Days at NEOC, for our Flying Squirrels ( 2nd-3rd graders) and River 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 Flying Squirrel or River 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.
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 (9/21/2022)
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 (9/2/2022)
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 (8/19/2022)
You really did a stellar job. My kids were beyond happy to be there, asked for additional weeks, and want to return next summer. My daughter is already planning to be on staff some day! :-D"
You really did a stellar job. My kids were beyond happy to be there, asked for additional weeks, and want to return next summer. My daughter is already planning to be on staff some day! :-D"
S.S., Wellesley (8/5/2022)
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 (7/22/2022)
Canoeing was a big hit! It was great to see the photos. Thank you to the team, and especially my son's counselor, for all the dedication to helping him enjoy his experience."
Canoeing was a big hit! It was great to see the photos. Thank you to the team, and especially my son's counselor, for all the dedication to helping him enjoy his experience."
H.H., Sudbury (7/22/2022)
We can't wait to sign up for next year. My 4th grade daughter loved the camp!"
We can't wait to sign up for next year. My 4th grade daughter loved the camp!"
J.O., Natick (7/1/2022)
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 (7/1/2022)