Maymont Camp FAQs

Camps at Maymont are filled with activities, crafts, games and exploration. Animals and historic buildings are a major part of the learning experience, and campers have the benefit of one of the most beautiful settings in Richmond as their playground! With fun as the ultimate goal, participants learn about nature and history in a fun and safe setting.

Online registration is preferred and is available at maymont.org/camps. If you are unable to register online, contact us or call 804-358-7166 ext. 304. If you are in need of financial assistance, we have scholarships available. Please contact us to inquire.

Activities are designed for kids in the grade or age range associated with the camp, featuring lessons that are academically, emotionally and physically appropriate. Please register your child for camps that match up with the correct age or grade.

Camp teachers are made up of permanent Maymont education staff and seasonal staff. The Maymont education team has several years of camp and teaching experience. Camp interns from colleges and universities are selected based on their area of study and experience working with children. All adults have had background checks and each camp will have at least one adult that is CPR and First Aid certified. In addition, most camps will have trained volunteers, typically from local high schools.

The maximum number of campers per session varies from 10-20 campers. At least two staff members and one volunteer will lead each camp.

Please accompany your child to the designated location of the camp where you will check in with a Maymont educator. Camp begins once all campers have arrived. Occasionally some campers have a difficult time with drop-off the first day but almost always settle in quickly and have fun. For summer camps: Your child will be given a camp t-shirt. Please have them wear this shirt, or a shirt of similar color, each day of camp.

We try our best to keep our camps safe and healthy for all campers and staff. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Regulations, we ask that campers stay home if:

• Your camper has a fever over 100* (child can return to camp after being fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication)
• Is vomiting or has diarrhea
• Has symptoms of a communicable disease listed in the Virginia Department of Health’s Communicable Disease chart

If any of these symptoms present themselves during camp hours, a guardian will be contacted immediately for pick up. If your camper is sick and unable to attend the session that day, please contact us as soon as possible and let us know. If available, we can switch your camper to an alternate session or provide a refund.

We encourage all campers to bring a water bottle (full). Backpacks are optional but handy for carrying water bottles on hikes. Sturdy, closed toed walking shoes are also advised. A snack break is provided mid-morning. If your child has any dietary needs or allergies, please let us know. You are also welcome to provide a snack for your child. Campers attending a full-day camp will need to bring their own lunch.

Please apply sunscreen prior to camp. Camp staff will not apply sunscreen on the campers. Campers are also welcome and encouraged to bring bug spray to camp. Campers are welcome to apply bug spray outside of the classroom as needed. Maymont does not provide sunscreen or bug spray.

Please check your confirmation email for the exact location where you should drop off your child. Our camps are hosted at the Maymont Farm, The Robins Nature Center and at the Stone Barn Welcome Center. Please check your confirmation email for the exact location and address of your camp

We ask that campers are picked up within 10 minutes of the camp end time. We are unable to provide after care at this time. If you will be late to pick up your camper, please let us know as soon as possible. Early pick-ups can be arranged with the lead instructor. We often are out on the grounds with campers during camp hours, so advance notice is needed. If it is an emergency, please contact Maymont at 804-358-7166, ext. 304, and they can locate us over the radio.

We are not able to offer before or after camp care at this time. This means that we are not able to accommodate early drop offs or late pickups. Entrance gates or buildings will open AT the camps scheduled start time. Please check your confirmation for exact start times for your camp sessions. Someone will be at the gate/door to let you in. Please note: Maymont opens to the public at 10am. Once you drop off your camper, please do not enter the grounds until after 10am.

YES! Please alert staff when completing registration about your child’s allergies. We do not purchase snacks containing nuts or peanut butter to err on the side of safety. Parents can check the ingredient lists of snacks on the first day of camp if necessary. If your child carries an Epi-pen or inhaler, make sure to inform the camp staff in your registration materials, and show the child’s medication action plan to staff on the first day. Only emergency medication may be left with the camp staff and ONLY with an action plan accompanying the medication.

We try our best to address physical and special needs on a case by case basis to ensure the full participation and enjoyment for each and every camper. Disclosure of your child’s needs will not bar them from participation in camp. Please let us know about any developmental , physical, or emotional needs when your child registers for camp so that we can work with you directly to accommodate them. In general, all campers should be able to meet the following guidelines with or without accommodations:

• Be able to stay with a group
• Be able to follow verbal, visual, or written instructions
• Refrain from hurting themselves or others
• Manage all personal hygiene
• Use equipment and classroom supplies as directed
• Be able to navigate the grounds with or without the use of a mobility aid

Yes. Our camps are designed for campers to have a fun and educational experience. Kids who have an aide in their daily school routine adapt much more quickly to the camp routine with their aide attending. We are unable to provide these aides for your child, and they must be procured on your own and at your own expense. In certain cases, we may also request that campers have an adult aide with them at camp to assist with particular physical, emotional, or developmental needs. Prior to camp contact us or call 804-358-7166 ext. 304, if your child will be bringing along an adult assistant.

We are a mostly outdoor camp, so please dress your child for the weather! In the winter, warm layers are advisable. In the summer, light, breathable clothing is advisable. If there is a heat advisory in effect, time spent outdoors will be limited. When outdoors, we find shady areas for activities and encourage lots of water consumption! If it is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit outside, we will limit outdoor activities and have frequent opportunities for re-warming.  If there is heavy rain or lightning, we activate our “rain plan” and stay inside. In the case of drizzle or light rain, we may still go outside. Your child is encouraged to bring a raincoat on these days, not an umbrella.

If you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. Your camper can be transferred into a comparable camp at no additional cost if space is available. 50% of the registration fee will be refunded for cancellations made at least three weeks prior to the start of the camp session. No refunds will be available for cancellations made less than three weeks prior to the session. Allow three to four weeks from the time of cancellation for a refund to be issued. If you are experiencing extraneous circumstances that prevent you from attending camp, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss alternate options.

We require at least five campers to be registered for a camp in order to proceed. If the registration is below five for your child’s camp, we will contact you prior to the start date to make you aware of the possibility of a cancellation. The decision to cancel will be made two weeks prior to the camp start date. We can transfer your child to a comparable camp or offer a full refund at that time.