Frequently Asked Questions
We make every effort to honor group requests, but they are not guaranteed. This grouping will only happen if it is mutual amongst all parties.
Please send any friend requests to [email protected], and we will do our best to accommodate these requests and, in doing so, will group campers as close to their own age as possible. Campers will be introduced to their counselors and new friends on the first day of each session.
We kindly ask that you label everything! Labeled items can easily be reunited with their owners. Did your child leave something behind at camp? We have a permanent lost and found area which families are welcome to look through before drop off or after pick up. Items not labeled are placed in this lost and found area. Items in the lost and found will be sorted through and donated twice each summer. Families will be given advance notice of these collection days.
Please contact the camp office in advance with any special requests for early pick-up. We will be happy to accommodate you and have your camper ready at the drop-off/pick-up gate. To help with the dismissal flow, we kindly ask that all early pick-ups take place before 2:30pm.
Please enter by using the Walker Street entrance, park near the gate, and call the office at 508-336-8677. A unit leader will bring your camper to your car.
In last-minute circumstances, please allow us a window of 10 minutes to retrieve your camper, our campus is big and sometimes campers may be partaking in some super fun activities in the woods!
Yes!
Drop-off/Pick-up at our Seekonk campus: Enter the campus by using the Walker Street entrance. Staff members will be on hand to help guide you in the right direction. For the safety of our campers and for your convenience, we ask that you remain in your vehicle during this time. Staff members will help load and unload your camper(s) from and into your vehicle. You will be given a placard during drop-off on your first day of camp, to be used during pick-up. Please be sure to have this displayed on your dashboard so that we can identify the camper(s) you are picking up.
Drop-off/Pick-up at our Providence campus (BUS Option ONLY): Drop-off and pick-up will take place at the gate located on the Meeting Street side of the school. Drop-off will begin as early as 8:10 am, with the bus leaving promptly at 8:30am.
End of Day Pick-Up: the bus will leave the Seekonk Campus at 4pm and will arrive at the Providence Campus around 4:15 pm, please pick-up by 4:30 pm.
Campers should arrive at camp dressed in appropriate clothing* and prepared with the following items** to ensure a comfortable day:
- swimsuit and towel
- closed-toe shoes
- sunscreen
- bug spray
- refillable water bottle
- lunch and snacks in an insulated lunch
*Appropriate clothing may vary by day based on weather conditions and themed days. Please be aware that your children will have very active outdoor days, and their clothing may receive some dirt love.
**Please label everything that comes to camp.
A core component of Wheeler Summer’s philosophy is geared towards building lasting friendships amongst our campers. Campers are divided into subgroups; June Bug Camp, Lower Camp, Junior Camp, and Senior Camp; so that they are grouped with children of similar ages and similar grade level. This also allows us to provide your child with appropriate programming during their time at camp.
At Wheeler Summer, we pride ourselves in hiring experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic staff who are prepared to create a fun, safe and memorable summer camp experience for your child. Our staff is made up of a variety of individuals who are professionals in education, childcare or are working towards degrees in these fields. All staff are CPR certified and are required to participate in a week long staff training program. We operate under the regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Health and are licensed by the Seekonk Board of Health.
At Wheeler Summer, safety is our number one priority! Each member of our staff is trained in first aid, CPR, and specific Wheeler Summer protocols.
Wheeler Summer is directed by a health care team for the summer. Each day, our Health Supervisor is on staff during regular camp hours.
Please help us by submitting all relevant health forms (updated physical & vaccination report) and by sending campers to us with plenty of drinking water, sunblock, and bug spray. If your camper requires any medication, you will be required to submit additional paperwork when sending your child to camp.
Wheeler Summer Camp complies with all regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Health and is licensed by the Seekonk Board of Health.
As long as conditions remain safe to be outdoors, camp will still be run normally! Staff will adjust activities to comply with safety and age of campers. We encourage camp families to check the weather before traveling to camp and pack accordingly. In the event that conditions are not safe, alternative plans will be implemented. Our staff is trained in weather-specific protocols pertaining to thunderstorms, lightning, and any other situation that would require immediate attention.
- Lunch is included in every camper’s tuition, and is provided by The Wheeler School’s food service provider, CuilnArt. The menu will be posted on our website at the beginning of the summer. There will be a few options offered daily to cater to different dietary needs.
- Snack will be provided in the morning. Our snacks are nut-free.
- If you are packing lunch for your camper, please make sure to include a full lunch, afternoon snacks, and a refillable water bottle. Please send all food items with your camper in soft-sided, insulated bags with ice packs for cooling.
- Camp days are long and campers are active outside in the summer sun. To ensure that your camper is staying hydrated, please be sure to pack a refillable water bottle. Counselors will be making time for water breaks and water refills throughout the day. We have water coolers stationed around camp for refills.
Please call our office at (508) 336-8377 or email us at [email protected] and we will get a response to you within 48 hours.
At the beginning of each camp session, you will receive a welcome email filled with all-you-need-to-know for the upcoming session! This email will include specifics regarding drop off and pick up, lunch, what to pack, the theme of the week, and any other information that may be relevant to your camper.
We group according to age and take into consideration your child’s grade level. Parents will also receive a welcome email the Thursday prior to their child’s start date. This email will include updated information regarding your upcoming week at camp!
Yes! Are you thinking of sending your child to The Wheeler School? Do you simply need quality summertime care for your children? Whatever your needs are, we strive to provide a Wheeler experience during the summer months!
Our campers come from over 20 different towns and cities, different states and countries, and from public, independent, and parochial schools. We want all campers inside and outside of the Wheeler community to experience our dynamic, creative, and innovative play-based curriculum on our beautiful Farm campus. We pride ourselves on being a diverse community – one that truly values and welcomes all families!
Having jitters for camp is totally normal, and sometimes drop-off can lead to a tough event with some campers. Our staff members, especially our June Bug & Lower Camp counselors, are trained to help with these transitions. We encourage families to try to stick to the normal drop-off procedure – allowing our counselors to open the door, greet the camper, and bring them to their group. We find that the child will get used to a routine and each day will become easier. We also ask for a quick goodbye. This may be hard for both camper and family, but it is common for the camper to recover quickly and get started with their day.
The following drop-off and pick-up hours pertain to our Seekonk campus. Any campers utilizing the bus option will need to follow different drop-off and pick-up times and procedures.
Drop-off begins at 8:30am and concludes by 9am. Pick-up runs from 3:45–4pm.
If your child is enrolled in extended day after care, pick-up is no later than 5:30pm. For more information about extended day programs, visit this page.