Any questions not found here can be asked by emailing camp@gormanfarm.org

Camp Logistics

Registration

How do I register my child for Summer Camp?

Please review the 2024 Gorman Heritage Farm Summer Day Camp Registration Guide. All camp registration is done through our online registration system found on the Summer Day Camp page, located under the Programs menu. You must complete the required medical and registration information online and sign all applicable waivers at least 2 weeks before the first day of the camp that your child is attending. Your child will not be able to stay for camp without the completion of these forms.

Will I receive anything in the mail? 

All correspondence is done via email so please make sure to enter a valid email address on your registration. You will receive communications from Camps Manager at camp@gormanfarm.org Please add this address to your email contacts to ensure that important messages are not sent to your spam folder!

May I enroll my child in a camp for an older age group?

Age requirements must be enforced to ensure a quality camp experience for all. Campers must fall within the specified age category on the first day of the camp session they are attending.

What if I have to cancel my child’s registration?

Cancellations with refunds can be processed until May 13th, 2024. After that date, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations of any week. 

• Cancellations with refunds will be charged a $15 processing fee per camper per session.
• Gorman Heritage Farm memberships are not refundable.
• If you registered for Aftercare (2:30pm-5:30pm) and need to cancel, refunds can be processed up until two weeks prior to the start of the specific camp session. After that date, we cannot offer refunds for Aftercare.

How many weeks can my child attend?

There is no limit as to how many weeks of summer camp your child may attend at Gorman Heritage Farm. However, please understand that camps may repeat activities and lessons, particularly Veterinary Science and Wilderness Camps. While we try to make each week unique, some crafts, games, recipes, and other activities may be used multiple times throughout the summer.

My child is too young for the camp, but will be the appropriate age just a short time after the camp starts. Can they come to camp anyway?

No, your child must be within the specified age category on the first day of the camp session in order to attend. This rule is to ensure that all planned activities are age appropriate.

What if I want my child to only come for two or three days instead of all five or if my child is sick for part of the week?

Your registration is for all five days of camp. In the event your child does not attend all five days, we do not offer pro-rating or daily rates. We are not able to pro-rate fees due to illness.

Can we change dates after we’ve registered?

Please be aware that many camps may be full and you will not be guaranteed a spot in the new camp week. If you wish to change dates, you will only be able to do so if there is a wait-­list for the camp week you are currently registered for. If you would like to request to change dates, please email camp@gormanfarm.org prior to May 13th, 2024 for information about availability in the new week requested.

Drop Off & Pick-Up Procedures

What is the camp drop-­off procedure?

Check-­in will take place at our education building, known as “Soil & Stars”. Please note that this property is shared with iSpace – another local educational nonprofit.

• Campers may be checked in no more than 30 minutes before camp is scheduled to start (no earlier than 9AM). 
• Do not drop your child off in the parking lot, regardless of your child’s age. 
• Drop-off and pick-up will be in the form of a car-line.

What should I do if I’m going to be late dropping my child off for camp?

If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late dropping your child off, please call or text the Camps Manager at (513) 410-9418 and leave a message with your name, your camper’s name, and your estimated time of arrival. If you will only be a few minutes later, that’s okay. The camp day starts with everyone together in the drop-­off location.

What is the camp pick-­up procedure?

Pick-­up will take place in the same location as drop-­off, again in the form of a car-line.

• Campers will begin dismissing no earlier than 2:30pm. Please notify us at least 24 hrs in advance if you need to pick up your camper early. This means that you will not be allowed to pick your child up 5 minutes early because you arrived early that day.)
• Only those listed as an “Authorized Pick-­up Person” on a camper’s registration form  may pick the child up from camp. 

Authorized pick-up persons should be prepared with their photo ID every day – we check IDs because we care! 

• Parents and guardians need to be listed on the Pick Up List, even if they filled out the registration.
• If anyone tries to pick up your child who is not on the Pick-Up list, they will not be allowed to take the child home and we will contact the parent/guardian listed on the camper’s registration form. 
• Please communicate and double check your pick-up lists so everyone has a good day!

If you have any additional persons to add to your child’s authorized pick-­up persons list, please type the names of these people along with their relationship to the child and have the parent or legal guardian listed on the camper’s registration form sign the document. Please bring this with you on the first day of your child’s camp.

Alternatively, the parent or legal guardian listed on the camper’s registration form may email the Camps Manager (camp@gormanfarm.org) no later than 4pm the Friday prior to your week of camp with the names of the additional authorized pick-up persons and their relationship to the camper.

No one will be allowed to pick your child up from camp unless their name has been specified as an authorized pick-­up person, and we require written authorization from a parent or legal guardian in order to add additional names to the authorized pick-up list.

What should I do if I’m going to be late picking my child up for camp?

If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late picking your child up from camp, please call the Camp Manager at (513) 410-9418 as soon as possible.

Please note that if you are than 15 minutes late for pick-­up (at the end of camp) you will be charged an additional $35 for the day for each camper.

Do you offer Before Care and After-­Care?

After-Care is offered from 2:30 – 5:30 pm for all camps EXCEPT our three day camps (week of July 1-3 and Aug 5-9) AfterCare is staff supervised, and children will be engaged in activities such as group games, art making, playing in the Children’s Garden, or having extra time with animals.

• Cost for AfterCare is $175 per week/per child and is limited to 10 children per week.
• Pick-up for AfterCare is no later than 5:30pm and the procedure is the same as regular pick-up. Please be prompt for pick-­up.
• In the event that you are late to pick up your camper from Aftercare, you will be charged an additional $35 for every 15 minutes (rounded up) after 5:30pm for each camper. Thank you for your understanding.

We do not offer Before-Care.

What if I have to cancel my child’s registration?

Cancellations with refunds can be processed until May 13th, 2024. After that date, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations of any week.  Cancellations with refunds will be charged a $15 processing fee per camper per session. Gorman Heritage Farm memberships are not refundable.

Can my child be in a group with their friend(s) if they are registered for the same week of camp?

You may submit the names of friends, siblings, etc, with whom you would like your child to be grouped at camp on the online camp registration form. We will try our best to accommodate them if possible, but cannot guarantee grouping requests due to group size limitations. All grouping requests must be submitted at the time of registration.

Health and Safety, Medication, and Allergies

What are the general physical, mental and emotional requirements of this camp?

Campers may walk as much as one mile or more in a day. Please communicate to camp leadership (camp@gormanfarm.org) during the registration process about any mobility differences your camp experiences.  Walking is done on paved paths, grass, hills and hiking trails.  For everyone’s safety, campers are expected to follow directions given by counselors and to treat farm animals large and small in a gentle manner.  Campers are expected to use tools and knives in the way that is demonstrated. Campers are expected to treat others with respect, kindness, and empathy.

My child needs to take medication. How should I arrange for this?

Gorman Heritage Farm is NOT responsible for administering medication to children. Please consult a pediatrician so medication can be administered outside of camp. To ensure a positive experience for all campers, it is IMPERATIVE that you notify us of special needs or medical conditions your child may have. In most cases, we are able to accommodate these needs and will do so to the best of our ability.

My child has allergies and carries an epinephrine injector. What do I do?

You may leave the epinephrine pen with your child or with camp staff, depending on your child’s experience with his/her allergies. Please make sure you note this and all allergies in the child’s health profile when registering for camp. Please contact the camp manager at (camp@gormanfarm.org or 513-410-9418) to review the specifics of your child’s allergies.

Part of camp on the Farm is interacting with farm animals. For this reason, please make a special note of any animal or environmental allergies on your camper’s registration form. Some camps spend more time with the animals than others.

Can I send my child to camp if they aren’t feeling well?

Please do not send your child to camp if they have any of the following:

A positive diagnosis of Covid, fever,  sore throat, diarrhea, has vomited in the past 24-­‐hours, pink eye (conjunctivitis), strep throat, chicken pox (Varicella), lice, fifth disease (Ertheme Infectiosum), hand-­‐foot and mouth disease, bed bugs.   If the symptoms are attributed to seasonal allergies, please let us know in advance. If your child is suspected to have any of the above, you will be asked to pick up your child immediately.

To prevent the spread of disease, hand washing will be mandatory before and after any time outside or with animals, lunch, and any food activities. Campers with a fever will be sent home immediately.  While at camp, campers should be well enough to participate in all camp programming.

What happens if my child gets sick during camp?

Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, we may call you to come and pick up your child.  If a camper is suspected to be contagious or if due to their illness they are not able to participate in camp, we will call numbers on the campers pick-up list to come pick up said camper.  If necessary and in an emergency, camp leadership will assess your child’s condition and seek treatment, then notify the camper’s adult.

How do I get in contact with staff or my child during the camp if there is an emergency?

Contact Gorman Heritage Farm at (513) 410-9519 to contact the Director of Education. 

My child is in a cast, and/or has difficulty walking. Can they still come to camp?

Yes, your child may still attend camp at the Farm but please understand that there is a lot of walking involved in each camp day. Please contact the Camp Manager (camp@gormanfarm.org) if mobility is an issue. If the condition began after your child registered for camp and you feel that it is best for your child not to attend, please contact the Camp Manager.

Is camp at Gorman Heritage Farm able to accommodate children with special needs?

Yes, MOST of our camps are perfect for children with special needs.  Campers must be completely potty trained, and be able to change their own clothes.  If you are unsure, please contact the Camp Manager (camp@gormanfarm.org) prior to registration. We are happy to discuss accommodations.  It is also very important to note any special needs in your child’s health profile upon registration.

What to bring, Lunch, Snacks and Breaks

What should my child bring to camp?

• Closed­‐toe and closed-back shoes – NO SANDALS!  NO KEENS! – We interact with farm animals and garden tools, and our shoes must stay secure.  Campers will not be allowed to attend camp with inappropriate footwear.
• Refillable water bottle
• Lunch
• Hat (sun protection)
• Sunscreen
• Extra set of clothes
• Backpack (to keep their extra items in)
• Raincoats (if rain predicted)
• High socks, long pants (Wilderness Camp)
• Please apply bug repellent BEFORE arriving at camp (especially Wilderness Camp)
• Please make sure your camper is dressed for the weather.

Leave the following items at home:

• Electronics
• Toys, such as decks of cards, fidget poppers, etc (unless approved by Camp Manager – camp@gormanfarm.org)
• Items of value, illegal substances, medication, pets/animals

Gorman Heritage Farm is not responsible for personal items brought to camp, although we make every effort to help campers keep track of their belongings. We will keep lost-and-found items at the farm for a period of 2 weeks after the last day of camp, after which all items will be donated to a charity shop.

Do you provide snacks?

We provide one snack during camp as an afternoon snack break each day.  Often, these snacks are prepared by the campers. Snacks are usually small, and may include popcorn, salad, fruit and occasionally something sweet.  Please pack a hearty lunch for your camper, as our snacks are just one serving. We check food restrictions in medical forms when planning our snacks the week before, and we work to ensure there are snack options for every diet.  Please note diligently if there are any foods your camper may not have.

We will provide a snack during after-care.

Due to the nature of camp on the Farm, interacting with farm animals and gardening, we do not allow children to eat snacks between activities.

Please make sure your child has a hearty breakfast and lunch.

Do you provide lunch?

No. ALL full-­day campers must bring their own lunch, including Farm Chef Camp and Young Farm Chef Camp. Please note that neither refrigeration nor a microwave will be available for use. Due to allergies, children are not allowed to share lunches.

Can I meet my child for lunch?

Caregivers are permitted to observe their campers at any time during the day with prior approval from the camp director.  Please recognize that joining your child for lunch may distract them from their camp day and bonding with their peers, so we discourage parents from attending camp unless required for the campers wellbeing. 

My child is having a birthday while at camp. Can I send treats or toys?

No. Due to allergy concerns, no food or treats may be provided to campers other than those provided by the camp. Toys tend to be a distraction from camp.  Other ideas can be emailed to camp@gormanfarm.org.

How often does the group take bathroom/water breaks? What about handwashing?

We ask that parents send refillable water bottles with all campers, and we drink throughout the day. We refill water bottles and take drinks between each activity. We also ask the children to use the restroom during these water breaks and before and after any hikes. Children must wash their hands after interacting with animals, planting in the gardens, and before cooking activities and lunch.  Each camp session has access to a cold water fountain, running water, and flush toilets.

Summer Camp Miscellaneous

What are the qualifications of camp staff and volunteers?

Camp staff is primarily comprised of college and high school students with experience working with children and in the outdoors. They often have experience working at summer camps, are studying outdoor/environmental education, or have experience with animals(both small and large)

All seasonal staff complete an FBI/BCI background check and complete a weeklong training session that includes child safety and first aid. 

Counselors-in­‐training are volunteers ages 14-­15 with a strong interest in working with children and learning skills in leadership and outdoor/environmental education. They are assistants to the counselors and also undergo a training session.

How are the campers supervised?

Campers are supervised at all times by camp staff and are escorted on restroom breaks. Two staff members will be with children at all times. Staff to camper ratios are no more than 2:12.

Will my child get to touch and interact with farm animals?

Yes!! Part of camp on the Farm is interacting with farm animals. For this reason, please make a special note of any animal or environmental allergies on your camper’s registration form. Some camps spend more time with the animals than others. Most farm campers will feed, groom, and pet the farm animals. Campers in Wilderness Camp or Explorers Camp may not interact with the animals as much, but at least one day includes animal time.

Will the weather ever cancel Summer Camp at Gorman Heritage Farm?

Camps will continue rain or shine. Campers will be outside, even in the rain, so please prepare your child for the weather. In the case of thunder and/or lightning, camp activities will take place indoors until it is safe to return outside.

Can my camper purchase an item from the Farm Store during camp hours?

No, please do not send money with your camper to make purchases during the day. We will not have time for this during camp hours. You may make purchases before or after camp hours. Gorman Heritage Farm staff is not responsible for any money sent to camp with children.

Can I observe my child while in camp?

Caregivers are permitted to observe their campers at any time during the day with prior approval from the camp manager.  We prefer for families not to shadow their campers during camp hours.  The presence of adults often causes distractions for other campers. Our staff is trained to assist campers with homesickness. Please feel free to ask the counselors or camp coordinator about your child’s day. Contact camp@gormanfarm.org with special requests.

Can I photograph my child and his/her new friends while in camp?

No, for the protection of all campers, photography, videography, or audio recording is not allowed except by those authorized by Gorman Heritage Farm.  We will send a “camp newsletter” the week following every week of camp which your child attends. It will contain a link to a private folder of photos from that week of camp that is accessible only to that week’s camp families. Campers without a photo/video/research release may appear in images in this private folder, but will not be included in any promotional images or videos.

Please note the following rules and policies associated with accessing and using these photos: 

• In order to respect other guardian’s preferences on the use of their child’s image, by accessing this photo folder, you are agreeing to only use and publish photos that contain ONLY your child’s likeness. This means that if a photo contains another child’s likeness, you must crop the photo or blur out any child’s face and defining features (like name tags or school t-shirts) that do not belong to your child. 
• Publishing photos includes posting on social media like Facebook and Instagram (whether your account is public or private), printing for distribution, or otherwise sharing these images with the public.
• Please understand that GHF does not employ a professional photographer at camp, and we cannot guarantee photos of your camper. Campers with a photo release signed by a guardian may have their photos taken for camp promotional purposes.