Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Questions
-
A: No, you cannot make changes to your registration through the website. To make changes or cancel your registration please contact the registrar at registrar@campdowner.com.
-
A: The deposit amount is 50% of your chosen tier.
2025 One-Week Session deposits:
Tier A: $380.00
Tier B: $325.00
Tier C: $270.00
2025 Two-Week Session deposits:
Tier A: $745.00
Tier B: $690.00
Tier C: $635.00
-
A: We offer the opportunity during the registration application process for parents/guardians to request up to two cabin-mates. Cabin-mate requests must be mutually requested from both parties. We discourage cabin-mate requests between campers who have more than a two-year age difference.
If you’ve already completed registration, you can send an email to registrar@campdowner.com with your cabin-mate request(s). We make every effort to honor these requests but they are not guaranteed.
Cabins are assigned just prior to the start of each session. Your camper will find out which cabin they are in upon check-in.
-
A: The following forms must be submitted to complete the registration application process:
Camp Downer Waiver
Camper Downer Parent/Guardian Handbook Agreement Form
Complimentary Camp Downer T-Shirt Form
CIT II Program Participation Agreement (CIT II Registration Only)
Camper Profile Questionnaire Form
Camp Downer Camper Behavior Expectations Form
Medical Form
Immunization Records Form
Asthma or Allergy Action Plan (For campers with inhalers or Epipens)
Photo Release Form
Optional Forms:
Cabin Mate Request Form
COVID-19 Vaccination Card
While some forms are not required during the initial registration process, they must be completed on their respective deadlines to finalize registration. Please allow sufficient time to thoroughly complete all forms.
-
A: For families whose campers are registered by general registration, the following forms are due at the following times:
Upon submission of a registration application:
Camp Downer Waiver
Camper Downer Parent/Guardian Handbook Agreement Form
Complimentary Camp Downer T-Shirt Form
CIT II Program Participation Agreement (CIT II Registration Only)
April 1st:
Camper Profile Questionnaire Form
May 1st:
Camp Downer Camper Behavior Expectations Form
Medical Form
Immunization Records Form
Asthma or Allergy Action Plan (For campers with inhalers or Epipens)
Two Weeks before the camper’s session:
Photo Release Form
Cabin Mate Request Form (Optional)
COVID-19 Vaccination Card (Optional)
There are different deadlines for campers who are offered a spot from the waitlist. Please review the Required Registration Forms Policy on the Camp Downer Parent/Guardian Handbook to learn more.
-
A: If your camper has been placed on a waitlist, please note that we have no way of knowing if and/or when a spot will open up on the waitlist for your camper. If a spot opens, the registrar will contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the first camper on the waitlist.
If you have any questions about registration, please feel free to email the registrar at registrar@campdowner.com.
-
A:
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025: Scholarship Applications are due.
Saturday, February 8th, 2025: Summer 2025 Registration Applications open.
Thursday, May 1st, 2025: The last day that session deposits are fully refundable. Any time after May 1st, deposits are non-refundable.
Two weeks before the first day of the camper’s session: The remaining tuition balance is due.
Pre-Camp Questions
-
A: We want every camper to have a fun, healthy time at Camp Downer. Here are a few resources we have put together to help prepare your camper for their stay at overnight camp this summer.
-
A: Our recommended packing list can be found here. Please leave all expensive clothing and jewelry at home. Your camper will not need any money while they are at camp. Please note that any electronic devices that make or receive phone calls, or connect to the internet are not allowed. Camp Downer is a safe place for everyone to unplug.
-
-
A: No, Camp Downer is closed from Friday at 4:00 pm until Sunday at 1:30 pm. You must pick up your camper during their scheduled check-out time on the Friday of their first session.
At Camp Questions
-
A: All Camp Downer contact information can be found, here.
-
A: If you would like to pass along a message to your camper or would like an update about how your camper is doing while at camp, please call the camp office. Our camp staff will pass your message along and answer any questions you have.
-
A: Campers sign up for programs on the Sunday of their session. We have a camp-wide meeting where our program heads introduce and describe the different programs that we offer. Campers will sign up for four hour-long programs that they will do each day, Monday through Thursday. Campers will also have two free-time periods a day, also an hour long, where they are able to try different activities and where the activities change daily. We encourage campers to sign up for at least one art program, one sport program, and one nature/aquatics program so they have a well-rounded schedule (and also so they don't totally exhaust themselves by playing sports all day). You can see our list of programs that we generally offer here. Sometimes popular programs fill up, but most programs we offer multiple times a day so campers can get into it during a different period.
-
A: Campers love receiving letters while they are at camp!
Letters: We recommend dropping letters in the mail prior to your camper arriving at camp to ensure they will receive them in time. While at camp, campers can write and send letters home in the general USPS mail. If you would like your camper to be able to mail letters, you can either give them stamps and stationery or campers can get stamps and camp postcards from the daily camp store. Self-addressed envelopes and cards are helpful, especially for younger campers.
When mailing a letter, please address camper mail as follows:
Camp Downer
ATTN: [Camper Name]
Session [Number]
1535 Downer Road
Sharon, VT 05065Care Packages: To maintain an equitable, safe, and pest-free environment, Camp Downer does not allow care packages to be sent to campers.
-
A: Photos from each session are posted to the photo-sharing platform, SmugMug. On the Sunday of your camper’s session, you will receive an email from our registrar with the link and password for that session’s photos page.
Our online photos provide you with a snapshot of life at camp. Photos will include images of activities and programs. Due to our extensive activities and number of campers, we cannot guarantee photos of your camper every day.
You can also follow us on Instagram @campdowner_vt for additional pictures! -
A: Our camp staff will do our best to support your camper pack up all of their belongings before they leave camp. It is very important that when you pick up your camper, you make sure that they packed everything that they brought. If your camper arrives home and you notice something is missing, you are welcome to call camp to see if the item has been found. If the item has been found, camp staff will work with you to coordinate a time for you to stop by camp for the item. Please note that Camp Downer will not ship items. Any unclaimed items in our Lost and Found will be donated one week after each session.
-
Our camp "Store" is something that all campers have access to. Each camper gets two items from our camp store each day. The items consist of things like snacks, candy, stickers, postcards, and drinks. Camper store funds are automatically built into every camper’s tuition.
-
It will come as no surprise that we experience many campers who one may describe as “picky eaters.” We have a lot of experience with accommodating specific diets such as vegetarians, vegans, dairy-free, as well as those of picky eaters.
Our dining service is part of an organization that works with public schools who provide meals to schools in the area. Our menu is akin to what you may find at a public school. For example, our dinner and lunch menus includes meals such as pizza, pasta, Thanksgiving dinner, tacos, corn dogs, hot dogs, burgers, with the inclusion of fresh vegetables and/or salads at every meal. Our breakfast menu includes meals such as pancakes, waffles, eggs, bagels, etc. In addition, if the main meal does not appeal to a camper, they always have the option to have a peanut butter (or sunbutter) and jelly sandwich during lunches and dinners and they always have the option of cereal during breakfast.
Emotional and Physical Safety Questions
-
A: Please review the Setting Your Child Up for Success at Camp Downer and Camper Behavioral Expectations pages on our website. These resources outline the eligibility criteria and skills children are expected to have to thrive at camp. As part of the registration application process, parents/guardians must complete the Camp Downer Camper Profile Questionnaire Form, which collects essential information about your child to help us mutually ensure that camp is a good fit and a safe, positive experience for all campers. We greatly value and appreciate your full and honest completion of this form.
We understand that some campers may require additional support. Camp Downer is committed to working proactively and comprehensively with parents/guardians to assess the fit of the program for campers who may have additional needs; our goal is to ensure that we can support the camper fully within the context and environment of our program. This is done on a case-by-case basis with the sole intent of ensuring a successful experience for all participants.
Please contact the director at director@campdowner.com or 802-276-0222 if you have any questions or concerns about Camp Downer’s fit for your child, prior to submitting your registration application.
-
A: Camp Downer strives to create a safe and positive environment for all campers and uses a progressive discipline approach to address negative, unsafe, or concerning behavior. This includes guiding campers to reflect and redirect their actions, involving leadership for intervention when necessary, and collaborating with parents/guardians to support the camper. However, repeated or serious behavioral infractions—such as harming others, bullying, or possession of prohibited substances—may result in a camper being dismissed from camp to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
Medical Questions
-
During the registration application process, you will be required to complete the Medical Form and Camp Downer Immunization Records Form. Your child’s Medical Form and immunization records are an integral part of the registration application process.
When completing the Medical Form, you will be required to input your child’s medication information, health history, health insurance information, healthcare provider’s information, and list any allergies or dietary restrictions your child may have. You will also be provided with the opportunity to list any activity restrictions that your child may require or whether your camper will require assistance while at camp. This form must be completed anew every year and all campers must have had a physical exam within two years of the start of their camp session.
We require that all campers are up to date with the current schedule of regular childhood vaccination as per school guidelines set by the Vermont Department of Health. A list of required and recommended vaccines can be found here. We require proof of your child’s immunization records. Please have your child’s pediatrician complete and sign the Camp Downer Immunization Records Form and upload a copy of it on your child’s CampBrain account. Alternatively, the pediatrician may provide their own immunization records form, which they can fax directly to 1-802-794-3482, or you can upload a copy of it on CampBrain. All submissions must be completed through one of these methods to finalize your child's registration.
If your child has not been fully immunized, you must complete either the Vermont Department of Health Medical Immunization Exemption Form or Religious Immunization Exemption Form. Religious Immunization Exemption forms are required annually.
Camp Downer can only administer prescription medications in accordance with direction from a licensed prescribing provider. Camp Downer must have a provider’s written direction on the original labeled bottle of medication. Over-the-counter medications must be given to camp healthcare staff in the medication’s original packaging.
If your camper is bringing an inhaler or Epipen to camp, we ask that an asthma or allergy action plan from your pediatrician is shared with our healthcare staff via email at nurse@campdowner.com or faxed to 1-802-794-3482.
Before arriving to camp, you should make sure that your camper is feeling well and healthy. This should include a head lice check. Upon check-in, camp staff will conduct a health screening consisting of a questionnaire about recent health symptoms and exposure, as well as a head lice screening.
-
A: The online Medical Form has a section to list all camper allergies. You will fill this out upon registering your camper. This data will be shared with the food service and healthcare staff. Please note that Camp Downer is NOT a nut-free environment.