Frequently asked questions
Q: What are your accreditations, memberships and certifications? Why are you not a member of the American Camp Association?
A: We are hold many accreditations, memberships and certifications.
Some of witch include; America Outdoors Association, Association for Experiential Education, Vermont Outdoor Guides Association, The American Canoe Association, and the The American Mountain Guides Association to name the major ones. We are a professional guide service not just a summer camp and hold all of our certificates in the realm of the outdoors that surpass much of the American Camp Association. We also hold a long term lease with the state of Vermont that requires we are a top notch company.
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 by Stratus Insurance Services, Inc. They are the recognized insurance carrier for the Association of Experiential Education. I can have them send you a Certificate of Insurance if you would like (I have to fill out paperwork send it to them and then they will send it to you). Our insurance renews every year on April 1 st. I will need your full name, address, phone, or fax. We have no claims and a great safety record we are not a "back yard 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 the base camp every night?
A: Yes, all campers sleep at base camp every night. The Expedition Camp the kids sleep at various camp grounds and back country areas.
Q: Are they platform tents or regular tents?
A: The campers stay at our base camp in Thetford, VT. They sleep in small cabins and large platform tents.
Q: How many kids normally attend these camps and the ages?
A: For the two week sessions we only accept 13 kids per session. Normally the ages range from 15 to 17 years old. For the six day sessions we only accept between 15 and 20 kids per session. Normally the ages range from 12 to 14 years old.
Q: If a camper got sick how is it handled?
A: All staff must have Wilderness First aid or greater. We have an on call Nurse that is near by our camp also. If it is something that needs to be taken care of ASAP we will take them to the hospital. 15 min from base camp is Dartmouth Medical Center one of the best Medical Centers in New England.
Q: My teen has asthma will this be an issue?
A: No, This is not an issue here. The teens are in control of there limits, if she or he needs to rest she or he can, we would ask that she or he caries her inhaler on her 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...
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.
Q: Do you have any references I can call?
A: Yes. Please call or email for phone numbers.
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.AdventureTrekUSA.com
Q: Where do your counselors stay during camp? Do they stay in/with the same lean-to's or do you have another facility for them?
A: The camp is set up so that counselors stay in a lean-to that overlooks the kids cabins or 12x12 tents. 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 area is 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 prepped by staff and campers. We do different things every night. Some nights the campers may get dinner served to them some nights they may have to make a fire and cook there food over it.
Q: Which weeks usually fill up first?
A: The weeks in the middle of summer fill up first.
Q: Do you usually have a full camp where you are turning down applicants?
A: Yes over the last 6 years we have had a full camp. We made the camp a little bigger this year so this should make a difference in how full it gets and how fast it fills up.
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 the date and activities week or weeks that you would like.
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 there peers. Our staff is very motivating and great with teens. The counselors are from the ages of 20 to 30 and relate to the kids and create a supportive environment.
At Vermont Adventure Camps we use the best gear and equipment on the market.
About Our Summer Camps
We offer 6, five day adventure camps for teens in 6th-8th grade. The kids stay at our camp and go on adventures each day. Each camp session is a little different but there is always a 5 to 1 camper counselor ratio. You will have breakfast every morning at the camp site and then we will leave for our daily adventure. Trail lunches are provided for you each day while on our adventure. Return to the camp site each night where everyone helps prepare dinner. You do not need experience, but rather the enthusiasm and willingness to try new things and meet new people.
We also offer adventure camps for teens in 9th-12th grades. These camps are residential camps and kids travel throughout New England. The teens will go on an adventure each day and then come back to a quaint camp where they will be able to shower and join in on evening activities. There are two teens that stay in each tent. The boys and girls stay in separate camp sights but participate in all activities together. There is breakfast served continental style every morning and teens have trail lunches while on adventures. Dinners are prepared by the staff and campers and served at picnic tables.
