A Betty Ivy Reads Experience
The Front Porch
A Small-Group Summer Day Camp
North Bennington, Vermont | August 3 – 21, 2026
A Betty Ivy Reads Experience
A Small-Group Summer Day Camp
North Bennington, Vermont | August 3 – 21, 2026
The Front Porch is a small, nature-based summer day camp in North Bennington, Vermont, created by two parents who wanted the kind of camp they would want for their own children. Designed for children ages 5–13, camp focuses on creativity, outdoor exploration, teamwork, and confidence-building.
Over three themed weeks, campers will build shelters in the woods, create and perform an original play, and host a garden party of their own making. Every day begins and ends on the porch — a place for gathering, reflecting, and belonging.
This is not a large-scale operation. It is intentionally intimate: approximately 16–20 campers per week, guided by dedicated facilitators, doing meaningful work in a beautiful place. We believe that the best summers are the ones where you come home a little braver, a little kinder, and full of stories to tell.
16–20 campers per week with a low camper-to-staff ratio
Rooted in the landscape and community of North Bennington
Imagination and narrative at the heart of everything we do
Each week is a self-contained experience. Register for one, two, or all three — campers who attend multiple weeks will see their skills and friendships deepen across the full arc of the summer.
Week 1
August 3 – 7, 2026
A week of hands-on outdoor adventure. Campers will learn to build shelters and forts, tie knots, read maps, cook outdoors, and navigate the woods with confidence. The week culminates in the Front Porch Wilderness Games.
End of Week: Front Porch Wilderness Games
Week 2
August 10 – 14, 2026
The woods become a stage. Over five days, campers will collaborate to create a small original production — acting, improvising, developing characters, building costumes and props from natural materials, and rehearsing outdoors.
End of Week: Camper-Led Outdoor Performance
Week 3
August 17 – 21, 2026
A specialty week devoted to the art of gathering. Campers will build confidence through conversation, storytelling, letter writing, poetry, flower arranging, and the craft of hosting. The week culminates in a Garden Party planned and hosted entirely by campers.
End of Week: Front Porch Garden Party
Standard camp runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day. Extended day programming is available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for families who need it.
Extended day is available for $90 per camper per week and includes a community dinner.
Start the day off with a continental breakfast and relaxed outdoor play.
A gentle start to the day with stories, songs, and a preview of the day's adventures.
Arrive, settle in, and greet friends on the porch.
Gather on the porch. Set intentions for the day, share stories, and warm up together.
Deep engagement with the week's theme — woodland skills, theatre, or creative community.
Refuel and recharge with a mid-morning break.
Guided time in the woods, fields, and waterways of North Bennington.
Pack your own lunch. Time for eating, resting, reading, and unstructured play.
Continued project work, creative workshops, and collaborative activities.
Team challenges, cooperative games, and closing fun.
Standard day ends. Campers are ready for pick-up at the porch.
Extended evening is available for $90 per camper per week and includes a community dinner.
Wind down from the standard day with a snack and relaxed outdoor play.
Games, crafts, or a nature walk — a more relaxed pace for the late afternoon.
A shared meal together on the porch. Dinner is included in extended day.
Extended day ends. All campers must be picked up by 6:00 PM.
We believe that meaningful summer experiences should be accessible to every family. Our sliding scale pricing is offered on the honor system — choose the rate that works for your family. The Sustainer Rate helps fund our Sponsor a Camper program, making camp possible for children who might not otherwise attend.
Community Rate
$225
per week
Our most accessible rate, offered on the honor system for families who need it.
Standard Rate
$275
per week
Covers the cost of running camp. Our recommended rate for most families.
Sustainer Rate
$375
per week
Helps fund a spot for another child through our Sponsor a Camper program.
3:00–6:00 PM. Includes afternoon enrichment, outdoor play, and a community dinner on the porch.
Discounts available for siblings enrolled in the same week.
Save when you register the same camper for multiple weeks.
Community members can help support camp access. Donations begin at $100 and go toward supplies and scholarships for local children.
Co-Founder & Camp Director
Maya is a parent, foster mom, and community builder passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for children to explore, build confidence, and develop independence through outdoor experiences. She brings warmth, creativity, and a deep commitment to inclusive community to everything she does.
Co-Founder & Camp Director
Hilary lives in Vermont and is a proud girl mom connected to the local community and the natural beauty of the region. She believes Vermont summers are the perfect setting for children to explore, learn, and build friendships. Her love of the outdoors and storytelling is at the heart of the Front Porch experience.
Need a date night? Want to attend a Front Porch After Dark event? Kids Night Out is a supervised evening childcare program for children ages 5 and up (must be potty trained). While you enjoy your evening, your kids will have a blast with fun activities in a safe, familiar setting.
$80
per child, per event
Includes dinner, snacks, and all activities.
Camp takes place at a single site in North Bennington, Vermont. The exact address will be shared with registered families. The setting includes wooded trails, open meadows, and a sheltered porch gathering space.
Designed for children ages 5–13. All campers must be fully potty trained. Small group size of approximately 16–20 campers per week.
Packed lunch, refillable water bottle, comfortable outdoor clothes, closed-toe shoes, hat, lightweight rain jacket, and a small backpack. Bug spray and sunscreen are available on site.
Small camper-to-staff ratios with structured daily activities. Clear drop-off and pick-up procedures. Both founders are First Aid certified. Supportive and inclusive environment.
All weeks are subject to a minimum number of registrations to run. You will be notified promptly if a session does not meet the minimum. Full refunds issued if a week does not run.
Each week concludes with a special event. Families are invited to attend the Wilderness Games, outdoor theater performance, and Garden Party.
Front Porch Summer Camp is designed for children ages 7–11. All campers must be fully potty trained.
Standard camp day runs from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Extended day is available from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for an additional $90 per week, which includes a community dinner.
Camp is led by founders Maya Al-Amin and Hilary Ivy, both parents and First Aid certified. We maintain small camper-to-staff ratios with structured daily activities and clear safety procedures.
Yes. Each week is a self-contained experience. You can register for one, two, or all three weeks. Multi-week discounts are available.
Campers should bring a packed lunch, refillable water bottle, morning snack (optional), comfortable clothes that can get messy, closed-toe shoes suitable for outdoor play, a hat, lightweight rain jacket, and a small backpack. An optional change of clothes or small towel is also recommended. Bug spray and sunscreen are available on site.
Yes! Families are warmly invited to attend the end-of-week activities and performances — the Wilderness Games (Week 1), the outdoor theater performance (Week 2), and the Garden Party (Week 3).
Yes, sibling discounts are available. Contact us for details when registering multiple children.
All weeks are subject to minimum enrollment to run. If a session does not meet the minimum, you will be notified promptly and a full refund will be issued.
Community members can help support camp access through the Sponsor a Camper program. Donations starting at $100 go toward camp supplies and scholarships for local children. Contact us to learn more.
Spaces are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Choose your week and rate below to secure your camper's spot. All payments are processed securely through PayPal.
August 3 – 7, 2026
August 10 – 14, 2026
August 17 – 21, 2026
All weeks are subject to minimum enrollment. Full refunds issued if a session does not run. Questions? Contact us.
Whether you have questions about the program, need help with registration, or just want to say hello — we're here.