Our Place Summercamp 2015
Our Place Summercamp is designed to “unplug” your child by bringing them into direct contact with the creatures, geologies, hydrologies and infrastructures of the Nonotuck biome and the Westfield River watershed.
For five six-hour days, we roam our place—the valley and the hilltowns—investigating our natural and cultural history with all of our senses, and enjoying the whole-being stimulation of deep biotic immersion.
Our Place activities are fun—and they’re designed to increase camper’s perceptual abilities, activate their critical thinking skills, inspire their creative imaginations, and counteract “nature deficit disorder.”
Through active physical and mental engagement with “our place,” campers gain a deep & lasting appreciation of it—and themselves. (Click here for basic Our Place program description.)
Sharpshins and Wings
This year, we’ll have Sharpshins and Wings sessions.
Sharpshin sessions are designed for campers with more advanced field skills, which means they enjoy walking offtrail, can identify poison ivy/stinging nettle, & can stay fueled and hydrated without prompting. The general, but not strict, age is from 10 to 12. Expect at least 1.5 – 4 miles hiking a day.
Wing sessions are designed for campers who want to explore awesome places, & learn and have fun, without being forced to go on hikes that are too long and hard. The general, but not strict, age is from 6 to 10.
Wings do not miss anything—in fact, one thing we know for sure is that the slower & softer we move through forests, fields and rivers, the more they open up to us. Expect 1/2 to 2 miles of hiking a day.
LOGISTICS:
Each session runs M-F, 9am-3pm, and costs $300.00. Drop off and pick-up are at Sheldon Field in Northampton.
Every group will consist of 2 adult teachers, who are Red Cross-certified lifeguards and first aid responders, a counselor in training (CIT), and up to 12 campers. The 4 to 1 staff to camper ratio allows us to break up into smaller groups at any given moment, which allows campers to lead investigations—a personal growth opportunity that, when conditions are right, we encourage.
You can send a check (to Biocitizen, 1 Stage Rd. W’hamp, MA 01027) or use paypal to pay for tuition, and reserve a spot; if using paypal specify requested session, pls.
Sharpshins sessions:
June 22-26 Closed
June 29-July 3 Closed
July 6-10 Closed
July 13-17 Closed
July 20-24 Closed
July 27-31 Closed
August 10-14 Closed
August 17-21 Closed
Wings sessions:
June 29-July 3 Full
July 6-10 Closed
July 13-17 Full
July 20-24 Closed
July 27-31 Full
August 10-14 Full
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Scholarships: Thanks to generosity of the parents and supporters who will attend our Fire & Ice fundraiser catered by Lone Wolf Cafe, and held at the Glow Room in Chesterfield, we can offer 10 scholarships, which fully cover the $300.00 camp tuition. HERE you will find out how to apply.
Counselor in Training (CIT) program (full):
CITs are 7th to 9th graders who have attended at least two Our Place sessions during two different years.
CITs like environmental philosophy field studies so much they want to go to the next level, and help to execute Our Place’s action-based biocultural history curricula.
CITs will receive training: 1 4-hour pre-camp session, the rest of the training occurring on the job. Training will include: camp and campers management, biocultural history, and the practice and art of teaching in the field.
If you would like to learn more, please click on this link.
