Autumn is a spectacular time to spend at camp. The leaves are changing, the weather cools a bit, and the beauty of this place really shines through.
The fall program at Windsor Mountain offers campers the opportunity to be engaged in their remote-learning while being part of the Windsor Mountain community. With the loss of traditional “school,” students have lost connectedness and community with peers, which has had an impact on their social and emotional health. At Windsor Mountain this fall, we seek to infuse each camper’s remote-learning with a community of peers and role-models. We seek to offer campers fun-filled “camp-y” afternoons in the New England fall. We seek to balance remote-learning with the opportunity to learn new skills, develop life-long friendships, and play in nature.
Here are details of the program:
Dates: Saturday, September 12 – Monday, October 12
Rate: $6,695
Capacity: 40-50 campers
Windsor Mountain Fall “School” Daily Schedule (Monday – Friday)
7:30 a.m. – Wake-Up
7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast/Clean-up
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – remote learning/school-work, lunch, breaks, etc. (the ending time of 2:30 is approximate, as some students might finish early and some might need additional time)
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Camp Activity Time/Free-Time
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Free Technology time (games, social, etc.)
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Evening Activity
9:30 p.m. (approx.) – Quiet on-camp
Windsor Mountain Fall “School” Weekend Schedule
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Breakfast/Clean-up
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Morning Meeting and First Activity Block
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Rest Hour/Free Technology
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Second Activity Block
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Free Time/Free Technology/School Work (if needed)
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Evening Activity
9:30 p.m. (approx.) – Quiet on-camp
Individualized Supervision for Schoolwork
Here is how supervision for schoolwork is going to take place. We will divide campers into “school pods” of four with one supervising staff member assigned to that pod. Ideally, this staff member would be assigned to the same pod for the entirety of the session so that this individual could get to know the rhythms of each camper’s school day/assignments.
At the beginning of each day, each of the four campers will provide to the pod’s staff member a checklist of work required for each of them for that day. The staff member will check-in with the campers in their pod throughout the “school day” to ensure that everyone is staying on-task and completing work. Before being “checked-out” for the school portion of the day, each camper will show their work to the supervising staff member who will ensure that all assignments for that day have been completed. Please note that staff members are not correcting or editing work but rather ensuring that it is submitted as required.
Using this small “pod” format, the supervising staff member has the ability to work flexibly with each camper to adjust daily schedules as necessary or appropriate. Therefore, if a camper has an evening Zoom call, for example, the staff member will know and will help ensure that the camper is ready for the call when the time comes.
Campers will be “connected” during the school day to be able to chat with teachers, parents, etc. Also, parents will have contact information for the pod staff member and will be able to communicate them directly about each camper.
Covid Cohorting?
Unlike how we operated this summer, there will not be separate cohorts at camp during this fall program because the population at camp will be much smaller and everyone will be tested/quarantined. Or said another way, everyone will be in the same cohort (with the exception of the first three days while we await the results of the arrival day tests).
Schoolwork Spaces
Because we are limiting the number of campers who can join this program, we will have ample space for school-related tasks. Primarily, we will be using the infirmary building and main office building as locations for where campers will complete schoolwork (including the porches of these buildings to work outside if so desired). While campers will primarily be sharing work space with their pods, these two buildings alone offer lots of space for campers to spread out and have their own work areas. Also, there are several areas where campers will be able to have private calls with teachers, etc. as needed. Regardless, each camper will be required to bring headphones so that they can listen to calls/lectures/presentations and not disturb others.
Living Accommodations
Campers will be living in the red cabins with bathrooms (heated as necessary).
Internet Capacity
Despite being up here in the woods of the third smallest town south of the White Mountains, we actually have excellent internet capacity and speeds (fiberoptic) in our office and infirmary building. I already have contacted our internet provider about adding additional capacity as needed, and there will be no problem to do so. This fall “school” program only works if we have sufficient internet capability, so we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that this is the case.
Technology
Unlike at camp during the summer, campers will have their phones and laptops at certain times of the day. Campers will be able to use technology during the school day as needed, as well as during free technology time. Technology usage will be limited to “classrooms” and community spaces and will be prohibited in bedrooms/bunks at night. Please note that while campers will be required to use technology in community spaces, staff members will not be monitoring every aspect of their usage, such as the websites they visit or texts they send. Parents should enable any appropriate parental restrictions on devices and/or other appropriate monitoring apps as desired.
Camper Supervision
Camper supervision will work much in the same way as it does in the summer. Counselors will be responsible for a particular “pod” of campers and will work to ensure that their campers are safe, happy and healthy. These counselors also will work to ensure campers are engaged in their school-work and completing their assignments. After school, our counselors will provide after-school programming for our campers in areas of expertise, such as arts, music, and sports. Counselors will provide supervision and programming in the evenings as well as overnight (staff members wills tay in a separate room in the infirmary building or in the cabin with the bunk). While campers will have free time, there will be parameters about where they can go so they can be supervised.
Afternoon and Evening Programming
Once campers finish their school day by around 2:30 p.m. we’ll transition to more traditional camp-style programing. As long as the weather is nice enough we’ll ask everyone to spend the afternoon outside, and we’ll offer a variety of activities during this period. Our staff will lead sports, arts, and music activities, as well as hikes through the woods and paddles out to the marsh. Campers can participate in as much as they’d like, or they can choose to spend their time reading a book or hanging with their friends in a supervised, outdoor location (without technology…).
From 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. we’ll allow the campers “free” recreational technology time before dinner. Any campers who have additional schoolwork to complete will have time after dinner. Again, because the scholastic pods are small and attention individualized, the campers can make changes to their schedules with their pod staff member as necessary (for example, to accommodate a group project “Zoom” call).
After dinner we’ll spend some time together in the evenings. Some nights there will be an organized activity for everyone to participate in that might be similar to “regular” camp evening activities. Other nights will be more casual with a campfire going outside and board games available inside.
Testing and Quarantine Prior to Fall Program
Similar to the summer program, we will require a testing and quarantine protocol. Pursuant to the State of New Hampshire rules, campers must quarantine 14 days in advance of joining and obtain a negative PCR nasal test within seven days of the start date. As we did for the summer program, we likely will assist families in making sure that they have access to testing that will meet the requirements. Campers also will be tested upon arrival to camp and will be kept in very small groups until Tuesday when the results are returned.
On-Site Directors
The on-site Directors for the program will be Curtis and Gabby, our long-time Assistant Director and Head Counselor. This role is nothing new for them, as they both run operations in the autumn at Windsor Mountain, including our school group programs and weddings. Jake and Kerry will not be here at camp on the daily but always will be available and keeping close contact with Curtis and Gabby.
Please feel free to email [email protected] if you have any questions about this program.
To enroll, please click this link – ENROLL.