables! Help crank and churn to make homemade ice cream, and enjoy it with farm fresh desserts (blueberry pie anyone?). On day two, learn to cook snacks, meals and more over an open campfire. S’mores are great, but what about stuffed potatoes, banana boats, and fire-roasted salsa? On day three, learn to make food art as you carve a radish rose, build a zucchini dinosaur, and munch on edible vegetable pets! Time: 8:30 – 3:00, extended day available Session 1: July 19 – July 21 Session 2: August 9 – August 11 Maximum campers per session: 20 Fee: $165 per session (Due to high demand, campers may only be enrolled in ONE cooking camp bonus session. You may request to be wait-listed for additional sessions.)
West Rock Rangers Camp Ages 11 – 13 Are you ready for real outdoor knowledge, skills, and challenges? In one adventure-filled week, learn to identify local plants and animals and develop your skills as a naturalist as we roam West Rock Park. As we hike and explore you will make new friends, learn “leave no trace” skills that minimize our environmental impact, and develop confidence as an outdoor adventurer. Each session ends with a magical night hike in West Rock and an overnight campout at Common Ground (followed by a campfire cooked breakfast for the last day of camp!). Please note: campouts are Thursday night to Friday morning, with 10 AM dismissal on Friday. Time: 8:30 – 3:00, extended day available Session 1: July 5 – 9 (one week) Session 2: July 12 – July 16 (one week) Session 3: July 26 – July 30 (one week) Session 4: August 2 – August 6 (one week) Maximum campers per session: 20 Fee: $215 per session (Campers may be enrolled in any number and combination of West Rock Rangers sessions)
Animal Adventures Camp Ages 7 – 10 Just for animal lovers, young naturalists, and aspiring zoologists and wildlife biologists who want to learn to care for and conserve animals of all sorts! Learn about domestic and wild animals as we use the farm and forest to get up close and personal with the animals we share the earth with. On the farm, help with chores, adopt a chicken, and learn about all the ways that humans depend on farm animals for products we use every day. In the forest, seek salamanders, track animal signs in the woods, and learn about how you can help and protect wildlife in your own neighborhood. Each session will include a visiting presenter who will share a special creature or two with our animal loving campers! Time: 8:30 – 3:00, extended day available Session 1: July 5 – 9 (one week) Session 2: July 12 – July 16 (one week) Session 3: July 26 – July 30 (one week) Session 4: August 2 – August 6 (one week) Maximum campers per session: 20 Fee: $215 per session (Campers may be enrolled in any number and combination of Animal Adventures sessions)
Extended Day Any camper may be enrolled in extended day, offered daily from 3:00 – 5:00. Parents may choose their dates and register for any number and combination of days. Extended day is supervised recreational time, but is NOT an extension of daily camp lessons and activities. Campers will be able to choose from outdoor play, crafts, and quiet indoor games and activities (bring a book!). Campers in extended day may be picked-up anytime between 3:00 and 5:00. The daily fee is $10 per day if pre-registered and paid, or $15 per day for any days added after your camp session begins.
Cancellation Policy All cancellations are subject to a $75 administrative fee (this is your non-refundable deposit). Cancellations BEFORE June 21 will receive a full refund (minus the deposit). Cancellations on or after June 21, but at least 2 weeks before the start of your camp session will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within two weeks of the start of your camp session will not receive a refund. Summer Schedule Overview
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