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Camp Discovery

 Discovery 2025

Updated -3/3/2026

Camp Discovery 2026

Program Overview

A traditional day camp program designed to meet the needs of working parents while providing a fun filled day. Campers participate in five program areas, swim lessons, free swim, special events and field trips. Campers will be split into groups by age/grade. All groups will meet at the same location and campers see each other during the day but field trips and activities differ. This is not a drop-in program, and campers should plan on being there for the entire day.

Dates & Location

Camp will be held at Gideon Welles School. 
NOTE:  New Location for Camp!  Campers will be bused to Grange pool for swim lessons as the GHS pool is closed this summer.  

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Extended Care: 7:30-8:30 AM and 4:30-5:30 PM

Session 1: June 22- July 2 (No camp 7/3)
Session 2: July 6 - July 17
Session 3: July 20 -July 31
Adventure Week 1: August 3-7
Adventure Week 2: August 10-14

Registration

Online and Mail-In Registration began on Tuesday, March 10th.  CLICK HERE to go to the registration website. There are currently limited spots, most sessions/age groups have long waitlists.

Camp Discovery - Info for Parents

Traditional full day camp programs for children who have completed grades K-6.  Campers will be broken up into groups based on the grade they just completed.

  • Camp Discovery Parent Handbook - CLICK HERE 
  • Camp Discovery Trips & Special Events - Draft Schedule to be Released Soon
    • Session Calendar will be emailed out the week prior to the start of each session.

    • Due to the high volume of campers in our youngest groups we have created a new group, the Navigators, for campers who have completed 1st and 2nd grade.  One to two weeks prior to the start of each session we will move campers in MyRec to the Navigators group.

Discovery Junior - Info for Parents

An introduction to our traditional Camp Discovery program.  This half day program will include arts & crafts, games, special activities and weekly trips to the pond and splashpad.  Campers should pack a lunch and will eat together before going home. 

  • Discovery Junior Parents Handbook - CLICK HERE 
  • Discovery Junior Trips & Special Events - Draft Schedule to be Released Soon
    • Session Calendar will be emailed out the week prior to the start of each session.

Camp Discovery Adventure Week(s) - Info for Parents

Adventure Week(s) are action packed weeks of camp as we go on trips every day! Drop off and pickup will be from the Academy Building but bus will leave every morning approx. 9:00 a.m. to take the kids on a field trip for the day. No before or after camp

  • Adventure Week(s) Trips & Special Events - Draft Schedule to be Released Soon
  • Adventure Week Waivers:
    • Will be released in May

Extended Care

Registration for Camp Discovery Extended Care will begin in May.  An email will be sent to all registered  families when registration begins and there is enough room in this program for all that need it. 

Camp Discovery will meet from 8:30-4:30 this summer.  If you need an additional hour of childcare before or after camp, you will be able to register for Extended Care.  AM Extended Care will be available from 7:30-8:30 AM and PM extended Care is available from 4:30-5:30 PM.  There is enough room in this program for all that need it, but we do ask that you register sooner rather than later so we can plan. 

Registration for Extended Care will close one week prior to the start of the session so we are able to secure adequate number of staff. 

Paperwork & Forms

Complete & Update your Forms
Digital Forms are required to be completed before you are able to register for this program.  For directions for completing forms prior to registration (recommended) and editing forms CLICK HERE. 

Medication
For Campers who require medication during the camp day or for emergencies, please complete a Medication Authorization form. Forms may be emailed as PDF attachments to liz.gambacorta@glastonbury-ct.gov OR you may log into your MyRec account and upload the documents (once logged in select “members” then click on your child’s name, then scroll to the bottom and upload the appropriate “Medication Authorization Form”). Forms should be turned in as soon as possible, no later than Wednesday before your camper's first day of camp.   Medications should be dropped off the first morning of camp.

Field Trip Waivers
Some of our field trip destinations require their own waiver to be completed. Links to those waivers will be released in May. 

Friend Request Forms

Summer Camp is about trying new things and making new friends.  We encourage all campers to make friends with the campers in their group however we do realize some children are more comfortable being placed with a friend.

If you would like to request your child be placed in a group with their friend, please complete a Friend Request form for each session you are making the request.  Please note that we can only accommodate one mutual friend request per child.

Friend Request Forms must be submitted ten days prior to the start of camp!

  • Links for Registration Forms will be available in May 

Summer Camp Kickoff Event

We are excited to host an Ice Cream Social for the Summer Camp Kickoff event .  This year's event will take place on Wednesday, June 17th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Academy Cafeteria and include staff from all camps to meet parents and campers, answer questions and take paperwork (if needed).  Campers are welcome to make their own ice cream sundaes.  

Camp Lunch Program

Once a week there will be the opportunity to purchase lunch for your camper.  We alternate weeks between Pizza and Sandwiches. 

Pizza Lunch - Includes cheese pizza, bag of chips, drink and dessert.
Sandwich Lunch - Choice of ham, turkey or veggie 6" grinder, bag of chips, drink and dessert.

Lunch orders will begin being accepted in May. 

Cancellations & Refunds

Camp Discovery typically has a long waitlist.  If you register for a session and no longer need it, please cancel as soon as you know.  Cancellations are accepted via our Cancellation Form.  https://glastonbury.forms.govos.com/f/cancellationform

Refund Policy - refund requests must be made by 8 a.m. six (6) full business days before the program begins. Refund requests will not be considered after this time unless accompanied by a doctor’s note.