Timbertop Camp is a 4-week traditional summer camp at Hampshire Country School (HCS) every July. With a maximum capacity of 15 boys and greater than 1 to 1 staff-to-camper ratio, Timbertop pairs the best of classic camp experiences with a slower pace and abundant space. The structured daily routine, interest-based activities, afternoons at the waterfront, and low-impact adventures, allow campers who may have struggled in other settings to have a chance to thrive. Small dorms and single rooms create more opportunities to decompress after a busy day.
Timbertop campers are boys who like to be outside and try new things but may find the high-octane craziness of larger camps overwhelming. Timbertop campers will spend at least 25% of their time sleeping in tents or on trips while enjoying a very laid-back “at camp” environment. Camp programming covers most of the traditional summer camp activities and includes paddling and swimming; a dedicated art teacher and art space with a full ceramics studio, farming and gardening, outdoor skills development, Dungeons and Dragons, music lessons from a conservatory-trained teacher, and three adventure trips.
The cost for 2024 is $7,700.00 for the full 4-week session. The Timbertop camper fits the HCS profile but is not necessarily an HCS school-year student. Attending Timbertop Camp can be a great way to bridge the summer gap for an HCS student, introduce an incoming student to the HCS routine, and facilitate a positive camp experience for a child who attends school elsewhere and simply needs the Timbertop tempo and relationships. Application can be made through the HCS admissions portal on the School’s website. For the 2023 session, this camp was filled with a waiting list.
Timbertop Camp is licensed through the New Hampshire Department of Children and Family Services and is inspected annually for program and safety compliance. Its lifeguards are certified by the American Red Cross with an extra endorsement for waterfront operations. The director of Timbertop Camp, TJ Vanek, has over 15 years of organized camping experience and an advanced degree in Environmental Studies and Experiential Education.
About Hampshire Country School
Hampshire Country School is a Place of Possibilities for up to 20 high-ability, neurodivergent boys entering upper elementary or middle school. The nonprofit boarding school and Timbertop summer camp programs offer understanding, light-heartedness, and structure to educate boys in a family-style, supportive, and calming learning community. Our nearly 2,000-acre campus and working farm in southern New Hampshire allow for plenty of time and space for students to learn and grow at their own pace.
