FAQs

 

General

  • ​​Branches is located at The Meadowbrook School at 10 Farm Road in Weston. The campus is approximately 5 minutes from Route 128 and Route 90 (Mass Pike). Thirty acres of wooded trails, open fields, and a pond brimming with fish and frogs - along with easy access to Boston and surrounding areas - makes Branches an idyllic summer destination.

  • You’ll find all the traditions and features of Meadowbrook Day Camp that you love in our Campers program. Nature walks, swimming, boating on the pond and group sing-a-longs will continue to have a home at Meadowbrook, more than sixty years after our original campers joined us.

  • Weekly bus transportation is available for an additional cost. Find more information here.

  • Daily snacks and lunch are provided for all participants. The food service professionals at Meadowbrook provide a well-balanced, nutritious lunch. Each day, menu choices include fresh entrees and some sandwich/salad alternatives. We also provide a morning and afternoon snack. We ask that Families do not pack a lunch or snacks to ensure food safety for all participants of our programs. If your child has a food allergy or special dietary needs please be in touch with us before the summer.

  • Our head chef works closely with families that have allergy or dietary needs as well as our health office to provide safe and appropriate meals for all participants. If your child has a food allergy or special dietary needs please be in touch with us before the summer. While we make every attempt to be a nut-safe program, Branches cannot guarantee a 100% nut-free environment.

  • Branches at Meadowbrook is located on the campus of The Meadowbrook School at 10 Farm Road in Weston, MA - just 15 miles west of Boston. During the winter and spring months we invite you to visit us at various camp fairs throughout the surrounding communities as well as our Open House events on campus. All enrolled campers are invited to a Branches Meet and Greet in June before programs begin.

    Check our social media for upcoming event dates and locations!

  • We love hearing from families throughout the year! During the winter and spring, please feel free to reach out via phone or email during our regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    781-647-0546

    info@branchesmeadowbrook.org

    During the summer, we work hard to communicate efficiently and effectively with families - important updates as well as fun glimpses into your child’s day. Our enrolled families will have the opportunity to download the Campanion app that includes daily photos, communication tools, and an easy mobile platform for completing forms. We extend our business hours in the summer to be available for questions or concerns.

  • Branches is fortunate to have ample indoor and outdoor space. In the event of stormy or inclement weather, or excessive heat, alternate indoor activities may replace outdoor events. We are pleased to be able to offer dedicated indoor space for each group as well as areas for indoor specialty activities.

    In the event of rain or excessive heat we are able to move many activities indoors. In the event of light rain, participants may still participate in some activities outdoors - raincoats are recommended. Children will not spend time outside in times of heavy rain or stormy weather. Field trips may be shortened, adapted, or replaced depending on the weather.

  • The goal of the behavior management policy at Branches is to provide every participant with a safe, nonthreatening environment which facilitates growth socially, physically, and emotionally within our programs. We recognize that all situations are unique and they will be treated as such. Behaviors which may warrant immediate suspension or removal from the program can include leaving the group, endangering or purposefully hurting another participant or staff member, and the theft or destruction of property belonging to individuals or to Meadowbrook.

  • Branches at Meadowbrook hires approximately 140 staff members each summer, chosen for their skills, passions, depth of experience, strength of character, and embodiment of Meadowbrook’s mission to know, love, and challenge every child.

    Our full-time administrative team spends the year planning and preparing for the summer, while our seasonal team convenes in the spring to complete their training and preparations. All Branches staff are required to complete CORI and SORI background checks, fingerprinting, and additional licensing requirements based on their role. A full staff orientation is held before our programs begin. Throughout the summer, staff are in continuous partnership with the administrative team to further their own professional development and growth.

  • Yes! We hope families will take advantage of the opportunity to try any programs their child is eligible for. Please see the session dates to begin planning your summer at Branches!

  • Yes. We accept electronic payments for deposits, tuitions, and add-ons through our online application platform. A deposit is required for each program and is applied to the final tuition. Deposits are refundable until February 15th. All payments must be received by May 1st. For participants enrolled after May 1 full payment is due upon enrollment.

  • Yes! A Sibling Discount of 5% is applied to eligible family enrollments and a Whole Summer Discount (5%) is available for families who enroll in all 8 weeks (June 24-August 16).

    In addition, faculty of the Meadowbrook School and Branches at Meadowbrook staff are eligible for additional discounts. Please contact us for more information.

  • At the time of registration a deposit of $100 per week is due to hold your child’s spot at our camp. Deposits are refundable until February 15th.

    Payment in full is due May 1st. After May 1st all money will be retained if you cancel your child’s registration.

Health and Wellness

  • ​​Branches employs multiple health professionals (e.g. nurses, EMTs, nursing students, etc) to staff our Health Office during the summer for all participants. We also have a consulting relationship with a local pediatrician. If you have questions or concerns about a specific medical need, please reach out to us before the summer.

  • We will be following all CDC and state of Massachusetts requirements on isolation and quarantine.

    Vaccination is suggested, but not required.

    Please reach out to info@branchesmeadowbrook.org for any questions.

  • For campers who are mildly ill at camp we have a health care center staffed by professionals that can provide support.

    Families will be contacted if their child is seen by our health staff either by phone or email.

    If your child has a fever or is vomiting/has diarrhea you will be asked to come pick up your child. Children with these symptoms cannot return to camp until symptoms have resolved.

    Please see your family handbook for more information on our healthcare policies or email info@branchesmeadowbrook.org.

CAMPERS Program

  • ​​All campers participate in swimming lessons everyday. Campers follow the American Red Cross swim lesson program, taught in small groups by our certified swim instructors. Campers will be tested and placed in the appropriate level group at the beginning of their session. If the instructor deems a camper has progressed to meet all of the required skills they will be advanced to the next level.

  • Campers groups are assigned by age - with children in the same or adjacent grades. Groups include all genders, with private changing options provided for swim times. Campers may request to be grouped with a friend as part of the application process. Every group has multiple counselors assigned to it. Average group sizes range from 15-20 campers.

  • All of our campers will get to participate in Arts and Crafts, Science, Drama, Sports, Games, Swim Lessons, and Free Swim throughout the session.

    Pre-K campers will go through the day with their group. Our Hedgehogs have a quiet time after lunch for about 20 minutes. Some campers nap while others just rejuvenate for the rest of the day.

    Lower Camp (K-3rd grade) will have the opportunity to choose one elective in the afternoon in addition to the camp activities listed above. The rest of the activities will be with their group

    Upper Camp (4-8th grade) will have the opportunity to choose 2 electives during the camp day in addition to the camp activities listed above.

  • We are excited to announce that we are moving back to swim two times per day in our Campers program. All groups will have a morning swim lesson and free swim in the afternoon. If you would like additional swim lessons for your child, please take a look at our swimmers program.

MAZEMAKERS Program

  • Challenges are large-group collaboration activities in which the Mazemakers community must solve a complex problem through leadership, cooperation, and teamwork. Challenges form an important component of the program, helping to build leadership skills and strengthen community. There are usually 2 to 3 Challenges per session. On Challenge days, classes are either shortened or suspended, depending on the level of challenge and the length of time needed to solve it.

  • Yes! Mazemakers offers a limited number of LIT and Junior Counselor roles which are often filled by previous Mazemaker participants. If you are interested in this opportunity, please reach out to us via phone or email for more information.

  • Yes. Mazemakers have an optional free swim period during the day. Mazemakers who do not wish to use the pool may choose another activity such as games, sports, or quiet group time. Mazemakers do not participate in swimming lessons.

  • After enrollment, all Mazemakers will be asked to complete a Choice Form indicating their top choices for classes each session. This form will be available on the Family Portal dashboard before summer begins.

  • Our campers stay the night after the showcase for our families. They participate in activities, watch a movie, and get to extend their time having fun with friends. For our campers that are not ready to spend the night we have stay over options available where campers are picked up after the movie.

EXPLORERS Program

  • Explorers spend half the day in their selected class - typically from 9:00 a.m. until lunchtime. Morning snack and a break is scheduled for each group. See the Explorer daily schedule here.

  • Explorers classes are taught by a variety of instructors - Meadowbrook School faculty, professional teachers, long-standing partners/third-party providers, and enthusiastic experts in their fields.

    Anyone working with Branches during the summer completes the necessary background, CORI, SORI, and fingerprinting requirements.

  • When they are not in class, Explorers have the chance to explore more! Activities such as sports, swimming, arts and crafts, and more are available for Explorers to engage in. Explorers will have the chance to participate in many different activities with their class groups and group counselors.

  • Yes. Classes are offered to a range of grades depending on the scope and sequence of the class. In general, classes are grouped by Preschool (Pre-K and K), lower camp (1st-2nd grade) upper camp (3rd - 5th grade) and middle school (6th - 8th grade), though there are some exceptions.

  • Yes. Depending on their class schedule, Explorers may have the chance to participate in free swim on some days. Explorers do not participate in swimming lessons.

  • Our Explorers+ classes are more intensive specialty camps that go beyond our typical Explorers options. Experiences will include unique materials, expert guests, and more. Children will attend the class of their choice for the entire day and will not participate in other camp activities.

ADVENTURERS Program

  • Each week offers a selection of trips to local venues. See here for more information.

  • No. Daily lunch and a snack are provided to Adventurers. We do encourage participants to bring a water bottle on their trips.

  • Enrolled families will access necessary waivers or permission slips through their Family Portal later in the spring. Adventurers who have incomplete forms will not be allowed to attend the trip/program.

LEADERS Program

  • During the first part of the program, Leaders will have a chance to visit or observe various groups within the Campers program. As they prepare for their CIT placement, Leaders will work with their mentors to identify their choices and preferences. Leaders may spend time with different groups during their CIT placement - rotating weekly to broaden their experience with different age groups.

  • While many of our former CITs do go on to become successful staff members in future summers, there is no guarantee of employment. All candidates must go through the Branches hiring process.