Parent & Teen FAQs Get The Inside Scoop
Parent FAQs
We average about 150 campers for each session. Our campers range in age from 13 to 18, with a pretty even representation of each age group. Campers stay for 2- to 4-week sessions. More than half are attending for the first time.
We have 4 highly experienced registered nurses on the premises full-time. We also have a fully equipped infirmary. Our campground is a 20-minute drive to a hospital or walk-in clinic. We dispense prescription and nonprescription medications during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bedtime.
Protecting the health and safety of your children will always be our highest priority. To that end, OTC follows the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you cancel before May 1 of the current camp season, we will issue a full refund (including your deposit).
Refunds cannot be issued:
- After your teen arrives at camp.
- If you withdraw your teen from camp after May 1, of the current camp season.
- If camp management determines that a camper must leave for behavioral reasons.
- If camp management determines that a camper poses a safety risk to other campers or staff.
Yes. We pick up campers at Boston Logan International Airport, as well as Hartford-Brainard and Bradley International airports in Hartford, CT. Our staff members will collect each camper and help them load their belongings into our van. The camp is a 2-hour drive from Boston and one hour from Hartford.
On the camp application, we ask a few questions about your teen’s gender identity and what an ideal housing situation would be in regard to gender. We then match your teen with the most appropriate housing accommodation.
Yes. Campers are permitted to call home using our phones during the second week of camp. We would also contact you in the event of an emergency.
No. While we understand the modern-day need to “stay connected,” we ask that campers leave laptops and cellphones at home. We do so because we want campers to experience and develop an appreciation for the lost art of connecting face-to-face with their peers. Most of our OTC alumni tell us they enjoyed “roughing it” at camp as a welcome break from the pressures of modern life.
Hear what Leo has to say about not having a phone at camp.
Peanut butter allergies: We do make peanut butter available. We do not cook with peanut oil or put peanuts in our entrees. If your teen has a severe peanut allergy, you should know that we do have peanut butter around.
Gluten allergies: We always have gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. For instance, on lasagna night, we usually prepare a gluten-free and vegan pasta bake. We always have gluten-free bread and gluten-free cereal at breakfast. In addition, our salad bar is well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.
As a parent, you know better than anyone that there is no such thing as a “typical” teenager. So why send them to a “typical” camp? Your child is trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. Our job is to help them on this extraordinary journey of self-discovery.
OTC has a unique approach that encourages teens to try new things, and we empower them to curate their own camp experiences by choosing daily activities. Our overall camp experience is structured to benefit your teen in multiple ways:
- Our activities are designed to build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem, all the while teaching teens the importance of expressing their uniqueness.
- While we offer plenty of traditional camp activities, we offer dozens of unique programs that can’t be found anywhere else!
- Our dedicated staff act as mentors while providing inspiration, supervision, and encouragement.
- Individuality is at the center of the OTC camp experience, but we understand the developmental importance of community and personal interaction. Here, your teen will connect with others who share similar passions and experiences. Through everyday encounters with fellow campers, they will learn about themselves while experiencing firsthand how rewarding and uplifting it can be to build truly meaningful friendships.
While OTC is not necessarily a "therapeutic program", we do have a team of mental health professionals to help any campers who might need a little extra support. We do everything we can to help every teenager feel safe, respected, and loved.
At OTC, teens unplug from screens and plug into our lively community! At the same time, we acknowledge and understand teens' connections to their devices for emotional support, such as listening to music, audiobooks, and reading. Therefore, we have devised some ways to try to accommodate campers' needs while keeping this space as screen-free as possible. We appreciate your understanding of our limits, as they also help keep camp safe. The changes we have made since last Summer are that phones cannot be used even if they do not have a sim card (continue reading to learn more) and no video game devices.
What IS allowed:
- MP3 players: Please download music ahead of time, as we will not be able to do so once at camp
- Old iPods without internet, wifi, calling/texting capabilities, or social media apps. Please download music ahead of time, as we will not be able to do so once at camp
- CD players
- Record players (yes, campers have brought them before!)
- Kindles with pre-downloaded books and parental controls to restrict internet access.
What is NOT allowed:
- We are not allowing phones, even without a sim card, even with parental controls
- No Nintendo switches or other video game devices
- We are not allowing devices, including iPods/iPod Touches with wifi, internet, call/text abilities, social media, or other apps. Even without a SIM card.
We know that even phones or devices in airplane mode can still access Wi-Fi. Phones and devices with a lack of data for calls/texts can still access Wi-Fi and the internet. Phones and devices without a SIM card can still access Wi-Fi and the internet. Devices with hotspots can still access the internet. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
Links for devices in a somewhat affordable price range that people have had success with are as follows: Please note that you may find them cheaper on sites like eBay.
Another option that campers have liked and work with our policies but it a bit more expensive is below
You can find email contact info on our Staff page. Feel free to reach out and get to know them!
Teen FAQs
Over the years, this question has come up in many different forms. The answer to this question is a resounding yes! But it might be better to hear another teen answer this question for you.
This is what Morey has to say about making friends at OTC.
We average about 150 campers for each 2- to 4-week session. More than half are attending for the first time.
You can make friends from all over the world at OTC. While a large majority of our campers come from the Northeast, we also get campers from other states and other countries.
Our campers range in age from 13 to 18. For the most part, we are one community and all ages participate in activities together. Our seven different pods, which are grouped by age, often participate in activities together
On your application, we ask a few questions about your gender identity and what your ideal housing situation would be in regards to gender. We then match you with the best possible housing situation.
Odyssey Teen Camp is a 416-acre private facility with a 16-acre private lake for swimming and boating. We also have a large athletic field, an outdoor amphitheater, an art building, and a modern dining facility with indoor and outdoor dining options
We think you’ll love our rustic, simple, “back to basics” approach to summer camp. You’ll find that this adds to the “community” feel and makes it easier for you to make new friends in a very laid-back environment. But don’t worry; you’ll still find plenty of times and places to enjoy some privacy or chat one-on-one.
Cabins: You will be staying in close quarters with 5 to 6 other campers and 1 or 2 counselors. Cabins are primarily for sleeping, so space might seem “cozy” at first. You will probably spend most of your time in community areas or elsewhere on the campgrounds.
Pods: Your cabin will be part of a “pod,” a mini-community within our larger camp community. Pods are generally assigned based on age. Your assigned cabin will be one of about six that make up a pod.
Restrooms/Showers: Modern restroom facilities are located outside of the cabins (but nearby). The centrally located shower house has ten private showers. Shower time is scheduled by pod.
No. While we understand the modern-day need to “stay connected,” we do not allow campers to bring laptops or cell phones. We do so because we want you to experience and develop an appreciation for the lost art of connecting face-to-face with your peers. We know that letting go of electronics and social media can be a challenge, but we promise a freeing and uniquely enriching experience in return. Most of our OTC alumni tell us they enjoyed “roughing it” at camp as a welcome break from the pressures of modern life.
Hear what Leo has to say about not having a phone at camp. (See details about what is allowed in the video below.)
At OTC, teens unplug from screens and plug into our lively community! At the same time, we acknowledge and understand teens' connections to their devices for emotional support, such as listening to music, audiobooks, and reading. Therefore, we have devised some ways to try to accommodate campers' needs while keeping this space as screen-free as possible. We appreciate your understanding of our limits, as they also help keep camp safe. The changes we have made since last Summer are that phones cannot be used even if they do not have a sim card (continue reading to learn more) and no video game devices.
What IS allowed:
- MP3 players: Please download music ahead of time, as we will not be able to do so once at camp
- Old iPods without internet, wifi, calling/texting capabilities, or social media apps. Please download music ahead of time, as we will not be able to do so once at camp
- CD players
- Record players (yes, campers have brought them before!)
- Kindles with pre-downloaded books and parental controls to restrict internet access.
What is NOT allowed:
- We are not allowing phones, even without a sim card, even with parental controls
- No Nintendo switches or other video game devices
- We are not allowing devices, including iPods/iPod Touches with wifi, internet, call/text abilities, social media, or other apps. Even without a SIM card.
We know that even phones or devices in airplane mode can still access Wi-Fi. Phones and devices with a lack of data for calls/texts can still access Wi-Fi and the internet. Phones and devices without a SIM card can still access Wi-Fi and the internet. Devices with hotspots can still access the internet. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
Links for devices in a somewhat affordable price range that people have had success with are as follows: Please note that you may find them cheaper on sites like eBay.
Another option that campers have liked and work with our policies but it a bit more expensive is below
Yes. You can contact your parents using our phones during the second week of camp. Of course, exceptions are made in case of emergency.
With your choice of dozens of available activities, you’ll find that your days are very full, with a healthy mix of fun and relaxation. We offer three activity periods each day.
Each afternoon we have “social hour,” and, weather permitting, we all walk to the lake or play in the main field. Campers dine together as a community every night.
After dinner, you’ll participate in evening activities such as campfires, talent shows, dances, and games. Most nights, you can choose between two activity options: a quiet one or one that is more stimulating.
We understand that you’re unique, and we’ve designed the OTC camp experience to be accessible and welcoming to everyone. We celebrate your individuality. We don’t expect you to change to conform to a regimented set of activities. Rest assured, you don’t need to be a “social butterfly” to have a great time at our camp. In fact, many of our activities, such as yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation, are, by definition, personal, introspective experiences. Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, our camp experience is designed with you in mind. At Odyssey Teen Camp, you get to be who you are!
No. Celebrating diversity is one of the founding principles of Odyssey Teen Camp, and our campers reflect that commitment. We do have a large number of campers and staff who identify as LGBTQ+, but all teens are welcome here! We provide a judgment-free environment where teens can relax and become their true selves while connecting in a meaningful way with others.
At every meal, you can choose between vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and non-vegetarian options. At lunch and dinner, you’ll have access to a fresh and fully stocked salad bar. Bread and fruit are available at all meals. Meals are served buffet-style, and campers can take as much as they want. Snacks are available throughout the day. If you have special dietary concerns, please contact us to discuss them.
We admit that eating at camp is not the same as eating at home, where you can have whatever you want whenever you want. But we are committed to offering numerous nutritious options that cater to just about every taste, so we think you will find plenty to your liking. We can assure you that every meal is prepared with love. And because we believe that our campers know best, we welcome your suggestions to make our menu even better!
Peanut butter allergies: We do make peanut butter available. We do not cook with peanut oil or put peanuts in our entrees. If you have a severe peanut allergy, you should know that we do have peanut butter around.
Gluten allergies: We always have gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. For instance, on lasagna night, we usually prepare a gluten-free and vegan pasta bake. We always have gluten-free bread and gluten-free cereal at breakfast. And don’t forget our salad bar, stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Of course. You can find email contact info on our Staff page. Feel free to reach out and get to know them!
Have Questions?
We’d love to speak to you by phone or video. We talk to parents, we talk to teens. We sometimes speak to parents and teens together.
