Frequently asked questions
Q: I have inquired several camps and have continued to get the brush off of getting liability coverage.... but I know that an operation such as yours, is difficult to get liability insurance for because of the nature of what you do. How do you handle that, are you represented/covered by a real company, and can you verify such? I know that seems blunt, but I the way I see it... if you have coverage by insurance, then you have a good safety record, without claims, and therefore are more legitimate than your average "back yard adventure".
A: I will not brush you off about our liability insurance. We are fully insured. We have no claims and a great safety record we are not a "backyard adventure” we are a professional guide service and summer camp.
Q: Due to the extreme nature of the release form, specifically the word "death" appearing quite a few times, I just wanted to double check that no one has actually died while attending this camp.
I understand your need for liability, etc., however, before I signed my sons life away (maybe literally), I needed to hear from you that the injury incidents are a low %, death zero % and safety of the campers is the number one concern.
A: The form is sent to us directly by our insurer. We have never had a death or even close to a death. A few sprain ankles, scrapes and bumps. That is it. Safety of the campers is number one. Most of the things we do have the perception of danger but not actually dangerous with the methods we use. Helmets are worn in activities such as rock climbing, rafting etc... In rock climbing we do top rope climbing, our specialized rock guide sets up all the ropes and counselors are on belay. You have no worries.
Q: Do you sleep at a base camp every night?
A: NO, all campers sleep at a Vermont State Park or Backcountry camp site every night. We spend about 4 to 6 nights in each area before packing up camp and traveling to another site.
Q: What type of tents do you use?
A: We use heavy duty outdoor tents, we use 3 person tents and sleep 2 kids per tent.
Q: How many kids normally attend these camps and the ages?
A: We only accept 12 kids per session. Normally the ages range from 12 to 16 years old. We accept kids going into 7th up to 10th grade.
Q: If a camper got sick how is it handled?
A: All staff must have a First Aid certificate or greater. If it is something that needs to be taken care of ASAP we will take them to the hospital.
Q: My teen has asthma will this be an issue?
A: No, This is not an issue here. The teens are in control of their limits, if she or he needs to rest she or he can, we would ask that she or he carries an inhaler during all activities.
Q: What are they required to carry on the hikes?
A: Just a day pack, for there lunch and water, camera etc...for day hikes. We do overnight backpacking on the Long Trail and the kids must carry a hiking pack.
Q: Do campers return year after year?
A: Yes, we have a 60% return rate. Kids come again and again for adventure. We have kids that come for up to 5 years in a row to our camp and are now Jr counselors.
Q: I have read how safe your adventures are, but what about the "things in nature" you may come across. Rattle snakes, wild cats?
A: Now we can not control nature but, in all the years I have been participating in outdoor activities and instructing outdoor activities (20+ years) I have never come across any animals that have posed a threat. However we can not control nature so there is a risk anytime you enter the outdoors.
Q: Do you have family friendly activities for all ages? Your credentials seem well balanced, and I am looking forward to getting more information from you.
A: We have family friendly activities for all ages see www.ExtremeAdventuresVT.com
Q: Where do your counselors stay during camp?
A: The counselors stay in the same campsites as the kids. The male counselors stay in the guys camp site and the female counselors stay in the girls camp site. The kids stay 4 to 6 to a camp site separated by male areas and female areas. Lights out is at 10 or 11 every night. The counselors do "rounds" to make sure the kids are in there camp sites at lights out and the a half our later and an hour later. The camping areas are small and is not far from one another so looking over the camp is simple for our counselors.
Q: What about meals? Do you provide hot meals in the camp price, prepared by staff? Or is it, learn how to fix it out in the open?
A: The meals we provide are prepared by staff and campers. We do different things every night. All meals are camping style meals prepared over a gas grill or open fire. As you can imagine cooking camping meals for around 15 people can be hard. We have mastered this over the years and have a list of easy to cook camping meals. The kids will all be involved with the cooking process over there 4 weeks of camp.
Q: Do you usually fill up?
A: YES we only have 12 spaces. We run our Adventure camp for 4 weeks each summer and with only 12 spaces each summer it has filled up every year since we first opened.
Q: Do you usually have a full camp where you are turning down applicants?
A: Yes over the last 13 years (since 2004) we have had a full camp. We have a waiting list, because every so often someone will change there mind.
Q: Do you have a deadline for camp sign up?
A: No, but we recommend that you sign up as soon as you can, this way you will be able to secure a sport for your child.
Q: How "skilled/coordinated" does my child have to be... to me she
is just now coming together and does like to complain on a challenge a bit
if it is too hard. She needs perseverance, and patience to learn new
Outdoor activities - she loves the outdoor activities on a fun level, but
I'm afraid that when it comes to a real challenge she does have the give up
attitude. (That’s exactly why I think a camp such as yours will be good for
her). What is your experience with this?
A: Our staff is very supportive and helping. The activities are adventure by choice, if a teen does not want to try something there is not pressure to do so. We have the kids work as a team so they work together to make it through each challenge. The camp is set up so that kids with no experience in the activities can learn about them and persevere in them. Kids that have experience in an activity will be taught how teach their experiences to their peers. Our staff is very motivating and great with teens. The counselors are from the ages of 20 to 40 and relate to the kids and create a supportive environment.
About Our Summer Camp
We offer 1, 4 week adventure camp for teens going into 7th to 10th grade. The kids meet in Chester, VT at a small deli/cafe owned by friends of ours. (We do not have a base camp because we spend our entire 4 weeks in different areas throughout Vermont we are an adventure travel camp.) We get the kids signed in, you can get a bite to eat or buy a Vermont craft. We get the kids gear packed in our camp trailer, we pile in the van and travel to our first of 4 VT state campgrounds. We will set up camp at 4 Vermont State Parks while on our 4 week adventure. The kids will spend every night in a tent, in a campground or in a backcountry setting. We have 2 kids in each tent and have girls and guys stay in separate camp sites. Each year camp is a little different but there is always a 3 to 1 camper counselor ratio. The camps try to follow the itinerary that we have set up but the weather will dictate some of our activities. You do not need experience, but rather the enthusiasm and willingness to try new things and meet new people. The camp becomes a very tight nit group over the 4 weeks and all the kids will come away with new friends. We have kids begging us to ad another week onto the camp to make it 5 weeks, we will see what 2018 brings.
