The Montshire is preparing for a series of fun, exciting summer day camp programs for children ages 4-13. Find out everything you need to know, including program descriptions, dates, fee information, and online registration form.
If you prefer to print the application form and send it to us by mail, download this PDF file.
Montshire Summer Camps create meaningful experiences for children as they make new friends, try new activities, and cultivate an interest in the world around them in a safe, caring atmosphere.
In the Montshire's environmental camps, children spend all day outdoors, building greater connections to the natural world. Physical science camps provide older children with opportunities to invent, design, build, and experiment with new materials and ideas.
Members of the summer staff are college-aged or older. They possess a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but all share a love of working with children and a passion for learning and discovery. Camp staff members participate in extensive training under the guidance of the Montshire's full-time science teaching faculty—during this time they plan the curriculum for each camp and learn safety and first aid procedures. Camps maintain a low camper-to-instructor ratio (ranging from 4:1 for our Preschool program to 6:1 in our camps for older children), ensuring attention is given to each and every child.
Join us—we are sure your child will have a wonderful time!
We are currently accepting applications for all summer programs. We recommend submitting your application early as some programs fill quickly. Children may be enrolled in a maximum of two camp sessions. Consider becoming a Montshire Member to take advantage of the Members' discount.
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New this Year!
Montshire Summer Camp T-Shirts!
We are now offering a Montshire Camp T-shirt as a special memento of your child's week at camp. Shirts are pre-shrunk heavyweight 100% cotton. Pre-ordered t-shirts $15. We will sell any extras in the Museum Shop (for $17.99) but can't guarantee availability of all sizes. Please pre-order when you register for camp to guarantee getting your preferred size.
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Preschool Camp
For children ages 4-5 or entering kindergarten.
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Discover the amazing outdoors! Our young explorers follow in the footsteps of woodland creatures, sing songs, play games, and discover plants and animals that live around our camp. There is also time to meet live creatures up close and examine nests, rocks, fossils, feathers, shells, bones, and other treasures. A new adventure is in store each day as we discover the fascinating world around us! Sessions A and B are different, so a child can sign up for one of each if space permits.
| Fee: | Members $140; non-members $155.
Week of June 30-July 3: Members $112, non-members $124. |
Most morning preschool sessions are now filled. Please call for the latest availability or to be placed on a waiting list. Afternoon sessions still have space available.
| June 23-27 |
Session 1(A): 9-11:30 a.m.
Session 2(A): 1-3:30 p.m. |
| June 30-July 3 |
Session 3(B): 9-11:30
Session 4(B): 1-3:30 |
| July 7-11 |
Session 5(A): 9-11:30
Session 6(A): 1-3:30 |
| July 14-18 |
Session 7(B): 9-11:30
Session 8(B): 1-3:30 |
| July 21-25 |
Session 9(A): 9-11:30
Session 10(A): 1-3:30 |
| July 28-Aug. 1 |
Session 11(B): 9-11:30
Session 12(B): 1-3:30 |
| Aug. 4-8 |
Session 13(A): 9-11:30
Session 14(A): 1-3:30 |
| Aug. 11-15 |
Session 15(B): 9-11:30
Session 16(B): 1-3:30 |
From 2007 parent evaluations:
"I loved that she is learning about nature and that she is proud of what she learned."
Outdoor Discovery Camp
For children entering grades 1-2.
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Join us for a weeklong outdoor adventure that weaves together stories, games, activities, craft projects, and quiet times in personal "Magic Spots." Campers make new friendships and amazing discoveries, and develop a deeper respect for the "great outdoors." Come explore with us! This program also includes daily water play, and is offered at two convenient sites, one in Norwich and one in Hanover. Sessions A and B are different, so a child can sign up for both weeks if space permits.
| Fee: | Members $225; non-members $250.
Week of June 30-July 3: Members $180, non-members $200 |
Montshire Woods site, Norwich, Vt.
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Session 1(A): |
June 23-27 |
| Session 2(B): |
June 30 - July 3 |
| Session 3(A): |
July 7-11 |
| Session 4(B): |
July 14-18 |
| Session 5(A): |
July 21-25 |
| Session 6(B): |
July 28-Aug. 1 |
| Session 7(A): |
Aug. 4-8 |
| Session 8(B): |
Aug. 11-15 |
The Montshire is celebrating 15 years of nature camps at our Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond Site in Hanover! Consider a week or two at this site, which offers these special features:
- Easy drop-off and pick-up behind the Ray School in Hanover
- Swimming and water play at Storrs Pond
- Rustic cabin at a base camp in the woods
- Same great Montshire staff and program!
Colonial Cabin Storrs Pond site, behind the Ray
School in Hanover, N.H.
Time: 8:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. |
| Session 10(A): |
June 30 - July 3 |
| Session 11(B): |
July 7-11 |
| Session 12(A): |
July 14-18 |
| Session 13(B): |
July 21-25 |
| Session 14(A): |
July 28 - Aug. 1 |
| Session 15(B): |
Aug. 4-8 |
From a 2007 camper evaluation:
"I have done a lot of things I wouldn't have done usually; explore a bog, go canoeing, and do it with people I would have never met if it weren't for this camp!"
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Montshire ExplorersFor children entering grades 3-4.
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Daily adventures and special projects are planned for the whole week. One day we may explore the Montshire forest; the next we might take a close look at meadow insects and plant flowers that attract butterflies. On Friday we will take a field trip off-site to an interesting local natural area. From our base camp in the woods, we'll enjoy games, solo time, art projects, swimming, and making new friends.
| Fee: | Members $240; non-members $265.
Week of June 30-July 3: Members $192, non-members $212. |
| Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Session 1: | June 23-27 |
| Session 2: | June 30 - July 3 |
| Session 3: | July 7-11 |
Upper Valley Adventures
Sessions 1, 2, and 3 for children entering grades 4-5. Session 4 for children entering grades 6-7.
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Come with us as we explore some of the many interesting natural places in the Upper Valley. We'll climb a local mountain, explore a wetland, and go canoeing on the river as we learn about different habitats and the creatures that make these places home. Each day brings a different location and exploration as we develop outdoor skills. Games, swimming, and making new friends will all be part of the fun.
Fee: Members $290; non-members $320.
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
| Session 1 (for children entering grades 4-5): | July 21-25 |
| Session 2 (for children entering grades 4-5): | July 28 - Aug. 1 |
| Session 3 (for children entering grades 4-5): | Aug. 4-8 |
| Session 4 (for children entering grades 6-7): | Aug. 11-15 |
From 2007 parent evaluations:
" [The staff] were all warm, friendly, respectful, professional and knowledgeable."
Inventors' Workshop
Session 1 is for children entering grades 5 and 6. Session 2 is for girls only in grades 4 through 6. Sessions 3, 4, and 5 are for children entering grades 3 and 4.
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Girls and boys who like to create, design, and experiment will have fun and make many new discoveries in this program. Our young inventors will spend a portion of each day taking on exciting engineering challenges and creating fun, hands-on projects. Participants will have the opportunity to sketch ideas and troubleshoot designs as we investigate the big ideas that make our projects work. Several days will be devoted to bringing their imaginations to life as they design, build, and fine-tune their own inventions. Each day also includes swimming, games, hikes, and other outdoor adventures.
Fee: Members $240; non-members $265.
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
| Session 1 (for children entering grades 5 and 6): | July 7-11 |
| Session 2 (for girls entering grades 4-6): | July 14-18 |
| Session 3 (for children entering grades 3-4): | July 21-25 |
| Session 4 (for children entering grades 3-4): | July 28 - Aug. 1 |
| Session 5 (for children entering grades 3-4): | Aug. 11-15 |
From 2007 parent evaluations:
"Excellent program, thinking, learning, creating and sharing."
"The thing I value the most about the Montshire Camps is the uniformly excellent staff."
Aquatic Investigations
For children entering grades 6-8.
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Join us for fun-filled days immersed in watery worlds! We'll learn about the lives of animals from local rivers and ponds as we travel to various habitats in the area to observe organisms, use sampling equipment, and conduct experiments. There will also be plenty of time for swimming and games. One day will be spent in canoes studying the flora and fauna of the Connecticut River. Note this is a four-day program.
Fee: Members $235; non-members $260.
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
| Session 1: | June 30 - July 3, Monday-Thursday |
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Exploring Nature through Art
For children entering grades 6-8.
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Scientists frequently use photography, video, drawing, and even sculpture to help them explore and explain the natural world. In this program we'll use a variety of techniques to observe and record natural phenomena and processes. From digital photography to pen and ink drawing, we will explore how art can improve our scientific understanding, and science can be used to create art.
Fee: Members $190; non-members $210.
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Kinetic Art
For children entering grades 6-8.
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What do you get when you mix art, design, engineering, and science? Join us as we integrate science and art into our moving sculptures, machines, and inventions. We will use a variety of materials including motors, mylar, Lego parts, and much more to build fun and crazy contraptions that will shake, rattle, and roll. If you're interested in engineering, design, or science, and looking for a place to let your imagination run wild, this program is for you!
Fee: Members $190; non-members $210.
Time: 1-4 p.m.
A supervised lunch hour will be provided for children signed up for both Exploring Nature through Art and Kinetic Art.
Extended Care Option
Maybe your children would like time to explore the Museum, or perhaps you simply can't pick them up at the time the program ends. With our Extended Care Option, your children can be dropped off at the Museum as early as 8:15 a.m. and picked up as late as 5:15 p.m. This is supervised but unstructured play. Available only for children entering grades 1-8 and in programs held on Montshire grounds.
Fee: $40 per week for programs that end at 3 p.m. ($32 for programs during the week of June 30 - July 3); $30 per week for programs that end at 4 p.m.
When you have reviewed the programs for the summer of 2008, please proceed to our online registration form.
For more information:
What to Bring to Montshire Camp
Drop-off and Pickup Locations
Release and Consent Form
Montshire's summer camp programs and scholarships receive underwriting support from several sources, including the Byrne Foundation and the Hanover Garden Club. The Walter Meriwether and Eleanor D. Furlow Summer Camp Directorship was endowed to ensure excellence in Montshire's summer programs for children.
