2nd - 5th Grades

Days at NEOC, for our Squirrels ( 2nd-3rd graders) and Otters (4th-5th graders), are filled with exploration, projects, discovery, and much, much more. They are encouraged to wonder about, investigate, and build their understanding of nature. Meanwhile, a camp culture of inclusion and appreciation creates a supportive community for self-expression and risk-taking.

Very unique to NEOC is how campers are empowered to find new interests, create new games, and mentor other campers. Special friendships have been born between campers of different ages during the afternoon sign-up activities. Some of the sign-up activities have come from campers wanting to teach games they had invented to the rest of the camp!

No matter how many weeks a Squirrel or Otter chooses to spend at NEOC, they leave with greater confidence in themself and new ideas about how to enjoy and preserve the natural world around them! They enjoy an immersion that is typical of an overnight camp experience, with the joy of sharing camp stories at home with their family each night.

Core Activities

Camp days are divided into five activity periods, plus lunchtime. Campers spend their three morning activity periods on core activities. They opt into two afternoon sign-up activities each day.

Core activities for Squirrels and Otters are:

  • Archery
  • Canoeing
  • Garden exploration with specialists from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
  • Music
  • Science
  • Shelter building
  • Tent set-up
  • Trail walks and activities
  • Wood whittling

Sign-Up Activities

Examples of the afternoon sign-ups that campers in grades 2nd-8th opt into are:

  • Art
  • Capture-the-flag
  • Disc golf
  • Dodgeball
  • Drawing
  • Dream catchers
  • Field games
  • Friendship bracelets
  • Leaf printing
  • Nature weaving
  • Ponding
  • Rock painting
  • Rounders (British baseball)
  • Rugby
  • Science experimentation
  • Sewing
  • Slip-n-slide
  • Soccer
  • Storytime
  • Ultimate frisbee
  • Yoga

Structure of a Week

Each week begins with the whole camp gathering for call-and-repeat songs, expectation setting, and introductions to the counselors. Then, age-divided groups head-out for team building.

Each day ends with time for Squirrels and Otters groups to reflect on their day and prioritize the sign-up activities offered the next afternoon.

Thursdays are our theme days, which are different each week and revealed with excitement on Thursday morning! It is a chance for Squirrels and Otters to conquer new challenges and enjoy twists on familiar activities.

Camp ends each week with s'mores on Friday afternoons!

Rates

2025 Rates

You won’t see a better rate than you see today! As summer gets closer, each future promotion will never be quite as awesome as the one before it.

We offer a sibling discount on bus service which is $10 less per week for each sibling. Please use the pricing calculator to estimate your rate with bus savings.

Read a full description of our billing, cancellation, and changes policies.

ACH (2.5% discount)
Credit Card
Number of weeks per family

1 Week

2-3 Weeks

4-7 Weeks

8+ Weeks

Camp
(Orig $842)

$801
Save $41 per week!
$792
Save $50 per week!
$782
Save $60 per week!
$772
Save $70 per week!

Bus
(Orig $122)

$109
Save $13 per week!
Sibling discount available
$109
Save $13 per week!
Sibling discount available
$109
Save $13 per week!
Sibling discount available
$109
Save $13 per week!
Sibling discount available

Weekly
Savings

$54
$63
$73
$83*

*Register for 8 weeks and save $664!

Number of weeks per family

1 Week

2-3 Weeks

4-7 Weeks

8+ Weeks

Camp
(Orig $842)

$822
Save $20 per week!
$812
Save $30 per week!
$802
Save $40 per week!
$792
Save $50 per week!

Bus
(Orig $122)

$112
Save $10 per week!
Sibling discount available
$112
Save $10 per week!
Sibling discount available
$112
Save $10 per week!
Sibling discount available
$112
Save $10 per week!
Sibling discount available

Weekly
Savings

$30
$40
$50
$60*

*Register for 8 weeks and save $480!

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We offer THREE family-friendly, convenient services: Early Drop-Off, Extended Day, and Bus! You can add-on services after you've selected your camp weeks and entered the checkout process. Learn more
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This camp runs on the following weeks. Please log in to register.
Week of Jun 09, 2025
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This camp runs on the following weeks. Please log in to register.
Week of Jun 09, 2025
Week of Jun 16, 2025
Week of Jun 23, 2025
Week of Jun 30, 2025
Week of Jul 07, 2025
Week of Jul 14, 2025
Week of Jul 21, 2025
Week of Jul 28, 2025
Week of Aug 04, 2025
Week of Aug 11, 2025
Week of Aug 18, 2025  (Full)
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See what our customers think...

The staff is absolutely amazing!!!!" The staff is absolutely amazing!!!!" J.K.L., Wellesley
Even though it’s a rainy week, my child has enjoyed so much of the camp days! I am so glad they get to be in the nature for a whole week. It’s amazing." Even though it’s a rainy week, my child has enjoyed so much of the camp days! I am so glad they get to be in the nature for a whole week. It’s amazing." J.L., Weston
Such a fun week for all 3 of my kids! The counselors and traditions were their favorite part. See you next year!" Such a fun week for all 3 of my kids! The counselors and traditions were their favorite part. See you next year!" J.L., Needham
We were absolutely blown away by our experience at this camp!! The location was beautiful and a magical place for kids to spend their summer days. The counselors were beyond our expectations - everyone we interacted with was kind, caring, knowledgeable, informative, enthusiastic. We have never exper... Show full review We were absolutely blown away by our experience at this camp!! The location was beautiful and a magical place for kids to spend their summer days. The counselors were beyond our expectations - everyone we interacted with was kind, caring, knowledgeable, informative, enthusiastic. We have never experienced that at a camp before and we are so grateful. Everything was so well organized. I never expected my 5 year old to have a chance at archery or my normally shy 8 year old to have a chance to perform on a stage. They were only there for 2 weeks and they had the time of their lives. Thanks so much for giving my kids an incredible summer experience." J.C., Brookline
This was our first experience with NEOC and we absolutely loved it. Will definitely be back next year. My kids loved theme day. Any engagement with counselors was always a highlight and of course canoeing!" This was our first experience with NEOC and we absolutely loved it. Will definitely be back next year. My kids loved theme day. Any engagement with counselors was always a highlight and of course canoeing!" G.S., Wellesley
What you do with your counselor training is unmatched. Our kids have gone to a lot of camps and these are just the best counselors of any place we have gone to. They make them feel welcome and supported and our kids have a great time! They loved canoeing and archery the most." What you do with your counselor training is unmatched. Our kids have gone to a lot of camps and these are just the best counselors of any place we have gone to. They make them feel welcome and supported and our kids have a great time! They loved canoeing and archery the most." E.G., Wellesley
Thank you for running this camp a week early! Perfect for private school kiddos who get out super early! My son really enjoyed camp. He loved all the sports, as well as the nature focused activities." Thank you for running this camp a week early! Perfect for private school kiddos who get out super early! My son really enjoyed camp. He loved all the sports, as well as the nature focused activities." C.C., Wellesley
3rd year and the counselors continue to be amazing. Very engaged and great energy every day." 3rd year and the counselors continue to be amazing. Very engaged and great energy every day." B.D., Natick
My daughter loved your camp and was disappointed she wasn't attending for additional weeks. :)" My daughter loved your camp and was disappointed she wasn't attending for additional weeks. :)" A.R., Newton
My oldest daughter really liked the canoeing and the archery. Both kids seemed to really like the friendliness and enthusiasm of the counselors. The slip n' slide and the patches were also a big hit." My oldest daughter really liked the canoeing and the archery. Both kids seemed to really like the friendliness and enthusiasm of the counselors. The slip n' slide and the patches were also a big hit." A.I., Needham
I cannot express how much my child enjoyed her week at NEOC. She was excited to wake up every morning. The counselors are truly phenomenal and my daughter felt safe and supported. We will definitely send her next year. Thank you so very much. My daughter said 'every part of the day is my favorite'.... Show full review I cannot express how much my child enjoyed her week at NEOC. She was excited to wake up every morning. The counselors are truly phenomenal and my daughter felt safe and supported. We will definitely send her next year. Thank you so very much. My daughter said 'every part of the day is my favorite'. She especially loved the canoeing." A.B., Marblehead
When we dropped her off each morning, she couldn't wait to get to camp! She also loved learning new skills such as archery, making friends, feeling loved by her counselors, and earning badges!" When we dropped her off each morning, she couldn't wait to get to camp! She also loved learning new skills such as archery, making friends, feeling loved by her counselors, and earning badges!" J.M., Boston
My son had the absolute best experience. He has disliked so many, if not all, of the previous camps we have tried. This has been the best experience for him and for our whole family -- to see him coming home so happy. I am not sure what your secret sauce is, but keep it up! He wants me to write that... Show full review My son had the absolute best experience. He has disliked so many, if not all, of the previous camps we have tried. This has been the best experience for him and for our whole family -- to see him coming home so happy. I am not sure what your secret sauce is, but keep it up! He wants me to write that he 'enjoyed the WHOLE day the most!'" K.C., Wellesley
Great camp, well organized and really fun for our kids!" Great camp, well organized and really fun for our kids!" L.B., Needham
It was so much fun, thanks for an amazing experience. The badges were great motivators too." It was so much fun, thanks for an amazing experience. The badges were great motivators too." L.L.S., Natick
This was my kids first experience with NEOC and my youngest's first camp experience in general. They absolutely loved it!! The counselors were exceptional and they came home so happy each day. Thank you all! They loved the badges and canoeing." This was my kids first experience with NEOC and my youngest's first camp experience in general. They absolutely loved it!! The counselors were exceptional and they came home so happy each day. Thank you all! They loved the badges and canoeing." L.B., Wellesley
I love the energy at drop-off and pick-up. The music makes it so fun and, while my kid doesn’t give me a ton of info, it seems like he had an amazing summer!" I love the energy at drop-off and pick-up. The music makes it so fun and, while my kid doesn’t give me a ton of info, it seems like he had an amazing summer!" O.S., Natick
NEOC far exceeded our expectations! Our kids loved their camp experience and cane home tired, dirty, and happy each day. Our only regret is that we did not sign up for additional weeks this summer! My older daughter loved canoeing and my younger daughter loved s’mores!" NEOC far exceeded our expectations! Our kids loved their camp experience and cane home tired, dirty, and happy each day. Our only regret is that we did not sign up for additional weeks this summer! My older daughter loved canoeing and my younger daughter loved s’mores!" S.B., Natick
It makes a huge difference that counselors know each child by name. Details like that are why we love NEOC. My kids also loved the camp songs. Thanks for a great few weeks of camp!" It makes a huge difference that counselors know each child by name. Details like that are why we love NEOC. My kids also loved the camp songs. Thanks for a great few weeks of camp!" J.L., Needham
My daughter loved her first day! Despite not knowing anyone at the camp, she came home talking about two new friends she'd met, as well as really lovely interactions with counselors and fun activities. It's very early, but at this point, she is really happy (and eager to try canoeing and archery). I... Show full review My daughter loved her first day! Despite not knowing anyone at the camp, she came home talking about two new friends she'd met, as well as really lovely interactions with counselors and fun activities. It's very early, but at this point, she is really happy (and eager to try canoeing and archery). It was wonderful to hear from her that (at least to her understanding) there's a specific counselor dedicated to helping kids feel connected, included, and comfortable. I love that!" H.M., Brookline
This was my son's first time at NEOC and he really enjoyed it! The games, the campers, and the size of the camp really suited him — he came home super happy every day. Another thing that he liked was when his group went canoeing and he didn't want to, he was allowed to join another group and plant a... Show full review This was my son's first time at NEOC and he really enjoyed it! The games, the campers, and the size of the camp really suited him — he came home super happy every day. Another thing that he liked was when his group went canoeing and he didn't want to, he was allowed to join another group and plant a flower (he's taking good care of it and named it George the Dinosaur). It was nice that he wasn't forced to go and that you all gave him that agency — he felt really respected! Thanks!" S.T., Wellesley
My son is LOVING his experience at NEOC and comes home regaling us with stories about his day and bubbling with energy as he talks about what the next day might bring (Armpit Fudge?!?). Thank you for creating such a fun and fulfilling experience." My son is LOVING his experience at NEOC and comes home regaling us with stories about his day and bubbling with energy as he talks about what the next day might bring (Armpit Fudge?!?). Thank you for creating such a fun and fulfilling experience." E.B., Wellesley
My daughter felt a sense of community which is hard for her as an only child who also lives out of her school's district. This experience has been so positive on her confidence to make new friendships and has just made her so happy. I notice her anxiety melted away and she was just embracing the adv... Show full review My daughter felt a sense of community which is hard for her as an only child who also lives out of her school's district. This experience has been so positive on her confidence to make new friendships and has just made her so happy. I notice her anxiety melted away and she was just embracing the adventures and excitement around being a kid. Thank you!" K.K.H., Hyde Park
Loved how the campers jumped into big activities on day 1 and 2, like archery and canoeing. Also love the energy from the counselors. All the familiar faces help build comfort and rapport!" Loved how the campers jumped into big activities on day 1 and 2, like archery and canoeing. Also love the energy from the counselors. All the familiar faces help build comfort and rapport!" Z.R., Needham
My boys loved playing in the woods! It was what they looked forward to the most when we first showed them the website, and it lived up to their imaginations. The shelter building was their favorite, but they also just liked the hikes in the woods." My boys loved playing in the woods! It was what they looked forward to the most when we first showed them the website, and it lived up to their imaginations. The shelter building was their favorite, but they also just liked the hikes in the woods." A.M., Somerville
Our daughter loved NEOC so much that she says we need to sign her up every single year until she's 16, and at that point she wants to train to be a counselor there! We found it very well-organized and well-thought-out, and enjoyed the continuity from week-to-week. And we loved the counselors. I can'... Show full review Our daughter loved NEOC so much that she says we need to sign her up every single year until she's 16, and at that point she wants to train to be a counselor there! We found it very well-organized and well-thought-out, and enjoyed the continuity from week-to-week. And we loved the counselors. I can't say enough about how kind, engaging, and all around wonderful they were with our daughter. She still talks about them often and misses them. Our daughter especially loved canoeing, shelter-building, weaving with various botanicals, ponding, and archery. And, of course, Friday s'mores!" W.L., Needham Heights
This camp was made for my son. He loved everything about this experience — being outdoors, exploring the woods, learning more about nature, the amazing counselors, and getting to meet new friends. He truly adored the counselors, and looked forward to camp each and every day. He cried when we left on... Show full review This camp was made for my son. He loved everything about this experience — being outdoors, exploring the woods, learning more about nature, the amazing counselors, and getting to meet new friends. He truly adored the counselors, and looked forward to camp each and every day. He cried when we left on the last day, begging to keep going. He actually made a comment that if school was like NEOC, he would be happy to go every single day. Thank you SO MUCH for creating NEOC — this has been an experience of a lifetime for our son — and we cannot wait to sign up for next year!" B.R., Wellesley
My daughter's favorite activities were ponding, identifying rocks, and s'mores. She loved the big, warm welcome she received from counselors upon arrival. She loved earning badges! She really appreciated having a choice on her activities for the next day." My daughter's favorite activities were ponding, identifying rocks, and s'mores. She loved the big, warm welcome she received from counselors upon arrival. She loved earning badges! She really appreciated having a choice on her activities for the next day." E.F., Wellesley
I loved my son's experience (and so did he) of being outside all day long, and really taking advantage of all that Elm Bank has to offer." I loved my son's experience (and so did he) of being outside all day long, and really taking advantage of all that Elm Bank has to offer." M.T., Sherborn