2024 Hazen's Notch Summer Camp Application

Hazen's Notch
Summer Camp 2024

We are looking forward to the 2024 Summer Camp at the Hazen's Notch Association - our 31st year. It is always good to see so many campers returning year after year, excited to be renewing friendships, revisiting favorite places and expanding their knowledge of their environment. With each summer we are happy to welcome new campers to Hazen's Notch. We are proud of the camp philosophy that we have created over the years that nurtures the individual as part of an inclusive and supportive group.

The Hazen's Notch Summer Camp has gained a reputation for excellence in developing in children an awareness and respect for the environment, outdoor skills, self-confidence, cooperation and leadership. Summer Camp programs provide healthy outdoor recreational activities designed to stimulate inquiring minds, develop friendships, and create lasting positive memories of each child's summer camp experience.

Hazen's Notch Summer Camp 2024
Summer Ecology + Adventure Camp

1-Week Sessions July to Mid August
Day Camp for Ages 6-12
Overnight Camp for Ages 10-14
Family Camp for Pre-School with an Adult Caregiver

Campers make new friends in an atmosphere of good will, sharing and common outdoor interests. Experienced outdoor educators guide campers through a creative program of learning that matches the children's own curiosity and wonder of nature with special places and themes that fit each age group's different perspective. We get to know each child as an individual and encourage all campers to respect each other's uniqueness, as we respect them.


We are very proud of the growing number of mature, intelligent and responsible young people we feel privileged to have taught. Each year more campers and other fine young people come forward and volunteer their time and energy in service to the Hazen's Notch Association. These generous acts of stewardship show that campers are indeed acquiring a sense of ownership of the organization that exists to serve them and others. Their experiences at Hazen's Notch are, we believe, creating a sense of place for each child: a strong positive reference point that should serve them well in the future.

"Thank you so much for all the camp has done for our two daughters - they have really loved Hazen's Notch. It's such a beautiful place that is so special. See you next summer."

- Pixita del Prado Hill, New York

The mission of the Hazen's Notch Association is to "bring people together to conserve Vermont's natural resources". To achieve this goal, we focus on education. Our programs are designed to develop an understanding of issues relating to our roles as stewards of our natural resources and to act in a positive manner to protect those resources for future generations.

ENROLLMENT:
See the link to the Summer Camp Application at the top of this page.
Complete the form and mail it to: Hazen's Notch Association,
P.O. Box 478, Montgomery Center VT 05471. Feel free to also send an email.

The 2024 Summer Camp Schedule

Overnight Camp

Sunday at 1 p.m. - Saturday at 11 a.m.
   Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
   One age group: 10-14
   Cost: $475

   Session: July 21 - 27, 2024


Day Camp

Monday - Friday:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
   Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
   3 Age Groups: 6-7, 8-9, 10-12
   Cost: $250

   Session 1 July 8 - 12, 2024
   Session 2 July 29 - August 2, 2024
   Session 3 August 5 - 9, 2024


Family Camp

Wednesday through Friday 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
   Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
   One age group: Pre-school accompanied by an Adult Caregiver
   Cost: Free
   Session: July 1, 2 and 3, 2024
   Come as many days as you like.


Philosophy of the Hazen's Notch Summer Camp

The philosophy of the Hazen's Notch Summer Camp is to nurture each child as part of an inclusive and supportive group. The HNA Summer Camp has gained a reputation for excellence in developing an awareness and respect for the environment, outdoor skills, self-confidence, cooperation and leadership.

Experienced outdoor educators guide campers through a creative program of learning that matches the children's own curiosity and wonder of the natural world with special places and themes that fit each age group's different perspective - their "scale of comprehension."

We get to know each child as an individual and encourage all campers to respect each other's uniqueness. Campers make new friends in an atmosphere of good will, sharing and common outdoor interests.


Day Camp for ages 6 - 12

Day Camp activities include Natural History, Ecology, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Art, Camp Craft, Animal Tracking, Map & Compass Orienteering, Gardening, and Swimming. Each day of camp within a week has a different focus. The individual weeks, however, do not differ. We hike a lot but plan our hikes to be easy at the start of each week. Each day's activities alternate between physically "active" and "restive". Parents tell us that their children come home happy and sleep soundly after each day of camp!

Gardening

Summer is the perfect time of the year for young people to learn many of the elements of gardening. From building healthy soils, to planting and nurturing young plants, to harvesting tasty and nutritious food items, campers will spend the week learning about and practicing good gardening techniques.

Campers will have the opportunity to design a unique garden area that will complement their plantings. Projects include measuring and staking rows and beds, building a simple attractive fence and making special features, such as a trellis or bench.

The benefits of the garden extend well beyond its edge. Many butterflies and birds may be attracted to a garden for feeding and nesting. Wildlife, people and the garden are set in a greater landscape - a natural garden - that provides many opportunities for campers to learn about the ecology of meadow and forest.

The steps taken in the garden are limitless and may guide one to gardening for life. The week will include regular camp activities as well - hiking, swimming, making new friends and having fun.

Art: Inspired by Nature

Nature is a basic source of inspiration for art. Campers are encouraged to see and appreciate the natural world around them and to learn creative ways to portray what they see and feel through a weeklong series of art projects.

Campers will learn some basic art techniques using a variety of traditional media: pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolor, Cray-pas and acrylic paint. Each day will have the opportunity to learn a new medium as well as to gain familiarity with what has just been learned. Campers may document what they have learned through sketchbooks, journals and digital photography.

With nature as a constant with us throughout the week, campers will learn about the many natural materials that they may use to create individual and group-oriented artwork. Some of the natural materials include: grasses, leaves, twigs, moss and stones.

Each day, campers will create one or more art items that will be carefully placed in a personal storage container during the week. At the end of the week, there will be a group art show for families and friends. The week will include regular camp activities as well - hiking, swimming, making new friends and having fun.

Overnight Camp

Overnight Camp includes all of the activities mentioned above in the description for Day Camp. On 3 days we either hike a mountain or canoe a river a short distance from the camp. We sometimes hike Belvidere Mountain or Jay Peak and canoe either the Missisquoi River or the Lamoille River. The longer days allow more time for rest and recreation; time to read a book, write in your journal or just visit with friends. Overnight Camp at the Bear Paw Pond base camp is an excellent way to prepare for bigger adventures in years ahead. Overnight campers stay in 2-person tents on tent platforms. Hearty, delicious meals are prepared by camp staff.

Facilities

Campers gather each morning of Day Camp at the Trails Building next to the parking area at the Bear Paw Pond Area. It's a short walk from the Trails Building each morning to Bear Paw Pond where most of the camp activities take place. The Boat House is where we meet for canoeing and kayaking. This building is also used for Arts and Crafts. The Lean-to and the Dining Shelter are where we have snack and lunch during Day Camp and breakfast and supper in Overnight Camp. The Old Field Shed provides a permanent toilet, and 4 spaces to change in and out of swimsuits.

At the Moosewood Ponds where we hike to for the Wetlands programs, there is a large picnic shelter nestled in a stand of white spruce.

Food

Day campers must bring their own lunch, snack and drink. HNA provides all food for Overnight Camps. Nutritious and delicious meals are carefully planned and prepared by Tiffany Salyards with the Camp Director. Tiffany has been preparing the food for Overnight Camp for 15 years. She is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute and has many years of experience as a professional caterer. We are very fortunate to have Tiffany on the staff again this summer.

Equipment

All group equipment such as life vests, canoes, and tents are provided. Each camper must bring their own personal clothing. Overnight Camp participants must bring their own backpack, sleeping bag and hiking boots. A clothing and equipment checklist is sent with your camp confirmation.

Camp Staff

We are proud of our staff and feel very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people to guide the children through their camp experience. The Hazen's Notch Summer Camp staff consists of enthusiastic and effective educators who have backgrounds in environmental studies, outdoor education, natural resources management and outdoor recreation.

Our staff members are our greatest asset. They are committed to providing a safe, supportive and fun learning environment for the campers. Their commitment to the environment and their compassion for young people have made a difference in the lives of the children who have come to Hazen's Notch.

Volunteers

We are very fortunate to have several camp alumni who each year volunteer their time and energy in support of the Summer Camp. If you have attended the Hazen's Notch Summer Camp in the past and would like to volunteer some time this year, please contact us. You will earn the satisfaction of knowing that you are making an important contribution to a program that means a great deal to many young people. We're sure that it will be fun. It's also a good way to prepare yourself for possible employment with the HNA or a similar organization in the future.


Winston Lewis Campership fund

Hazen's Notch camper's artwork

The Hazen's Notch Summer Camp Programs are of enormous benefit to a great many children in our area. We had come to realize, however, that for some families the cost of Summer Camp is not affordable. In order to make this quality experience available to these children, we established a Campership Fund in 1998. Through the Campership Fund, we offer a reduced camp fee to families who request assistance for their child.

Please consider making a gift to the Hazen's Notch Campership Fund. Your donation will help make it possible for many children to attend camp who might otherwise not be able.

With a generous bequest from the Winston Lewis Charitable Remainder Trust in December 2020, the family of Winston Lewis chose to endow the Hazen's Notch Campership Fund.

Please contact us if you would like more information about the Hazen's Notch Campership Fund.


The 2024 Summer Camp Schedule

Overnight Camp

Sunday at 1 p.m. - Saturday at 11 a.m.
   Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
   One age group: 10-14
   Cost: $475

   Session: July 21 - 27, 2024


Day Camp

Monday - Friday:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
   Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
   3 Age Groups: 6-7, 8-9, 10-12
   Cost: $250

   Session 1 July 8 - 12, 2024
   Session 2 July 29 - August 2, 2024
   Session 3 August 5 - 9, 2024


Family Camp

Wednesday through Friday 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
   Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
   One age group: Pre-school accompanied by an Adult Caregiver
   Cost: Free
   Session: July 1, 2 and 3, 2024
   Come as many days as you like.



With Respect and Gratitude

  We must acknowledge the late Dr. Mitchell Gratwick, former headmaster of Horace Mann School in New York City, former guidance counselor at The Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut, founder of the Roxbury, Connecticut Land Trust and founder and director of Little Brook Day Camp in Roxbury, Connecticut. We will always remember him for his devotion to children, their education and his nuturing of their total being.

  Through Dr. Gratwick we met and learned from Paul Petzoldt, mountaineer, educator and founder of NOLS - the National Outdoor Leadership School, who set us on this path and who grew to be a close friend and mentor.

  We are also grateful to William Garrison of the John Dorr Nature Lab in Washington, Connecticut who taught us so much about the art and passion of teaching.

  And to Dr. Edmund Swigart of the Gunnery School and founder of the Institute for American Indian Studies, both in Washington, Connecticut for his trust and faith in us.

   From the example of these dedicated educators and leaders we have derived our inspiration, vision and commitment to our goals. We are grateful to them all and honor their memories with our work.