CAMP FAQS
WHEN DO I ARRIVE/DEPART?
Camp registration will run from 4:00-6:00 pm on October 23rd. We'll wrap up camp on Sunday October 27th at noon. A separately-ticketed staff concert will take place on campus that afternoon.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Potash Hill is located in the southern Vermont town of Marlboro, between Brattleboro and Wilmington, off Route 9. The physical address is 2582 South Rd. Marlboro, VT 05344. Hartford’s Bradley Airport is about 90 minutes away, and Boston’s Logan Airport is 2.5 hours by car. There is also daily Amtrak service to Brattleboro from east coast cities (DC; Philadelphia; NYC; Springfield, MA; Burlington, VT). One EV charging station is available on campus. It is difficult to get to Southern Vermont on public transportation from Boston and there is not significant local public transportation in this rural community. Please contact our transportation coordinator, Katharine, with questions.
IS BOSTON STATES RIGHT FOR ME?
The short answer is YES!! Our mission is to encourage players of any ability or age to learn, explore their own creativity, and most of all, to have fun. Our teachers are the best exponents of Scottish and Cape Breton traditional music and we want to celebrate that tradition by jamming late into the night, dancing, and singing at the top of our lungs. All teaching and learning is by ear because we believe that this is the BEST way to get inside the tunes and truly dive into style. Whether you are just learning the fiddle, you're a classical player, or you've been playing Scottish music for 40 years, we want you to have a place at Boston States. Check out our class descriptions.
CAN I BE A "DAY-CAMPER"?
YES! Starting in 2024 we have a day camper rate if you choose to stay at home. This fee includes meals. We ask that if you're local, family and friends only drop in for the ticketed concert.
CAN I COME IF I'M UNDER 18?
OF COURSE :) Boston States is an intergenerational camp where everyone is welcome. If you're under 18, you WILL need a guardian with you. Even though we are a nurturing community that looks out for one another, we don't have camp counselors or anyone on staff to look after kids, so a parent or designated guardian must be in attendance. We have a reduced rate if your guardian isn't taking classes.
ARE THERE COMMON TUNES THAT I SHOULD KNOW IF I COME TO CAMP?
Everyone is welcome, whether you know 1000 tunes or none at all! If you'd like to have a core repertoire before you join us, here's a LIST of 20 Scottish and Cape Breton tunes that are popular at camp, as well as a list of past all-camp tunes.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
100% refund before September 1
50% refund before October 1
No refund after October 1
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO CAMP?
-instruments
-recording device
-toiletries/shower shoes
-water bottle/mug/cup (we won't have any single-use cups at camp)
-hiking boots for local trails
-rain coat/umbrella
-sweater/hats for cooler nights
-cash/checks/cards for camp bookstore
-snacks/drinks to share with friends
*bedlinens and towels provided for ALL this year
WHAT IS YOUR COVID-19 SAFETY POLICY?
Masks and vaccination are encouraged, but not required. We will be operating dynamically in compliance with Vermont state guidelines.
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?
Mealtimes and healthy, delicious food are a central part of our community! The Brattleboro Food Co-op will provide vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options in addition to regular offerings. We are aiming to source as much produce from local farms as possible. If you have other dietary restrictions and want to supplement our meals with your own food, there are fridges available near the dining hall that campers can use.
Campers are allowed to bring and consume alcohol if they are over the legal drinking age (21 in the United States) in their dorms and other designated areas. The camp has a zero-tolerance policy and you will be sent home if we discover underage drinking. The Brattleboro Food Co-op will have alcohol for sale in the dining hall at supper and campers are not allowed to BYOB.
IS YOUR FACILITY HANDICAP-ACCESSIBLE?
Yes, all buildings are handicap-accessible. Most paths are paved, but some are dirt and a little more unstable. Please write to us with any questions or concerns about your specific needs.
SUSTAINABILITY
As a camp and community, we want to get off on the right foot in terms of our impact on the planet. To this affect, we are trying to raise awareness by asking students if they can contribute $5 toward carbon offsets for instructors (at least two of whom will be travelling internationally.) Additionally, we ask campers to carpool when possible, we won't have any single-use plastic at camp, and our kitchen will be working with VT and NH farms to source as much produce and meat locally as possible. Got other ideas? Let us know!