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Site Rental
Rec hall
Camp Howe: A Great Place For All Occasions

Whether you are planning a family reunion, company event, or school program, Camp Howe offers large groups an ideal and affordable option for almost any day or overnight event. Our camp facility is conveniently located 18 miles north of Amherst, MA on Route 9 features a beautiful site on a large lake, and offers a variety of local and on-site resources that can make any stay a successful and enjoyable one.

Availability
Our camp is available for leasing from May until Mid- June, and during the months of September and October. Interested groups are strongly encouraged to make their reservations at least 6 months in advance of their stay.

Camp Howe consists of 40 buildings spread out within a 52-acre area surrounded by 1700 acres of DAR State Forest. Wheelchair accessible buildings currently include the office, dining hall, classroom, camper cabins, and bathrooms.

Facility and Services

Lodgings
Camp Howe's bunk capacity ranges from 8 to 22 beds in each cabin, providing a total of 160 beds. The unheated cabins are equipped with lights, electricity, bunks and mattresses. Centralized bathhouses with toilets and hot showers are located nearby. Visitors bring their own bedding.

Meals
Groups have the option of cooking for themselves on their own grills or may use Camp Howe's kitchen facilities. For other options, please contact us.

Camp Support Services
Camp Howe staff can offer assistance, suggestions, and services to make your stay as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Contact Camp Howe's office for information regarding teambuilding programs, lifeguards, kayaking or canoeing programs, other activities, and to receive additional information on the rental of camp facilities.

Arrival And Parking
Our main parking area can accommodate up to 50 vehicles, has several other parking areas within the campground, and easy access and parking for buses.

Unit

Fees

Lodging (Minimum Group Size of 20)
Lodging rates range from $9.50 to $14 per person per night. The larger the group and/or longer the stay, the lower the rate. Overnight use includes use of assigned cabins and those areas indicated for "day use". The use of dining hall, kitchen, or other facilities may be subject to additional fees.

Day Use (Minimum Group Size of 50)

Rates may vary depending the extent of use, but the cost for using the campground during the day only can be as low as $9.50 to $14 per person per day. Day use includes the use of recreation field, Dining Hall, BBQ pit, bathrooms, and/or waterfront (providing a certified lifeguard is on duty). The use of other facilities is subject to prior approval and may include additional fees.

Meals (subject to availability)
The cost for meals vary depending on the size of the group and menu specifics, but generally start at about $20/day (i.e. breakfast, lunch, & dinner).

Insurance
Rental groups are required to sign a liability waiver and provide a "Certificate of Insurance", in the amount of 500K, from their insurance carrier. 

Deposit Required

A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the total is required at the time of reservation, with the balance due paid 30 days prior to arrival.

User Group Responsibilities

Restricted Areas
The User Group agrees that the Waterfront Area, the High Ropes Course, the Low Ropes Course, the Archery/Air Gun Range, Climbing Wall Area, the office and Hamden cottage are Restricted Areas of   Camp Howe which the User Group will not enter or use permit any of the User Group’s participants to enter or use in any manner unless the Tenant has signed a special agreement with Camp Howe, Inc.  With respect to the use of a specific Restricted Area.

Use of Premises and Schedule
User Groups shall use Camp Howe for conducting a program of its own design and shall comply with all applicable laws, codes, and regulations. The User Group shall notify Camp Howe, Inc.  of the nature of its program, and shall promptly supply Camp Howe, Inc.  with information concerning the program upon request by Camp Howe, Inc.  

Prohibited Items and Activities
Camp Howe, Inc.  prohibits hunting, fireworks, firearms, ammunition, and explosives at Camp Howe.  The use of gasoline, flammables, poisonous substances, and hand and power tools are restricted.  Prior authorization from the Site Director must be obtained. The User group agrees not to use space heater or portable stove in any building or structure.

Activity Areas
No one shall enter the waterfront area unless a qualified lifeguard is supervising the area.   Camp Howe, Inc.  shall, in its sole discretion, determine the minimum qualifications for said lifeguard, which will generally be a minimum of a Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate with waterfront module and current first aid and CPR.  Ratios of lifeguard to participants cannot exceed twenty-five participants for each lifeguard. Proof of lifeguard certifications and personal identification must be on hand during the activity.

If other specialized program activity areas or equipment are part of the Camp.  Camp Howe, Inc.  will either provide appropriately trained staff or will determine minimum qualifications for said supervision by the User Group.  Additional information and guidelines for waterfront use and use of special equipment (ropes course, archery) will be sent to all applicants expressing an interest in participating in such activities.

Fires can only be built in established fire circles. Use only downed and dead wood. Liquid fire starters and bonfires are prohibited.

Supervision of Minors
The User Group must ensure that adequate supervision be present and on-sight for the care and protection of participants.  Camp Howe, Inc. recommends an adult for each 6 to 10 minors, dependent on their age and level of need.

First Aid and Emergencies
Each group should have at least one designated adult for first aide, possessing certification in first aid and CPR from a nationally recognized provider

All User Groups must have a plan to provide emergency care including emergency transportation and first aid kit. For major emergencies dial 911 to access the local EMS system.

Protect the Environment
Our Camp is designed to blend with the natural environment it is expected that each User Group will assist in preserving it.  Please try to stay on marked trails and leave nature in nature. We are striving for a minimal environmental impact.

Minimum Sanitation and Safety Standards
Massachusetts Minimum Standards of Sanitation and Safety in Youth Camping are the minimum standards for conducting program at Camp Howe and each User Group agrees that all of its activities and programs will be operated in compliance with these Standards to the extent that they apply to the User Group’s activities and programs.

Food Service
Camp Howe, Inc.  Shall provide meals as specified in writing in accordance with an estimate of the number of diners furnished to Camp Howe, Inc.  At least five days in advance of the service of the first meal. The User Group agrees to assist with food service as requested by Camp Howe, Inc.  and to assist with supervision over the use of the dining facilities.

If the User Group prepares its own food, it assumes all responsibility for any foods prepared, and for all activities incident to their preparations, and shall hold Camp Howe, Inc.  and the Camp  owner harmless from any and all liability therein. The food service area must be kept clean and only clean utensils will be used. Food must be handled by trained/qualified personnel and stored properly. Monitor refrigerators, freezers and dishwasher to ensure they meet or exceed acceptable temperatures and notify Camp Howe, Inc.  if they do not. Food is required to be stored and served at appropriate temperatures.

Cleanliness
The Tenant agrees to keep the portions of the Camp rented by the Tenant free of any trash, to leave all areas used by the Tenant in as good a condition as they were at the beginning of the Rental Term, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and to take away at the end of the Rental Term anything brought to the Camp by the User Group.  This includes items used for games, activities or markings on walls or ground. Cost of cleaning the area will be charged to the User Group and payment is expected within 10-business day.

Telephones
Use the Camp telephone (located in the kitchen and the infirmary) for local calls only unless credit cards or pre-paid telephone cards are used to pay for long distance calls. The User Group is responsible for any long distance charges incurred during the agreement. Payment is expected within 10 business days after receiving a copy of the itemized calls.

Pets
The User group agrees not to have pets, of any type, on the Camp without prior written permission by Camp Howe, Inc. 

Personal Sport Gear and Equipment
Camp Howe, Inc is not responsible for personal gear and/or equipment. It is expected that such items be stored in a proper and safe manner.

Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
The User Group agrees not to permit smoking inside of any building or structure. Additionally the tenant agrees to be responsible for all debris associated with smoking.

Alcohol is not to be on property or consumed if children are on the camp property. Please consult Camp Howe, Inc if you have any questions regarding the group you are sharing the property with.

The use of drugs and controlled substances, as defined by Federal Laws, are not allowed on property unless prescribed in writing by a physician.

Parking and Speed Limits

All vehicles traveling on to the Camp must travel at a safe speed recommended to be between 5 and 10 miles per hours. No vehicle is permitted to travel beyond the assigned parking area.

 
 

 
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