Summer & Auxiliary Programming
Afterschool Drop-In
As you may know, we are very pleased to be able to accommodate drop-ins to our program and offer flexibility to families. However, on any given day, we do have to make sure we have the staffing and resources to accommodate everyone’s needs.
With that in mind, we would like to request that you let us know as soon as you are able that you would like to have your child drop into afterschool, at least 48 hours in advance. To do this, please complete the Afterschool Drop-in Form. If it is a DAY OF EMERGENCY drop-in, please complete the form AND call the school.
Summerfun
Ages 3-13 | June 22nd - July 31st | $475 per week* | 8:30 - 3:30
Summerfun at The Common School offers a vibrant, hands-on experience for children ages 3 through 13, blending curiosity, play, and learning across age-appropriate programs. Our nursery program, Down on the Farm, invites the youngest learners to explore Bramble Hill Farm through weekly tractor rides, planting fruits and vegetables, picking raspberries, and visiting the pond. Five-year-olds embark on Forest Adventures, guided by the acres of Larch Hill Conservation, discovering the rhythms of the forest and cultivating a sense of environmental stewardship. Six- and seven-year-olds dive deeper with Ecosystem Exploration, studying local ecosystems, from the pond habitats at Bramble Hill to the forested lands of Larch Hill. For older campers, ages 8 to 13, Summerfun expands into a range of specialty camps, including STEAM, Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, Collaborative Mixed Media, and more, offering opportunities to pursue passions, develop skills, and build community in a rich, playful environment.
Limited financial aid available upon request.
Registration for Summerfun opens January 16th at 9AM for Common School families and 12PM to the wider community
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Weekly Sessions 6/22 through 7/31
Full day and half day* available
Down on the Farm welcomes the youngest learners to Bramble Hill Farm for days shaped by time outdoors and direct experience with the land. Campers ride the tractor, plant fruits and vegetables, pick raspberries fresh from the bushes, and spend quiet moments by the pond observing what lives in and around the water. The pace is steady and unhurried, allowing space for curiosity and comfort to grow.
Much of the day is spent outside in the backyard and on regular walks through the nearby acres of the Larch Hill Conservation Area. Campers harvest mint they have grown and make simple tea together. Waterplay is built into the rhythm of each day, with sprinklers, kiddie pools, and time to splash, cool off, and move freely.
Half day cost is $315 per week
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Weekly Sessions 6/22 through 7/31
*This program is best for our younger adventurers who might be exiting a preschool program , entering kindergarten or need a little more rest and relaxation in their day.
Come put on your boots, get out your binoculars and explore our local forest habitat! We will be going on adventures and learning about the flora and fauna of ponds, streams, forests and fields. Using The Common School’s grounds, Larch Hill Conservation Area, and Bramble Hill Farm as our laboratory, we will visit, study, and research the local habitat and reflect on it through artistic and creative activities. Each day will also include time for free play, stories, games, and water play.
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Weekly Sessions 6/22 through 7/31
*This program is best suited for explorers who are ready for a more full day. We recommend that children have had one year of school beyond preschool.
In this group, we will be exploring the ecosystems in our community. We will visit habitats in close proximity to The Common School and around Larch Hill. We will study the cause and effect of different inputs in our environment such as weather, water, erosion and changes in animal life. We will take hikes and excursions and engage with nature daily including harvesting and tending to our own school garden. Each day will also include time for free play, arts and crafts, stories, building activities, and of course water play.
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Weekly Sessions 6/22 through 7/13
Let your child be a hero for a day! Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy pen and paper role-playing game with epic heroes and legendary dragons. Imagination, role-playing, social skills, problem-solving, and cooperation are a few of the skills that can be developed from playing Dungeons and Dragons. Audio, visual, kinesthetic and writing activities will give all types of children their own way to enjoy and learn from this experience. No prior knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons is necessary, and stories in the games will remain appropriate for all children attending. This camp will have the opportunity to visit the Groff Park splash pads and/or the Mill River during some afternoons to cool off and have some water fun.
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Session 1: 7/20 - 7/24
Session 2: 7/27 - 7/31
This camp is all about the popular trading card game Magic The Gathering! Magic is an exciting fantasy based strategy card game featuring powerful wizards, fearsome dragons, amazing heroes, and tactical spells. In this camp we will learn the fundamentals of Magic The Gathering by applying our math, reading, and critical thinking skills. Counselors will lead introductory groups where new players can learn the game alongside their peers. Campers will be provided with all of the needed cards and materials to play and even take home with them at the end of camp. Our final day will feature a series of mini-events where campers can show off the skills that they developed in a variety of classic Magic The Gathering formats.
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Session 1: 6/29 - 7/02
Session 2: 7/06 - 7/10
STEAM Society introduces kids to engineering and invention activities focused on environmental sustainability through fun hands-on activities. Throughout the week, we will design, invent, and build projects that help solve environmental problems in a spirit of risk-taking and collaboration. Your child will have a great time while strengthening their problem-solving skills, creativity, confidence, and ability to collaborate with new friends. We will be incorporating the arts into our design and will have access to a wide variety of materials and modalities to meet the needs of our creative crew. Of course, we will also have relaxation and water play in the afternoons.
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Week of 7/27
Does your child like to make art with friends? In this course campers will create collaborative and socially engaged art with peers in a dynamic group setting. Campers will have opportunities to work together in both small and large groups to develop their painting, drawing, building and sculpting techniques. We’ll focus on three main aspects of art making, experimentation, demonstration, and collaboration. In addition to daily and ongoing group art projects, each day will also include time for outdoor excursions and organized group play to foster a community of makers.
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Session 1: 7/13
Session 2: 7/20
Experience clay where it came from, in nature! Your children will be making projects that include the beauty of the natural world while learning about the fundamentals of ceramics. Kids will make pinch pot chia monsters, press flora and foliage into slabs of clay, and make coil vases (for the rest of those beautiful flowers we find!) and then they will be able to take what they've learned to make their own creative masterpiece. In addition to hikes and explorations to appreciate and be inspired by nature, this camp will have the opportunity to visit the Groff Park splash pads and/or the Mill River during some afternoons to cool off and have some water fun.
*Note that there is a $15 materials fee for each week so that we can provide the highest quality experience for your camper!
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Week of 6/22
Welcome to SummerFun Olympics, where we play some favorite sports and exciting new games too! While competition can be engaging, cooperation is crucial to our growth as team players. Throughout the week, we will introduce age-appropriate activities which teach us that not every game has to be about winning and losing (but they do still have to be super fun!). Campers will also work together to develop their very own games that we’ll test and tweak so they are safe, fair, and inclusive to all! Whether it’s our classroom, a designated indoor play space, the forest trails, or Groff Park nearby, there are plenty of opportunities for us to explore and cool down too. Rain or shine, our SummerFun Olympics team will be creating and celebrating the joy in play!
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Weekly Sessions 6/22 through 7/13
This Dungeons and Dragons Camp is for those ready to step behind the screen.
CITs are coached in the quiet craft of Dungeon Mastery. They learn how stories are built and sustained, how to run a campaign that holds attention, how to create monsters that challenge without crushing, and how to guide a table with clarity and care. This is leadership training disguised as play, imagination sharpened into skill.
They still roll dice. They still laugh, scheme, and adventure alongside the rest of the group. But woven through the fun is practice in facilitation, collaboration, and responsibility. CITs learn when to step forward, when to step back, and how to make sure everyone at the table belongs.
This camp is for storytellers in the making. For players ready to learn how worlds are held together, not just explored.
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Offered all six weeks
CITs work alongside our youngest campers as they explore
homesteading and sustainable living through play. Twice a week, they head to Bramble Hill Farm, learning the real work behind daily farm life and helping guide small hands through meaningful projects. The learning is grounded, sometimes muddy, always human.
CITs practice leadership by modeling patience and presence. They develop skills in mentoring young children, supporting group transitions, and keeping days flowing with calm authority. Through gardening, they learn stewardship and planning. Through artistic projects and singing, they practice creativity, adaptability, and joy as tools for connection. Stories become lessons in attention and imagination. Visits to the conservation area at Larch Hill build environmental awareness and respect for place. Time in the wading pools teaches supervision, safety, and attunement to group energy.
This camp builds real-world skills: communication, teamwork, problem solving, environmental literacy, and the quiet confidence that comes from being trusted with responsibility. CITs are not just helpers. They are learning how communities function, how younger children learn, and how to hold space for both wonder and work.
2026 Camps
Frequently Asked Questions
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A non-refundable deposit of $100 per session for camp is required to hold your place. The balance of your fees will be due by May 15, 2026. One option is to use our online registration website for payments and registrations. You may also send a check or money order to Summerfun at The Common School, PO Box 2248, 521 South Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002. Please note that your registration will not be confirmed until we receive your deposit.
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Please note that all deposits are non-refundable.
Families who withdraw 30 days or more before the start of camp will receive a refund of any fees paid minus the non-refundable deposit. Payments made towards your balance less than 30 days from the start of the camp season are non-refundable with the exception of a medical emergency. Refunds for these situations are at the discretion of the director. No refunds are provided for absent or sick days, family emergencies, or unexpected vacations.
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Financial aid is available to qualified applicants on a limited basis. Please see our Financial Aid forms to apply
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You can reach us anytime via our email emily@commonschool.org. We aim to respond quickly—usually within two business day.
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Most summers will have some campers with life-threatening allergies. Simply being in contact with the food allergen can trigger anaphylactic reactions. We are asking you to help reduce the risk that these children face each day. We are requesting that no peanuts, tree nuts, are brought for snack or lunch over the summer. We understand that this can make packing lunches more difficult and appreciate your extra attention to this issue so that we can keep all of our campers safe.
For the health and safety of all campers, we adhere to the following guidelines:
Classroom and outdoor environments are checked routinely for possible hazards
At least one certified First Aid and CPR responder is easily available at all times.
Everyone will wash their hands or use wet wipes after eating and all eating surfaces will get wiped down before and after snack/lunch.
If your child will be absent on any day, we ask that you call the office. If a child is out sick, you should inform us of the nature of the illness in case of possible contagion.
Children who are ill at camp with symptoms of fever, vomiting, or prolonged complaints of illness or pain will be sent home.
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Children should bring a snack and a lunch each day. Please see the allergy alert info above. Refrigeration is not readily available, so please use ice packs as needed. Pack plenty of drinks as well, as the weather heats up. Staff will remind campers to drink plenty of fluids, and water is always available. Please have children apply sunscreen before arriving, and pack their own bottle if they want to re-apply during the day.
Water play includes wading pools and the sprinkler. Children should bring a bathing suit and towel each day (labeled!) as well as an extra set of clothes that can be left in cubbies at school.
Spring Afterschool Clubs
Ages 4-14
Weekday afternoons 3:30pm-5:30pm
Registration for SPRING sessions opens December 19th
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Tuesdays 1/6/26 - 5/19/26 | 17 Sessions | $890.00
Ages 4-7
At the Common School Visual Arts Club, young artists (ages 4–7) are encouraged to explore, create, and share in a warm and welcoming environment. Each session offers opportunities to experiment with a variety of materials—clay, fabric, paint, collage, and more—while developing fine motor skills, creative thinking, and confidence. Through playful projects and group collaboration, children learn to express themselves, appreciate one another’s ideas, and take pride in their own artistic voice.
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Tuesdays - 1/6/2026 - 5/19/2026 | 18 Sessions | $890.00
Ages 8-14
Step into a world of powerful wizards, daring heroes, and epic battles! Magic: The Gathering is a thrilling fantasy strategy card game where players use math, reading, and critical thinking to outwit their opponents. In this club, students will learn the fundamentals of the game in a supportive, teacher-led environment. New players can start in guided groups, building skills alongside their peers, while experienced players can challenge themselves with more advanced strategies. All cards and materials are provided—and every participant will take home their own set at the end of the session to keep playing long after the club ends
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Wednesdays - 1/7/26 - 5/27/26 | 19 Sessions | $940
Come create, explore, and connect at the Common School Art Club! In this welcoming space, students will be encouraged to follow their curiosity, experiment with a variety of media, and share ideas in a supportive community. Each session offers the freedom to explore the world around them, build confidence, and discover new ways to express themselves through art. We’ll work with an array of materials—clay, fibers, paint, collage, and more—inviting each artist to find their own unique voice.
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Thursdays - 1/8/26 - 5/28/26 | 17 Sessions | $840
Ages 8-14
Let your child be a hero for an afternoon! Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy pen and paper role-playing game with epic heroes and legendary dragons. Imagination, role-playing, social skills, problem-solving, and cooperation are a few of the skills that can be developed from playing Dungeons and Dragons. Audio, visual, kinesthetic, and writing activities will give all types of children their own way to enjoy and learn from this experience. No prior knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons is necessary, and stories in the games will remain appropriate for all children attending. We're splitting our D&D groups into two sessions, one for 8-10 year olds and the other, D&D 2 for 11-14 year olds.
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Saturdays - 1/10/26 - 3/28/26 | 12 Sessions | $360
Ages 6-12
A winter indoor soccer clinic gives kids a focused space to build skills through steady footwork patterns, passing ladders, first touch drills, small-space dribbling, shooting practice, and quick decision scrimmages. The indoor setting keeps the pace tight and teaches players to communicate clearly and work closely with one another. As they move through drills, support each other in small games, and share the effort of learning, they naturally build camaraderie and a sense of community that strengthens both their confidence and their play.
Nature Sprouts
Child/Caregiver Programs
Ages 1-4 | Monday and Wednesday mornings
Registration for Winter sessions opens December 19th
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Mondays 10:15-11:15
1/12, 1/26, 2/9, and 2/23
$Free
Nature Sprouts – Winter Walks invites families to step into the quiet magic of the season, wandering through the crisp trails of Larch Hill Conservation and the gentle fields of Bramble Hill Farm. Together, caregivers and little ones gather in community, noticing the textures, sounds, and rhythms of the natural world while deepening their connection to each other. Each walk is guided, mindful, and unhurried, offering space to explore, wonder, and simply be outdoors, letting winter’s stillness and beauty nurture both parent and child.
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Wednesdays 10:15-11:15
1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/25
$Free
Nature Sprouts – Winter Walks invites families to step into the quiet magic of the season, wandering through the crisp trails of Larch Hill Conservation and the gentle fields of Bramble Hill Farm. Together, caregivers and little ones gather in community, noticing the textures, sounds, and rhythms of the natural world while deepening their connection to each other. Each walk is guided, mindful, and unhurried, offering space to explore, wonder, and simply be outdoors, letting winter’s stillness and beauty nurture both parent and child.
Director of Auxiliary Programs
Emily MacDonald
emily@commonschool.org
Emily began their career in education in 2008 working for the youth outreach non-profit South Shore Stars. They wore many hats in the 8 years working for Stars: summer camp counselor, after school specialist, a van driver, a unit head, STEM specialist, mindfulness specialist, and more. The next step in their journey was earning two degrees from Bridgewater State University: one in biology and one in elementary education. After graduating, Emily worked as a sixth grade science teacher in Revere for 5 years before moving to Western MA. Now, Emily works as the Advancement Manager. Emily spends their free time enjoying their home and pets, performing in their band, and learning new crafts and skills.
