- Packing for Camp:
All campers should plan to bring a backpack with the following items
- Refillable water bottle. (Our camp staff is very conscious about hydration and like to make sure everyone has enough to drink throughout the day.)
- Sunscreen. (Please apply sunscreen before your child comes to camp but also leave some in the backpack for reapplication if necessary.)
- Bug Spray (We do not tend to have issues with bugs, but it can be a good idea if desired)
- Rain gear. (Although we do adjust schedules in case of inclement weather, we do often go outside in the rain. So it is important to be prepared if the forecast might include rain.)
- Snack and lunch. (Campers can expect a break for snack and lunch. We recommend healthy snacks and lunches that do not include candy or soda. If there is a camper with a severe allergy in your group, you will be notified and may be asked to refrain from packing those items in your child’s snack/lunch.
If you are signed up for a roleplaying camp (History in Play or Jr. Roleplayers), please click here for additional items to bring to camp.
Anchors Aweigh/All Hands on Deck: The Gundalow Company provides lifejackets, but campers are welcome to bring their own if desired. A bathing suit is also suggested.
2. Dressing for Camp:
Whenever possible, we spend a lot of time outside. Depending on the camp, we also do a lot of active play and use craft items like ink & paint. Therefore, we ask all campers to come to camp in clothes that they don’t need to keep neat and clean and shoes that will allow them to run and play safely. No open-toed shoes please.
3. Arriving at Camp:
The address for the Strawbery Banke parking lot is 14 Hancock Street. Parking is available for drop off and pick up in the lot. Cars cannot be left in the lot all day unless you are using your membership or purchasing tickets to visit Strawbery Banke that day.
Campers will be met in the parking lot by camp staff and escorted to their group.
Camp begins at 9:30am. (9:00am for All Hands on Deck and Anchors Aweigh).
4. Extended Care
There will be no before or after care offered for the summer of 2021.
Strawbery Banke offers morning care from 8:00am – 9:00am and aftercare from 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Registration for this program must be made a week before your camp begins in order to guarantee a place. If something comes up and you would like to register during the week of camp, you are welcome to do that IF THERE IS SPACE. Please talk with your child’s camp leader or email bcoppola@SBMuseum.org for more information.
5. What to Expect at Camp
All of our camps strive to use a wide variety of hands-on activities to bring history to life and make it relevant to kids today. Activities will depend upon the camp, but the structure of each full day will be roughly as follows:
9:30 – 10:15 Activity (The first day will begin with an introduction, but we do like to start our activities right at 9:30am on subsequent days)
10:15 – 10:30 Snack
10:30 – 11:30 Activity
11:30 – 12:00 Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 Activity
1:00 – 1:30 Free Time
1:30 – 2:30 Activity
6. All Hands on Deck & Anchors Aweigh
These camps are run as a joint program between The Gundalow Company and Strawbery Banke Museum. Campers will be spending half their time doing activities at Strawbery Banke and the other half at the gundalow. Drop off and pick up will be at Strawbery Banke Museum unless otherwise told and campers will be escorted to the gundalow at the appropriate time by camp staff.
7. Jr. Roleplayers Camp
Jr. Roleplayers is a two-week camp. The first week focuses on learning about a character, roleplaying techniques and researching the time period through reading, crafts, tours and other experiential methods. The second week focuses on spending time in costume, in character on the grounds – interacting with visitors and practicing roleplaying techniques. At the end of camp, participants have the opportunity to be invited back to volunteer as roleplayers at special events (some restrictions apply)
9. History in Play and Jr. Roleplayers
Parents can request a pass to visit their child while they are roleplaying in costume. Please check with the counselor to find out when and where children will be roleplaying and tell them when you would like to visit.
10. Food Allergies/Dietary Needs:
All food allergies and dietary needs should be listed on the registration form so camp staff is aware. If camps do include an element of cooking and/or food related activities (suspended for 2021), we make every effort to provide alternative ingredients so every child can be included equally. When we have questions, we check-in with parents. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s diet, please do not hesitate to talk to your child’s camp leader.
11. Medications & Medical Monitoring:
It is preferable that campers do not bring medication to camp. If your child has prescription medication that they will need to take during the day, the medication must be brought to camp in the prescription bottle and given to the camp staff by the parent for safe keeping. Camp staff are not authorized to give non-prescription medications to campers during the day. All camp staff are trained to administer epi-pens, but parents should touch base with their child’s camp leader on the first day to make sure he/she is aware that your child requires an epi-pen. If your child has any other medical concerns, please bring them to the attention of the camp staff on the first day or email bcoppola@SBMuseum.org in advance.
12. Restrooms:
Unless otherwise told, our camp leaders will expect that all children are able to use the restrooms on their own. If special accommodations need to be made for your child, please let the staff know in advance. It can be a good idea for the younger children to bring a change of clothes in case of an accident.