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 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 Adventure Lodge. Each room sleeps 2 to 3 kids. Each room has a full bathroom.
Q: How many kids normally attend these camps and the ages?
A: For the two week sessions we only accept 12 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: We have a third year nursing student on staff. She will assess the teen who is sick, call the parents and decide what needs to be done from there. If it is something that needs to be taken care of ASAP we will take them to the hospital. The hospital is in Springfield, VT about 30 min from base camp.
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, mostly the younger 12 to 14 year old campers return for the 15 to 17 year old camp. We change up the expedition travel camp every year so we kids try that camp also.
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 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? Do they stay in/with the same lean-to's or do you have another facility for them?
A: The camp site is set up so that counselors stay in a lean-to that overlooks the other lean-tos. The kids stay 4 to a lean-to separated by male and female lean-tos. Lights out is at 10 or 11 every night. The counselors do "rounds" to make sure the kids are in there lean-tos at lights out and the a half our later and an hour later. The camping area is small the lean-tos are 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 5 day 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, then each lean-to and there counselor works together to finish preparing dinner. This helps the teens work together and learn new and exciting ways to prepare food in an outdoor setting.
Q: Which weeks usually fill up first?
A: The water weeks filled up fastest last year (2007) so we added another water week this year.
Q: Do you usually have a full camp where you are turning down applicants?
A: Yes over the last 4 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 8 five day adventure camps for teens 13 & 14. The kids stay at our camp and go on adventures each day. Each camp session is a little different but there is always a 4 to 1 camper counselor ratio. You do not need experience, but rather the enthusiasm and willingness to try new things and meet new people. The kids will do some great adventures that are toned to fit younger kids who are interested in the outdoors.
We offer 8 five day adventure camps for teens 13 & 14. The kids stay at our camp and go on adventures each day. Each camp session is a little different but there is always a 4 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 14 to 17. 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 our camp cook and served at picnic tables.
Safety
Safety is number one. There is a Wilderness First Aid provider on every trip. Activities are carefully selected to be challenging but not dangerous. All campers are intensively supervised by expertly-trained staff. Helmets are worn during biking, rock climbing, caving, and rafting. Life jackets are worn for kayaking & white water rafting.
While we take all safety precautions, there is still a small risk factor in any kind of outdoor activity. There will be no survival or solo experiences and you will always be part of a supervised group.
Nature
We try to bring everyone together with nature. We find that understanding natural surroundings is not always an everyday thing in a teens live. We practice low impact camping on our over nights and always carry out what we take in. We teach about our leave no trace philosophy and always help people to understand why we must treat nature with respect. You will not only experience new and exciting adventures when with Vermont Adventure Camps but will come away with a better knowledge of nature. Our classroom is the outdoors, and exploring is just a small part of the experience.
NOTE: These are parents of kids that have come to our camp. They have been gracious enough to let us have people call them. Remember you are calling others homes.
Thanks Willy
Barbara 516 221 1207
Stephanie 978 392 9945
Donna 914 238 1863
Judith 860 599 6093
Trish 802 985 9160
Josefine 612 661 1499
Cathy 860 767 0354
Questions?
Call us
1-802-591-0328
