An average staff to camper ratio of 1 to 5 allows counselors to build close relationships with campers. The staff to camper ratio in Lower Camp is 1 to 3 for campers entering kindergarten and 1 to 4 for grades one and two.

While the ratio is important, what sets Summer Fenn apart is who are staff are. Many of our staff are professional teachers and artists who work directly with groups. All of our staff members are selected for their maturity, enthusiasm, creativity and passion for working with children. All counselors are 18 years of age or older, we do not use CIT's or high school kids to lead groups. Our activity leaders are teaching professionals with many years of experience and expertise. Swim staff have American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and Water Safety Instructor certification.  Everyone we hire has been through an extensive application process and background check.

The full camp day runs from 9:00 AM until 3:45 PM. Drop-off is from 8:45 AM until 9:00 AM and pick-up is from 3:45 until 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Yes. We have a number of open houses that we would love you to attend: January 26, February 3, February 10, and March 2 between 2:00 to 4:00PM. During each open house, tours are available anytime between 2:00 and 4:00PM and the Director providez a slideshow presentation at 3:00PM. If you cannot attend any of these events, we would be happy to give you a tour of our campus at another time. Please contact the Summer Fenn office to schedule an appointment.

Yes. Our Extended Care program runs from 7:30 – 8:45 AM before camp and 4:00 – 6:00 PM after camp. Feel free to sign up for morning or afternoon sessions, or both. Morning extended day activities tend to be more subdued as a wake-up to the day. Afternoon extended day activities are varied and flexible ranging from recreational swim to arts and crafts. Drop-in extended day is available at an hourly rate and will be billed directly to families.

YES! There is no need to pack a lunch for your camper. Hot lunch (including a salad bar) is included in the tuition for all full day campers and a bag lunch is provided for our Day Trippers. A snack is provided everyday as well. If your child has any special dietary needs or concerns, please let us know.

Yes. Transportation to and from Summer Fenn is available from convenient pick-up and drop-off points at an additional charge. Campers will ride school buses operated by a local independent company. Each bus will be monitored by a Summer Fenn staff member. Buses are available in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Wayland, Sudbury, and Winchester. To enroll simply complete the Transportation Registration form, and mail the form in with your deposit.

Campers are placed in co-ed groups based on their age and the grade they will be entering in the fall.

Yes. There is a space on the camper application where you can request to be grouped with particular friends as long as they are of a similar age and in the same programs. Summer Fenn will try its hardest to honor all such requests, while maintaining well-balanced groups.

When a camper attends for two or more weeks in a row and requests to be with friends who are attending camp on a different schedule, we often place them together in one-week groups.

If campers sign up for a two-week session they will often be with the same group of children and the same counselors for two weeks. Swimming lessons will remain consistent and they will not have to be retested at the beginning of the second week. In a one-week session, the group will remain intact for that one week only. When a camper attends for two or more weeks in a row and requests to be with friends who are attending camp on a different schedule, we often place them together in one-week groups.

Following the American Red Cross swim instruction model, General Campers are evaluated at the beginning of their first session and placed in appropriate swim classes. Campers can move up to the next swim level at their own pace.

Electives offer campers the opportunity to delve into a specific program area they enjoy. Most campers have four afternoons to build their own schedule by choosing electives of interest to them.

Summer Fenn offers a variety of great elective choices for each block. While we make every effort to enable campers to participate in their most desired activities, please know that there may be instances when they do not receive their first choice.

How electives work
On Monday of each session, campers choose their two-day elective activities. On Wednesday of each session, campers choose their next two-day elective option.
• Middle Campers select up to 4 electives – They could have two different elective activities that meet on Monday and Tuesday and two different elective activities that meet on Wednesday and Thursday.

• Upper and Special Program Campers select up to 6 electives – They could have three different elective activities that meet on Monday and Tuesday and three different elective activities that meet on Wednesday and Thursday.

• Electives for Senior Campers vary depending on their schedule (on field trip days Senior Campers may not have electives).

• Lower Campers may select one afternoon elective that meets Tuesday through Thursday.

Parents interested in discussing elective options with their campers in advance may download or view a sample elective sheet.

Yes. A registered nurse is on-site daily, as well as a nurse's assistant and a pediatric physician is on call throughout our program time to provide routine or emergency care should it be required. In addition, Emerson Hospital is conveniently located less than five miles away from our campus.

A Health form will be mailed to you upon receipt of your registration form and should be postmarked prior to May 1, 2008. Under Massachusetts State law, all campers must have a Health Form on file before attending camp. Click here to download a heath form.

Yes. Authorization forms are required for the administration of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Any medications being sent to camp will be kept in the nurse’s office and must be in their original containers bearing the pharmacy label. Over the counter medication must also be in its original container with the original label and directions for use. Click here to download a medication consent form. (this is one page of our complete health form)

No worries. If your camper arrives late, just bring him/her over to the Summer Fenn office so we can check him/her in.  We will have a staff member escort him/her over to his/her group.

If you need to pick your camper up early, simply send along a note or call the camp office or e mail us to inform us. A staff member will walk your child over to the camp office where you can pick them up at the designated time.

We will provide a refund, minus the deposit, if we receive written notice of your cancellation postmarked before May 1, 2008. If illness occurs following the deadline, we must receive a written request for a refund, accompanied by a doctor’s note stating that camp attendance is medically inadvisable. We will issue a refund, less the $50 deposit per week/per camper. When space permits, campers may be able to change sessions for which they are registered.

Rain simply means we have fun in different ways.  Camp remains open and our programs continue. For a simple rain shower the schedule will continue as normal with a mixture of outdoor and indoor activities. If inclement weather continues or there is thunder and lightning, campers are guided inside where, because of the amazing facility, our program can continue; from arts and crafts and adventure to sports and electives. Of course, during lightning and thunder the swim program must move indoors as well, where swim staff will engage campers in a variety of fun activities. A rainy day is also a wonderful occasion for an all camp activity such as an egg drop or a game show. These indoor spaces are also used to give groups some time out of the sun.

Yes. Summer Fenn is proud to have been accredited by the American Camping Association since our very first summer.  Summer Fenn was re-accredited in the summer of 2004 and once again received our reaccreditation during the summer of 2007.

ACA Accreditation means that Summer Fenn Day Camp submitted to a thorough (over 300 standards) review of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. The American Camp Association collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Summer Fenn and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety. ACA helps all accredited camps provide:

Healthy, developmentally-appropriate activities and learning experiences

Discovery through experiential education

Caring, competent role models

Service to the community and the environment

Opportunities for leadership and personal growth

Limited aid is available and awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Please call the Summer Fenn office for more information.