Application Process & Important Dates:
How do I apply for camp?
Please review our camp descriptions and dates and then submit an online application. Applications received between January 12 - 14, 2025 will be entered into our initial camp lottery style placement process. You will be notified by email 2 - 3 weeks after the application period about either your applicant(s)’ placement in camp or on the waitlist. Applications received after January 14 will be considered first come, first served for remaining openings or for the waitlist. Learn more about the application process.
Please note: No payment is required to submit an application. We offer payment plans and financial assistance to all families to offset financial barriers. Enrolled applicants will be able to select financial assistance using a need-based sliding scale. A submitted application is not a guarantee for placement in camp.
How many sessions may campers attend?
In order to accommodate the high volume of applicants, each camper may attend only one week of camp. Be sure to select all age-appropriate sessions your applicant can attend on the application to increase your chances of getting in since some weeks fill up quicker than others.
Applicants ages 14 - 17 may apply to participate in both programs, as a camper one session and as a camp youth leader for one or more sessions.
My camper has a summer birthday, can he/she attend camp with his/her peers and not by age?
Yes. If your camper has a summer birthday, you might not be able to select all interested sessions on the application. Please select camp sessions available and add in the notes section of the application which other specific sessions you are interested in adding to your application. If accepted, we will do our best to place your applicant with his/her peers, not just by age.
How does the camp application and placement process work?
To best manage the high volume of camp applications received yearly, we use our camp goals coupled with a lottery style process to ensure the following campers are represented in our programs: returning campers, previously waitlisted applicants, and first-time applicants. We review each application individually and do our best to accommodate and review family applications together if they are indicated in each other’s applications. We will try to enroll applicants in their first choice session. If your first choice is full, we move on to your second choice, etc., until we find a place for your applicant. Some weeks fill up more quickly than others, and we will look at all your choices before placing your applicant on the waitlist. If all camp spots are full, your applicant is placed on the waitlist and contacted as soon as a spot becomes available. Applications received after January 14 will be considered first come, first served for remaining openings or for the waitlist.
I need my children to be able to attend camp in the same week. How can we guarantee this?
We do our best to accommodate and review family applications together if they are indicated in each other’s applications. If you would like your applicants to attend camp during the same week, please be sure to match up their preferences so that their 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. choices match. You are also able to add a note on the application. If we cannot enroll them in the same week, we may enroll one sibling and place the other(s) on the waitlist. Some camp sessions fill up more quickly than others and we will look at all your choices before placing your applicant(s) on the waitlist.
I have applied for camp before and received a placement. What are our chances of receiving a placement this year?
Historically, we’ve seen over 1,000 applicants for approximately 550 camp spaces, and we are unable to guarantee any applicant a camp placement. In past years we fill camp, and begin the waitlist, from the applications we receive during the application process (January 12 - 14, 2025). To best manage the high volume of camp applications received yearly, we use our camp goals in partnership with a lottery style process to ensure the following campers are represented in our programs: returning campers, previously waitlisted applicants, and first-time applicants. Summer camp is just one of the many youth programs Shelburne Farms has to offer. Check out our program calendar for more events. We also welcome families to come explore the Children’s Farmyard and our many trails on their own.
I have applied for camp before and was placed on the waitlist. What are our chances of receiving a placement this year?
Historically, we’ve seen over 1,000 applicants for approximately 550 camp spaces, and we are unable to guarantee any applicant a camp placement. In past years we fill camp, and begin the waitlist, from the applications we receive during the application process (January 12 - 14, 2025). To best manage the high volume of camp applications received yearly, we use our camp goals in partnership with a lottery style process to ensure the following campers are represented in our programs: returning campers, previously waitlisted applicants, and first-time applicants. Our highest demand is for ages 5 - 8. We recognize that some applicants have been placed on the waitlist for two years in a row. We appreciate and keep track of your interest. We encourage you to apply for a third year and we will give you priority and place your applicant into a week of camp. Summer camp is just one of the many youth programs Shelburne Farms has to offer. Check out our program calendar for more events. We also welcome families to come explore the Children’s Farmyard and our many trails on their own.
Notification, Registration & Payment Process:
When will I be notified about camp placements?
All applicants who submitted an application between January 12 - 14, 2025 will be notified by email 2 - 3 weeks after the application period of their applicant(s)’ placement in camp or on a camp waitlist. Each household will receive an email notification with an attachment that includes waitlist or enrollment status. Be sure to scroll through all pages of your notification attachment. Waitlisted applicants will be notified by email if space in a requested camp session becomes available. Applications received after January 14 will be considered first come, first served for remaining openings or for the waitlist.
Enrollment notification emails will include instructions on how to confirm placement by signing in to your online account. Completed forms (including Financial Assistance request) and partial or full payment are required to reserve your camper’s spot. We recommend adding “registration@shelburnefarms.org” and “clutters@shelburnefarms.org” to your email contact list to ensure that you’ll receive our emails.
Do you offer financial assistance? If so, how do we apply?
Yes! We offer payment plans and financial assistance to all families to offset financial barriers. Applicants enrolled in summer camp will be able to select financial assistance using a need-based sliding scale. We kindly ask that you request only as much as you need to make camp affordable so that other families may also receive assistance. From your account you will also be able to set up a payment plan, pay partial, or pay in full.
Can I make a donation to support camp scholarships?
Yes! You can donate to our Program Accessibility & Scholarship Fund when you sign-in to your online account. Gifts of any amount are deeply appreciated. Your charitable contribution will help to keep our programs affordable so that all children may experience the joys and adventures of camp. To contribute to the Accessibility & Scholarship Fund without signing into your online account, please contact Sue Dixon: 802-985-0322.
When and how do I pay for camp? Do I need to make a deposit?
No payment is required to submit an application. We offer payment plans and financial assistance to all families to offset financial barriers. Enrolled applicants will be able to select financial assistance using a need-based sliding scale. If you receive an enrollment notification, please sign-in to your online account to submit all required forms (including Financial Assistance request) and payment (partial or full) for each enrolled camper by February 15, 2025. To cancel your session, please contact Christine Lutters, Assistant Camp Director, at clutters@shelburnefarms.org and include your camper’s full name and enrolled session. We will not cancel your camper until we hear from you, so please let us know if you need to cancel. Please contact Mariah Hawkins, Education Program Administrator and Registrar at registration@shelburnefarms.org for additional questions.
Can I pay by check?
Yes, please select “pay by check” once you sign-in to your online account. We will send you an invoice and make further arrangements. If you have questions about check payments, please contact Mariah Hawkins, Education Program Administrator and Registrar at registration@shelburnefarms.org
How do I get a receipt for camp payment or donation?
When you complete payment online, you’ll receive an automated confirmation email. You may sign-in and select "View details" and then choose ”Season Account Statements” to review and print credit card payment receipts.
What is Shelburne Farms tax ID number?
Our tax ID is 03-0229347.
What if we need to cancel or are not able to attend the offered session?
All camp sessions fill during the initial camp placement process. If you are not able to, or choose not to accept the date you are assigned to camp, we ask that you contact Christine Lutters, Assistant Camp Director, at clutters@shelburnefarms.org to cancel as soon as possible (by February 15, 2025 at the latest) so that we can give your spot to another applicant on the waitlist. We hope that you will not cancel due to a financial barrier. We offer payment plans and financial assistance to all families to offset financial barriers. Enrolled applicants will be able to select financial assistance using a need-based sliding scale.
Please notify Christine Lutters, Assistant Camp Director, at clutters@shelburnefarms.org to cancel, or with questions about cancelling, no later than February 15, 2025. Please remember that we have financial assistance and payment plans available if needed. Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notice given at least 30 days prior to your camp session will receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee. Cancellation notice given within 30 days of your camp session will not receive a refund. If you need to cancel because of COVID-19 or other sickness, and for all other cancellations, please contact Christine with questions or concerns. We also recognize that summer plans can change and occasionally we are able to switch you to a different week of camp if an opening becomes available.
I applied for camp but haven’t heard anything. When will I hear?
You will receive an automated email confirming your application has been submitted. All applicants who submit an application between January 12 - 14 will be notified of enrollment or waitlist status by email within 2 - 3 weeks after the application period. Applicants who apply after the January 14 deadline will receive an automated email confirming their application, and will be considered first come, first served for remaining openings or for the waitlist. We still encourage you to apply. If you do not receive a confirmation or notification email, please first check your spam folders and then contact Mariah Hawkins, Education Program Administrator and Registrar at registration@shelburnefarms.org.
I am on the waitlist. What are my chances of getting off of the waitlist and placed into camp?
If camps are full, there will likely be many cancellations throughout the spring and early summer months. On average, we receive over 100 cancellations each year and we will contact families on the waitlist by email when a space opens up for any of the camps you indicated on your application. If you would like to add more camp sessions as options on the waitlist, please sign-in, view your submitted application, then click on “add campers, sessions, options.” You can then select your camper’s name and add more sessions for the waitlist. Please be sure to “Submit” your updated application. If you would like to be removed from the waitlist, please contact Christine Lutters, Assistant Camp Director, at clutters@shelburnefarms.org.
General Camp Information:
Do you offer before or after care?
Campers may be dropped off as early as 8:00 am and picked up as late as 5:00 pm for all full-day camps, with the exception of Wednesday afternoons. Wednesday after care will be offered until 4:00 pm only, due to an all staff meeting. The fee is $3/half hour per family and can be paid online after your camp week by signing into your account.
My camper has a learning difference, limited mobility or health concerns. Can they participate in camp?
Yes! We strive to make summer camp on our working farm as accessible, safe, and inclusive as possible. We welcome campers who are emerging multilinguals as well as campers with social, emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioral challenges, along with their 1:1 assistant or personal care assistants. We require detailed health information from all enrolled campers to assist us in providing a safe experience for everyone. In many cases we are able to make modifications or adjustments to our program and are open to feedback or ideas. If you have questions or concerns about how we can best support your camper, please contact Jed Norris, Director of Farm-Based Youth Programs, at jnorris@shelburnefarms.org.
My camper has food allergies. Can they participate in camp?
Yes! Please be aware that our facilities are NOT certified nut, dairy or gluten free. We sometimes provide farm-fresh snacks, such as garden fruits and veggies, farm cheese, fresh bread, or cool treats on hot days. With advanced notice we are able to make changes or adjustments to our cooking and snack plans. We will have alternative food available if we know of allergies ahead of the camp week. Please indicate allergies and dietary restrictions on your camper’s information form. If you have questions or concerns about how we can best support your camper, please contact Jed Norris, Director of Farm-Based Youth Programs, at jnorris@shelburnefarms.org
Are lunch and snacks provided for day camp?
No. Please pack snacks, lunch, ice pack, and a water bottle for all of our day camp sessions. We sometimes provide samples of farm-fresh snacks, such as garden fruits and veggies, farm cheese, fresh bread, or cool treats on hot days. (We do provide all snacks and meals in our overnight camp program.)
Is there anything I can do at Shelburne Farms while my camper is participating in a summer camp program?
Yes! Shelburne Farms offers learning experiences for adults and children of all ages, as well as ten miles of walking trails, daily tours, an award-winning farm to table restaurant serving breakfast and dinner daily, and a Welcome Center & Farm Store. Check out our program calendar to see what’s coming up, and learn more about becoming a member today!