2024 Orchard House Summer Youth Camps

Youngsters ages 8 through 12 are invited to join in our entertaining, educational, and popular week-long Little Women and Creative Writing Summer Camps that will uniquely enliven vacation time.

During the first week, youngsters become immersed in the world of the March sisters and their friend, Theodore "Laurie" Laurence, as well as the real-life Alcott family, while the second week offers aspiring authors the chance to experiment with many different forms of writing, just like Louisa May Alcott did.

Register for one or both weeks, and/or attend with siblings or friends!

Cost for one week:  $350 for Non-Members / $315 for Members

Discounted cost for both weeks, or for two or more siblings/friends:

$650 for Non-Members / $600 for Members

To ensure a quality experience, our programs are limited in the number of participants we accommodate; advance registration and pre-payment are therefore required.  The online registration form below is a quick, secure method of reserving space in each camp.  For additional information or assistance, please email [email protected] or phone 978.369.4118 x106.

Membership in "Friends of the Alcotts" provides substantial savings on all programs!  (Join / Renew online)

Camp Details

Little Women Camp

Monday ~ Friday       July 29 ~ August 2       10:00 am ~ 3:00 pm 

Ever wondered what it would be like to step into the pages of Little Women for a week?  This Summer, youths ages 8 thorough 12 can do just that!  Imagine putting on a play like Meg, writing like Jo, making crafts like Beth, creating art like Amy, playing games like Laurie, and engaging in other fun activities that beloved Little Women characters enjoyed.  Campers will also get to [carefully] handle actual 19^th Century artifacts, operate a Little Women Post, and participate in a treasure hunt, as well as spend time in Orchard House -- home of the real-life Alcott family that inspired the story.  Every day provides different activities that offer a taste of what life was like in the days of Little Women!

SOLD-OUT:  Write Stuff!  Creative Writing Camp

Monday ~ Friday       August 5 ~ 9       10:00 am ~ 3:00 pm 

Click here to be placed on the Waiting List for this Camp

Young writers (ages 8 - 12) will have the chance to experiment with writing poetry, fiction, correspondence, journaling, and stories inspired by nature and art.  Campers will not only get the chance to spend time writing in Louisa May Alcott's bedchamber, but also observe and be inspired by wonderful artifacts within Orchard House, and immerse themselves in the beautiful grounds of The Wayside and Ralph Waldo Emerson's garden.  To top it off, they'll find ways to embrace physical movement and enjoy games that encourage playfulness, inspiration, and creativity!

Please note:

• Our online registration process uses secure credit card processing

• For your convenience, multiple registrations may be made with one form submission

• If registering multiple participants, please indicate the appropriate price category for each "ticket" and provide the required information

• Participant names and ages are required

• Participants of in-person Weeklong Camps must also have Medical and Photo Release forms on file prior to the program date; your Confirmation will include information about accessing and submitting these forms  

• Orchard House is a "mask-friendly" site, but face masks are not required for campers.  Complimentary masks in adult and child sizes are available for anyone who wishes to wear them.