Garden Camps

School break camp teacher ratio: The maximum number of campers in each school break camp is 14. They will be joined by 2 teachers.

Summer camp teacher ratio: 21 campers are enrolled each week. Two teachers will be with the group the entire time with a third staff member rotating in and out of the group as needed. For the cooking camps, we have an additional 3 – 4 volunteers and a chef so we can ensure adequate supervision during cooking activities. Those extra adults help us break campers into groups of 4 – 5 so they can each participate closely with the cooking activities.

Yes! We are a nut-free camp.

Each day campers will get a chance to harvest and/or investigate where food comes from in order to make a morning and afternoon snack. Examples include the following:

• Homemade focaccia with various toppings (some from the Edible Garden!)
• Apple cinnamon muffins
• Fresh scones and homemade fig jam

Yes! We will do our absolute best and will work with the parents to ensure that each camper has options to eat throughout the day. We cannot always change our menu for a food allergy, but we can offer a store bought alternative. For example, if a camper has a gluten allergy and we are making homemade flour tortillas, at the time of eating, we will offer the camper store bought corn tortillas. If we are making strawberry lemon tiramisu, we won’t be able to make gluten free lady fingers, but we could give the camper a gluten free sugar cookie to top with the tiramisu toppings. 

We do not force campers to try foods they aren’t comfortable with eating. We will always encourage campers to try what they made, but we do not require them to try everything. What they choose to eat is entirely up to them.

School break camp refund policy: Full refunds will be granted if requested at least 4 weeks before the start of camp. If a refund is requested less than 4 weeks before the start of camp, they will only be granted if the vacancy is filled.

Summer camp refund policy: A $50 administration fee will be charged for refunds requested before May 1. After May 1, a $50 administration fee will be charged and the remaining balance will only be refunded if the vacancy is filled.

Summer camp registration opens online only on February 1, at 9 a.m.

Our camp is based in the Mershon Hall Children’s Classroom. Every morning we go on a Garden adventure. Additionally, we are outside for lunch and free time (weather permitting) and outside again for a brief afternoon activity. Each day of camp we try to visit a different area of the Garden.

Each day we explore a theme, such as rainforest, meat-eating plants, fairies, flowers, etc. We may make a flower crown, dig for earthworms, dissect a pitcher plant to see what kinds of bugs it has been eating, sculpt an imaginary dragon egg, plant a terrarium, or play a pollination relay race. When planning our schedule, each day will include Garden explorations/observations, an open-ended art activity, and lots of games.

We will follow CDC recommendations to keep campers safe.

Unfortunately, we do not offer before or after care for our camps. Camp drop-off begins as early as 8:45 a.m. and all campers must be picked up by 4:05 p.m. Parents will be charged $1 per minute after 4:05 for a late pickup. 

No – we are not providing snacks this year. Campers will need to bring their own snacks, ideally packed separately from their lunch. We have 2 snack times every day (once around 10:30 a.m. and again around 2:30 p.m.)

School Break Camps: No. Campers attending in the Fall, Winter or Spring will not visit the splash pad during their camp.

Summer Camps: Yes. Weather (and COVID-19) permitting, we visit the splash pad on Fridays.

We expect all campers to take care of their own personal needs and property. Campers should be able to go to the bathroom on their own, change their own clothes, and carry their own bag. We also expect campers to follow directions and stay with the group so we can keep everyone safe.

Campers are not allowed to bring any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, to camp. The only exceptions are Epipens, an inhaler, or other life-saving medication that must be with your camper during the camp day. If your child brings Epipens, they need to be clearly labeled with his/her name on it and they must always carry it with them (a light backpack or fanny pack is recommended.) Please bring the Epipen set instead of an individual dose. Contact us at ktraina@atlantabg.org if you would like to discuss possible exceptions to this rule.