Tom Denney Nature Camp

 

Programs

Experience a variety of habitats and wildlife at Tom Denney Nature Camp! Explore the outdoors, do hands-on activities, observe wildlife, play active games, make crafts, and more. Different age groups will explore weekly themes through age-appropriate activities and outings. Sign up for one or more of these exciting weeks! 

Tom Denney
Entering Grades K–8 

Activities we play include games in the woods and fields, Predator & Prey (an all-camp tag game), The Amazing Race (team challenges), swimming, hiking, arts & crafts, songs, campfires to cook hot dogs and marshmallows, shelter building, exotic animals from Animal Adventures & more!

Eco Adventures

Entering Grades 6-9 

Campers will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, sleep overnight in the big tent and play night games and roast marshmallows, have a raft building competition, go an adventure hike, do team building activities & more!

Counselor in Training
Entering Grades 9 and above 

CITs attend a 3-day Orientation and work a minimum of 2 weeks.

CITs gain valuable work and leadership experience and have fun!

Time can be used for volunteer hours.

Camp Logistics & Facilities

Camp is held on the beautiful Bower Springs conservation land in Bolton, MA.

Two ponds for swimming, kayaking, raft building contest, and ponding (catching and releasing frogs and fish)

A large mowed field for games

Woods for games and shelter building which also keep out the hot sun and most of the rain

Miles of well-maintained hiking trails

Camp Circle with logs for sitting, picnic tables for arts & crafts, sheds and a campfire pit

There is a large tent with sides and port-a potties

Camp is only canceled if there is thunder/lightening.

We play in the rain!

The GPS address is 40 Flanagan Road. There is a parking lot on the left at the end of the road.

 

The camp day is 9:00am–3:00pm

Before/After Camp Options:

Drop off between 7:00am-9:00am

3:00pm–whenever you need to pick-up

You pay counselors hourly at the end of the week for what you need.

Please email the camp to work out your individual needs. bcttdnc@gmail.com

Our Staff and Credentials

Our staff does everything with the campers. We couldn’t get them to not play the games!

Each staff member completes a file with health and legal records, CORI/SORI, concussion training and recommendations.

There is a pre-camp staff orientation for training. The first thing they learn is the camp motto: Safe, Fun, Nature!

Lifeguards are certified with their lifeguarding certificates we all as First Aid and CPR.

The Camp Health Care Consultant reviews all our policies and procedures.

The Camp Inspector reviews all of our staff and camper’s files, facilities and policies and procedures.

TDNC complies with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is licensed by the Town of Bolton Board of Health.

Since the Bolton Conservation Trust is a non-profit organization this donation may be tax deductible. Please contact your financial advisor. The tax identification number is 510-143-182.

 

Registration Information

Registration Opens February 1

Go to the camp website at http://tdnc.boltonconservationtrust.org

1) Choose a week below and enter your information. There are two different programs and five weeks for each program, so make sure to choose the correct one.

2) Complete your registration payment

Be sure to complete registration payment online here or by check via mail to:

Bolton Conservation Trust - TDNC

P.O. Box 14

Bolton, MA 01740

Once you've paid online, you will receive a separate email confirmation of your payment.

Since the Bolton Conservation Trust is a non-profit organization, some portion of your donation may be tax deductible. Please contact your financial advisor. The tax identification number is 510-143-182.

3) Sign and mail all the necessary forms by April 1:

If all forms are not received by April 1, a late fee of $25 will be added. If you register after April 1, your forms must be received within one week. After one week, the $25 late fee will be added.

Do not fax or email your forms. Forms must be mailed to:

Bolton Conservation Trust - TDNC

P.O. Box 14,

Bolton, MA 01740

• The Camp Release Form.

Each camper needs their own form so do NOT put siblings on same form.

• A Physician's Form from your child's latest well visit to their doctor (photocopy is fine).
  The visit must have occurred within 18 months of the camp session. The form must list all immunizations received and confirm your child is able to attend camp with no restrictions. (Note: if your child has not received all their immunizations, please send an original parent/guardian signed letter explaining the reason).

• An Authorization to Administer Medication Form if needed.
  This form has to be the TDNC form specific to this camp and cannot be any other form. The signature needs to be original.

When will you hear from us?

You will receive three separate confirmation emails from us:

1) Online registration confirmation

2) Online credit card payment confirmation (if you pay that way or you can send a check)

3) Final confirmation from the Bolton Conservation Trust Tom Denney Nature Camp that your registration is complete. This final confirmation will arrive in May, and only once the above steps have been received and approved.

What if you have a question?

If you have questions, please review the Frequently Asked Questions section of this website or contact the Bolton Conservation Trust. The fastest way to receive an answer back from the Trust is via email at . Otherwise, feel free to leave a voicemail message at 978-429-3004

To view or revise your registration, click here to log into your account where you will be able to update your information.

Thank you,

Bolton Conservation Trust

 

If you have questions please contact the Bolton Conservation Trust. The fastest way to receive an answer back from the Trust is via email at and we will either email you back or you can leave a phone number and we will call you back. Otherwise, feel free to leave a voice mail message at 978-429-3004 (and please answer your phone when we call you back even if the number does not look familiar since it won't be the one listed here).

What Campers Say About Tom Denney Nature Camp

“I liked the 'Predator-Prey' game and the fun and funny counselors.”
JTL, Grade 3

“I really liked that the counselors play all the games with us. ‘Tracking' was fun. I like free choice; you can do different outdoor activities every day.”
LB Grade 1

“I loved ‘The Amazing Race’ and toasting marshmallows over the campfire. I learned some new crafts, we went for nature hikes and they showed us plants that were in the woods.”
RA Grade 3

“I enjoyed learning about survival in the woods. It was exciting when our group built a shelter and the counselors poured water over it to see if we got wet.”
ER Grade 5

“Kayaking in the pond and playing games in the boats was cool."
SM Grade 8

“Sleeping in the tent after swimming in the dark and sitting around the campfire was an experience I'll never forget."
OB Grade 7

“I liked being outside and playing ‘Camouflage.'”
BF Grade 6

“I enjoyed the treasure hunt, arts and crafts and swimming.”
MM Grade 2

“Our skit on Friday was so much fun to perform for the parents.”
DM Grade 5

“I never knew all the fun I could have in my own backyard, but after being at camp I see how fun and exciting nature can be.”
BW Grade 4

“Climbing through the ropes course and maze was excellent.”
  GM Grade 8

“It’s an exciting and different camp. I caught a snake; it was cool.”
CG Grade 3 

Tom Denney Nature Camp

COVID-19 Guidelines

Tom Denney Nature Camp will be adhering to the guidelines from the State of Massachusetts.

We have put much thought into activities that would be fun and also safe. The staff has been working tirelessly to make this camp experience fun for your child. It will not look like a regular year at camp, however we are hoping that we can provide your child with some outdoor time and socialization and some sense of normalcy.

• There will be staff training for COVID-19 guidelines.
• Campers/staff will have a health check each day. Anyone answering yes to any of the questions will not be allowed at camp. Campers/staff will be monitored for symptoms of COVID-19.
• If campers/staff show symptoms of COVID-19, they will be isolated and dismissed from camp, and areas and items will be disinfected.
• Please stay in your car along the right side of Flanagan Road for Drop-off and Pick-up until directed into the parking lot. The same person is encouraged to drop-off/pick-up each day. It is encouraged to not carpool. Parents will stay in their car and wear masks while talking to staff/giving medicine/signing papers. Please be patient with the process as it will take longer than usual.
• Monday morning each parent will be given a pen to use to sign the health check each morning and also sign-out their camper at the end of each day.
• Parents are not allowed at camp.
• Campers/staff are required to bring masks to camp with their names on them and wear them whenever they are within 6 feet of each other. Masks may be taken off to eat and for mask breaks and other activities, and will be spaced 6 feet away from each other.
• Hand sanitizer/disinfectant wipes will be required to be brought by campers/staff and have their names on them, and will be reminded to use them often.
• Surfaces such as potties and activity objects will be sanitized frequently and before/after activities.
• We are a carry in/carry out camp so campers/staff will bring in their own food and take out their own trash. We have a no food sharing policy. The exception to food will be Thursdays when the Eco Adventures campers stay after camp (e.g. pizza will be ordered instead of the usual cookout food, and snacks and dessert will be given using gloves).
• Campers/staff must bring enough water for each day. There is emergency water collected from the approved Emerson School source that will be kept at the staff station.
• Groups will be comprised of 12 people or fewer. Groups will stay 12 feet away from each other.
• There will be a campfire for lunch (weather permitting) Monday-Thursday for campers (TD&EA)/staff.
• Campers/staff should wear clothes/shoes that can get dirty/stain from nature/disinfectant/sanitizers/etc.
• Swimming will be available during free choice time with swimmers not wearing masks and with 6 feet spacing. Swimming is not mandatory. Other choices are games and arts & crafts. Eco Adventures campers will kayak with the same rules. Campers must be able to fully change themselves as staff will not be able to help.
• Lifejackets (for swimming/kayaking) will be assigned to a camper for the week or you may bring your own as long as it is U.S. Coast Guard approved.
• Thursday for Eco Adventures will not be an overnight, however the campers are invited to stay at camp until 10:00pm.
• Friday Pick-up for Tom Denney and Eco Adventures campers will be at 2:00pm. Families will not be invited to camp as usual. Instead, a video of the Friday performances will be posted online later.
• If there is thunder/lightning, then camp will not be held. If there is prolonged heavy rain/downpours, then camp may not be held. If there is light rain, then camp will be held and we will make use of the tents for eating, etc. If campers are at home for a length of time during the camp day, then we are hoping to have some mini interactive virtual sessions available for fun.
• Everything must be labeled (e.g. water bottle, backpack, mask, hand sanitizer, clothes, etc.)
• A poster of guidelines will be placed in the Bowers Springs bulletin board.

Tom Denney Nature Camp

COVID-19 Health Check for Campers & Staff

• The health and safety of our campers and staff is always our first concern. We are closely following official COVID-19 recommendations provided by the State of Massachusetts.

• To help create a safer environment, it is our expectation that you will arrive for your camp day without any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 and that you will not have been in close contact with anyone who has those symptoms.

• We are providing you with a series of questions that health agencies have said that we should all be asking ourselves every day in order to promote public safety during this pandemic. Please use these questions to self-screen at home prior to arriving at camp.

• Although the questions below are related to COVID-19, as always, if you are not feeling well you should stay home and call camp to report the absence.

• If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then we are sorry, but you will not be allowed at camp.

• Individuals who decline to complete the pre-screening questionnaire will not be permitted at camp.

Questions:

Today or in the past 24 hours, have you or any household members had any of the following symptoms?

• Fever (temperature of 100.0°F or above), felt feverish, or had chills?
• Cough?
• Sore throat?
• Difficulty breathing?
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)?
• Fatigue?
• Headache?
• New loss of smell/taste?
• New muscle aches?
• Any other signs of illness?
• In the past 14 days, have you had close contact with a person known to be infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?                

Hand sanitizer must be brought/used once campers exit the car/before entering camp. Mask/HS has name on it.

Meningococcal

Below is information we are required to send you from the Board of Health who issues our camp license. Parents/Guardians may request copies of background check, health care and discipline policies as well as procedures for filing grievances.

Meningococcal Disease and Camp Attendees:  Commonly Asked Questions

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is caused by infection with bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can infect the tissue (the “meninges”) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and cause meningitis, or they may infect the blood or other organs of the body. Symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever, severe and constant headache, stiff neck or neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and rash. In the US, about 350-550 people get meningococcal disease each year and 10-15% die despite receiving antibiotic treatment. Of those who survive, about 10-20% may lose limbs, become hard of hearing or deaf, have problems with their nervous system, including long term neurologic problems, or have seizures or strokes.

How is meningococcal disease spread?

These bacteria are passed from person-to-person through saliva (spit). You must be in close contact with an infected person’s saliva in order for the bacteria to spread. Close contact includes activities such as kissing, sharing water bottles, sharing eating/drinking utensils or sharing cigarettes with someone who is infected; or being within 3-6 feet of someone who is infected and is coughing and sneezing.

Who is most at risk for getting meningococcal disease?

People who travel to certain parts of the world where the disease is very common, microbiologists, people with HIV infection and those exposed to meningococcal disease during an outbreak are at risk for meningococcal disease. Children and adults with damaged or removed spleens or persistent complement component deficiency (an inherited immune disorder) are at risk. Adolescents, and people who live in certain settings such as college freshmen living in dormitories and military recruits are at greater risk of disease from some of the serotypes. 

Are camp attendees at increased risk for meningococcal disease?

Children attending day or residential camps are not considered to be at an increased risk for meningococcal disease because of their participation.

Is there a vaccine against meningococcal disease?

Yes, there are 2 different meningococcal vaccines. Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra and Menveo) protects against 4 serotypes (A, C, W and Y) of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (Bexsero and Trumenba) protects against serogroup B meningococcal disease, for age 10 and older.

Should my child or adolescent receive meningococcal vaccine?

That depends. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra and Menveo) is routinely recommended at age 11-12 years with a booster at age 16. In addition, this vaccine may be recommended for children with certain high-risk health conditions, such as those described above. Otherwise, meningococcal vaccine is not recommended for attendance at camps. 

Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (Bexsero and Trumenba) is recommended for people with certain relatively rare high-risk health conditions (examples:  persons with a damaged spleen or whose spleen has been removed, those with persistent complement component deficiency (an inherited disorder), and people who may have been exposed during an outbreak). Adolescents and young adults (16 through 23 years of age) who do not have high risk conditions may be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years of age, to provide short term protection for most strains of serogroup B meningococcal disease. Parents of adolescents and children who are at higher risk of infection, because of certain medical conditions or other circumstances, should discuss vaccination with their child’s healthcare provider.

How can I protect my child or adolescent from getting meningococcal disease?

The best protection against meningococcal disease and many other infectious diseases is thorough and frequent handwashing, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Individuals should:

1. wash their hands often, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food (hands should be washed with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel or rub may be used if hands are not visibly dirty);
2. cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and discard the tissue in a trash can; or if they don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve.
3. not share food, drinks or eating utensils with other people, especially if they are ill.
4. contact their healthcare provider immediately if they have symptoms of meningitis.

If your child is exposed to someone with meningococcal disease, antibiotics may be recommended to keep your child from getting sick.

You can obtain more information about meningococcal disease or vaccination from your healthcare provider, your local Board of Health (listed in the phone book under government), or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800 or on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph.