Hours:
Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
Drop-Off: 7:30–9:00 AM
Pick-Up: 3:30–5:00 PM
Daily Schedule:
- 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Camp Drop-Off
- 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Morning Announcements
- 9:15 AM – 11:55 AM: Group Activities & Swimming Lessons
- 11:55 AM – 12:25 PM: Lunch
- 12:25 PM – 1:00 PM: Transition & Rest
- 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM: Free Choice Time
- 2:20 PM – 2:35 PM: Canteen (Popsicle Break)
- 2:35 PM – 3:15 PM: Free Choice Time
- 3:15 PM – 3:30 PM: Transition & Pack Up
- 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Camp Pick-Up
Normal Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Camp Drop-off takes place between 7:30am and 9:00am. Pick-up is between 3:30pm and 5:00pm. In order to drop-off or pick-up your child, please put on your blinker and enter the Loop from the end closest to Bodwell Rd. This will require a right hand turn. For the safety of all children, please have your children wait until the car reaches the marked Loading Area and until we open the door for them. Once your children are safely in/out of the vehicle, put on your blinker and exit carefully back onto Corning Rd.
Late Drop Off
Late Drop Offs are strongly discouraged. If you do arrive at MPDC after 9am, please park at the Loop and call the main office at 669-9414.
Early Pick Up
Early Pick Ups are strongly discouraged. If you must pick up your child early for a doctor’s appointment or other important event, you must schedule your early pick up in advance for 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, or 2:30pm. A staff member will be ready with your child at the Loop for that scheduled time. Regular Loop pick up begins at 3:30pm.
Activities
At Melody Pines, every camper can find an activity they love while building skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships. From water adventures like swimming, boating, water-skiing, and paddleboarding to creative pursuits such as arts and crafts, skits, and fairy garden building, there’s something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, pickleball, kickball, and frisbee games, while those looking for unique challenges can test their aim in archery and BB-gun shooting, climb the rock wall, or play exciting games like Gaga and Sky Square. Campers can also explore nature with pond life activities, engage in fun team games like wall ball and creative games, or compete in sand construction contests. No matter their interests, campers at Melody Pines are sure to discover new passions, make memories, and have an unforgettable summer.
Aquatics
Campers participate in swimming lessons and water games daily,
guided by certified lifeguards and instructors.
Swimming
Melody Pines has three large swimming areas bounded by special docks and ropes to allow for excellent supervision and instruction of our campers. Each area has its own raft for advanced swimmers, known as Rafters.
The Melody Pines Staff includes 30+ Red Cross-certified waterfront lifeguards plus additional staff for instruction and supervision. These staff, under the supervision of our waterfront directors, are responsible for daily swim instruction, safety, and waterfront supervision. Children are given a swimming check on their first day of camp by the waterfront director and are then placed in swimming groups according to swimming ability. Swimming lessons are a mandatory daily activity for all campers. There are 11 swimming levels beginning with Level 1 beginner (getting comfortable in the water) and ending in Level 3 advanced (distance swimming and lifeguarding skills).
Extra help time is available on a daily basis for those campers who wish to receive additional swimming instruction and improve specific skills. Campers can sign themselves up outside the office between 8am and 12pm daily.
Swimming is also provided daily during free choice time. Those who pass our “Rafter’s Test” may choose to utilize the rafts or water trampoline during that time, or even learn to water-ski! In order to become a Rafter, a camper must be proficient at the front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke, and must be able to pass our distance swim.
Boating
Melody Pines is equipped with canoes, rowboats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and a motorboat for daily use. All children are exposed to boating instruction and are given the opportunity to go out in a boat with a staff member and row or paddle. Those campers who have passed the Rafter’s Test may navigate their own boats.
Campers may also choose to ride the motorboat during their free choice time. Those who have passed the “Rafter’s Test” may also learn to water-ski.
Please note that all motorboat drivers have been thoroughly trained and are licensed by the State of New Hampshire Department of Safety – Marine Patrol Division.
