General Questions
What technology are campers allowed to bring and use?
Watches are fine, but all other technology (e.g., cellphones, iPods) will be collected at check-in and returned at pickup. To help campers fully immerse themselves in the camp experience, we recommend leaving technology at home.
How often can campers communicate with their parents? Can parents send mail or packages?
We encourage campers to focus on their experience without phone calls. Exceptions include family emergencies or birthdays. All calls are made through our main phone line. Parents can send mail or packages, but please avoid including food or candy to maintain the integrity of our wilderness environment.
What is Camp W’s philosophy around special needs and accommodations?
We welcome campers with special needs and have had positive experiences fostering growth for all participants. To ensure the best experience, we ask families to communicate with us before registration to discuss any specific needs. Please note that our dining hall is the only wheelchair-accessible building, and while we’re not 100% gluten or nut-free, we do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Homesickness, What if my child feels homesick?
Homesickness is a natural phase that often leads to significant personal growth. We recommend maintaining a steady, consistent, and supportive communication plan. Reassure your child that they can persevere and that this phase will pass. For example, set goals like, “We’ll talk after a few more days,” to help them build resilience. Please note that departures due to homesickness are not refunded.
Click here for more on Assessing Summer Adventure Camp Readiness*
Diversity and Inclusion
What is Camp W’s approach to diversity and equity?
At Camp W, we are committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusivity, and learning. Our values emphasize the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, spirituality, sexual orientation, body shape, economic status, or physical ability.
We address equity and diversity topics developmentally, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment. Examples include:
• Program agreements that promote kindness and respect for differences.
• Addressing instances of racism, sexism, or other forms of discrimination appropriately.
• Encouraging healthy, natural curiosity and dialogue.
We recognize that diversity strengthens communities, and we strive to create a sense of belonging for all campers..
Group Placement
How are campers grouped?
Campers are placed in cabins on “Pondside” or “Hillside,” which focus on masculine or feminine energies. Both areas are gender-inclusive, and placements are determined collaboratively with families. Cabin groups are organized by age, and we honor friend requests whenever possible.
What are group sizes like?
Campers are placed in small cabin groups with 2–3 instructors, ensuring tailored activities and meaningful connections..
Wilderness Mentoring
What is Wilderness Mentoring?
Wilderness Mentoring is our teaching philosophy that emphasizes connection—to nature, peers, and oneself. Through guided exploration and wild fun, campers develop deeper relationships with the natural world and their inner creativity.Who are the instructors and what kind of training do they have?
Our instructors are seasoned outdoor educators, school teachers, and grandparents who encourage each students’ respect for self, others and nature. We have First Aid and CPR certified, seasoned wilderness professionals, adventure guides, teachers, camp alumni, and look forward to being at overnight camps!
Click to READ ABOUT OUR STAFF
Health and Safety
What measures are in place to ensure camper safety?
Camp W is dedicated to safety, with extensive training for all staff, including:
• CPR and Wilderness First Aid certifications for all staff.
• Background checks and reference verification for every staff member.
• Comprehensive emergency and medical response plans.
How are medications handled?
Medications are stored in the infirmary and administered as needed. Exceptions, such as epi-pens, are carried by instructors for quick access.
What happens during adverse weather?
While we love being outdoors, we have a lodge, cabins, and emergency vehicles ready for severe weather.
Is swimming allowed?
Swimming is permitted at our camps pool. Campers will also have a chance to get wet to cool down in nearby streams & our trout pond as they climb, slide, and launch themselves off our “iceberg” during hot days, when canoeing, or in our Watersports program.
Swim Test Policy:
Only campers who can prove they have the ability to swim safely in the deep end of the pool will be allowed to swim in the deep end. All other campers will be restricted to only swimming in the shallow end of the pool. There are two ways campers will be allowed to swim in the deep end of the pool:
1.) Bring proof of their current swim level to camp from approved outside vendors.
2.) Campers will need to take and pass a swim test at camp. The test will consist of the camper’s ability to complete all of the following requirements:
Jump into the deep end of the pool
Swim 1 full lap of the pool
Tread water for 2 full minutes
Food and Lodging
What are the accommodations for bathrooms and showers?
Bathrooms are composting toilets that utilize a state of the art urine diversion system designed by our friends at the “Rich Earth Institute” with regular sinks for hand washing and showers are available on campus, and when we journey further away we will teach safe procedures for using nature bathrooms or “FacilaTREEs” utilizing Leave No Trace methods.
Where do campers sleep?
Campers will sleep in Adirondack cabins, tents, under tarps or in primitive-built shelters as we build them. Sleeping groups will be separated by gender identity with instructors nearby at all times.
What dietary restrictions will you accommodate? Can campers bring their own food?
Our menus are vegetarian and will accommodate many different dietary needs. Pre-documented, pre-existing health conditions that are noted on the Health Form we will do our best to accommodate.
Day campers should bring their own food, water, and snacks each day. Food brought by overnight campers will be confiscated due to the danger of attracting hungry wildlife to our primitive campsites in the backcountry. Due to our open air kitchen and backcountry cooking environment we are not able to be 100% nut or gluten free, but do our best to accommodate all needs.
What will meals be like?
Food at camp will be nutritious, tasty, and using local ingredients whenever possible. We have a professional chef on-site with a Masters Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics! Our amazing kitchen staff prepare group sit-down meals, on-the-go meals for in the field on days we venture further from camp, and also meals that involve campers so they can learn methods of both indoor & outdoor cooking. We eat 3 main meals and offer 2/3 snacks depending on the day. Overnight campers aren’t able to bring their own food.
Registration Details
What scholarships are available?
All our scholarships are generated from the sliding scale-fees of our programs and private donations. So, anyone who pays over the minimum fee for a program is making a donation to our scholarship fund. We also have scholarships available to apply for each summer through gifts from Southern Vermont Solar and Ashcraft Family Trust, and Brandon Houlihan Memorial Fund.
We approve scholarships in the order that we receive the requests.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Typically, we do not cancel programs due to inclement weather; however, we reserve the right to do so if roads are closed due to hazardous conditions. Program fees for individual programs that are canceled due to inclement weather will not be refunded. Camp W will not refund tuition when a camper has to be sent home for anything other then a severe medical emergency. If you are canceling an enrollment for any reason our refund policy is as follows:
Should you choose to cancel an enrollment for any reason, our refund policy is as follows:
1. If you cancel 60 or more days prior to the program starting date, you are entitled to a full refund, minus the deposit of not more than $200.
2. If you cancel between 59 and 30 days prior to the program starting date, Camp W will retain half the program tuition in addition to the deposit
3. If you cancel fewer than 30 days prior to the program starting date or after the program has begun, there will be no refunds.
**No refunds will be given for homesickness related withdraws.
***Over half of our total expenses for the year are spent prior to any on-site programming, and are covered entirely by tuition, which includes the $200 non-refundable deposit.
Immunization Policy
In order to attend camp, all campers must fill out the immunization section of the online health form or complete and mail to Camp W the Vermont Department Health Medical or Religious Exemption Form EVERY YEAR. Camp W does not accept Philosophical Exemptions.
Visit the State of Vermont Department of Health website for their Religious Exemption form:
Travel and Logistics
What are the logistics for drop off and pickup days?
For our Sunday start-of-camp we ask that you arrive between 1:30am and 3:00pm depending on your drive time that morning. For Saturday pickup, we ask that you arrive between 10:00am-12:00pm. Weekend Programs are 9am Saturday – Noon on Sunday and school year programs are 9-3pm or 4pm. Day camp is 9-4pm with early and late care options.
Getting to Camp: What travel options are available?
We don't currently offer regular shuttles for campers, but there is a passenger train that stops in downtown Brattleboro as well as a major bus lines. We can pick up your camper for a fee as outlined in our Family Manual. Please email us if you have questions about getting campers to Camp W.
If you are a first time visitor to our camp or just need a friendly reminder how to get to Camp W then use the directions below based on which direction you will be coming from to find us.
FROM I-91 NORTH
Head north on I-91 N toward Exit 2 0.3 mi
Take exit 2 for VT-9 W toward Brattleboro/Bennington 0.2 mi
Continue straight 0.2 mi
Turn right at Western Ave (signs for Vermont 9 W) 1.3 mi
Turn left at Greenleaf St 0.7 mi
Slight left at Hinesburg Rd 0.7 mi
Take the 2nd left to stay on Hinesburg Rd 1.8 mi
Turn right at Melchen Rd 0.8 mi
Take the 1st left onto Waubanong Rd 0.3 mi
FROM I-91 SOUTH
Head south on I-91 S toward Exit 2
ake exit 2 for VT-9 W toward Brattleboro/Bennington
Continue straight 0.2 mi
Turn right at Western Ave (signs for Vermont 9 W) 1.3 mi
Turn left at Greenleaf St 0.7 mi
Slight left at Hinesburg Rd 0.7 mi
Take the 2nd left to stay on Hinesburg Rd 1.8 mi
Turn right at Melchen Rd 0 .8 mi
Take the 1st left onto Waubanong Rd 0.3 mi
FROM TROY NEW YORK
*AVOID directions that attempt to bring you via Barrows Rd as its not a through road*
Head east on NY-7 E toward John Snyder Rd 16.1 mi
Turn right at NY-7 E/Mapletown Rd 0.9 mi
Continue onto VT-9 E/W Rd 3.4 mi
Slight left at W Main St 2.5 mi
Continue onto VT-9 E/Molly Stark Trail/Woodford Rd 36.0 mi
Turn right at Greenleaf St 0.7 mi
Slight left at Hinesburg Rd 0.7 mi
Take the 2nd left to stay on Hinesburg Rd 1.8 mi
Turn right at Melchen Rd 0.8 mi
Take the 1st left onto Waubanog Rd