Be a Role Model for Hikers
Our Guide-in-Training program teaches aspiring leaders to counsel campers and manage trips like those we run in Hale Adventure Camp. The 4-week experience builds soft and hard skills in the great outdoors and includes industry-recognized certification in Wilderness First Aid.
Our Curriculum
This Leadership Development Program’s curriculum builds on themes as camp sessions progress. This year’s cohort convenes during Sessions 1 and 2 (June 21–July 16, 2027).
During the first two weeks, participants learn what it means to be a leader in the outdoors. You’ll explore workplace policies, organizational structures and routines, and practice skills needed to support youth in outdoor settings. There’s fun in store, too—you’ll engage in camp activities and attend an off-campus event.
After exploring opportunities at Hale and with guidance from program supervisors, you’ll choose a “trail” to continue learning. You’ll shadow staff members for longer periods of time, begin assisting with activities and instruction, and ultimately take responsibility by leading a portion of the day for a group.
The culmination of this experience is a 5-day backpacking trip in the White Mountains. You’ll confidently navigate New Hampshire’s famous 4,000-footers with your cohort of fellow Wilderness First Aid-certified guides as you prepare meals in the backcountry and camp trailside.
Bus Service
At Hale, every camper takes the bus! We gladly provide bus service with stops in Braintree, Brookline, Dedham, Dorchester, Dover, Framingham, Jamaica Plain, Medfield, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Walpole, Wellesley, West Roxbury, and Westwood. To reduce traffic and enhance safety, regular drop-offs and pick-ups are not permitted on site. A local bus stop is available for campers whose parents or guardians wish to drive them to Westwood.
A camp staff member accompanies each bus for the duration of its route and ensures your camper’s safe journey to and from camp each day. Please note that you or an authorized adult must meet your camper at your designated bus stop each afternoon. Buses serve campers during regular camp hours (8:45 AM–3:45 PM). Hale does not offer an extended day option. Please ensure your camper’s transportation plans account for timely pick-up. Bus registration must be completed after you enroll in camp, and no later than May 1, 2027.
- Miriam F McCarthy School, 8 Flagg Dr, Framingham, MA 01702 7:45 AM / 4:40 PM
- Natick High School, 15 West St #2, Natick, MA 01760 8:00 AM / 4:20PM
- Dover Town Garage, 2 Dedham St, Dover, MA 02030 8:25 AM / 3:55 PM
- Thomas Blake Middle School, 24 Pound St, Medfield, MA 02052 7:55 AM / 4:25 PM
- Norfolk County Agricultural School, 400 Main St, Walpole, MA 02081 8:10 AM / 4:10 PM
- Norwood High School, 245 Nichols St, Norwood, MA 02062 8:25 AM / 3:55 PM
- Holy Name Elementary School, 535 W Roxbury Pkwy, West Roxbury, MA 02132 8:10 AM / 4:15 PM
- Catholic Memorial, 235 Baker St, West Roxbury, MA 02132 8:20 AM / 4:00 PM
- Franklin Elementary School, 125 Derby St, Newton, MA 02465 7:40 AM / 4:45 PM
- Schofield Elementary School, 27 Cedar St, Wellesley, MA 02481 7:55 AM / 4:30 PM
- Eliot Elementary School, 135 Wellesley Ave, Needham, MA 02494 8:05 AM / 4:15 PM
- Newman Elementary School, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA 02492 8:20 AM / 4:00 PM
- Codman Academy Charter School, 637 Washington St, Dorchester, MA 02124 7:40 AM / 4:40 PM
- Pierce Middle School, 451 Central Ave, Milton, MA 02186 7:55 AM / 4:25 PM
- South Shore Plaza, 250 Granite St, Braintree, MA 02184 8:15 AM / 4:05 PM
- Riverdale Elementary School, 143 Needham St, Dedham, MA 02026 8:00 AM / 4:20 PM
- Downey School, 250 Downey St #1, Westwood, MA 02090 8:15 AM / 4:05 PM
- Westwood High School, 200 Nahatan St, Westwood, MA 02090 8:30 AM / 3:50 PM
- The English High School, 144 McBride St, Boston, MA 02130 8:15 AM / 4:10 PM
- Brookline High School, 115 Greenough St, Brookline, MA 02445 7:55 AM / 4:35 PM
- Mary E Curley School, 493 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 8:10 AM / 4:20 PM
- The Mosaic School, 3859 Washington St, Boston, MA 02131 7:55 AM / 4:25 PM
- Sarah Roberts Elementary School, 105 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale, MA 02131 8:10 AM / 4:10 PM
Learning To Be a Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
LDPs are a lot of fun, but they’re also a serious commitment. Moving up from being a camper to a leader can be an adjustment!
You should ask yourself several questions to gauge your readiness:
- Do I have a sincere desire to work with children?
- Would I like to develop and improve my leadership abilities?
- Is an out-of-doors work experience right for me?
- Am I ready to become a role model for younger children?
- Can I handle the responsibility of being a counselor, coach, or guide?
- Am I ready to put others’ needs ahead of my own?
- Do I have the ability to work well with others in a variety of situations?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you’re headed in the right direction!
Recognized & Accredited
Every camp must comply with regulations set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local Board of Health, but Hale Summer Camps go well beyond that.
Our camps are routinely recognized as Boston Parents Paper Family Favorites, are members of the Massachusetts Camping Association, and are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association.
Learn why that’s important.
Enrollment
Lock In Last Year’s Rates
For a limited time, we’re offering last year’s tuition rates for next year’s summer camps. Popular sessions fill quickly, so sign up now, before waitlists begin and 2027 rates take effect.
Included With Registration
Complimentary Bus Service: Many camps charge several hundred dollars in fees for bus transportation, but at Hale, your camper’s journey to and from camp is included!
Multi-Session Discount: We’re thrilled to introduce more flexibility this year — Sessions 1a and 1b are one-week (5-day) programs that you can enroll in separately. If you choose to enroll in both, you’ll enjoy a 5% discount on both sessions. This discount only applies if you enroll in both programs at the same time, and it cannot be applied retroactively — adding both 1a and 1b to your cart will automatically apply the discount during checkout. Note that withdrawing from either session will negate any discount that was previously applied to the other.
Family and Community Program Discount: We’re glad to once again offer a special perk for camp families: a 25% discount on season passes for our Family and Community Program (that’s over $200 in savings on an FCP Family Pass). It’s a fantastic way for every member of your household to enjoy Hale together throughout the summer, including siblings who may be too young for camp. We recommend enrolling in both programs at the same time — adding a camp session and season pass to your cart will activate the discount during checkout. If you already signed up for camp, simply log in to purchase your discounted season pass separately.
Paying for Camp
We offer two ways to pay for camp: You can choose to pay in full or opt for installment billing. This is a matter of preference; no discount is associated with one payment option vs. the other.
All camp programs require nonrefundable down payments per camper, per session: Each two-week program (i.e. Sessions 2–4) requires a $300 down payment; each one-week program (i.e. Sessions 1a, 1b, and 5) requires a $150 down payment.
How Installment Billing Works
When you check out, your down payment and first payment (plus any remainder needed to round your balance so that it divides into equal whole-dollar installments) will be due immediately. The balance will be divided across however many installments — charged on the 15th of each month, starting Nov. 15 — remain until the final installment on May 15.
Example: Let’s say it’s Nov. 28, and you’d like to sign up for Hale Day Camp’s Kindercamp unit during Session 2. You’re locking in last year’s rate, so program tuition is $1,745. Today, you’ll pay your nonrefundable deposit of $300, plus the first of seven payments: November’s will be $215. Then six automated payments of $205 each will be charged on the 15th of December, January, February, March, April, and May. The sooner you sign up, the lower your monthly payments will be!
Whether you opt for installment billing or choose to pay in full, your account balance will be settled by May so you and your camper can focus on what’s most important as summer approaches: camp!
Financial Aid
Hale is committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to children and families regardless of personal means. To that end, we maintain a fund to help families in need afford the cost of tuition.
Transfers & Refunds
Session transfer requests will be honored if space is available at no cost through Jan. 15. Any transfer requests after Jan. 15 will be charged a $25 administrative fee per transfer.
Our refund policy protects those who register early. Regular payments (i.e. your total amount paid, minus nonrefundable down payments) are refundable until March 20, 2027.
Admissions
Successful applicants treat the application and hiring process just like any job application. In that spirit, applicants should communicate directly with the camp directors. Caregivers may help in certain ways, such as suggesting how to communicate with working professionals, or providing résumé or interview tips. At the same time, remember that we seek candidates who are independent, mature, and self-motivated. Caregivers who cultivate these traits allow their teens to take responsibility for their application.
Please be aware space is very limited—not everyone who applies is accepted into our LDPs. Also keep in mind that no matter what your admission decision may be, you will gain valuable experience in the job application and interview process.
Application Checklist
Register & Apply Today
Once you register, we’ll email an application your camper should complete. Interviews and admission decisions follow. Accepted applicants must confirm enrollment within two weeks.
Get Additional Program Details
Sign up to receive information about Youth Leadership Development Programs, including open houses, registration opportunities, discounts, and more. You’ll also receive our monthly eNews.
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