Summer Programs

Summer programs at Hartsbrook can provide students with invaluable learning opportunities and enriching experiences during the summer break.

Our upcoming summer session for 2025 will run from June 23 – August 1. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email summerprograms@hartsbrook.org with your name and contact information.

Registration will open January 2025.

Early Risers

Summer Programs

Early Bird (weekly early arrival add-on program)

All ages

This will be a calm and quiet start to the morning at Hartsbrook summer camps for those children whose grownups need to arrive before our camp day drop-off time. Our program will open at 7:45am, and we will walk the campers as a group to their respective counselors starting at 8:45am. You can expect kind, caring, experienced leaders who regularly work with mixed-age groups of children from 4 to 12 years old. Children can choose among individual and group options: coloring, tiny-book making, library skills, finger knitting, reading, games, and more.

Sprouts

Summer Programs

Sprouts (at Farm Camp)

Pre-k to Rising 1st Grade

As a Sprout, children experience the freedom of summer.  Our youngest campers have their own play yard where they can explore the climbing structures, play in a straw bale house, dig in the sand box, wander through the garden, or do crafts with a counselor.  Throughout the day counselors will offer other activities, such as grinding corn for the chickens, planting seeds, visiting the farm animals, making flower chains or splashing in the wading pool. Children must be 4 years old to attend camp.

There maybe a scholarship available for Farm Camp for the 2025 camp season.

Young Farmers

Summer Programs

Young Farmers (at Farm Camp)

Rising 1st Grade – 6th Grade

Elementary-aged children enjoy a week of being outside and doing purposeful work. Young Stewards gather for a farmers’ meeting, often with a song and a game, before heading off to do their animal chores, like feeding the goats and collecting eggs from the chickens. They also experience farm-based crafts, such as working with wool and making cheese. Campers cool off on hot days with water games, and stories told under tall shady trees.

There may be a scholarship available for Farm Camp for the 2025 camp season.

Counselor-in-Training (CIT)

Summer Programs

Counselor-in-Training Program (at Farm Camp)

Rising 6th – 9th Grade

This program is only offered as a two-week session
Enjoy the excitement of camp, while learning the skills to become a leader! Participate as a counselor in one of several camps. You’ll a
ssist counselors with games and play, connect with campers and support their joyful exploration of camp. If working in Farm Camp, you’ll also get to do hands-on agricultural work, animal care, and craft activities.Gain deep bonds with other CIT’s through community conversation, farm work, and leadership growth!

There may be a scholarship available for Farm Camp for the 2025 camp season.

Creativity Camp

Summer Programs

Creativity Camp

Rising 2nd – 8th Grade

Each week includes a theme (see themes above), and we’ll also explore other process-based drawing, painting, collage and creative writing projects. And we’ll have plenty of time to play, chill and cool off built into our days. On Fridays before pickup, families can join us for a celebratory art show. Come get creative with us! Creativity Camp is led by Creative Arts Facilitator and Hartsbrook parent Melissa Renzi. Please see registration page for more details for each week’s theme.

Wilderness Camp

wolftree

Wilderness Camp with Wolf Tree

Rising 2nd – 7th Grade

Wilderness Camp by WolfTree promotes healthy relationships to self and community through nature immersion and the practice of wilderness living skills. This program is designed to foster children’s curiosity and connection to nature in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. WolfTree has served thousands of kids over the years and we are very excited to have this partnership and provide their programs within our rich variety or offerings for the summer of 2024. This program will take place in the back lands of the Hartsbrook campus and will be entirely outdoors for the full day. Activities may include: hiking, games, shelter-building, fire-making, and harvesting of natural materials. There will be one off-site day of each week’s session where the group will visit the Holyoke Range (within a 5 minute drive from Hartsbrook)

Fiddle Camp

Summer Programs

Fiddle Camp

Rising 4th – 9th Grade

Bring your fiddle, cello, viola, ukulele, banjo or guitar! Learn tunes from Scotland, Ireland, Quebec and the Appalachian mountains during our fun filled week. Have you ever performed for goats and chickens? Or used a handmade “crankie”, a moving picture box with musical accompaniment? Lots of fun and laughter while students collaborate on new songs and even try new instruments. New this year – immersive elective options each afternoon ranging from percussion, movement, and alternative strings fun!

CAMP POLICIES

All withdrawals must be made by June 15, after which there will be an administrative fee of $100. Cancellations made up to 10 days before the session begins or during the session will not be refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Hartsbrook Summer Programs must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local Board of Health.
Parents may request copies of staff background checks, health care and discipline policies as well as procedures for filing grievances.