What is it like to stay in a cabin?

There are rustic cabins available at CTT that you can request when you register. Each cabin cluster includes an external facility with sinks and toilets (i.e., not within the cabins). There is an electrical outlet at each of these sink facilities, but generally no electricity within the cabins.

How do I reserve a cabin?

Cabin beds are limited and not guaranteed, with approximately 4-6 beds per cabin. We encourage everyone to consider tenting.

After you register for Camp you will receive a confirmation email. In that email you will find a link to request a bed in a cabin. Please click the link and fill out the form.

More information on reserving a cabin is available on the Camp Life page.

What if I have special needs regarding my accommodations?

We try our best with limited resources to create an accessible and inclusive experience for anyone who would like to attend. If you have access needs or concerns that would affect your ability to attend Camp, please visit the Accessibility & Inclusion page to learn more about what we have available and how to request A&I accommodations.

Where can I tent?

There are so many places to tent at Camp Timber Trails! With 417 acres of pristine land, you have numerous options — whether you seek solitude or a spot near the action. Please refer to the map for tenting areas and restricted areas.

Please note: tenting in the main big field is permitted ONLY with stakes that are 5 or less inches (leach field).

• Please check for a “No Tenting” sign before pitching your tent!
• No tenting on the field near the Barefoot Ballroom (there is a leach field there).
• No tenting near the Ranger’s Cabin (private caretaker’s space).
• No camping in parking lots.
• No tenting around the maintenance/Morton building area.
• There is no camping on docks or near the shore.
• Tents must be 150 feet from water and wetlands.
• Tents must be within 500 feet of a toilet or porta potty.
• You may not take a cabin bed if you are tenting.
• Do not take cabin mattresses into tents.

Can I stay onsite in an RV?

Yes, when you register for camp there will be a link in your confirmation email directing you to the form to reserve a RV/car camping spot for no additional charge.

How do we get around Camp?

Camp Timber Trails has gravel roads and the event locations are spread out. We do not allow cars on site unless there is special accessibility permission. You can get around Camp by walking, biking, or using the shuttles. Please be aware that shuttles prioritize campers with accessibility issues and we cannot give everyone a ride to their next class, meal, or dance.

If you need assistance in getting around Camp, please look in your registration confirmation email for a link to the Accessibility & Inclusion Form. Please fill out the form with your relevant information.

How do I get my things to my tent or cabin?

During arrival to Camp we will assist you in bringing your gear on site with our golf cart shuttles. If you think you have too much to bring in with a golf cart, you can get a Temporary Vehicles Access Pass.

Please go to the parking lot first.

• Indicate that you would like a pass to drop off your belongings;
• Then go to Registration and check in;
• Next, drive in and drop off your belongings;
• Finally, return your car to the parking lot.

Can I keep food in my cabin or tent?

Absolutely not! There are wild animals, specifically bears, that can smell the smallest amount of food. Please keep all food only in the Dining Hall for everyone’s safety.

Where can I shower?

There is a shower house near the Dining Hall as well as indoor showers in various buildings. Look for the shower icon on the map. Folks staying in both cabins and tents will have the use of all available bathrooms and showers. There is a bathroom facility in each cluster of cabins, as well as porta-potties throughout Camp.

Is there EV charging?

We do not have EV charging stations on-site. If your vehicle will require a charge in order to get home, please contact operations@dne.org before you arrive at Camp.

Where can I use WiFi?

There will be no DNE-run or supported WiFi at CTT.

If you find your phone does not give you the access you need, please visit the Tolland Library, which has 24/7 DSL WiFi access, and three public access computers.

Tolland Library
22 Clubhouse Road, Tolland, MA 01034

Can I bring my pet to Camp?

Pets are strictly prohibited from Camp.

The only exception is trained service animals as allowed by law. Please reach out to the Accessibility & Inclusion Team at accessibility@dne.org so we can plan for service animals.

What about an Emotional Support Animal?

Emotional support animals are different from trained service animals and are not permitted at Camp. Unless you have a service animal, please do not bring any animals with you to Camp.

Are there wild animals?

Yes. We are out in nature and surrounded by Tolland National Forest. There are wild animals such as bears that frequent the area. For the safety of all campers, absolutely no food in tents or cabins!

Where is CTT?

Camp Timber Trails is located at 1266 E Otis Rd, Tolland, MA 01034. For directions, check out the page Arriving at Camp.

When should I arrive?

Campers should arrive between 3-7 pm on the first day of their registration. Upon arrival, you must check in at registration in the Welcome Center. You may not arrive or move into your assigned cabin before 3 pm. A complete arrival guide —including directions to Camp— is on the page Arriving at Camp.

I’m traveling from far away, can I arrive early or late?

We understand that traveling has its complications. If you arrive after the 3-7 pm arrival window, proceed to the parking lot and look for someone with a radio to call a shuttle if you need help bringing your gear on site.

If there are no volunteers in the parking lot, feel free to walk on in. There will be someone with a radio in the Dining Hall, except for very late night and early morning.

If you arrive very late at night we advise you to sleep in your car and seek out assistance in the morning.

Once you land, you can get settled into your accommodations and check in at the registration office the following day between 11:30 am-1:00 pm. If this is your first time at Dance Camp, you must let the registrar know you will be arriving outside of the arrival window.

If you need further assistance, please contact the registrar at registrar@dne.org.

I am looking for a ride to Camp. Who do I talk to?

Save money and gas, reduce carbon emissions, and make new friends by carpooling to Camp. Receiving, offering, or simply sharing a ride is a wonderful way to begin – or end – your Camp journey! There is a Ride-Share Board. Contact rides@dne.org to get the link and instructions.

What necessities do I need to bring to Camp?

Check out our suggested packing list.

What kind of food do you serve at Camp?

Beginning in 2025, the kitchen at Camp will be serving meat in addition to vegetarian and vegan offerings. We eat together in a beautiful dining hall and at outdoor picnic tables.

• Breakfast includes an assortment of savory and sweet options, from miso soup and eggs to cereal and fruits.
• Lunch is often a salad and sandwich bar.
• Dinner has special themes each night, including many longtime Camp favorites!

Can I bring meat or fish to Camp?

Yes, but it needs to be precooked and kept in the Dining Hall refrigerators.

Do you use organic/local products?

Organic and locally grown/produced ingredients are used whenever possible.

What provisions are there for special dietary needs?

For those who indicate restrictions on their registration form, we have non-dairy, non-wheat, and simple vegan options available at each meal. If you do not indicate any restrictions when registering, please leave these special offerings for those who requested them, as they are made in limited quantities.

To address your special dietary needs, you may store limited amounts of personal food items in the designated refrigerators in the Dining Hall. All personal food and perishables must be clearly labeled (with your name and departure date). There is no room for coolers/insulated bags in the fridge.

Is food available between meals?

Some snacks will be provided outside of mealtimes during the day. More snacks will be available during the night.

When are meals served?

We provide a buffet style dining hall environment for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast: 8:00–10:00am
Lunch: 11:30am–2:00pm
Dinner: 5:45–7:30pm — Kids’ food gets served at 5:30
Dessert: 7:45pm until it’s gone

Can I cook my own food?

No. You are not permitted to cook your own food in the Camp kitchen, nor anywhere else at Camp. Camp stoves are strictly prohibited.

Where can I keep my own food?

You may use the Dining Hall refrigerators for food storage, but keep in mind that space is limited.

Do not keep food in tents or cabins due to the presence of bears on the land.

For current policies around COVID and other health & wellness information, please visit the Camp Life page (scroll down past the bullet-point section).

Where can I do laundry?

There is no laundry facility available at Camp. Some campers wash clothes by hand.

Closest Laundromats:

• Soap and Suds, 25-659 Massachusetts Route 8 N, Otis, MA 01253 — 6.8 miles
• Spin Cycle, 515 College Hwy, Southwick, MA 01077 — 20 miles
• Laundry 101, 180 Holabird Ave, Winsted, CT 06098 — 16 miles
• Stay & Play Laundromat, 65 Franklin St, Westfield, MA 01085 — 22 miles

What stores are in the area?

Pharmacies closest to Camp Timber Trails:

Great Barrington, MA
(Rite Aid, CVS, Big Y, Price Chopper)

Westfield, MA
(CVS, Big Y, Walgreens, Stop & Shop).

Convenience stores closest to Camp Timber Trails:

Katie’s Country Store
1922 E Otis Rd, East Otis, MA
(413) 269-4211

Big Y Express — open 24 hours, gasoline
320 Housatonic St., Lee, MA
(413) 642-9127

Circle K — gasoline, ATM
1400 Russell Rd., Westfield, MA
(413) 568-1786

Cumberland Farms — open 5:00 am to midnight, gasoline, ATM, propane
140 Main St, Great Barrington, MA
(413) 528-2105

Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel
2000 E Otis Rd., East Otis, MA
(413) 269-7779

Bruce’s Ace Hardware
1873 E Otis Rd, East Otis, MA 01029
(413) 269-4309

Membership is not required to attend Dance Camp. However, we encourage you to get involved so your voice can be a part of the growth and evolution of DNE.

For more information and to join, please visit the Membership page.

Why do I have Chores at Camp?

Every camper is required to do chores. Chores are different from work exchange and volunteer positions.

Chores build community, keep Camp running smoothly, and ensure affordability. Choices include working in the kitchen, cleaning common areas, and generally helping Camp to run.

Contact chores@dne.org for any questions, including concerns about restrictions/disabilities.

Do people celebrate Shabbat?

On Friday evenings, a group of people often join together around the Dining Hall to celebrate the start of the Jewish day of rest and reflection, called Shabbat or “Shabbos.” All are welcome.

Is there a Lost and Found?

Every year, there is an enormous pile of belongings left behind. Please check the Lost & Found frequently, located in the Dining Hall. For anything important to you, put your name on it! Label your mug, water bottle, flashlight, shoes, blankets, towels, etc. DNE is not responsible for items left behind.

Do classes talk about consent?

This is currently what we will ask all our teachers to include in their class intros:
Choice:
DNE affirms the core right of participants to be at choice at all times, including to opt in or opt out of any experience.
Boundaries:
When we know our own and others’ NOs, we can more clearly see our own and others’ YESes.
Safety:
DNE adopts the Precautionary Principle of ensuring personal and collective safety (for those inside and those outside the container) in all human realms: physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual.

If you have any questions or thoughts, or want to volunteer around these Camp-wide practices, please reach out to the Peace Council.

Why do you use a self-declared sliding scale?

Our sliding scale is intended to ensure that all attendees are paying the same labor hours. The philosophy seeks to maintain:

• Fairness so that everyone is contributing in proportion to their ability
• Financial stability for DNE
• Simplicity and transparency

How do I apply for work exchange?

Please see the Financial Assistance page.

Is additional financial support available?

Please see the Financial Assistance page.

How do I register?

For more information about registration, please visit the Registration page.

When does registration open?

Camp registration opens the first week of May.

When is the latest I can register?

We highly recommend registering before June 18. To avoid any late fees, you must register and pay in full before June 18.

• Registrations after June 20 will be charged a late fee of $25 per adult.
• Registrations after July 6 will be charged a late fee of $50 per adult.
• Late fees are waived for first time campers.
• You must register at least 72 hours before your arrival day.

Can I customize my registration days?

No. We no longer offer customized registration options for general attendance. Teachers, DJs, and hired staff (not including work exchange participants) should discuss their contracts with their hiring supervisor.

How do I change my registration?

If you need to change your registration, contact registrar@dne.org. There is a processing fee of $25 for each change.

How do I cancel my registration?

• If cancellation, for any reason, is done by June 25, you qualify for a 90% refund of your total registration (excluding membership, donations, late fees, or other extras). You must submit this cancellation form to receive your refund.
• If cancellation, for any reason, is done by July 10, you qualify for a 75% refund of your total registration (excluding membership, donations, late fees, or other extras). You must submit this cancellation form to receive your refund.
• If cancellation is done after July 10, you do not qualify for a refund.
• No refunds are available for donations, late fees, or membership fees.
• No registration fees, donations, or membership fees can be applied to future years’ attendances.
• Under no circumstances will a refund exceed 95% of the registration cost.

Exceptions

If cancelling due to an emergency or illness, you may request additional consideration based on your circumstances using this cancellation form. It is your responsibility to provide ample context in your request; without information, a refund request will be rejected. All refund requests made after July 10 will be processed after Camp. No refunds will exceed 95% of the registration fees.

COVID-19

All attendees must present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. If you have COVID-19 symptoms in the 2-4 days prior to your arrival, do not attend. If you get sick at Camp or develop any symptoms (scratchy throat, stomach ache, etc.), we ask that you immediately isolate. If symptoms persist, we ask that you leave Camp. Any camper who does not attend or leaves Camp due to COVID-19 can be considered for a refund up to 95% of any days missed. You must submit this cancellation form to request a refund.

Do I need to register my teen or child?

In order to prepare our kitchen and staffing, everyone under the age of 18 must pre-register for Camp.

Can my child or teen come by themselves?

No. All people under 18 must be accompanied at Camp by a parent or guardian.

We have a Young People’s Program, Teen Programming, and safety policies for children 12 and younger. For more information about youth programming at camp, visit our Young People & Teens page.

Does Camp get full?

Some of the registration options may fill up. It doesn’t matter whether you are tenting or planning to stay in a cabin, a full Camp is a full Camp.

How do I get on the waitlist?

In the event that a Camp registration fills up, we will have a waitlist for each registration option. If your registration option is full, you will be automatically added to the waitlist. If you do not want to be placed on the waitlist, select “no” in your registration form. Waitlist placement is determined by timestamp on registrations.

I am applying to DJ or teach at Camp, and expect to get compensated days. Do I still have to pay for my days when I register?

I have a staff role for Dance Camp, do I have to pay when I register?

If your Camp fees are covered by teaching or staff free days, you will receive a staff registration form that will not require a payment. If you are hired for a role after you register for Camp, you will be reimbursed for any free days you receive.

What are the rules of the Waterfront?

• Lifeguard hours are 7:00am–8:00am and 10:00am–8:00pm daily, weather-permitting.
• Swimming after dark or when the lifeguards are not on duty is
  strictly prohibited. Campers who violate this rule may be asked to leave Camp.
• All swimmers must swim only in lifeguard designated areas.
• Flotation toys require lifeguard approval.
• Pushing, running, front or back flips, and handstands on the docks
  are prohibited.
• Diving into the water is allowed only in designated areas.
• All Children 12 and under must pass a swim test to enter the deep water.
• Please see the OBook when you arrive at Camp for additional Waterfront policies.

All Children 12 and under may not be left at the Waterfront without parent/guardian. Lifeguards are not allowed to be this adult.