Ivoryton, CT
Our 700-acre Ivoryton site is ideal for groups seeking ecological diversity—it’s home to beech forests, pine plantations, and a rare cedar swamp, and it’s close in proximity to the Long Island Sound!
About the Facility
Our site at Incarnation Camp in Ivoryton, CT, started offering outdoor education programs back in 1973. The expansive property is deep in the woods, giving students the opportunity to view a New England forest that grows undisturbed and wild. Students often hike around the mile-long Bushy Hill Pond—a journey that takes students past glacial erratic rocks, sparking discussions on how the land was shaped and carved over 10,000 years ago. The hike also takes students up to Lookout Point, a beautiful spot for quiet reflection which overlooks the pond and the facilities. Lastly, there’s a small-scale farm on the property that is home to goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, donkeys, and llamas!
Accommodations
With several housing options, every group can find suitable accommodations to match their needs. Each of our buildings has separate chaperone rooms and meeting spaces. Our recently renovated Lakeside building offers housing for 32 students and 4 adults. Our Katsanis building is a dormitory-style building that has 4 wings, with 22 beds in each wing, along with a private room for 2 chaperones. There is also additional housing available besides our Lakeside and Katsanis buildings for schools larger than 125 students.
Recreation
For use during free time, our Ivoryton site has a basketball court, field sports, and a dodgeball court. We also offer a low ropes course, hiking trails, our aforementioned farm, and a nature center where students can get a hands-on look at fish, reptiles, and more!
Mealtime
Our hour-long mealtimes are a wonderful time for students to enjoy some delicious food and get to know their peers, instructors, and teachers. We’re lucky enough to have awesome chefs at all of our sites who have a lot of experience cooking for children. All of our food is kid-friendly and each kitchen can accommodate a variety of allergies/diets including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Additional accommodations for other allergies/diets can be made upon request. Please reach out to us ASAP if you or your student needs additional accommodations!
Note: Our Ivoryton location has a peanut/tree nut-free dining hall.
Health & Wellness
Each of our sites has a fully stocked medical center in case of any emergencies, staffed by a trained medical professional. Additionally, all Nature’s Classroom instructors are trained in First Aid and CPR. They participate in extensive training designed to prepare our staff to execute a program that meets students’ educational, social, emotional, and physical needs. All of our sites are easily accessible by ambulance. We work closely with local and regional officials to ensure we are fully prepared for any emergency situation and we train our staff to effectively execute risk management and emergency plans.
Evening Time
Evenings with Nature’s Classroom are times to reflect and unwind from the day. Teachers and chaperones will determine an appropriate bedtime for students, but we ask that all cabins are quiet by 10:00 p.m., giving folks about an hour and a half after programming ends to relax, take showers, and get ready for bed.
Excursions
Schools can choose to add a day trip to Hammonasset Beach State Park to their agenda! On the Long Island Sound, this excursion offers a bit of everything, including a visit to a salt marsh, tidal flats, a sandy beach, and a rocky shore. Students have the opportunity to learn about the diverse ecosystems of Connecticut’s shoreline hands-on!
Travel Times
In south-central Connecticut, our Ivoryton site is close to the ocean. Our Ivoryton site is also close to Old Saybrook and Essex, Connecticut, and only a short drive from New Haven. Ivoryton is also within two hours of Providence, RI, and within three hours of New York City!
- New Haven, CT – 30 minutes
- Hartford, CT – 45 minutes
- New York, NY – 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Providence, RI – 1 hour and 20 minutes
Still curious as to what students get up to for five fun-filled days? Here’s a sample schedule! Please note that some activities and times may differ slightly based on the site, but this sample schedule gives you a good idea of what our week looks like.