Most Asked Questions About the Camp
What is the camp’s history?
Camp Thorpe was founded in 1927 by Reverend Walter Thorpe as the Vermont Camp for Crippled Children. They were aware that summer camp was an option only for the priviledged few; for the most part, summer camps in Vermont were attended by well-to-do children from other states. There were no summer camps for underprivledged or handicapped children.
Thorpe’s concept involved providing a positive camping experience for children challenged with handicapping conditions. The camp’s original philosophy created a support system to offer partial or full ‘camperships’ for families needing financial assistance. Yearly fund raising, to this day, has helped raise funds to cover camperships and operating costs.
Camp Thorpe’s tradition, created amongst the natural elements of the Vermont Green Mountains, intends to provide children with fun, adventurous camping experiences regardless of special need or financial status.
Who do you serve?
Camp Thorpe is a summer camp for children and adults with special needs. We offer experiences for individuals challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our campers range in age from 10 to 80!
Camp Thorpe has both the Mountain Reach campus for children and the Pine Haven campus for adults.
What is the Ratio of staff to campers?
The ratio of campers to counselors is three to one.
Is there One to One Assistance?
Campers needing individual assistance may be accepted if the camper is accompanied by a staff assistant provided by the parent or caregiver. The assistant remains with the camper at all times for the entire session. Camp Thorpe will provide meals and lodging for the assistant. It is not the responsibility of Camp Thorpe to secure or compensate the assistant.
What are the costs?
$800 per session for campers aged 21 and older. $700 per session for younger campers. The tuition includes program, lodging, meals, special events, laundry and snacks for camp programs. (Session #4: Children $400 Adults $450)
Those who cannot meet the tuition costs may consider a ‘campership’. Full or partial camperships are available to qualifying campers ages 10-20 to assist in meeting tuition costs. Camperships are not available to campers 21 and over.
What are the Session Dates?
For the 2010 season, the session dates are as follows:
Mountain Reach (ages 10 to 20)
Session 1: June 20-July 2 (ages 10-16)
Session 2: July 4-July 16 (ages 14-20)
Session 3: July 18-July 30 (ages 16-20)
Session 4: August 1-August 7 (ages 10-20)
Pine Haven (ages 21 and over)
Session 1: June 20-July 2 (ages 21+)
Session 2: July 4-July 16 (ages 21+)
Session 3: July 18-July 30 (ages 21+)
Session 4: August 1-August 7 (ages 21+)
What are the activities?
Campers enjoy a variety of activities including cookouts, singing around the campfire, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, olympics, the comaraderie of new friends, and acting in a skit night. We have a large facility with a pool, tennis court, cabins, wooded trails, large dining hall, multi-purpose room, pond, craft cabin, and more!
What types of items should campers pack?
A suggested clothing list will be mailed with the acceptance letter. All clothing and other personal items must be labeled with the camper’s name. Laundry will be done following the first week of the camping session. Clothing inventories are completed at check-in. Campers are asked to either bring a sleeping bag or one set of sheets and a blanket.
What are the medical facilities?
Camp Thorpe has a full-time nurse on duty. A fully stocked health center serves the daily needs of each camper. The nurse provides each camper will one-to-one attention in regards to medications and daily monitoring for health concerns.
Where is the camp located?
Both campuses of Camp Thorpe are located in Goshen, Vermont on 171 acres in the Green Mountains.
What are the camping facilities?
Camp Thorpe is fortunate to have a large dining hall that includes an auditorium and stage in the lower level. In addition, campers enjoy a recreation court, a pool, a large playground, pond for fishing and boating, a nature lodge, an arts and crafts building, a health center, and cabins that accommodate three campers and one staff member.Trails through the surrounding woods create opportunities for hiking. As a result of the Camp’s close proximity to the Blueberry Hill Blueberry Management Area, each session campers enjoy a picnic at that location.
What is the staff certification?
Counselors are teachers, college students, and other qualified individuals who are carefully chosen because of their understanding of the physical and emotional needs of our campers. Counselors are also recruited through a foreign exchange program adding cultural experience for the campers to enjoy.