Camp DREAM
Here you'll find a description of both our Summer Camp which runs from July through August and Winter Adventure Camp (WAC)
which is held every weekend between January and March.
If dates have been finalized you'll find them here too! Click HERE to view the 2008 Full Camp Schedule.
If there is any other information about our Camp program that you would like to see posted here, please contact Sarah at 802-338-8979 (our Ben+Jerry's Office) or Sarah@dreamprogram.org
What is Summer Camp?
Summer at Camp DREAM is a time for the children involved in our program to explore, grow, and learn outside their everyday environment. For some children, our 50 acre camp in Fletcher, VT provides their first experience to independently interact with the great outdoors. For others, Camp DREAM becomes a highly anticipated experience that grows and changes as they do. Camp DREAM makes sure that every DREAM child who wishes to come to camp has that opportunity by offering comprehensive Camperships.
The campers spend their days mountain biking, playing Frisbee golf on our 9-hole course, swimming, and working in our own organic garden. Campers learn to canoe and kayak in the tranquil waters of Metcalf Pond, and to work with their peers on the elements of our low ropes course. Participation in work projects such as planning our orchard, repairing trails, and building a clay oven help campers develop a sense of ownership of camp. There are opportunities to play Capture the Flag and experience countless adventures tubing on a nearby river or hiking through the mountains. Campers also learn about the simple wonders of nature through an environmental education program which includes forays through our new marsh boardwalk to Fern Gully. At night, we gather around the fire circle in our amphitheater to share reflections on the day’s events, tell stories, sing songs, and roast apples.
Our programming focuses on themes of self-reliance, environmental education, and the strengthening of interpersonal skills and friendships. It is our hope that campers and staff leave Camp DREAM feeling ever more connected to the growing network of DREAMers across Vermont.
The Details
- Each session is a 3 or 5 day overnight camping experience. Campers should be between 8- and 17-years old and live in a DREAM community. You do not need to be an active member in the DREAM Program to come to Camp DREAM.
- Each session brings together DREAM youth of the same age and gender (exception: 13+ co-ed session) from across the state of VT, allowing campers to create new friendships and strengthen old bonds.
Activities to Look Forward To!
Nature Hikes + Kayaking & Canoeing + Crazy Songs
Camp Fires + Arts & Crafts + Swimming
Cooking + Old and New Friends + Exploring
Parents
If you are a DREAM parent searching for Camp permission forms and such, please refer to our Parents section.
Campers
If you are a DREAM camper thinking about last summer, check out our Campers page to see pictures and an overview of your session. You can also see what’s coming up next at Camp DREAM!
Staff and Mentors
In addition to our five permanent office staff (Chris, Tara, Steph, Lauren, and Sarah) we will hire two full-time program directors, a waterfront director, and a Camp iron chef for the summer. If you’re interested in any of the above positions, please see the Mentors and Staff camp page for more details.
** Questions about a summer job? Go here or contact Chris (Chris@dreamprogram.org) **
We also love it when mentors want to become volunteer counselors for the day or a whole session (or 6)! Talk to your mentee about going to camp for the first time or going back for more unbridled fun and excitement. Then, check out the Camp Calendar to see when your mentee will be at camp and let us know if you’d like to volunteer.
** Questions about volunteering? Go here or Contact Lauren (Lauren@dreamprogram.org) **
What is Winter Adventure Camp (WAC)?
Winter Adventure Camp (WAC) is a raucous ruckus of DREAMers running amuck in a wintry wonderland. Though the winter may seem like a time to stay indoors and hide from the elements, DREAM strongly believes that outdoor adventures can occur during any season. Camp offers a space to expand boundaries and experiences in a mentally and physically safe environment. The boundless laughter, fun, and revelry that echo across Metcalf Pond through the crisp, frigid air are proof enough that every WAC is a success!
WAC also provides a time for mentors and mentees to be together in a new place and bond during a different type of adventure. Each WAC session consists of the mentors and mentees (age 10+) from the same local program. This differs from Summer Camp, when the children are assigned sessions based on their age. WAC runs from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning and is filled with classic winter activities like sledding, XC-skiing, broomball on Metcalf Pond, songs around the campfire, and building snow sculptures. However, a unique twist is put on these activities once the local program chooses a theme for their weekend. Themes can range from the tried and true PIRATES to new exploratory themes like UNDER THE SEA or OUTER SPACE/STAR WARS. WAC could even become KING ARTHUR’S COURT where everyone rides a “horse” around camp for the weekend!
>>>View the Offical WAC Web Page <<<
But really the best way to understand WAC is to read the following quotes from mentors after their WAC weekend in 2006.
“I was not really sure what to expect from WAC. I had never spent the night outside in the winter before…I wasn't expecting to have as much fun as I did. I thought it was going to be really cold, but I had such an awesome time. I loved it all. Sledding, camping, playing on the ice, the campfire, everything was amazing. I had such an awesome time.”
“I wasn't expecting the flexibility of the program at WAC. While therewas no lack of games to play or activities to do, there were also nodemands on what we had to do or when we had to do it. WAC was a product of what we,the kids (young and old), felt was the best way to spend our time. Ofcourse this was only possible because of the super duper program thatwe were presented with.”
“My favorite parts of WAC: the overall craziness and good times. The positive energy. Sharing a tent with the kids. The giant bruise I have from running into a tree while playing Pruee. The three-hour-long game of Capture the Flag. The anti-talent show (specifically Floyd wrestling a ‘bear’ and Jen's disappearing act). The scavenger hunt. Rocking out to really bad music on the way home.”
“So many people were having non-stop fun. It was a really positive environment, and I think everyone in the world should have a weekend like WAC.”
“Possibly one of the best times ever with DREAM. I never will forget this weekend.”
Parents
If you are a DREAM parent searching for Camp permission forms, packing lists and other information, please refer to our Parents section.
Campers
Check out the Campers page to see when your WAC session is and what your theme will be. And, if you’ve been to WAC before, make sure to talk with your mentor about what you really want to do at WAC again this year!
Mentors
Remember, WAC is for mentees 10+ but ANY MENTOR is more than welcome to be part of a wonderful WAC weekend with your local program. Also, the more involved you are in helping plan for and lead during WAC, the more this unique weekend can help support your program’s growth and DREAMs! There are lots of ideas and helpful hints on the Mentors and Staff page!
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