2023 Camp registration is now open!
Friends of the Fells is pleased to announce a new scholarship program this summer. Read below for more details.
Fun and nature exploration abound
Our camp engages children in self-guided explorations of the forest, helping to develop their curiosity, critical thinking, and sense of connection with nature. Dedicated camp staff provide positive and enriching learning opportunities for children through unstructured time-in-nature, opportunistic nature interpretation, and by encouraging self-directed learning and exploration.
The beauty of the Fells Forest Camp is that there is no deeply set schedule. Each day’s activities are guided by the kids’ interests and staff use teachable moments to build a deeper understanding of the forest and what the campers are experiencing.
This year’s camp will run from Monday, June 26th to Friday, August 18th. Registration for the 2023 season is now open.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a new registration system. You will be asked to create a new account regardless if you are a new or a returning camp family.
For younger children, see our free Babes in the Woods and Hike ‘n’ Seek programs.
About the Scholarship Program
Fells Forest Camp provides children an opportunity to learn, grow, and be successful in ways that a typical school year doesn’t leave room for. At our camp, kids are encouraged to connect with nature, discover hidden talents, assess risk, and develop lifelong social skills.
Friends of the Fells feels strongly that every child deserves the opportunity to experience Fells Forest Camp and reap the benefits it provides. To this end, we established a Fells Camp Scholarship Fund to provide families with tuition assistance.
The Fund is supported through donations, and awards are determined based on household size and income level. Funds are limited each year and are awarded on a first come, first served basis, based on your time of registration. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that every family who applies for funding will receive an award. Financial documentation will not be required at the time of registration, but must be submitted by March 15th. If required financial documentation is not received by March 15th, review of your application will be delayed and may impact your receiving an award.
Camp sessions typically fill up very quickly, so we urge you to register your camper(s) and apply for aid as soon as possible.
To serve as many children as possible, scholarships are limited to one session per camper, and awards will not exceed 75% of the cost of the camp session.
If additional scholarship funds are available, we will notify you so you can apply for additional aid to attend a second session.
Interested in supporting the fund? Donate here!
Documentation required to apply:
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- A completed Scholarship Application (only one application needs to be completed per family, regardless of how many campers apply for aid).
- Your most recent tax return, listing the camper(s) as a dependent and your household’s annual income.
We are prepared for a safe and rewarding camp experience
The health and welfare of our campers and staff are our highest priority. We built on our experience throughout the pandemic in preparations for camp in 2022 and successfully navigated COVID and remained a healthy camp community throughout the camp season. Camp continues to comply with all guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. We will continue to provide any updated COVID-related policies and procedures if and when they arise.
View session details
The Friends of the Fells offers camp sessions in the following age groups:
REGISTER HERE.
489 Winthrop St., Medford
— AM Session (8:45 AM – 12:00 PM)
— PM Session (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Under the supportive and nurturing care of our counselors, our youngest campers enjoy exploring nature through hands on activities, games, and self discovery. An emphasis on cooperating with peers and treating the forest with kindness instills a natural connection to the forest and builds a foundation of positive experiences in nature for your child. Forest Kindergarten counselors have previous experience working with this age group and have demonstrated skill in this area.
NOTE: Forest Kindergarten is only available in half-day sessions. We want your child’s first experience in nature to be a positive one, and a long day in the elements without opportunities for naps and indoor activities can be challenging for many young children.
REGISTER HERE.
Medford High School
489 Winthrop St., Medford
— AM Session (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
— PM Session (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
— All-Day (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
With the help of nurturing counselors, Forest Explorers discover the unique habitats, trees, animals, rocks, and other natural features of the Fells via self directed learning and play. Children are encouraged to think critically and problem-solve as they participate in nature activities and work with their peers to make collaborative decisions.
REGISTER HERE.
Medford High School
489 Winthrop St., Medford
— All-Day (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
Our oldest cohort of campers, Forest Adventurers, explore the forest with hikes that emphasize self-sufficiency, healthy risk assessment, and offer plenty of outdoor games, activities, and exploration. Collaboration skills are explored, and conservation ethics and natural stewardship concepts are introduced.
REGISTER HERE.
Medford High School
489 Winthrop St., Medford
June 26th – July 7th (no camp on July 4th)
— All-Day (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
Our new Science and Discovery Camp provides a robust, hands-on curriculum, exploring ecosystems, habitats, forest layers, and insects and bugs living in the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This two-week session provides an opportunity for deeper investigation of ecological concepts while allowing for exploration, self-directed play, and connection with nature guided by experienced counselors.
REGISTER HERE.
Medford High School
489 Winthrop St., Medford
July 31st – August 11th
— All-Day (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
Our new Science and Discovery Camp provides a robust, hands-on curriculum, exploring ecosystems, habitats, forest layers, and insects and bugs living in the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This two-week session provides an opportunity for deeper investigation of ecological concepts while allowing for exploration, self-directed play, and connection with nature guided by experienced counselors.
2023 Rates
| Half-Day (AM or PM) | $210 |
| Full-Day (9 AM to 4 PM) | $475 |
| Half-Day (Week 2; 4 camp days) | $168 |
| Full-Day (Week 2; 4 camp days) | $380 |
| Science and Discovery (Ages 7 to 9; 2 weeks) No camp on July 4th | $855 |
| Science and Discovery (Ages 10 to 12; 2 weeks) | $950 |
Questions? Contact us at forestcamp@fells.org.
Before you register
Fells Forest Camp requires an updated certificate of immunization and health record in order for your child to participate in camp. More details will be provided when registration opens.
Please also indicate any ongoing health issues in the fields provided on our online registration form and contact us if you have any specific concerns you would like to discuss in detail so we can best serve your child’s needs.
Special Requests
We strongly discourage parents from requesting exceptions to our age range cutoffs, session schedules, or other policies. However, our camp management team will consider special requests on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us before registration to discuss your requests. Requests for children to be paired in the same session as a friend/sibling must come from both parents/guardians, and are subject to available session space, logistical and programmatic concerns, and certain age restrictions. All scheduling requests must be made in writing to ensure consideration. We are unable to provide extended childcare before or after camp hours.
Policy Requests
At any time, parents may contact us to request copies of of our background check, health care, and discipline/behavior policies as well as procedures for filing grievances.
Fells Forest Camp Community Values
We behave in ways that are respectful and safe for all campers and staff. Behaving in ways that are disrespectful or that could potentially harm (physically or emotionally) a camper or staff member, is unacceptable in the Fells Forest Camp community.
We share and take turns so every camper can participate in an activity and have the opportunity to explore any of the natural treasures that may be found in the Fells.
We communicate, collaborate, and share our ideas. This includes all of our opinions and ideas as we plan activities and spend time together as a group. Exclusionary behavior is not encouraged at camp.
We respect all wildlife. Finding animals in the Fells is so exciting! When we see any kind of animal, whether a mammal, insect, or reptile, we can look at it with our eyes to admire and learn from, but we will keep it on the ground (hands off) so we don’t cause it stress or harm.
We keep flowers in the ground. We can smell them and examine them, but we must leave them for the pollinators to find, so please, no picking!
We share our outdoor spaces. The Fells is “The People’s Forest,” and our camp activities share space with hikers, bikers, explorers, and other youth groups. We are considerate of other Fells visitors and allow them to enjoy the Fells alongside us!
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Fells Forest Camp’s cancellation and refund policy is as follows:
Friends of the Fells requires a non-refundable deposit at the time of registration:
- Half Day programs: $50.00 non-refundable deposit
- Full Day programs: $100.00 non-refundable deposit
- Science and Discovery Camp: $200.00 non-refundable deposit
-If a registration is cancelled by March 31st, camp will refund the full registration, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
-If a registration is cancelled between April 1st and May 31st Friends of the Fells will refund 50% of the registration, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
-If a registration is cancelled after May 31st, no refund will be offered.
Please note: If Fells Forest Camp is able to fill your child’s spot via our waitlist, Friends of the Fells will issue you a complete refund, excluding the non-refundable deposit. Refunds will be processed approximately one week after the conclusion of the camp session you cancelled.
The Middlesex Fells is managed by the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Our forest camp programming is conducted under their purview, and therefore any aspect of our camp activities in the Fells may be altered at their request. We will issue a full refund if a camp session must be cancelled due to a state order and we are unable to reschedule.