Register online for 2009 camps
Explore, invent, play, create, swim, hike, and discover nature up close. The Montshire offers a host of terrific summer camp opportunities for children in preschool to those entering 8th grade.
The majority of camps are based outdoors—either at Montshire's 110 acres or at the Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond site in Hanover. Make an adventure part of your child's summer.
We invite you to register for one or more sessions! Register online for 2009 camps. If you have any questions, please contact us at 802-649-2200.
Montshire Summer Camp staff are college-aged or older. They have a variety of interests and experiences, and share a love of working with children. All camp staff undergo extensive training under the guidance of the Montshire's full-time science teaching faculty, including safety and first aid procedures.
Montshire Summer 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 plenty of attention is given to each child.
"Excellent program, thinking, learning, creating and sharing. The thing I value the most about the Montshire Camps is the uniformly excellent staff." —Parent evaluation.
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Registration:
We are currently accepting applications for all Montshire Summer
Camp programs. Applications are processed in the order they are
received, so register early, some programs fill quickly! Become a Montshire member and take advantage of the member savings.
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The Montshire is dedicated to providing quality camp experiences for all children. Scholarship aid is available. Please see the registration materials for information on how to apply.
Montshire Summer Camp T-Shirts!
The pre-order period for camp t-shirts is over. A limited number of shirts will be available in the Museum Store (for $17.99).
Preschool Camp
For children ages 4-5 or entering kindergarten
Discover the amazing outdoors! Follow in the footsteps of woodland creatures, sing songs, play games, and discover plants, animals, and other treasures. Meet live creatures up close, examine bird feathers and abandoned nests, and investigate rocks and fossils. Each day is a new adventure! Sessions (A) and (B) feature different activities —you are welcome to enroll in both sessions.
Most sessions of the Morning Preschool Camp are filled. Please call or e-mail for current availability or to be placed on a waiting list. Space is still available in the Afternoon Preschool Camp.
Fee: Members $150; non-members $165
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| Preschool Camp |
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June 22-26 | |
Session 1 (A): 9-noon.
Session 2 (A): 1-4 p.m.
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July 20-24 |
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Session 9(A): 9-noon
Session 10(A): 1-4 p.m. |
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June 29-July 3 | |
Session 3 (B): 9-noon
Session 4 (B): 1-4 p.m.
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July 27-31 |
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Session 11(B): 9-noon
Session 12(B): 1-4 p.m. |
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July 6-10 | |
Session 5(A): 9-noon
Session 6(A): 1-4 p.m.
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Aug. 3-7 |
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Session 13(A): 9-noon
Session 14(A): 1-4 p.m. |
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July 13-17 | |
Session 7(B): 9-noon
Session 8(B): 1-4 p.m.
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Aug. 10-14 |
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Session 15(B): 9-noon
Session 16(B): 1-4 p.m. |
"It gave him confidence in his place in the natural world. He is more comfortable, aware and interested in the Montshire surroundings." —Preschool Camp parent, 2008.
Outdoor Discovery Camp
Montshire Woods and Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond
For children entering grades 1-2
Enjoy outdoor fun that weaves together stories, games, activities, water play, and a reflective time in personal "Magic Spots." Emerge with new friendships, amazing discoveries, and a deeper respect for nature and the great outdoors. This program is offered at two convenient sites —Norwich, Vermont, and Hanover, New Hampshire. Choose one, two, or all three weeks of this popular program.
- Session A: Ready, Set, Grow. Discover the unique adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals.
- Session B: Nature's Neighborhoods. Uncover the mysteries of plants and animals and explore their unique habitats.
- Session C: Water Worlds. Wade into ponds, streams, and vernal pools to investigate aquatic life near our Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond site.
Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond site
The Montshire is celebrating 18 years of Summer Camp at our Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond site in Hanover! Consider one, two, or three weeks at this site, which offers these special benefits:
- Easy drop-off and pick-up behind the Ray School in Hanover
- Swimming and water play at Storrs Pond
- A rustic cabin as a base camp in the woods
- Great Montshire staff and programs
Fee for either Montshire Woods or Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond camp: Members $250; non-members $275.
| Outdoor Discovery Camp - Montshire Woods site, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Session 1(A): | June 22-26 |
| Session 2(B): | June 29 - July 3 |
| Session 3(A): | July 6-10 |
| Session 4(B): | July 13-17 |
| Session 5(A): | July 20-24 |
| Session 6(B): | July 27-31 |
| Session 7(A): | August 3-7 |
| Session 8(B): | August 10-14 |
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Outdoor Discovery Camp -
Colonial Cabin/Storrs Pond site,
8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. |
Session 9(C):
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June 22-26
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Session 11(C):
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July 6-10 |
| Session 12(A): |
July 13-17 |
| Session 13(B): |
July 20-24 |
| Session 14(A): |
July 27-31 |
| Session 15(B): |
August 3-7 |
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"I was very impressed with the camp staff - always very friendly and engaging! I knew she was in good hands each day." —Outdoor Discovery Camp parent, 2008.
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Montshire Explorers
For children entering grades 3-4
Delve into nature exploration! Terrific daily adventures and creative projects use science to unravel nature's mysteries. Explore the Montshire forest, take an up-close look at meadow insects, plant flowers that attract butterflies, and take an off-site field trip on Friday. The fun also includes games, swimming, and making new friends.
Fee: Members $265; non-members $290
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Montshire Explorers, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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| Session 2: |
June 29 - July 3 |
| Session 3: |
July 6-10 |
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"This was our first year trying Montshire camp and we were very pleased with the program. Our son happily shared stories about games, other kids and information he learned after each day of camp." —Montshire Explorer parent, 2008.
Upper Valley Adventures
For children entering grades 4-5
Explore unique places in the Upper Valley by climbing a local mountain, exploring wetlands, and paddling on the Connecticut River. Learn about different habitats and the creatures that make these places home while honing your outdoor skills. Each day brings a different location. Games, swimming, and making new friends will also be part of the fun.
Fee: Members $300; non-members $330.
| Upper Valley Adventures, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Session 1: |
July 20-24 |
| Session 2: |
July 27- 31 |
| Session 3: |
Aug. 3-7 |
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"Great way to see local beauty in nature and be active. She was engaged and had fun." —Upper Valley Adventures parent, 2008.
Valley Trekkers
For children entering grades 6-7
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New for 2009!. If you liked Upper Valley Adventures, then you will love Valley Trekkers! Each day, experience new challenges and explore amazing natural locations. Challenge yourself to reach the peak, enjoy the mysteries of the marsh, quietly contemplate the deep forest, and paddle the Connecticut River. And of course, games, swimming, learning new skills, and making new friends will be part of the mix!
Fee: Members $300; non-members $330.
| Valley Trekkers, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Session 1: |
Aug. 10-14 |
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Inventors' Workshop
Session 1 is for children entering grades 5‑6
Session 2 is for girls only entering grades 4‑6
Sessions 3, 4, & 5 are for children entering grades 3‑4
Session 6* is a second week for those entering grades 3‑5
For those who like to create, design, and experiment. Take on exciting engineering challenges and engage in fun, hands-on projects. Sketch ideas and troubleshoot designs as we investigate the big ideas that make projects work. The final days will be devoted to bringing your imagination to life through your inventions. We'll also take time to swim, play games, hike, and enjoy other outdoor adventures.
New this year—Session 6*: We are offering an extra week of Inventors' Workshop with new challenges and inventions. If one week of Inventor's Workshop isn't enough, sign up for Session 6*!
Fee: Members $265; non-members $290.
| Inventors' Workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Session 1 (gr. 5 and 6):
| July 6-10 |
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Session 4 (gr. 3-4): |
July 27-31 |
| Session 2 (girls gr. 4-6): |
July 13-17 |
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Session 5 (gr. 3-4): |
Aug. 10-14 |
| Session 3 (gr. 3-4): |
July 20-24 |
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Session 6 * (gr. 3-5): |
Aug 17-21 |
"It was a positive influence on her. She loves creating and [it] seemed like the right mix of thinking and playing." —Inventors' Workshop parent, 2008.
Aquatic Investigations
For children entering grades 6-8
Immerse yourself in watery worlds! Learn about the lives of animals from local rivers and ponds as we travel to various habitats and observe organisms, use sampling equipment, and conduct experiments. One day will be spent in canoes studying the flora and fauna of the Connecticut River. And there will be plenty of time for swimming and games.
Fee: Members $310; non-members $340.
| Aquatic Investigations, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Session 1: |
June 29-July3 |
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Going Green: The Science and Engineering of Sustainability
For children entering grades 6-8
New for 2009! Explore sustainability issues by looking at the choices we make every day and observing how we interact with the world. Each day will focus on a different topic, such as organic farming and solar technology. The program includes with hands-on projects, field trips, and time with sustainability innovators and experts. This program also features time with experts. Each day will include time outdoors and enjoying the woods.
Fee: Members $310; non-members $340
| Going Green: The Science and Engineering of Sustainability, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Session 1: |
Aug 3-7 |
Extended Care Option
With our Extended Care Option, your child 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 enrolled in programs held at the Montshire site.
Fee: $45 per week for programs that end at 3 p.m.; $35 per week for programs that end at 4 p.m.
Register online for 2009 camps
Montshire's summer camp programs and scholarships have received underwriting support from several sources, including the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, the Hanover Garden Club, the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust, the Upper Valley Planned Giving Council, and "Fund a Need" donors at the 2009 Montshire Auction.
