Camp Frequently Asked Questions
What will campers be doing at KELT Kids Day Camp?
Check out a Day in the Life of a KELT Kids Camper or browse some photos from previous years to get a sense of the daily outdoor fun at camp.
When and where is KELT Kids Day Camp in 2024?
Camp session 1 will be July 29 – August 2, 2024. Camp session 2 will be August 5 - August 9, 2024.
Monday through Thursday, campers can be dropped off by 9:00 am and picked up by 3:00 pm at Holt Research Forest outdoor classroom on Sewall Pond, Arrowsic. On Friday, drop off and pickup will be at our celebratory outing location – often Popham Beach or Morse Mountain!
How do I sign up?
Registration is will open on February 1 for the 2024 season. We run registration on a lottery basis to give all families an equal (and and hopefully less stressful) opportunity to enroll. Campers are limited to one week of camp per year. We have aligned our dates with other local nature day camps to help parents!
The lottery process: Registration will open for camp from February 1 - 9, 2024. During that week, we will open the lottery at this website for families to register. All families will have equal access. Camper slots will be allocated by Friday, February 16 and we will contact all families then if you have a spot in camp, or where you are on the waitlist.
Once you have secured your spot, please complete your camp payment by March 1. We will send out information on how to do that once registration is complete.
How much does camp cost? Do I pay upfront?
One week of KELT camp is:
$250 for for non-members or
$200 for current KELT Members.
Want to become a KELT member? Visit our donate page and any amount of support will earn you a membership.
When you register for camp, you will get a confirmation of your spot in the 2024 camp cohort and will be sent payment instructions then. You can then make a payment in full for the week of camp or apply for a scholarship at that time.
do you offer scholarships? how can i request one?
Yes! KELT offers need-based camper scholarships of $100, with a preference given for local residents. We do not require special paperwork or proof of income- you just have to indicate your interest on the registration form in February, no questions asked. If a scholarship would help you send your child to camp, please don’t hesitate! Once we confirm your spot in camp, KELT will be in touch with how to finalize a potential scholarship and payment.
What happens in bad weather?
Our outdoor classroom has a covered pavilion, and our goal every year is to spend the entire day outside regardless of the weather. In the case of a forecast of heavy rain or thunderstorms, we have access to an indoor cabin at the Holt Research Forest and will contact parents via email the night before with any weather alerts.
What should I pack for my camper?
Check out the tips in our Week with KELT Kids Camp page.
What is your cancellation policy?
For a non-COVID related cancellation/cancellation by a registered family:
If you cancel at least three weeks before your camp session starts, we will refund your camp fee minus the a $25 registration deposit. We will not offer refunds for less than three weeks notice of cancellation.
In case of a COVID-19 related closure/cancellation by KELT Staff:
Upon request, we can:
refund the camp fee (prorated if camp is in session)
turn all or part of the fee into a charitable contribution to KELT
What is your illness policy? What do I do if my child is sick?
The health and welfare our camp and staffers are our highest priority, and we are following the guidelines of the CDC, Maine Department of Public Health, American Camp Association, and Maine Summer Camps Association to ensure best practices as we move through the phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and other related illness exposure. For 2024 KELT Kids Camp:
All Staff are required to be up to date on their Covid-19 vaccinations.
Campers and volunteers are strongly encouraged to be up to date on all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations. Campers are not required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend camp.
100% outdoor camp experience! Small group size of 15 kids/2+ staff.
Masks are optional in all camp areas but will be provided in case of unexpected moves indoors or on group transport for our Friday outing.
The day before camp, families will be asked to self-screen about symptoms and recent exposure. If you have any concerns before or during camp about your child’s health, please reach out to camp leadership at any time and we can find a solution together to keep everyone healthy.
Who do I contact with questions? How can I get in touch with a camp leader during camp?
If you will be arriving late or need to contact camp leadership during camp, please send a text to Emily Pistell at 908-591-5988. You are welcome to send any questions, concerns, or thoughts to Emily at epistell@kennebecestuary.org for anything regarding 2023 KELT Kids Camp. We can’t wait to see you there this summer!