In September of 2017, Starfish completed brand-new construction of a retreat & conference center-style lodge, “Crescent Lodge”, which has led to an expansion in specialty and respite program offerings on the “Crescent half” of our campgrounds.
Crescent Lodge overlooks a swim/boating beach and houses up to 40 individuals in modern dorm-style accommodations with indoor bathrooms, electricity, and air conditioning.
During the summer, it is “home base” for most of our short-term specialty camps (with the exception of the BeachCombers Grove), and during the year it houses our respite programming.
The staff ratio and age groups within these programs vary.
TIDES Vista
Ages 17-22
The TIDES Vista program has been specifically designed to address areas of transitional planning for young adults including independent living, community participation, interpersonal interactions and self-advocacy.
The program is aptly named as participants are looking out at the view of their future and setting their sights on new horizons.
Beachcombers
Ages 14-16
Is your teen ready to experience the great outdoors in the Beachcombers Grove?
Beachcombers is about being willing to try new things, working together on camp life (wood collecting, food prep, fire building, etc.), and engaging in outdoor pursuits including canoeing, hiking, camping and whitewater rafting.
Sibling Camp
Ages 6-14
As the brother, sister, cousin, or relative of a Starfish camper (or someone who could be a Starfish camper!), siblings might sometimes feel left out or different themselves.
Making friends who can relate to what they’re going through allows siblings to feel less “alone” or different from their peers. Sibling Camp emphasizes that every child is a valuable member of the community, and celebrates campers for who they are individually, without comparing them to others.
Treetops
Ages 6-14
With specific grant funding through Philanthropy MA’s Summer Fund, paired with Starfish camperships, we are able to offer camp free of charge to youth who are experiencing housing or food instability, who are living in a shelter, have been or are about to be geographically displaced, or who are in similar crisis situations.
Weekenders
Ages 9-22
The Weekenders program offers a chance for campers to reconnect with camp and change their scenery for a few days during the school year, and gives parents/guardians much needed respite.
Participants register for a series of 3 weekends, 1 weekend per month during each season, either Winter/Spring (February, March April) or Fall (September, October, November).
Summer Weekenders Week
Ages 9-18
Maintaining the same 1:3 ratio, daily schedule, expectations, fun and excitement of our year-round Weekenders program, Weekenders Week is an opportunity to extend the respite fun to summer! And, unlike in winter when camp is under frost, the waterfront will be open all week for swimming, boating and beach fun!
*Please note: Weekenders Week is available only for participants who are also enrolled in at least one Weekenders series (Fall or Winter/Spring).
August Bonus Week
Ages 6-15+
Looking for some extra camp at the end of the summer? Our August Bonus Week is a great chance to have s’more fun with the summer staff and friends from summer sessions!
Bonus week is chock full of activities, fun and friends. We maintain our focus on using the Tools and Keys, and our staff-to-camper ratio remains 1:1, though our structure is slightly more relaxed compared with our typical summer camp day.
