Parent FAQs
Our daily schedule has four periods in the morning and four in the afternoon. We combine two periods together to create a major block for our major periods in tennis, soccer and horseback riding. The golf major is limited to 16 campers and is a four-period block.
The rest of the periods are filled with our extensive elective choices. Campers are allowed to change their schedule each day, so they can try a variety of activities and schedule time with their friends. Each evening we offer a different activity that involves all campers, either as a whole or in age-appropriate groups.
For those driving to camp, Windridge is located in Roxbury, Vermont, off exit 5 on I89. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive to Roxbury from Boston, a little over 5 hours from New York City, and 2 and a half hours from Montreal.
We offer charter bus transportation from New York, with stops in Darien, CT, and Hartford, CT. Bus transportation is $185 each way. Campers should pack a lunch and will be able to disembark at the stops and have their lunch or use the rest rooms. The bus does have a restroom on board, as well. Vending machines are available for snack purchases.
Commercial airlines have direct service to the Burlington, VT airport from Logan in Boston, O’Hare in Chicago, Dulles in Washington, JFK in New York City and Newark in New Jersey. We meet campers at the Burlington Airport and Logan Airport in Boston on opening day and will return them on closing day.
If your camper will be arriving by private plane, the Berlin, VT airport is the closest private plane airport for your convenience. If you need to have us pick up your child at the Berlin airport, please notify our office.
We are a “screen-free” camp. This means we do NOT allow the following: cell phones, handheld electronic games/devices that have gaming and/or wi-fi capabilities (iPads, iPod Touches, Kindles and/or e-readers, iWatches, Gameboys, Nintendos, etc.). Cell services are not available in Roxbury, and wi-fi is for management and staff. We recommend that campers leave valuables at home, as the camp is NOT responsible for loss or damage to valuables. Our electronics policy helps ensure that campers unplug while at Windridge, enjoy the experience and outdoors, and have authentic social interactions.
Parents will be able to e-mail campers through our “CampInTouch’' system. We print out those emails and get them to campers during their lunch break. We also post hundreds of photos daily! We encourage parents to send their campers with stamped and addressed envelopes and writing material. Although our campers do not get on the phone with parents, unless it is a special occasion such as a birthday, our directors and leadership team are available throughout the summer to let you know how your child is doing. Many of our campers are from overseas and we allow them to fax letters home.
For the safety of all campers, our camp rules require that ALL medications, from prescription drugs through aspirin or other over-the-counter medicines, be kept in a locked facility at our health center. We have two certified nurses on staff who monitor and record all medications. We distribute medications at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bed. We stock many over-the-counter medications, including Tylenol.
Many of our campers come to Windridge not knowing anyone, but camp is all about making new friends! And it doesn’t take long. Returning campers enjoy sharing their knowledge of and love for Windridge with newcomers. Staff members and counselors are trained in methods of engaging new campers and helping nervous campers become active members of their cabin and camp life.
A camp experience fosters independence, but even returning campers get a little homesick sometimes! It’s natural to miss family and home when you spend some time away. Our staff are trained to identify signs of homesickness and how to teach or reinforce the skills to overcome it. We keep parents informed if their child is missing home, and encourage parents to call the office or their camper’s counselor to check in on how their camper is doing.
We have a wonderful chef at Windridge who prepares all of our meals. Campers have always given our food rave reviews. Breakfast is served cafeteria style, with a hot item such as pancakes or eggs. Breakfast includes a toast and bagel bar and a large selection of cereal. Lunch is also served cafeteria style, with a sandwich bar (cold cuts, and sandwich toppings) and a full salad bar. For dinner, we have a family style meal, and the full salad bar is also available.
Yes! Campers can receive care packages while at Windridge. We ask that parents not bring food to camp or receive packages containing food. Since we are in a rural area, food in the cabins can attract animals, and outside food items make it harder for us to monitor potential allergens for our campers. Non-food packages are not regulated but should be limited to just one or two per session. Our Head Counselors and group leaders will inspect all packages and confiscate food items.
There is a laundry facility located at camp. Each camper’s laundry will be done once per two week session and twice per three week session. There is no additional fee for this service. One large laundry bag is required with the camper’s name clearly marked on the outside. Laundry bags can be purchased at camp for those who arrive without one. Campers staying multiple sessions will have their laundry done between sessions as well.
Campers live in cabins with a counselor and campers their gender and age. We have a girl’s camp and a boy’s camp. All cabins have electricity, screened windows, and fans. Shower houses are centrally located, and younger campers are located closer to the shower house. Rookie campers, ages 7-10, live in cabins with bathrooms.