Frequently Asked Questions

In order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our programs, we currently require four forms to be submitted by each participant at our Summer Camps:

1. A copy of your child's health record, including a complete immunization record & physical dated within the last 18 months, which can be sent by email to healthforms@puddlestompers.com. We ask that you please provide any pertinent allergy information, action plans, or other health information with these forms as well.

2. A completed Consent form, which can be found online here: Required Consent Forms

3. A completed Waiver of Liability form, which can be found online here: Required Waiver of Liability

If your child has allergies or requires medications, please be aware that we cannot accept any child at our program with expired medication, medication not in original packaging, or medication without a prescription/doctor's note.

If you are unsure if you have submitted all the correct forms or do not know if they are up-to-date, please email healthforms@puddlestompers.com or give us a call at (617) 527-2000, and we would be happy to check our records. All health forms required for Summer Camp Programs must be submitted before May 31st, or upon registration.

Yes! Daily Early drop-off (8:20-9:00am) and Extended Day (1:30-3:30pm) options are available. Early drop off is available at all four of our camp locations. Extended day is offered at our Needham, Newton, and South Newton locations.

• Daily Early Drop-Off: 8:20-9:00am, $17/day/child

• Daily Extended Day: 1:30-3:30pm, $52/day/child

Advance registration is required. At least 1 week advance notice is required when registering online. If registering for early drop-off less then a week before, you must speak to PUDDLESTOMPERS staff first, or email us at info@puddlestompers.com.

Our Hikers (ages 6-8*) are given a bit more responsibility and an advanced science curriculum based on STEM standards, while our Explorers (ages 3 years 9 months -6*) receive more guidance and support.

*Please note that age range may vary slightly depending on the ages of all children present in a given week.

PUDDLESTOMPERS offers a personal, close-knit experience, limiting registration for each week and maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio. For all our Drop-Off Programs, our student-to-teacher ratio is 5 children : 1 teacher.

Yes. We require that all children be potty-trained for drop-off programs. Please see our Policy Page for more information! Please note that this policy does not apply to programs where programs will attend with their children, such as our Child/Adult classes or Habitat classes.

At all of our summer sites, we have indoor locations available. We will make every attempt to get outside (safety permitting) during the day even in the case of inclement weather, so please come prepared! There’s a lot to explore out there — even in the rain!

Natural risks are a part of any sort of nature exploration, and we take precautions at all of our programs to avoid both tick and poison ivy exposure.  All of our summer programs include the "Tick Check Song" as a part of the daily routine, as well as avoid areas with high tick density.  We highly recommend each child comes to programs with both sunscreen and bug repellent already on.  At home, you can check in all 'warm spots'; under the arms, on the neck, ears, hair, behind knees and between legs once every 24 hours.

Poison ivy, while also a risk, is more easily avoidable.  All PUDDLESTOMPERS staff is able to identify poison ivy, and will point it out to the group at large and help with easy identification.  Poison ivy can be avoided by making sure not to come in contact with the plant (or anything touching it). If contact is made, immediately wash the area with soap and water and monitor for a rash for the next 7 days.

You can find more information on all natural risks here, or contact us with further questions.

All of our programs and sites are nut-free. If your child requires an EpiPen or other emergency medication, our teachers will keep it nearby at all times. We are a fully inclusive program, and look forward to working with you to manage any and all health concerns pertaining to your child. If your child requires an aide during the school year, we ask that an aide be provided for the summer program in order to ensure your child can enjoy their experience safely.

In order for your child to have the best and most successful day at camp, we recommend packing them with:

• Sneakers or hiking shoes

• Water/mud shoes and/or rainboots

• A change of clothes (just in case!)

• A water bottle (please label clearly with your child’s name)

• Bug spray and sunscreen (please label each bottle clearly with your child’s name)

• Weather-appropriate clothing (hat, sweater, rain jacket, etc.)

• A completely nut-free lunch and snack. Please see more information below.

Please make sure to pack your child with a completely nut-free lunch and snack. Please note that we require all lunches, snacks, and other food items brought with a child to our Summer Camps be clearly and completely labelled with their contents. If your child arrives with unlabelled food, we will provide you with a form to fill out upon drop-off specifying the contents of their lunch and snack.

Our Summer Camp registration is on a weekly basis. You must sign up for the full week.

If you need to contact us on the day of your child’s program, please contact the office at (617) 527-2000. If you are unable to reach anyone at the office please send an email to info@puddlestompers.com.

• Before March 1st, summer program fees are refundable minus a $100/child/week deposit and a processing fee of $25/child/week.

• After March 1st, all summer program fees are non-refundable. A credit will be provided to families who cancel in writing before May 1st. This credit will be the full amount minus a $100/child/week deposit and a processing fee of $25/child/week. This credit will expire one year from the date it was issued and must be used for a program within that year. The credit cannot be used towards birthday parties.

• After May 1st, no portion of the summer program fee will be refunded or credited.

If you need to change the weeks or the location in which your child is enrolled, we will need written notification 4 weeks prior to your child’s current registration. We will do our best to accommodate you based on staffing and availability.

Currently masks are optional. This policy is subject to change.

PUDDLESTOMPERS™ will be following mandated Massachusetts state guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For a comprehensive look into our most current protocols and policies, please see our COVID-19 Safety Plan.