Wachusett Meadow Nature Camp | Rates & Dates

Adventurers campers on the pond dock at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

Welcome • Rates & DatesAbout Camp • Day Camp Policies

Below are the available camp programs and session dates for summer 2023. The camp brochure contains complete information about our camp, including full session descriptions, weekly themes, and pricing. Download the brochure >

PRICING & AFFORDABILITY >

2023 Camp Sessions & Dates

View full descriptions, weekly themes, & sliding scale pricing in the brochure >

Half-day Nature Camp

Tuesday–Thursday • 9:00 am–1:00 pm

Preschool Naturalists • Ages 3.5–5
Session Dates: June 20–22, June 27–29, July 11–13, July 25–27, and August 8–10
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 5

Full-day Nature Camp

Monday–Friday • 9:00 am–3:30 pm
Weekly Sessions from June 19–August 18 (except where noted*)

Pathfinders • Ages 5–6
*June 26–30, July 3–7, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 31–August 4, August 7–11, & August 14–18
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 5

Explorers • Ages 5–7
Weekly sessions June 19–August 18
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 5

Naturalists • Ages 7–9
Weekly sessions June 19–August 18
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8

Adventurers • Ages 9–12
*June 19–23, June 26–30, July 10–14, July 24–28, August 7–11, & August 14–18
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 10

Trailblazers • Ages 11–14
July 17–21
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 10

Specialty Camps

Monday–Friday • 9:00 am–3:30 pm

Discoverers • Ages 9–12
July 3–7, July 17–21, & July 31–August 4
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8
Discoverers stay after dark on Thursday evenings for dinner around the campfire, nighttime games, stargazing, and other nocturnal fun. Camper pickup on Thursday is at 9:30 pm.

Ecologists • Ages 12–17
July 24–28
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 10 
Bring your tent and sleeping bag for an overnight adventure on our property on Thursday night. Enjoy a pizza dinner, roast marshmallows on the campfire, gaze at the stars, and enjoy a night activity with your new-found friends. Campers will have a relaxing day at camp on Friday.

Environmental Leadership for Teens • Ages 11–14
July 3–7
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 10 

Counselors-in-Training (CIT)

CIT • Ages 14–17
Registration fee covers training day plus a two-week commitment during the summer. Additional weeks may be available for $50 per week at the Camp Director's discretion.
Mandatory training on Saturday, June 17 from 1:00–4:00 pm. Must submit an application to register; limited spaces available.

Extended-Day Options

Before Camp
8:00–9:00 am • Ages 3.5–14
Pre-registration required

After Camp
3:30–5:00 pm • Ages 5–14
Pre-registration required; not available for half-day campers

New for 2023: Family Camp Out

Friday, July 14 at 5:00 pm–Saturday July 15 at 9:00 am • All ages welcome
Members: $50 per family • Nonmember: $75 per family

Pricing & Affordability

Sliding Scale Pricing

Mass Audubon is committed to ensuring that every family that wants their child to experience summer camp should have the opportunity to do so. A sliding scale model helps us work toward that goal through an easy and dependable process for families.

Under the sliding scale model, every family will enroll for camp at a tuition rate based on their annual gross income. At registration, you will have the opportunity to select the pricing tier that best fits your family’s gross income. If you select Tiers 1–4, you will be asked to upload income verification documentation at a later time. Registrants at Tier 5 do not need to provide income verification. 

Financial Aid

If cost is still a barrier under the sliding scale structure, financial aid is also available based on demonstrated financial need and available funds. Scholarships are limited to one session per child; however, all applications are considered and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Payment plan options are also available. Download a financial aid application >

Member Discount

Mass Audubon members at the Family level or above receive a discounted rate. To qualify, your Mass Audubon membership must be current through the end of your camper’s last session, and you must be the parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the camper being enrolled. Membership can be purchased or renewed at the time of registration. If you are unsure of your member status, please contact Mass Audubon Member Services.

Refund Policy

A full refund, minus the nonrefundable deposit, is provided to camp families who cancel in writing on or before May 15. After May 15, no refund is available. Deposits are not transferable, and refunds are not given for participant dismissal, failure to attend, absence, or sick days. If we must cancel a session, you will receive a full refund.

Deposit

A nonrefundable deposit of $50/camper/session is required to register for camp. Tier 1 and Tier 2 families may request a $20 deposit by calling 978-464-2712. The deposit will be applied to your camp tuition and cannot be transferred to another camper, family, or camp location. If registering after May 15, payment in full is required, unless a payment plan has been established with the Camp Director.

2023 Camp Session Pricing

Please note that the prices below are rounded to the nearest dollar for simplicity. Actual prices may include cents.

 

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

Tier 5

Gross Family Income

<$50,000

(member/nonmember)

$50,000–$74,999

(member/nonmember)

$75,000–$99,999

(member/nonmember)

$100,000–$174,999

(member/nonmember)

No income verification required

(member/nonmember)

Half-day Camp $38/$55 $95/$136 $124/$177 $162/$232 $190/$273
Full-day Camp $84/$100 $210/$251 $273/$326 $357/$427 $420/$502
Discoverers & ELT $93/$109 $233/$274 $302/$356 $395/$465 $465/$547
Ecologists $98/$115 $245/$286 $319/$372 $417/$487 $490/$573
CIT $35/$52 $88/$130 $114/$168 $150/$220 $175/$259
Before Camp (per day) $3/$4 $8/$10 $10/$12 $13/$16 $15/$19
Before Camp (per week) $10/$13 $25/$33 $33/$42 $43/$55 $50/$65
After Camp (per day) $4/$5 $10/$13 $13/$16 $17/$21 $20/$25
After Camp (per week) $15/$19 $38/$48 $49/$62 $64/$81 $75/$95

More information about registration and other policies for Mass Audubon Camps is available here >