Day Camp Policies & Registration Information
To ensure that your camper has an amazing summer experience, please read the following information how registration works, camp policies, and more.
Registration
Registration for Mass Audubon Camps begins in January each year; each camp opens on a different date (to be announced in December) and many have specific registration policies and procedures, such as a limit to the number of sessions each child can sign up for.
Please visit the webpage for the specific camp or camps you are interested in for details, contact information, and links to register online.
How to Register for Camp
You may register for a specific Mass Audubon Camp online or by phone. The instructions below apply to online registration for most Mass Audubon Camps. Please note that Boston Nature Center Camps and Habitat Nature Camp use online lottery systems for registration; please visit the web pages for those camps for specific registration instructions.
- To ensure a smooth registration process, please log in to your registration account ahead of the registration opening day to check that your account, contact information, and Mass Audubon membership are active through the end of your camper’s last camp session.*
- Once you log in, you will be directed to your account overview page. On the right-hand side, click the "New Search" button. You will be directed to the "Search for Programs" page.
- Select the location of the camp for which you wish to register your child from the drop-down list of wildlife sanctuaries. Under “Program Type,” select "Camps/Vacation Weeks Only". You may also select the age of your child to further customize your search results, but it is not necessary. Click the "Show Programs" button. You will be directed to a Program Search results page.
- Scroll through the available programs and click the “Register” button for each summer camp week that you would like your camper to attend. You may add multiple weeks to your cart at once. You can also join Mass Audubon or renew your membership at this time. Note: In order to qualify for the member discount, your membership must be active through the end of your camper's last session.
Sliding Scale
- At a later time, when we request information about your camper securely via CampDoc, a new section allows for the upload of income verification documents for Tiers 1–4, which can include tax returns, pay stubs, or alternative forms of income verification. Registrants at Tier 5 are not required to submit income verification.** For your security, please do not submit tax or credit card information via email.
- After you click "Add to Cart", a "Cart Updated" note will appear. Please click the blue "View Cart" link after you add all your chosen summer camp weeks to your cart. You will then be directed to your cart.
- Please complete the Participant Info for each camp week.
- If this is your first time registering your child for a Mass Audubon Camp, click "Add New Name" or "Create New Camper".
- If you have registered your child for a Mass Audubon Camp before, click on their name to update the information on file for this year, such as grade level or t-shirt size.
- You will now be ready to check out and pay the deposit by using your credit card. Please note Mass Audubon’s online system is secure and does not keep your credit card information on file.
*In order to qualify for the discounted member rate, your membership must be active through the end of your child’s last camp session for the upcoming summer. If you register for camp at the member rate and your membership is due to lapse before the start of camp, you will be billed for your membership renewal.
**Wellfleet Bay and Felix Neck camps have slightly different rules for sliding scale tiers and income verification requirements; please see their respective webpages for more information.
Registration Confirmation
A confirmation letter/email containing important documents and information will be sent once your camper’s registration has been processed.
Payments, Discounts, & Sliding Scale Pricing
Deposit
A nonrefundable deposit is required to register for camp. 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.
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.
Membership & Discounts
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 by calling 781-259-9500 or emailing [email protected].
Sliding Scale Pricing
Mass Audubon is committed to ensuring that every family that wants their child to experience the friendships, community, confidence, and connection to nature that takes place at summer camp should have the opportunity to do so.
To that end, we have long made scholarship funds available to support families facing financial barriers to sending their children to camp. Now, we are expanding this effort by providing a sliding scale pricing structure, which will remove more financial barriers and expand access to camp for families in an easy and dependable process.
If the need for financial assistance exceeds capacity for this year, some Mass Audubon Camps may need to close registration for Tiers 1-4 under the sliding scale pricing model. 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 the waitlist for each camp you are interested in.
As we continue to secure funding across the state, we will open more spaces at lower tiers where 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.
How It Works
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. A deposit is due at the time of registration; the final balance and all paperwork are due by May 15, unless a payment plan has been established with the camp director. If cost is still a barrier under the sliding scale structure, financial aid is also available.
Financial Aid
We believe connection with the natural world should be available to all. If finances are still getting in the way of a summer at any Mass Audubon Camp, even with sliding scale pricing, financial assistance 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.
Important Deadlines
All camp forms, waivers, and the balance of your camp tuition are due by May 15. If registering after May 15, payment in full is required and a specific camp form deadline will be set for you. A camper cannot attend camp and their spot is not guaranteed until all forms, waivers, and payments are completed (or a payment plan has been established).
Camper Requirements
Campers are expected to be able to follow all safety protocols, including COVID-19 safety procedures, which will be determined by the start of camp based on the latest guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
All campers must follow stated behavior expectations and safety rules. To ensure a successful camp experience, please discuss any pertinent information regarding your child’s needs with the Camp Director. We strive to make camp a great experience for all, and we can accommodate on a case-by-case basis.
The Camp Director reserves the right to dismiss a camper when, in their judgment, the camper’s behavior interferes with the rights of others or violates the camp’s safety and behavior policies. In such cases, no refunds will be provided. If you have any questions regarding your child’s ability to participate in our camp program, please contact the Camp Director.
Session Transfers
Session transfer requests will be honored if there is space available and if a request is made at least two weeks prior to the session start date, after which transfers are not permitted.
Buddy Requests
Many camps allow you to request that your camper be placed in a group with a friend of the same age. One buddy request per camper will be honored when possible. Both campers must be the same age, and both must request each other. All buddy requests must be made in writing at least one week prior to the first day of camp. We are unable to accommodate buddy requests on the first day of camp.
Meningitis Fact Sheet
Campers are not considered to have increased risk of Meningococcal Disease, but the Department of Public Health requires us to provide information online.
License & Accreditation
Camp License
All Mass Audubon Camps comply with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430) and are individually licensed by the local Boards of Health for the city or town in which each camp is located.
ACA Accreditation
Mass Audubon Camps are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally recognized program focuses on program quality, health and safety, management, and camp operations.
Camp Policy Requests
You may request copies of the background check, healthcare, discipline, bullying, and grievance policies for any Mass Audubon Camp at any time by contacting the Camp Director for each camp location.