Sleepaway camp is a defining childhood experience, and EXPLO does it like no one else. For three weeks on the beautiful suburban campus of Regis College, have fun from sunup to lights-out. Build friendships with your clever and funny roommate and the kids in your living group. Your friendly EXPLO resident advisors are there 24/7 to help or just hang out.
We invest in making the sleepaway experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, with the best staff-student ratio of all overnight summer camps in Massachusetts.
Every student is part of a close-knit living group led by two residential advisors to ensure their needs are met and they have a sense of belonging in their home away from home. Other features include:
There's no such thing as a "typical" EXPLO day, but they follow this basic flow.
Attend one elective period in the morning. You’ll take two workshops and three electives over the course of the session.
Workshops immerse you in the fun of learning new things, hands-on. Community Meeting brings the whole EXPLO Junior program together to share a joke of the day, student performances, the EXPLO favorite Minute to Win It competition, and so much more.
Before winding down for the day, grab a spot for movie night, catch a magic show, laugh out loud at the stylings of an improv comedy troupe, or take to the stage yourself—the possibilities are endless. Events EXPLO has hosted in summers past include Carnival Night, EXPLO’s Got Talent, pool parties, Camp-Out Movie, Game Show Night, and more!
Here are more details on program logistics (aka, grown-up stuff). We’re standing by to answer any more questions, though: don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 781-762-7400 or emailing us at junior@explo.org
Airport
We know that one of the big concerns about traveling far from home is transportation. Our staff—easily identifiable in their bright orange EXPLO t-shirts—meet students at the airport, escort them to campus, and help students settle in. On arrival day, staff members remain at the airport until we know that the last student has been picked up.
At the end of the session, we take students back to the airport—and stay there until we’re sure everyone is safe and in the air.
The cost for airport transportation is $100 each way, and if a student is flying as an unaccompanied minor, there is an additional charge of $150 each way.
Car
Families may arrive between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on the first day of their session. On departure day, students will be packed and ready to greet their families between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. EXPLO signs will direct you through to registration.
Most students will be housed in double rooms with a traditional multi-stall hall bathroom. We encourage families to work with their Admission Counselor to discuss housing for their child. Each student is part of a living group. There are two residential advisors per living group and the group is comprised of students from a diverse array of backgrounds. Living groups are determined based on student grade and gender identity, with an option for mixed-grade, gender-inclusive housing should space be available.
Each living group is also supervised by two residential directors who work closely with the deans and assistant deans in the Office of Student Life. The Office of Student Life ensures that each student feels a sense of belonging at the program and is thriving. Since most students have never lived in a residence hall and most have never had a roommate, members of the Office of Student Life guide and advise students through this new experience.
Most students are assigned a roommate they do not know. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get to know someone new. We recommend that if friends come to the program that they do not live with one another, but they can instead request to be in the same living group. That said, students may choose specific roommates as long as both students are in the same grade and they request one another.
Students are not permitted to have cell phones or laptop computers with them on campus for the duration of the program. For students traveling on their own, EXPLO can safely store these devices until departure. Communication will be through EXPLO phones.
Kindles, e-readers, and tablets that cannot access the internet on their own are permitted. We strongly encourage students to keep these valuables secured in their rooms.
In order to establish a support system with the other members of the EXPLO community, students may not make or receive calls during the first week of the program. Students may call home beginning the second Monday of each session from a shared phone on their floor.
Families can always call the Main Office and connect with the Office of Student Life for an update on their child.
From day one, families may send emails to students using the student messaging service on the Student Portal. Students will not have access to their personal email accounts.
Students may send and receive snail mail, and should bring stamps with them to the program. Most families go through the whole session without sending packages, however you are welcome to send packages to students. Families should not send food, candy, or toiletries/products containing nuts or nut oils.
Each week, EXPLO Junior students send out their laundry to a laundry service. Should they need help, students are assisted in preparing their laundry bags by their residential advisors.
