JULY – AUGUST , 2006
Our 34TH Year

Childhood is important business. Children need plenty of free time and play time to stoke the imagination with forts, games, stories, art, music and swimming. Discoveries are vital, too. The world of nature and friendships are part of the richness and variety we want to build into our children’s lives. Camp Sarsaparilla returns children to a simpler, quieter, more leisurely world of our own childhoods.

Camp Sarsaparilla is a day camp located in Pownal, Vermont on 85 acres. We serve boys and girls between the ages of five and eleven for a period of six weeks during the summer. We believe that childhood years are vitally important, all summer long too. Therefore we provide campers with a mix of structured and open ended activities which are both stimulating and non-competitive. Games, stories, art, music, swimming, and explorations in the natural world provide a rich and varied experience.

FACILITIES

While most of our camp day is spent in the great outdoors on our lawns, fields, and in the woods of this historic rural hillside farm, structured art activities and some nature activities take place in our various barns. The spring fed lined pond is used for swimming, and a small natural pond is available for “frogging“.

THE DAY'S EVENTS

The Sarsaparilla day begins at 9:oo and runs to 3:30pm. We start off with free time followed by meeting, and progress to games, snack, trolley and trampoline. The morning finishes with an art and environmental education activity for each age group. After lunch, we write in our journals, listen to stories, and sing together as a group. Much of our afternoon is spent swimming. We have a certified lifeguard present , and do not provide instruction.

THE STAFF

Camp Sarsaparilla is owned and operated by Merry Harsch. Merry is a certified art teacher in Williamstown, Mass, where she has taught art since 1970. Richard Steege is co-director of the camp, and taught 6th grade in Williamstown for many years. There are also teenage counselors most of whom are former campers and who are chosen for their positive values, attitudes and enjoyment of children of this age.

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP

Campers should bring the following items to camp every day:

- A lunch with a lunchtime beverage, and a water bottle. (We suggest a lunchbox with your child’s name on it, and we ask that all remaining food and containers go home each day.)
- A sweatshirt and raincoat to be left at camp.
- Bathing suit and towel.
- Styrofoam bubble or life vest for non-swimmers.

REGISTRATION AND FEES

The weekly fee is $235, which this year includes a camp T shirt. A deposit of $100 per week is requested by April 15th for each week in which your child is registered. Spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis, upon receipt of enrollment and deposit. The balance for all sessions in which your child or children are registered is due by June 15th. Deposits may be transferred to different weeks up until June 15th if space allows. After that date, the deposit will be non-refundable and non-transferable. Refunds for weekly sessions will be issued after June 15th if your child cannot attend, providing the space can be filled.

Directions and what to bring to Camp will be mailed with our confirmation letter.

HOW TO GET TO CAMP SARSAPARILLA

Camp Sarsaparilla is located on Montgomery Road in Pownal, Vermont. From Route 7, north of the racetrack, turn onto Route 346. Proceed ¼ mile until Route 346 takes a sharp bend to the right. Go straight ahead, crossing the other lane of 346, cross the railroad tracks, then cross the bridge over the Hoosick River.

Turn left onto River Road for ½ mile until one sees a sign for Montgomery Road on the right next to the Christmas tree farm. Follow it for ¼ mile to reach the fork; take the left branch of the fork through the stone pillars (the left one has “718” on it). Camp Sarsaparilla is at the top of this hill. Northwest Hill Road from Williamstown is an alternate route and intersects with Montgomery Road next to the tree farm. Camp Sarsaparilla is ten minutes from Williamstown, and 15 minutes from Bennington.

Out of courtesy to our neighbors and for safety reasons, we ask that each driver drive slowly up Montgomery Road, the posted speed limit is 25. Please be especially vigilant as you approach the Camp and in the drop-off and pick-up area.

Thank you.

718 Montgomery Road, Pownal, VT 05261-9704

ph 802-823-5411

fax 802-823-5469

Email us at info@campsarsaparilla.com

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