2026 Fall SMR Family Campout

Family Campout Guidelines

• Family Size and Attendance : For the purposes of this program, a family is defined as one or two adults, with the principal adult over the age of 21, and up to four children. One registered adult over the age of 21 must be with his/her children throughout the event, including the overnight hours.
• Summit Field Facilities: The Campout uses all three field areas at Summit Field in the reservation. (See the campout map for details.)
• Checking In: Families must check in before unloading their cars. The check-in table will be at the front of the Dog Park, near the dog statue. We request that you check in between 12:00 and 2:00 on Saturday. (If you cannot come during this time, please contact familycampout@somocon.org to make alternative arrangements.) There will be a few temporary spots to park while checking in.
  After checking in, you will need to move your car to the overnight parking area at North Summit Field, the Dog Park parking or Bramhall Terrace (see campout map for parking areas). From there, you can move your equipment to Middle Summit Field to set up your tent. For the safety of children, we do not allow cars to circulate around Summit Field.
• Volunteer Requirement: In the spirit of community and to allow us to operate the campout with just a few volunteers, each family will be required to sign up for one volunteer slot for the event. Sign-ups will be emailed once registration is completed.
• Equipment and Supplies: Families are required to bring their own food for Saturday dinner and snacks (we provide Sunday breakfast) and camping equipment, which includes tents and sleeping bags. (See the detailed list below.) While the average overnight low temperature for these dates is 58 degrees, it has been 10 degrees cooler. If you do not have this equipment, there are a limited number of sleeping bags, tents and other gear that can be borrowed from the SMC. Contact familycampout@somocon.org to request this equipment. (Note: Sleeping bags must be washed before returning.) There are also volunteers to help you set up if you are new to camping.
• NOTE: Is your family new to camping? We have a limited amount of camping gear available to lend, and this year we’re prioritizing our gear to ensure Happy First-time Campers —families who are new to camping and might be a bit nervous and unsure of what to do. If you’ve camped with us before, we’ll do our best to assist if extra gear is available. Don’t worry—volunteers will be on hand to help you get your campsite set up and answer any questions along the way!

Cost

• Participation for each family, as defined above, costs $95.
• This fee does not include an SMC membership, which we strongly encourage. (If you become a member for an additional $25 at the time of registration, you will receive the 2023 SMR map which is usually only provided with $50 memberships.)
• If you are limited financially, we offer subsidized registrations for $25. If you are interested in this reduced fee contact familycampout@somocon.org.

Safety Considerations

• To identify participants, everyone must wear wristbands during their time at the campout.
• The area will be monitored by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department throughout the day and night.

Enrollment, Cancellations and Refunds

• Enrollment: The event is designed for a maximum of about 55 families or 200 participants. Registration is first come, first served. If we reach our maximum, which often occurs within a few days, we will create a waiting list in case of cancellations.
• If you are on the waiting list and an opening becomes available, you will be notified as soon as possible before the event to determine if you are still interested. If you have paid and don’t get off the waiting list, the campout fee will be refunded in full.
• Refunds: The SMR Family Campout is one of two fundraising events the South Mountain Conservancy organizes each year, although we try to keep the price quite low. Once accepted into the program, if you cancel no later than the Monday at midnight before the event, you will receive a refund of $50. If you cancel later or just don’t show up, there is no refund. The only exceptions to this rule are:
  * If both weekends are cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be refunded $65; the remainder goes to support the Conservancy and you will be become a member.
  * If we do not get a minimum of 30 families, or there is a need to cancel for another reason, a full refund will be provided, unless you opt to donate it to support the Conservancy’s programs.
• Notifications: If the program needs to be cancelled, or moved to the rain date (which has occurred), you will be notified by email and a notice will be posted no later than 11:00 a.m. on the Friday before the start on the homepage at www.somocon.org. If you cannot make the rain dates, you need to let us know by midnight of Monday before the rain dates to get a fifty percent refund.

Questions

• If there are questions, please contact Penni Malakates and Dennis Percher at familycampout@somocon.org, or leave a message at 844-SOMOCON, (844-766-6266).