Summer Registration Information and FAQs

Below is information about registration and our Summer Camps. For an overview of Summer Camp dates please visit our Summer Camp page.

Each year, our community grows and it takes time to process all of the interest for summer camp. Thank you for your attention to all the important details listed below. We look forward to another great year of summer camp!

Register online at noon on February 1.

Our camps often start waitlisting as early as February. Don’t despair!

We now use a rolling admissions process; additional spaces are added to our camps throughout the spring.

We are committed to ensuring that there is age and gender balance and that our summer camp enrollment represents our diverse community. To achieve this balance, we have a rolling admissions process that supports inclusion for all children.

We have a limited number of spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once those spaces are filled, additional spaces are added to our camps throughout the spring and we enroll the remaining youth in a manner that supports inclusion for all children. If you find a waitlist, please join our waitlist at no cost and our staff will reach out to you when a space becomes available.

So sign up for the waitlist! You will hear from us within a few weeks with your status on the waitlist.

A non-refundable deposit is required for every camper in every individual session.

Non-refundable deposits must be paid for every session at time of registration. We cannot hold your spot without a non-refundable deposit per session per child. If you are on the waitlist a deposit will not be required until we are able to offer you a space at camp.

For Kestrel, Raven, & Ropes Camps, a $150 deposit is required. For our accessibly-priced Kingfisher Camp, a $25 deposit is required. If you are unable to pay a deposit, enter the coupon code NOCREDITCARD and our office will be in touch about next steps.

For example: a single camper enrolling in two sessions will require two $150 deposits ($300 in total). Deposits are non-refundable. Canceled deposits cannot be applied toward other balances due.

Why we’re limiting registration to one 2-week session per camper (or one week of Earth Art Camp):

Our hope is to get as many children out in the woods as is safely possible and to meet this goal, we are limiting the amount of sessions individuals can sign up for. In addition, it is difficult to meet the wide range of needs when some participants are showing up for day one and others have already been at camp for 2-4 weeks prior. We will reach out to families who are registered up for 2-week camps or Earth Art camp if additional spaces become available and we have exhausted our waiting list.

We are anticipating the children to have additional social and emotional needs, after experiencing all the traumas and challenges this year has presented. In an effort to make sure everyone is on similar footing, we are restricting enrollment to only one session so that everyone can start their session in a similar space to their peers.

Financial aid is available. Let us know you need aid in your registration.

Our financial aid philosophy is take what you need and give what you can. We recognize that there are economic hardships, and we want to be accessible to all, so we ask that you pay whatever it is that you can.

The more you can pay, the more children we are able to extend aid to. Before you request financial aid we ask families to consider if there are family members or friends who might help provide a scholarship to your family for this program.

How To Request Financial Aid

Register online to reserve your space.
Check the financial aid box on your registration form and let us know how much of the total program fee you can afford.
If you are unable to pay the deposit with your registration use the coupon code: NOCREDITCARD and contact our office to arrange deposit payment.
After your registration is submitted, our office will contact you to continue the financial aid process. If we are unable to fulfill your aid request we will refund your deposit(s) in full.

Siblings are eligible for a 10% discount.

Additional members of the same household registering for any of our summer camps will receive a 10% discount off the regular program fee. In order to receive this discount siblings must be registered at the same time.

My camper’s age borders the age limits for two different camps. How do I choose?

Your camper must be of age before the start of the session.

The most important thing is that you do choose in advance. As our camps often enroll quickly, changing your mind after registering may not be possible.

You know your camper best. So, ask yourself, will my camper do best as one of the oldest in the camp or one of the youngest? Which camp are their friends attending?

Please know that the experience will be a bit more rugged and adventurous for older-aged camps than for our younger-aged camps. If you want to speak with someone at Wild Earth about this decision, please call us well in advance of open registration. Our staff can be reached at (845) 256-9830.

What if I want my camper to be with a friend?

There is a prompt on the registration form to indicate a Friend Grouping Request. We will try to accommodate all requests, but there are many factors that go into creating our groups, including ages of campers. We cannot guarantee all requests will be fulfilled.

If you must cancel, please provide at least 30 days notice.

Cancellations 30 days or more before the first day a program begins will receive a full refund less each session’s non-refundable deposit. Cancellations from 7 days to 30 days prior to a program receive 50% program credit (non-transferable and valid for one year), 50% balance forfeited. Cancellations less than 7 days prior to a program will receive no credit and no refund.

Final payments and completed forms are due on June 1.

Failure to make payment on or before June 1 may result in forfeiting your enrollment. Payment plans are available based on need. All payments for camp must be made before your camp begins.

Additional Questions

What will happen after I register for camp?

You will receive an automated email confirming your enrollment at camp. In that confirmation email you will be asked to complete the Medical and Emergency Contact form (this is an online form, you do not need a doctors signature). Three weeks before your camper’s session start date, you will receive a complete camp package with: gear list, driving directions and additional camp information.

If I have children at different camps, will I be able to drop them off and pick them all up on time?

Yes, our camps are located in a large loop, and we have staggered arrival and departure times to ensure that drop off and pick up times are manageable for multi-camp families.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide childcare before or after our other camps. Each morning before camp begins our entire staff is busy planning for the day and gearing up for camp, likewise after camp our staff meets to debrief the day at camp. All campers need to be dropped off at the beginning of camp and picked up at the closing time for camp each day. We suggest families work together to help each other with before-camp and after-camp care. In the weeks before summer camp begins we will send families a list of other families and their contact info. Our hope is that this will support you in arranging carpools as well as before/after camp play dates.

Does Wild Earth provide busing or arrange carpools to camp?

To support less driving, we will share enrolled family contact information in order to support you in self-arranging carpools (if you would like to do so).

Where can I learn more about all of the camps Wild Earth is offering?

Visit the Summer Camp page on our website at: https://wildearth.org/summer-camp

Early registration is available for families of year-round program participants, year-round volunteers, board members, staff and instructors.

Did a member of your household attend an ongoing Wild Earth program this past fall or winter? You may be eligible for early registration. Early registration is available in mid-to-late January. If you miss the early registration window you can register on February 1 at noon.

How do I become a Wild Earth instructor?

Wild Earth is an equal opportunity employer. Job placement is made on the basis of qualifications. Apply through our website on our Jobs page.