Merck Forest & Farmland Center
Camp Program
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
We believe that children thrive when given the freedom to immerse themselves in nature through exploration and guided discovery. By slowing down and using their senses to fully experience the world around them, campers develop a sense of curiosity, love and responsibility. Through this, they emerge with deeper empathy, a better sense of their place in the world, and the knowledge that they can make a difference.
How to Register
- Review camp descriptions and dates below and choose the one that’s right for your child.
- Still have questions? See FAQs about Summer Camp
- Select, pay for, and reserve your spot at camp by clicking on the links attached to each camp description.
- Receive, complete, and return camp registration forms by June 1st (for ALL summer camps).
- Receive final confirmation. Your child is now registered — congratulations on completing camp registration!
Our Cancellation Policy:
Refunds and changes in registration may be subject to a $50 non-refundable processing fee according to these policies:
- Registration is not considered complete until all forms have been submitted. Failure to submit completed registration forms will result in a loss of space in the camp and any tuition paid.
- Cancellation requests received at least 28 days before the first day of camp will receive a refund, less the $50 processing fee.
- Cancellation requests received within 28 days of the first day of camp will not be refunded, unless we are able to fill your reservation with a child from the waiting list. In such a case the $50 administrative fee will be levied.
- We will not refund registration fees if a child misses one or more days of camp due to illness, unexpected family obligations, dismissal, or any other foreseen event. Other children may not be substituted into your child’s vacant spot.
- We reserve the right to cancel a camp program due to low enrollment; in this situation we will work to place campers into another camp or we will issue a full refund.
- We reserve the right to cancel a camp program due to unforeseen circumstances, in which case full refunds will be issued.
APRIL 17 through APRIL 20: SPRING BREAK CAMP. Grades 2/3/4/5
Grades 2/3/4/5
April 17-20 (Monday thru Thursday), 9am – 3pm
$220
It’s spring time, and the farm is waking up just in time for Spring Break! Join us for four days of camp, as we meet new lambs and hatching chicks, play games, help get the farm ready for spring, learn about the sugaring season, and explore and experience Merck Forest during this special time of the year.
JUNE 26 through JUNE 30: TRAIL CREW CAMP. Grades 7/8
Grades 7/8
June 26 – June 30, 9am – 3pm
$275
Maximum 8 campers
Trail crew members will trek through field and forest, learning how to steward working lands. Through hands-on explorations and projects, they’ll develop practical backcountry and primitive skills, engage in citizen science, and participate in service-learning projects. Crew members will navigate with map and compass, construct shelters, lop invasive and tackle trail work as they explore the front- and backcountry of Merck Forest.
JULY 10 through 14: FIELD & FOREST CAMP. Grades 4/5/6
Grades 4/5/6
July 10 to 14, 9am – 3pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
Join our older cohort as we explore and experience the highlights of MFFC: from ponds and streams, to pastures and berry patches to trails and woods. We’ll spend time on creative crafting projects, daily hikes and excursions, hands-0n experiences, cooperative games and play, and activities focused on observing and investigating Merck’s many habitats and inhabitants. Campers will get their hands dirty constructing fairy houses, get up close and personal with trees, pick berries from bushes, dip nets into Page Pond, and visit the pastures where our farm animals live. Each camp day starts and ends at our forest yurt, with excursions and activities taking us to visit other on-site destinations through the week.
July 10 through July 14: FARM CAMP. Grades 1/2/3
Grades 1/2/3
July 10 – July 14, 9am – 3pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
This camp focuses on the 62-acre farm at Merck Forest. Join our younger cohort as we dive headfirst into learning what a farm is, who lives on our farm, and how the farm works. We’ll visit, care for, and experience the farm animals, participate in hands-on farm-related projects and crafts, see and use tools and equipment used on the farm, play games, and explore the landscape at and around the farm. This camp will be based out of the Sap House, within easy reach of the farm and Page Pond.
July 17 through 21: FIELD AND FOREST CAMP. Grades 1/2/3
Grades 1/2/3
July 17 – 21, 9am – 3pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
Join our younger cohort as we explore and experience the highlights of MFFC: from ponds and streams, to pastures and berry patches, to trails and woods. We’ll spend time on creative crafting projects, daily hikes and excursions, hands-on experiences, cooperative games and play, and activities focused on observing and investigating Merck’s many habitats and inhabitants. Campers will get their hands dirty constructing fairy houses, get up close and personal with trees, pick berries from bushes, dip nets in Page Pond, and visit the pastures where our farm animals live. Each camp day starts and ends at our forest yurt, with excursions and activities taking us to visit other on-site destinations through the week.
July 17 through 21: FIELD AND FOREST CAMP. Grades 4/5/6
Grades 4/5/6.
July 17 – 21, 9:00am – 3:00pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
Join our older cohort as we explore and experience the highlights of MFFC: from ponds and streams, to pastures and berry patches, to trails and woods. We’ll spend time on creative crafting projects, daily hikes and excursions, hands-on experiences, cooperative games and play, and activities focused on observing and investigating Merck’s many habitats and inhabitants. Campers will get their hands dirty constructing fairy houses, get up close and personal with trees, pick berries from bushes, dip nets in Page Pond, and visit the pastures where our farm animals live. Each camp day starts and ends at the Sap House, with excursions and activities taking us to visit other on-site destinations through the week.
July 24 through July 28: FIELD AND FOREST CAMP. Grades 1/2/3
Grades 1/2/3
July 24 through July 28, 9am – 3pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
Join our younger cohort as we explore and experience the highlights of MFFC: from ponds and streams, to pastures and berry patches, to trails and woods. We’ll spend time on creative crafting projects, daily hikes and excursions, hands-on experiences, cooperative games and play, and activities focused on observing and investigating Merck’s many habitats and inhabitants.
Campers will build outdoor skills, hone their powers of observation and inquiry, and explore each corner of Merck Forest that we visit. Each camp day starts and ends at our forest yurt, with excursions and activities taking us to visit other on-site destinations through the week.
July 24 through 28: FIELD & FOREST CAMP. Grades 4/5/6
Grades 4/5/6
July 24 – 28, 9:00am – 3:00pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
Join our older cohort as we explore and experience the highlights of MFFC: from ponds and streams, to pastures and berry patches, to trails and woods. We’ll spend time on creative crafting projects, daily hikes and excursions, hands-on experiences, cooperative games and play, and activities focused on observing and investigating Merck’s many habitats and inhabitants. Campers will get their hands dirty constructing fairy houses, get up close and personal with trees, pick berries from bushes, dip nets in Page Pond, and visit the pastures where our farm animals live. Each camp day starts and ends at the Sap House, with excursions and activities taking us to visit other on-site destinations through the week.
July 31 through August 4: FIELD AND FOREST CAMP, Grades 1/2/3
Grades 1/2/3.
July 31 through August 4, 9am – 3pm.
$275
Join our younger cohort as we explore and experience the highlights of MFFC: from ponds and streams, to pastures and berry patches, to trails and woods. We’ll spend time on creative crafting projects, daily hikes and excursions, hands-on experiences, cooperative games and play, and activities focused on observing and investigating Merck’s many habitats and inhabitants.
Campers will build outdoor skills, hone their powers of observation and inquiry, and explore each corner of Merck Forest that we visit. Each camp day starts and ends at our forest yurt, with excursions and activities taking us to visit other on-site destinations through the week.
July 31 through August 4: FARM CAMP, Grades 4/5/6
Grades 4/5/6
July 31 – August 4, 9am – 3pm
$275
Maximum 10 campers
This camp focuses on the 62-acre farm at Merck: join our older cohort as we dive headfirst into learning what a farm is, who lives on our farm, and how the farm works. We’ll visit, care for, and experience the farm animals, participate in hands-on farm-related projects and crafts, see and use tools and equipment used on the farm, play games, and explore the landscape at and around the farm. This camp will be based out of the Sap House, within easy reach of the farm and Page Pond.
August 7 through August 11: FARM CREW CAMP, Grades 7/8
Grades 7/8
August 7 – 11, 9am – 3pm
$275Maximum 8 campers
Farm Crew members will experience the farm’s inhabitants and processes, learning about all the moving parts of a farm while participating in team-building activities, developing practical skills using tools, engaging in service-learning projects and farm activities, and learning about the daily care and stewardship of a farm through hands-on experiences. Crew members will do farm chores, harvest and use farm products, and create and construct farm structures as they learn, work, and explore at Merck’s working farm.
If, after reviewing the documents in the registration packet, you have questions or require additional information,
contact Education Cara Davenport at 802-394-2581 or cara@merckforest.org .