FAQs
What are the dates and hours for summer 2020?
Summer 2020 will start on Monday, June 22nd and end on Friday, August 14th. The buses pull into camp between 8:55 and 9:10.
Round-up, which is our morning all camp activity runs from 9:15 -9:30 with the first group activity beginning at 9:30. The buses leave at 4 pm.
Is there a Before and After Care program?
We are happy to say that we offer an Extended AM program which runs from 7:30-9:00 am and an Extended PM program which runs from 4:00-6:00 pm.
This program is overseen by our awesome staff who will run sports, crafts and group games. There are even lifeguards in the afternoon so our campers can swim in our beautiful heated pool!!
A morning and afternoon snack are provided for each camper. You can sign up to use this program on a daily basis or just as needed. We are flexible to fit your schedule and needs.
What are the age ranges of the campers?
Our campers range in age from 3 all the way up to 14 years of age. Campers must be potty trained to attend camp.
How many children will be in my child’s group and how will it be staffed?
The size of a group is usually 18 children with 5 staff members. Please note that we only hire educators to run the camp groups. Our head staff consists of teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, etc. The group will also have Junior Counselors. The majority of our junior staff is college-age but there are a few high school age junior staff who have trained with us as CIT’s and Sr. CIT’s.
Does my child need to bring lunch or does the camp provide lunch?
Maplewood offers both options. Campers can bring their own lunch to camp. These lunches are refrigerated. The other option is our program called Smart Lunches. Camp families can order healthy lunches on-line which are delivered right to the camper at their scheduled lunchtime. Smart Lunches offers a full menu of cold and hot options.
What should my camper bring to camp each day?
Your child should bring 2 bathing suits; towels; flip-flops or sandals for the pool; sunblock; insect repellant towelettes: a hat or visor, lunch (if not ordering from Smart Lunches) and a jacket or sweatshirt if it is cool.
How do you hire and screen your staff?
Our staff is our most important asset. We take pride in providing mature, professionally trained and motivated staff.
Our head staff consists of a mixture of teachers, guidance counselors, and school psychologists and come to us with a wealth of childcare experience.
Each applicant must undergo a rigorous one-on-one interview with the Director.
Staff members must have excellent references, impressive experience working with children and a willingness to dedicate their summer to the care and supervision or our campers. In addition, we conduct extensive background checks in the form of CORI and SORI reporting.
Many of our staff members are former Maplewood campers and many have been with us for 10, 15, even 25 years. They truly are a part of our camp family.
Do you provide swim instruction for campers?
Since 1965 over 25,000 children have learned to swim at Maplewood. Highly trained and experienced Certified Water Safety Instructors who have worked at Maplewood for 5, 10 and even 15 years guide our campers to success in swimming.
Our 2 heated Olympic-sized heated pools are specifically designed for all swim levels from beginner to advanced swimmer. Campers swim twice a day, a 30-minute swim lesson each morning and a one hour free swim time each afternoon.
What are the benefits of having heated swimming pools at a camp?
Maplewood is lucky enough to have our 5-acre lake which we use for boating and fishing, not swimming. Unlike a heated pool, lake water is not the best place to teach children to swim. It is difficult to keep children in cold water for any significant length of time.
Our heated Olympic-size pools enhance our recreational and instructional swim programs. Campers never complain about the instructional swim and stay in the water as long as they possibly can.
What happens at camp on a rainy day?
We never stop, even when it rains. Each group has its own customized rainy day schedule. We have a multitude of indoor space that can accommodate all campers and staff.
Campers will still be able to engage in sports, rock climbing, gymnastics, art, dance, drama, music and more!!! The fun never stops even if the sun is not shining. Remember to pack your camper a rain jacket or sweatshirt.
Do you provide bus transportation and is there a cost?
We do provide bus transportation to the following towns, Easton, Sharon, Canton, Mansfield, Stoughton, Foxboro, Bridgewater, Raynham, Taunton, Wrentham, Franklin, Plainville, and Norfolk areas. We do have a few centralized stops but most of our buses will go into or near your neighborhood so you will find that you will have a stop close to your house.
The bus routes will be available at the end of May and you will receive information regarding the location of your bus stop and the time of AM pick-up and PM drop-off.
What distinguishes Maplewood from other camps?
Maplewood provides a unique summer experience with an emphasis on family, friendship, and community. We are proud of our well-rounded program which offers a multitude of structured options for every type of interest.
The staff that we employ also sets us apart from other camps. There is a true value to hiring a professional, experienced staff that will be there for your children, guiding them through their day.
You will find that we value every camper and staff member and always look forward to welcoming new and old campers into our camp family.
Do you have a nurse on staff?
Yes, we have a registered nurse on staff to care for your child if they are not feeling well or need medication administered during the camp day. Our nurses come to us with many years of nursing experience. They can handle everything from minor cuts to more serious medical concerns such as asthma, food allergies, and diabetes. The nurse's office is air-conditioned and has a quiet space for campers to rest if needed.