Wellfleet Bay Nature Camp | Rates & Dates
Welcome • Rates & Dates • About 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 >
2023 Camp Sessions & Dates
→ There will be no camp on July 4; fees for July 5–7 sessions will be prorated.
View full session descriptions, weekly themes, & pricing in the brochure >
Nature Camps
Monday–Friday • 9:00 am–2:30 pm (except where noted)
At Wellfleet Bay Nature Camp, we register campers based on the grade level they are entering in the fall. NOT on their age. We believe all children in our camp groups should be at a similar developmental level, and our programming is designed with this in mind. Please use your camper’s rising grade when choosing which group to register for.
Age Groups
Discoverers • Entering Grades Pre-K–K (Ages 4–5)
(Full-day camp OR half-day from 9:00 am–12:15 pm)
Weekly sessions: June 26–30, July 5–7, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 24–28, July 31–August 4, August 7–11, August 14–18, August 21–25
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 5
Adventurers • Entering Grade 1 (Ages 6–7)
(Full-day camp OR half-day from 9:00 am–12:15 pm)
Weekly sessions: June 26–30, July 5–7, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 24–28, July 31–August 4, August 7–11, August 14–18, August 21–25
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 5
Explorers • Entering Grades 2–3 (Ages 7–8)
Weekly sessions: June 26–30, July 5–7, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 24–28, July 31–August 4, August 7–11, August 14–18, August 21–25
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8
Naturalists • Entering Grades 4–5 (Ages 9–10)
Weekly sessions: June 26–30, July 5–7, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 24–28, July 31–August 4, August 7–11, August 14–18
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8
Ecologists • Entering Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–13)
Weekly sessions: June 26–30, July 5–7, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 24–28, July 31–August 4, August 7–11, August 14–18
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 10
Counselors-in-Training (CIT)
Monday–Friday • 9:00 am–2:45 pm
Counselors-in-Training (CIT) • Ages 14–17
Weekly sessions June 26–August 18
CITs must participate in at least 2 sessions in order to create meaningful bonds with their camper groups and counselors. Please have your teen contact the Assistant Camp Director to request an application and set up a meeting to go over the program information to make sure this program is the right fit.
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 1–3, you will be asked to upload income verification documentation at a later time via CampDoc.
- Campers who reside on Cape Cod year-round automatically qualify for Tier 3, and do not need proof of income. Proof of the camper’s enrollment in a Cape Cod school district in the form of a report card, progress report, or letter from the school must accompany registration.
- All other camper families who fall into Tier 4 or 5 do not need to provide proof of income.
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
Registration must include payment for 50% of the total camp fees and includes a nonrefundable deposit of $75 per camper, per session. 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
Sliding Scale Update
Due to overwhelming need for financial assistance, we have closed sliding scale registration for Tiers 1–4, except for campers who are local residents and attend school on Cape Cod. Full-price registration at Tier 5 will remain open until all available spaces are filled. If you are unable to pay the full tuition for camp, we encourage you to add your name to our waitlist.
As we continue to secure funding across the state, we will open more spaces at lower tiers if possible. Our statewide goal is to have a healthy balance of campers from all income tiers attend Mass Audubon Camps in order to increase equitable access for as many families as possible while still securing enough revenue to continue providing the excellent camp experience our communities have come to expect from Mass Audubon Camps.
Please note that the prices below are rounded to the nearest dollar for simplicity. Actual prices may include cents.
More information about registration and other policies for Mass Audubon Camps is available here >