Frequently Asked Questions

Brewster Day Camp welcomes campers ages 6 to 16 of all genders, from rising 1st graders through rising 10th graders. Campers are grouped by the hill that fits the grade they will enter in the fall: Mariners Hill Camp (rising 1st-2nd), Sailors Hill (rising 3rd-4th), Admirals Hill (rising 5th-8th) and the Camper Leader Program (rising 9th-10th).

Our campus is at 3570 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631, on Cape Cod. It sits beside Nickerson State Park, with a private waterfront on Little and Big Cliff Ponds for boating and sailing.

Our 46th season runs seven themed weeks, from July 6 to August 20, 2027. Week 1 (July 6 to July 9) is a shortened holiday week. See Dates & Rates and the Camp Calendar for every week's theme and special events.

Day Camp drop-off and free play run from 8:00 to 8:45 AM, and pick-up is from 4:30 to 5:00 PM. At Mariners Hill Camp, drop-off is 8:15 to 8:45 AM and pick-up is 4:15 to 4:45 PM. The BDC Office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

For 2027, Day Camp (rising 3rd-8th) is $945 a week, with the shortened Week 1 at $750. Mariners Hill Camp (rising 1st-2nd) is $5,935 for the full summer at 5 days a week, $3,995 for 3 days (Mon/Wed/Fri) or $2,935 for 2 days (Tue/Thu). The Camper Leader Program (rising 9th-10th) is $945 a week. Every program has an $85 enrollment fee. Early Bird enrollment saves 10%, and campers may take one discount. See Dates & Rates for every option.

Yes. The Day Camp and Camper Leader programs have weekly rates, and Day Camp offers flexible schedules so working and vacationing families can choose the weeks that suit them. Mariners Hill Camp is a full-time program for the whole summer, at 5, 3 or 2 days a week.

Yes. BDC is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which means the camp meets and exceeds the ACA Standards for camper health, safety and program quality.

Yes. Every camper has a daily American Red Cross swim lesson, and each program has free swim time in the afternoon. The pool is managed by a Red Cross certified director, and lessons and free swims are run by certified lifeguards and swim instructors. Semi-private lessons for new or reluctant swimmers are available as an EXTRA.

Yes. In our BASE waterfront program, campers explore canoes, kayaks, Day Sailors, Sunfish and 420 sailboats on Little and Big Cliff Ponds in Nickerson State Park. Everyone on the water wears an approved personal flotation device, overseen by our certified Aquatics Director. Campers in grades 3-10 can also add the BDC Sailing School, Monday to Thursday afternoons, for $350 a week or $175 for 2 days, with one instructor for every four sailors.

Day campers rotate through a central schedule of archery, 2-D and 3-D art, the BDOC low ropes challenge course, COOP (GAGA, basketball and play), ECOD nature exploration, LEAP adventures across the Lower and Outer Cape, MUGS games and sports, STAR song and theater, field sports, daily swim and BASE boating and sailing. Mariners Hill campers rotate through six learning stations built for their age. See Day Camp and Mariners Hill Camp.

Enrollment is online through CampMinder. Create or log in to your CampMinder account and register for programs and EXTRAs; the enrollment fee and half of tuition are then applied to your account. Enrollment is complete once the CampMinder Health History is filled out and your child's latest immunization record is on file. Both are required every year, for new and returning families. See the Enrollment Process.

Brewster Day Camp is committed to making camp available to as many families as possible. Email info@brewsterdaycamp.com with questions about financial assistance, and see our Financial Aid page for local funds and scholarships for Lower and Outer Cape families.

Yes. Our full-time Camp Nurse works in the Health Center next to the pool, ready to help campers feel well enough to return to their activities or to call home for an early pick-up if needed.

Campers bring a hearty lunch from home in an insulated bag with a freezer pack, plus a filled water bottle. BDC provides an afternoon snack for every camper; Mariners Hill families also pack morning and afternoon snacks. If a camper arrives without lunch and a family member cannot be reached by noon to deliver one, BDC provides food and the family is charged $10.

A labeled backpack with a swimsuit, towel, flip flops or water shoes, a warm sweatshirt and pants, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat, plus lunch and a labeled water bottle. Campers wear closed-toe shoes to camp. The full packing list is on the Enrolled Families page.

The Camper Leader Program is an extended camp experience for rising 9th and 10th graders. Camper Leaders take part in the full central schedule, join daily discussions and training in communication, leadership and team problem-solving, and mentor younger campers. BDC provides written documentation of their volunteer hours for high school community service requirements.

Yes. Since 1981, BDC has welcomed children and families from around the world. Flexible schedules make it easy to join for part of the summer, and camp helps children build independence, social skills and confidence in English. See International Camp Families.

Brewster Day Camp is part of The Family Schools, Inc. Camp is led by Co-Directors Morgan Chase and Will Mason with Associate Director Ciara Byrne; Misa Galazzi is President & Executive Director of The Family Schools, Inc. Meet everyone on our team page.

Each Monday, members of our leadership team greet new campers at the BDC Welcome Table, located just inside the gate! Campers will be shown their Hill, be introduced to their Tent Counselors and some new friends. Families are welcome to meet the directors each morning from 8:00-9:00, and each afternoon from 4:00-5:00 on the Welcome Walk.

Located on the outgoing driveway just behind the BDC Office is our Hello and Go Path. A parking lot attendant will greet you, help you out of your car and ensure you make it onto Campus and up to your hill. Any pertinent information from your parents will be passed on to your Tent Counselor by the BDC Staff person greeting you.

Yes. BDC Camper Expectations are posted on the website, and also on the Hill Boards and in our Welcome Letter. Please take a moment to read them with your family. Always remember to share your: Courage, Hope, Good Spirit & Peace

Our online camp newsletter, eWAVES, is published Sunday mornings in-season and the first of the month in the off-season and is one way we keep our families involved and getting all of the latest BDC news! Make sure you get your copy by posting your email address in the footer at the bottom of the page!

The Bathhouse is near the pool. Portable toilets are located outside the pool, near the basketball court and at Mariners Hill Camp. The Health Center also has a bathroom for emergencies.

If you feel sick, hungry, cold, or uncomfortable in any other way, tell your Tent Counselors! They will escort you to our Health Center, which is located next to the pool. Our full-time Camp Nurse has everything needed to get campers feeling well enough to return to their tents, or to make a call home for an early pick-up if needed.

On rainy days, we play games and have fun in our various dry locations including two Yurts, the Big Top, the Art Tent, the Main Deck Pavilion and the Brewster Baptist Church Activity Hall. On occasion, Camper Leaders and Admirals Hill Campers may go ice skating or bowling. Remember to bring warm clothes, long pants, socks, your raincoat, and a smile! (Please leave your umbrellas at home.)

Your labeled backpack and lunch can be stored in your cubby, located in your tent. Cubbies are cleaned out at the end of each day.

We encourage all campers to challenge themselves and have fun at each activity. Let your Tent Counselors know if you are feeling uncomfortable. They will help you feel safe and successful in activities, or get you additional help if you need it.

Absolutely! Please ask your Tent Counselors to take you to your Hill Head or a Director, who will accompany you to the BDC Office to make the call. Please leave your cell phone at home. Speaking of cell phones…please leave all technology and “toys” at home. Talk to your Hill Head if you are unclear about this.

Yes, on a very limited basis and only with permission from your parents AND your Hill Head. We discourage camera use at BDC yet understand that some kids really like taking photos! Posting photos of campers and staff members on social media platforms is strictly prohibited.

Wear comfortable clothes, close-toed shoes and sunscreen to Camp each morning. If your swim lesson is your first activity, wear your bathing suit. Please wear long hair tied back at all times and especially in the pool. Feet must be covered except when going to and from the pool. A second bathing suit and towel are recommended. For a more detailed list of items needed for BDC, see what to pack on the Enrolled Families page.

Yes! Your parent or guardian may add a Trip/Lesson or add time to your schedule by calling or visiting the BDC Office. If space is available, you may sign up for an EXTRA on that day. Contact the BDC Office for details.

Please save your spending money for the weekends. Leave your money at home, even when on a BDC Trip or Lesson off-campus.

If you wish to go home with a friend, your parent or guardian MUST come to the BDC Office and provide written permission and contact information.

Please leave your gum at home. Gum gets stuck in our hair, on our shoes, and in our pool filters, to name just a few pesky places!

Every camper has a daily Red Cross swim lesson. We encourage all campers to wear a suit to the pool and take part in the lesson to the best of their ability. If you feel uncomfortable, tell your Tent Counselors! If you are physically unable to participate, please bring a note from your parent/guardian to the Swim Director or the Health Center. BDC Water Safety Instructors are awesome! They help kids feel safe and comfortable around water. They train great swimmers and have lots of fun, too. Our special pool water will not sting your eyes, either! Ask us about it when you get to camp.

Your Tent Counselor can help you find a good time to visit each other.

Please tell your Tent Counselors if you are hungry. They will let you know how long until lunch or snack time, and help you get some food if needed.

Day Camp participants receives a necklace or dog tag on their 1st day of camp. At program activities, campers earn different colored beads or notches to put on the necklace to help you track your achievements at camp.