Summer Camp 2026

Experience Summer in a Whole New Way!

At Hands-On House, every decision we make begins with one simple question:

What do children and families need most to thrive?

Over the past several years, we have listened carefully to families, observed children at play, and followed emerging research in child development. Through this process, we have learned something important — children need more opportunities to experience the deep learning that comes from extended play in environments that encourage them to slow-down, create, and collaborate with peers. At the same time, families need flexible, reliable summer care that supports busy schedules without sacrificing quality or enrichment.

That’s why we are excited to introduce our new approach to summer camp designed to better support both children and families in a uniquely Hands-On House way!

New this year:

Full-Day Program

• Camp hours are 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday-Friday with optional aftercare available for a fee from 3:00-6:00 PM. Longer days provide children with more time to fully engage in meaningful play while helping families balance summer schedules.

Flexible Weekly Enrollment

• Families can register for one week or more weeks, allowing children to build consistent routines and deeper friendships throughout the summer. Receive 10% off when you register for two or more weeks.

Payment Flexibility

• We understand summer camp is an investment. Families can now take advantage of installment payment options, along with continued access to financial aid opportunities. For more information about financial aid, please contact Colleen Buck at Colleen@handsonhouse.org. 

About Free-to-Be Kids Camp

A Full-Day camp for kids ages 4-9+

At Free-to-Be Kids Camp, children have the rare and valuable opportunity to slow down, explore freely, and make meaningful choices about how they engage with the world around them. Here, play is purposeful, open-ended, and deeply educational. 

But instead of being shuffled through constant rotations, whole-group activities, and teachers' lesson plans, children are empowered by skillful educators to follow their interests, discover new passions, and expand their thinking and confidence in a safe and thoughtfully planned environment. 

• Whether exploring nature, 
• inventing games with friends, 
• diving into art and sensory experiences, 
• or transforming everyday materials into something completely unexpected...

campers learn to take risks, solve problems, and express themselves in ways that are foundational to success in more formal settings.

By interacting directly with peers more than screens, actively playing more than being passively entertained, and creating fun for themselves more than relying on adults to prevent boredom, children discover the power of their own ideas, imagination, and resourcefulness. They learn to collaborate, negotiate, and innovate — building essential life skills through the joy of play. 

2026 Sessions & Hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

How much does a week of camp cost? 

The cost of one week of camp is $300 per camper. You will receive 10% off when you register for two or more camps. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required for each week of camp upon registration which saves the camper’s seat. Once you have registered and paid the deposit for multiple weeks of camp, please email colleen@handsonhouse.org to ensure your 10% discount is applied to your remaining balance. A limited number of scholarships are also offered to families who receive SNAP benefits or are experiencing financial hardship. 

Why did the price of camp increase this year? 

In order to provide a full-day camp, more personalized attention, and to keep up with rising costs of offering camp, we had to increase the cost of camp. 

How do I get a scholarship? 

We will have a limited number of scholarships available; apply for a scholarship at this link. Scholarships will not be awarded until later in the spring (likely late March or early April). Space will be held for scholarship applicants.

How many scholarships can I receive? 

Families receiving scholarships can receive scholarships for all children in their household for one week of camp for each child. If scholarships are still available come June 1st, campers may receive a second scholarship on a first-come-first-served basis. 

Can I register my child for more than one week? 

Yes! Campers can come to as many camp weeks as they desire!

What is the cancellation policy? 

A $100 deposit is due upon sign up for each week of camp you are attending, with the rest due at a later date. The deposit saves the camper’s spot at camp. If a family would cancel their attendance, all but the deposit would be refunded. A $25 rescheduling fee is charged if you would like to change the week your camper is attending. In the event camp would be cancelled due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstances, campers would have the option of rescheduling or receiving a museum credit—no refunds will be issued. 

Do campers need to be potty trained? 

Yes, all campers need to be fully potty trained to attend camp. 

What accommodations can the camp make for campers with different needs? 

We are committed to providing accommodations for campers with different needs within the best of our ability. Given our constraints, we cannot provide 1-on-1 assistance to campers. If your camper requires 1-on-1 assistance to attend camp, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide that. Reach out to our Director of Education Patti at patti@handsonhouse.org if you’d like to discuss what accommodations can be provided for your child. 

My child has a severe allergy—can they attend camp? 

Our facility is not guaranteed to be allergen-free. However, we make an effort to reduce chances of food-related reactions through hand-washing and designated snacks for campers with allergies. If your child has a severe food allergy, reach out to the Director of Education Patti at patti@handsonhouse.org to see if the camp can provide adequate safety accommodations. 

My child is turning four at the end of the summer—can they still come to camp? 

Campers must be four during the week they attend camp—we cannot make exceptions for campers who are not yet four years old. 

I saw that camp has an age range with a + on it, can I enroll my child if they are older than the stated range? 

Because children develop at different paces, we will consider enrolling older children if they would benefit from the developmental experience we offer. Please contact our Director of Education Patti at patti@handsonhouse.org to discuss your child's needs. 

Will I receive more information before camp starts? 

Yes! Prior to the beginning of camp, you will receive an email that gives more details about what to bring, what campers will be doing, and any other important information. But please do not hesitate to contact Director of Education Patti Van Brederode at patti@handsonhouse.org if you have ANY questions!

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If you have any questions not answered by the FAQs, email the Director of Education Patti Van Brederode at patti@handsonhouse.org.