Merck Forest & Farmland Center
Camp Program
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
We believe that children thrive when given the freedom to immerse themselves in nature through exploration and guided discovery. By slowing down and using their senses to fully experience the world around them, campers develop a sense of curiosity, love and responsibility. Through this, they emerge with deeper empathy, a better sense of their place in the world, and the knowledge that they can make a difference.
Please Note the Following:
- Registration deadline for Spring Break Camp is April 10; for all sessions of Summer Camp the deadline is Friday, June 6th.
- All sessions run from 9am to 3pm except for Little Sprouts, which runs from 9am to noon. Please plan to arrive each morning 15 minutes before the start of the camp day.
- Enrollment for each program is limited to 10 campers except for the Trail Camp, which is limited to 8 campers.
How to Register
- Review camp descriptions and dates below and choose the one that’s right for your child.
- Need more information? See FAQs about Summer Camp (blue button, below, right).
- Download and review the Camp Information Packet by clicking the Red Rectangle (below, right).
- Fill out the Day Camp Registration Form and the Health & Emergency Care Form.
- Before completing registration, please read the cancellation and refunds section (below) carefully.
- Select and reserve your child’s spot by clicking on the oval link. This link will take you to the online store where you will pay for your child’s registration.
- Once all forms are submitted and the purchase is complete you willl receive an email with your final confirmation. If it doesn’t appear within moments for your payment, check your spam filter. Congratulations on completing camp registration!
Our Cancellation Policy:
Refunds and changes in registration may be subject to a $50 non-refundable processing fee according to these policies:
- Registration is not considered complete until all forms have been submitted. Failure to submit completed registration forms will result in a loss of space in the camp and any tuition paid.
- Cancellation requests received at least 28 days before the first day of camp will receive a refund, less the $50 processing fee.
- Cancellation requests received within 28 days of the first day of camp will not be refunded, unless we are able to fill your reservation with a child from the waiting list. In such a case the $50 administrative fee will be levied.
- We will not refund registration fees if a child misses one or more days of camp due to illness, unexpected family obligations, dismissal, or any other foreseen event. Other children may not be substituted into your child’s vacant spot.
- We reserve the right to cancel a camp program due to low enrollment; in this situation we will work to place campers into another camp or we will issue a full refund.
- We reserve the right to cancel a camp program due to unforeseen circumstances, in which case full refunds will be issued.
SPRING BREAK CAMP for Grades 3/4/5
APRIL 21 through 25, 9am to 3pm
Shake off the winter blues and dive into the magic of spring at Merck Forest! During this action-packed week, campers will:
–Meet adorable newborn lambs and chirping chicks,
–Lend a hand waking up the farm for the season ahead,
–Learn the secrets of sugaring as the maple sap flows,
–Explore fields, forests, and trails bursting with new life, and
–Enjoy fun games, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable experiences.
Spring is a season of discovery, and there’s no better place to celebrate it than at Merck Forest. Join us as the farm comes alive during this special time of year!
Registration is limited to 10 campers; registration deadline is April 10.
$275 per child
LITTLE SPROUTS FAMILY CAMP
for Children aged 3, 4, 5
JUNE 23th through 27th, 9am to noon
Step into the wonder of the natural world with Little Sprouts Camp, a nature-immersion drop off program specially crafted for curious young explorers. We’ll help foster social, emotional, and physical growth through interest-led play and outdoor adventures. Here’s what your little sprout will enjoy:
- Nature-Inspired Fun: Create secret habitats, whip up “forest stew,” and observe critters in their natural environments.
- Exploration and Discovery: Go on enchanting nature walks, sing songs, make art, and enjoy unstructured free play in the great outdoors.
- Hands-On Learning: Develop observation skills, problem-solving abilities, and a love for taking thoughtful risks—all while having fun!
- All-weather adventures: Rain or shine, we’ll embrace what nature offers each day, with curiosity and joy.
Our afternoons flow with the rhythms of the forest, sparking each child’s imagination and innate curiosity. Little Sprouts Camp is the perfect opportunity for your child to build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong connection to the natural world. This camp is suitable for 3, 4 and 5 year-olds who must be potty trained (no pull-ups).
$150 per child; limited to 10 campers.
Trail Crew Camp: Adventure, Teamwork, and Hands-On Impact for Rising 6th-8th Graders
Calling all adventurers! Trail Crew Camp is your chance to dive into an unforgettable outdoor action and discovery week at Merck Forest. Whether you’re exploring the backcountry or rolling up your sleeves to make a difference, every day is packed with excitement from 9am to 3pm.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Outdoor Adventures: Hike scenic trails, navigate with map and compass, and develop essential backcountry skills.
- Citizen Science Fun: Discover nature through hands-on science activities and explore the surrounding ecosystems.
- Team Building & Games: Work together, grow as a team, and have a blast with engaging activities and outdoor challenges.
- Survival Skills: Construct shelters, practice outdoor safety, and gain confidence in navigating both front and backcountry terrain.
Trail Crew Camp is more than just a camp—it’s a chance to explore, grow, and leave your mark at Merck Forest. Join us for a week of adventure, learning, and teamwork!
Enrollment is limited to 8 campers. $275 per camper.
SUMMER FIELD & FOREST CAMP for Grades 1/2/3
- Session I: 6/30 to 7/03, 9am to 3pm (*)
- Session II: 7/07 to 7/11, 9am to 3pm
- Session III: 7/14 to 7/18, 9am to 3pm
- Session IV: 7/21 to 7/25, 9am to 3pm
- Session IV-B: 7/28 to 8/01, 9am to 3pm
- Session V: 8/4 to 8/08, 9am to 3pm
Your 1st-3rd grader will embark on a week of unforgettable adventures! Every day will be packed with exploration, creativity and hands-on fun. Each standalone camp week offers unique opportunities for campers to discover the magic of our diverse landscapes — pods & streams, berry patches, trails & woodlands.
Here’s what campers can look forward to:
- Creative Projects: Let imaginations soar while crafting fairy houses and nature-inspired art.
- Outdoor Exploration: Hike scenic trails, investigate Merck’s many habitats, and observe the wonders of the natural world.
- Hands-On Adventures: Pick fresh blueberries, dip nets in Page Pond, and explore the farm while meeting and learning about our animals.
- Teamwork & Play: Enjoy cooperative games, daily excursions, and activities that inspire curiosity and connection.
Our Summer Adventure Camp for rising 1st, 2nd, 3rd graders is the perfect mix of discovery, creativity, and fun—where campers will get their hands dirty, their imaginations fired up, and their spirits lifted by the beauty of the outdoors.
Maximum 10 campers.
Session I: $220 per camper* (No camp on 7/04); Sessions II – V: $275 per child
SUMMER FIELD & FOREST CAMP for Grades 4 & 5
- Session I: 6/30 to 7/03, 9am to 3pm (*)
- Session II: 7/07 to 7/11, 9am to 3pm
- Session III: 7/14 to 7/18, 9am to 3pm
- Session IV: 7/21 to 7/25, 9am to 3pm
- Session IV-B: 7/28 to 8/01, 9am to 3pm
- Session V: 8/4 to 8/08, 9am to 3pm
Let your child dive into a week of outdoor adventure and discovery at Nature Explorers Camp! Each week is a unique journey across Merck Forest’s incredible landscapes, packed with activities, excursions, and hands-on projects designed to connect campers with the natural world.
Here’s what your camper can look forward to:
- Exciting Activities: Fly kites, build terrariums, and learn essential outdoor skills.
- Immersive Exploration: Hike through scenic trails, forage in the woods and pastures, and uncover the wonders of Merck’s ecosystems.
- Farm Adventures: Lend a hand around the farm and meet the animals that call it home.
- Creative Fun: Engage in imaginative play, collaborative projects, and creative discovery inspired by nature.
Nature Explorers Camp is all about connecting your 4th or 5th grader to the land while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a sense of adventure. Campers will return home with muddy boots, joyful memories, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
- Maximum 10 campers.
- Session I: $220 per camper* (No camp on 7/04)
- Sessions II – V: $275 per child