Letter to Parents and Caregivers — Coming Soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Why sleep-away camp? Why Rowe?+
Our sleep-away camps afford the opportunity to co-create an inclusive, fun and safe community for 1- or 2-week sessions. Each year, the camp sessions are shaped in a unique way by the individual campers and counselors who attend. Unplugged and away from our screens and devices, we build human connection and empower campers to better understand themselves, each other, and the wider world.
Sleep away camp offers a unique space for kids to learn who they are, outside of their family or school structures. At Rowe, we create opportunities for campers to explore, reflect, grow and play while practicing responsibility toward both self and community.
Ultimately, our camps are just one of our many programs that fulfill Rowe's vision: a world filled with people who are actively creating inclusive, participatory communities filled with joy, respect, love…and a little bit of weirdness.
Does camp have a theme?+
Rowe is not a sports camp or an arts camp, though we do both and more. Rowe's theme is unique; being solely centered in Youth Empowerment. The main focus of our camps is to provide an age-appropriate amount of independence to our campers and foster a nurturing environment where campers can practice forming deep and healthy relationships.
Each camp's activities balance staff-run activities, as well as creating emergent programming based on that set of campers' interests. This means each camp session at Rowe is entirely unique and catered towards that year's community of campers.
Where will I be sleeping if I attend Rowe camp?+
We have 8 unique and beloved cabins in the middle of the woods, located on what we call the "hill" and the "valley." Campers sleep in the cabin assigned to them on arrival.
During the registration process, parents/guardians will be required to complete a Cabin Assignment Request Form for their camper. We offer boys, girls, and gender-neutral cabins. Camp staff sleep in the cabins every evening, helping create community bonds that can last a lifetime.
Do we take bunk requests?+
Yes. Attending camp with a friend can add an extra level of comfort, especially for our younger cohorts, to whom Rowe may be their first sleep-away camp. While kids do spend time in cabin cohorts, all camps spend most of the day in choice-based programming, where even if not in the same cabin, children can play together with whomever they make connections with.
What does a typical day at Rowe look like?+
A typical day at Rowe consists of:
- Wake-up
- Breakfast
- Morning Workshops
- Community Meeting
- Lunch
- Afternoon Workshops
- Cabin Time
- Dinner
- All-Camp Evening Activity
- Cabin Check-In
- Lights Out
Who are the counselors at Rowe?+
We are lucky to have so many campers return as staff at Rowe. Rowe creates a lifelong community that many campers see themselves aging up into staff roles within.
How does Rowe build a secure, safe, and accepting environment for its campers?+
At Rowe, one of our missions is to help each camper find the line between individual self-expression and the needs of the community. Learning to understand oneself, accept others, and to adapt to the needs of the community is a core part of the Rowe experience. In this way, both community and self-growth are central at Rowe Camp.
Counselors are trained to not only be responsible for physical safety, but emotional safety as well. Through guidance and support from the counselors, each camper learns to understand their responsibility for and contribution to the full community. This allows campers at Rowe to be accepted and welcomed, and create powerful, long-lasting friendships.
What will I be eating if I attend Rowe camp?+
Camp food is one of the best features of our youth camps. Camper dietary restrictions and specific food needs are used to plan meals by our camp food staff. Our kitchen staff is often made up of folks who also went to camp, adding to the fun of each session. We are known for our delicious, healthy meals and people look forward to the food at Rowe.
What if I have allergies or other dietary restrictions?+
Parents/guardians will complete a Dietary Restriction Form for their camper during registration. These forms are reviewed by our kitchen staff who are trained on complying with ServSafe food handling regulations. We have a long tradition of cooking flavorful food, that one would have no idea is accommodating special diets.
What is Unitarian Universalism? Is this a religious camp?+
Unitarian Universalism, or UU for short, is a spiritual belief system and community which emphasizes personal choice and the inherent worth and dignity of all life. Rowe Camp and Conference Center is an affiliated organization with the Unitarian Universalist Association and Rowe's founder was a Unitarian Universalist Minister (Rev. Anita Pickett).
Our camps are informed by the UU beliefs and shared values, but are not religious in nature. All are welcome to our programs, youth camps and events no matter your identity or beliefs.
How can campers and families stay in touch during the camp session?+
Campers are permitted to use the landline phone in the Rec Hall to contact their parents. This phone is in a phone booth equipped with a light, fan, and ensures privacy for the camper making the call. Campers should call when not participating in an activity and should ask a camp staff member for assistance. Each camp has slightly different norms regarding the use of the phone and will be part of the orientation during the first day of camp. Camp phone numbers will be sent out by Camp Directors prior to camp beginning.
Additionally, you may send snail mail to your camper at:
(name of camper)
(name of camp)
Rowe Camp and Conference Center
22 Kings Highway Rd
Rowe, MA 01367
What are the costs of each youth camp?+
Our one-week camps (YPC 1 and 2) are $1,350. Our two-week camps (YPC 3, JHC and SHC) are $2,700.
What scholarships are available?+
When you register your camper you will be prompted by our registration software, Enrollsy, if you would like to apply for financial assistance. Your application will be sent directly to the Camp Leadership team. We may reach out for further discussions based on your application.
When a financial assistance award is made, you will receive an email with the award amount, in a unique coupon code, to be applied when you complete the registration process. The aid allocation usually takes a few weeks to be awarded.
How does the payment plan work?+
At the end of registration in Enrollsy you will be asked how you wish to pay for the camp session. You can opt to pay in full, or for our payment plan. This will spread out the payment for camp into monthly installments.
If you need a more specific payment plan, reach out to campcoordinator@rowecenter.org to discuss further.
What health forms do I need for Camp?+
Rowe requires and up to date physical and immunization records to attend camp. Rowe will provide the physical form needed to be filled out by the doctors office. Per our state regulations, we cannot accept physicals issued straight from your child's physician, even if they contain the same information. You will also receive a consent to treat form upon registration and any other forms required that year for enrollment.
How will Rowe support my camper's mental and physical health?+
Rowe Youth Camps are regulated and licensed by the Franklin County Regional Council of Governments and must comply with Massachusetts Minimum Standards for Recreational Camps for Children, specifically the guidelines for health care staff to be provided.
We have camp health staff who are trained on supporting camper mental health, physical health and accommodating individual camper needs.
How are medications handled at Rowe Camp?+
We must comply with the management, administration and documentation of prescription medications as required by Massachusetts MGL 105 CMR 430 as referenced above, and trained by our Camp Health Care Consultant, who must be a licensed physician in Massachusetts.
How close are urgent care, hospitals, or other medical facilities to Rowe?+
The first step is assessment from our Camp Health Care Coordinator and consultation from our Camp Health Care Consultant who is a local physician.
Depending on the situation we have campers transported to different locations. For minor injuries or illnesses we take campers to urgent care facilities in Greenfield or North Adams, MA.
Our closest hospital is Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA, 27.2 miles from Rowe. If needed, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in Brattleboro, VT is an option as well, 30.2 miles away.
We are served by a regional ambulance and EMS service, Northern Berkshire EMS. If 911 is called for any medical emergency, an ambulance is automatically dispatched and accompanied by immediate care from the local fire department.
Campers never leave the campus without a first aid and CPR certified staff member.
Do you offer transportation to and from camp?+
We do not offer transportation for arrival and departure for our youth camps. If you have any specific travel requirements, you should contact campcoordinator@rowecenter.org.
What is the refund policy?+
Rowe has a $100 deposit for each camp that is non-refundable. We create our budgets with the number of campers registered, so if you are unable to attend after signing up, please let us know as soon as possible.
How can I register or learn more?+
Visit our Rowe Camp 2027 page to see snapshots and dates of the camps, and to register for each camp.
You can also contact our Camp Coordinator, Amelia McLaughlin, at campcoordinator@rowecenter.org.