Where does New Jersey Audubon hold its camps?

New Jersey Audubon (NJA) has three sites across the state: Lorrimer Sanctuary in Bergen County, Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary in Somerset County and Nature Center of Cape May in Cape May County. All camps are designed to maximize outdoor adventures and learning but are different in their camp audience, day length and topics covered.

Who do I call if I have site specific questions?

Summer camp registration is centralized through the ACTIVE Network; all questions about registration and camp details should be directed to the nature center where you have registered your child for camp.

Lorrimer Sanctuary – 201-891-2185

Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary – 908-396-6594 Nature Center of Cape May – 609-400-3858

Do I have to be an New Jersey Audubon member to register for camp?

Yes. If you do not know your membership status, please contact [email protected]. There are many advantages to joining, including discounted rates for other NJA programs, newsletters, and discounts at our shop. Membership fees are nonrefundable.

How do I become a member?

You can join at Join New Jersey Audubon – NJ Audubon

Renew your membership at Renew Your New Jersey Audubon Membership – NJ Audubon

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes. NJA offers financial assistance on a needs basis as long as funds are available. For more information see our application or contact [email protected].

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel more than 30 days before the start date of the camp session, NJA will issue a full refund less a $25 processing fee for each camp session cancelled. To cancel, access your ACTIVE camp account.

There are no refunds for cancellations less than 30 days of the camp session. Medical/disaster cancellations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis If you need to cancel less than 30 days prior to camp, contact your center directly at the numbers listed above. If your child is absent for any reason fees are not refunded. PLEASE NOTE: NJA does not refund membership fees.

What happens if New Jersey Audubon cancels a session?

NJA normally does not cancel any camp sessions, but if we are required to do so because of an emergency, a prorated refund will be issued for the missed days minus the membership fees.

What happens if there is bad weather?

Camps are rain or shine. While we have indoor space as needed, campers should bring appropriate clothing (raincoat, boots, etc.) for rainy day fun. In extreme weather, children will be moved to a secure location.

Are there session waitlists?

Yes. Due to the number of children registered for waitlisted camps, we will only contact you if space becomes available. If a spot opens up, you will have 48 hours to decline or accept the spot and payment will need to be made in full at that time.

Who can I talk to about my child’s special needs (learning, behavior, health, and allergy etc.)?

NJA welcomes children with special considerations to our programs. NJA will make reasonable accommodation to include children with special considerations in in our programs, but we also understand that our summer camp program may not be suitable for every child and NJA reserves the right to ask that a child not participate in the program. We also reserve the right to request that a parent/guardian remain with the child during the program OR the parent/guardian provides a trained professional to accompany the child. It is important that parents/guardians discuss their child’s social, emotional, behavioral, or learning needs with the camp staff ahead of attending camp.

What paperwork needs to be completed before the first day of camp?

NJA must have a physician-signed medical form and proof of immunization uploaded to your child’s ACTIVE portal to be on file one week prior to your child’s camp session. NJA camps are State of New Jersey-certified and therefore adhere to the State of New Jersey, Department of Health policy regarding immunizations. All children attending our camps must show proof of immunization (medical and religious exemptions apply). See NJA Immunization Policy.

What should my child bring on the first day of camp?

A specific list of items will be in your registration confirmation emails. Generally, children should dress for outdoor play and bring a change of clothes (just in case!), a lunch or snack (depending on day length), a hat, and a reusable water bottle. Bug spray and sunscreen should be applied at home, and tick checks performed at home at the end of each day.

Medications

Participants must be able to self-administer all their medications. Our staff will not administer any medication to participants in any of its programs.

Do you run background checks on your summer camp staff?

Yes. The safety of our campers is our top priority at NJA. We follow all requirements set forth by the State of New Jersey which includes background checks, CPR/First Aid training, emergency plans, health plans, maintaining staff to camper ratios, and facility safety records.

Are you a nut-free camp?

No, we are not nut-free and campers may bring nut-containing foods to camp. If a child has a severe allergy, we will ensure that they have a safe space to eat snack and lunch.

These rules are meant to ensure that all participants have a safe and enjoyable experience at NJ

Audubon’s camps.

• All campers will show respect for other people’s ideas and values, even if they are different from their own.
• All campers will follow instructions of the summer camp teachers, counselors, and other camp staff.
• All campers will respect the NJ Audubon property, wildlife, and other living

Any behavior that could harm a camper or staff member, or which is disrespectful and/or discriminatory, is unacceptable at NJ Audubon’s camps. Behaviors include, but are not limited to physical or emotional violence, verbal abuse, or bullying. NJ Audubon staff will immediately notify the parent/guardian to discuss our response which can include the following:

• Verbal warning and/or supervised “Time Out” from an activity
• Dismissal from camp for the remainder of the day
• Dismissal from the remainder of the program

Medication Administration

The Policy of New Jersey Audubon Society (NJA) and its personnel is not to physically administer any medication to participants in any of its programs. Participants must be able to self-administer all their medications.

• Medications – Properly labeled medications may be stored at NJA during programs in a secured space. NJA personnel will retrieve medications and supervise any child self-administering medications and record this information in our medical log.
• Forms – Parents/guardians of participants must complete and sign the Medication Authorization Form which states that they recognize that there may be risks in this activity and release and hold harmless NJA and its personnel. It also states that in the event the participant needs medical attention, and the parent/guardian cannot be reached by phone, they consent to emergency medical care for the participant.
• Options – If a participant is unable to self-medicate NJA offers the parent/guardian the option of (1) the parent/guardian remaining on site to administer the medication to the participant or (2) parent/guardian providing trained certified personnel who are licensed to administer to be on site during the program session.
• Communication – This policy will be reviewed with parents upon registration and a copy will be included in the NJA handbook and all camp This policy will also be reviewed with staff at orientation and annual staff training.

Children with Special Needs

NJA welcomes children with special considerations to our programs and requests that parents/guardians discuss their child’s social, emotional, behavioral, or learning needs with our summer camp staff. This request ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone participating in the program.

NJA will make reasonable accommodation to include children with special considerations in our programs, but we also understand that our summer camp program may not be suitable for every child and NJA reserves the right to ask that a child not participate in the program. We also reserve the right to request that a parent/guardian remain with the child during the program, or the parent/guardian provides a trained professional to accompany the child.

New Jersey Audubon camps are State of New Jersey-certified and therefore adhere to the State of New Jersey, Department of Health policy regarding immunizations (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.3 and

N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4, Immunization of Pupils in Schools, Medical and Religious Exemptions – https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/imm_requirements/religious_exemption.pdf

All children attending our camps must show proof of immunization. Exemptions are accepted only for the following reasons and a written statement must accompany your child’s health form. Requests for exemptions based on philosophical, moral, secular, or more general reasons will not be granted.

• Religious: A written statement from a parent/guardian indicating that “immunization interferes with the free exercise of the pupil’s religious right.”
• Medical: A written statement from a physician licensed to practice medicine

indicating that “an immunization is medically contraindicated for a specific period of time, and the reason(s) for the medical contraindication.”

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.3 (d) and 4.4 (d) a school, preschool, or childcare center may exclude children with religious or medical exemptions during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak as determined by the Commissioner, Department of Health, or his or her designee.

New Jersey Audubon strongly encourages children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for the health and safety of all camp participants.