Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Barry Conservation Camp

• Full payment is due at registration - payable with debit or credit card.  ​​​​
  • However, if you are seeking funding sources, such as scholarships, you can put down a partial payment of $150 upon registration (payable with a debit or credit card) with the final amount due to us by May 1, 2025! 
  • Registrations will not be approved or guaranteed without either full payment or a partial payment of $150 when submitting your registration.
  • If you've made a partial payment, you can make the final payment online or you can send us a check or money order made payable to: UNH 4-H CAMPS and mail to: BARRY CONSERVATION CAMP, 629A MAIN ST, LANCASTER, NH 03584. ​​​​​​​
• If full payment is not received by the due date, the registration may not be honored, and the slot will be filled by a camper on the waiting list.
• Campers with an unpaid balance will NOT be checked in upon arrival at camp. No exceptions!

• Full payment is due by May 1 and full refunds are available before that day.
• Cancellations made after June 1 are not entitled to a refund as the reserved spot is unable to be filled through the waitlist and will remain vacant.
• Cancellations between May 1 and June 1 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Full refunds are provided in the event Barry Conservation Camp cancels a session.

Physical Address: 3783 York Pond Road, Berlin, NH 03570, Phone: (603) 449-2591

PDF Directions

From the South
NOTE: This is the northern route into camp. One can also reach camp by traveling through Berlin. See "From the South Alternative 2" listed below.
1. Follow Interstate 93 North through Franconia Notch.
2. Take Exit 35 and follow US Route 3 North.
3. Follow Route 3 North approximately 37 miles to Groveton.
4. In Groveton, turn right onto Route 110 East towards Milan/Berlin. Follow 110 East for approximately 17.6 miles.
5. Look carefully for the sign (dark brown with yellow lettering) on the right-hand side of the road for the Berlin Fish Hatchery. This is York Pond Road.
6. Follow York Pond Road all the way into Barry Conservation Camp (approx. 5 miles).
7. Look for the 4-H signs to find Camp.

From the South Alternative 2
1. Follow Interstate 93 North through Franconia Notch.
2. Take Exit 35 and follow US Route 3 North.
3. Stay on Route 3 until you pass through Twin Mountain.
4. Turn right onto Route 115 North and follow it until it ends.
5. Turn right onto Route 2 East.
6. Follow Route 2 into Gorham. At the lights, turn left onto Route 16 North.
7. Follow Route 16 North into Berlin. Look for the signs for Route 110 West to Groveton. As you approach the central business district (the "city" portion of town) be on the lookout for Aubuchon Hardware. Once you see Aubuchon, then be prepared to make a left-hand turn. TURN LEFT just BEFORE the bank. If you pass Dunkin Donuts, then you've made the proper turn.
8. CAREFULLY follow the signs to Route 110 West to Groveton.
9. Travel Route 110 West for about 7 miles. Look for the sign (dark brown with yellow lettering) on the left-hand side of the road for the Berlin Fish Hatchery. This is York Pond Road.
10. Follow York Pond Road all the way into Barry Conservation Camp (approx. 5 miles)

From Vermont & Points West
1. Travel to Lancaster, NH on Route 2 East.
2. Cross the Connecticut River into NH and travel about ½ mile to the intersection of Route 3. Turn left onto Route 3 North towards Groveton.
3. Follow Route 3 North approximately 9.8 miles to Groveton.
4. In Groveton, turn right onto Route 110 East towards Milan/Berlin. Follow 110 East for approximately 17.6 miles.
5. Look carefully for the sign (dark brown with yellow lettering) on the right-hand side of the road for the Berlin Fish Hatchery. This is York Pond Road.
6. Follow York Pond Road all the way into Barry Conservation Camp (approx. 5 miles).
7. Look for the 4-H signs to find Camp.

From Maine:
1. Travel to Gorham, NH. Follow 16 North to Berlin. Follow “From South Alt. 2" above from #7.

• Camp’s weekly session begins on Sunday. Check-in is between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on day of arrival. If a camper will be arriving late, previous arrangements need to be made with the Camp Director by calling 603-449-2591. 
• The Camp Director will give campers their cabin assignment.
• A Parent Release Form will need to be signed. The camper will only be released to the adult whose name appears on this form. 
• The Shooting Sports Coordinator will meet with you to discuss the weekly program, and you will sign necessary permission forms.
• Each camper will meet with the Camp Nurse to review medical forms, deposit medications for the week and be checked for head lice.
• Deposits can be made to the camp store for your camper to purchase snacks, etc. during their stay.
• Cabin Counselors will help campers move into cabins.

Barry Conservation Camp’s check out time is 1:30 pm on the last day of camp, for all sessions.

There will be a slide show and closing ceremony at 3:00 PM on pick-up day and families are encouraged to attend.

• You must meet with the Camp Director before going to see your child.
• You will sign the Parent Release Form. Please remember, only the adult(s) whose name appears on this form will be allowed to transport the child home.
• You will close out your camp store account.
• You can meet with the camp nurse and/or director to discuss any medical issues and pick-up left-over medications and/or containers.
• Please check the lost and found box for articles of clothing belonging to your camper.
• Once you have signed the Release Form you may proceed to your child’s cabin.
• Please take this time to meet with your camper’s cabin counselor and review the week.

Write to Camp

• Laundry service is not provided. Please send enough clothes to last the entire week.
• In case of continually wet weather or other extreme conditions, we will ensure campers  have dry clothing while at camp.
• If a child has a bed-wetting condition, please pack an entire second set of bedding and extra clothing. Be sure to alert the camp nurse and cabin counselor to this possibility.

• Cabin assignments are based on camper age and gender.
• Whenever possible, we attempt to place friends together in cabins. 'Cabin Buddy' preference needs to be indicated on the Camper Health Form prior to arrival at camp.
• Barry cabins house up to 7 campers.

Campers of all ages, sometimes get homesick. We prefer to call this ‘home-missing’ rather than a sickness. Our staff is trained to deal with these issues in a nurturing manner. We try to keep all campers involved in camp activities which will take their mind off missing home.

There are some important things a parent can do to help their child have a positive camp experience:

Before Camp
• Be positive about the upcoming camp experience. Focus on the activities the child will be involved in at camp.
• Review the camp schedule so your child becomes familiar with daily life at camp.
• Visit camp. Knowing what to expect alleviates anxiety. Please call before visiting so a staff member is available to talk with you.
• Refrain from making the following statements: "If you don’t like camp you can call us any time.” Or “Give it a try and if you don’t like it you can come home.” While these statements are well-intended, campers become consumed with the thought of going home and success at camp is difficult.
• Avoid telling your child they can call you from camp. This option is not available to campers. We do not have the phone capability to allow everyone access to camp phones.

While Your Child is at Camp
• Please do not call camp asking to talk to a camper. Unless it is an emergency, we cannot bring the child to the phone. This ties up our phone line, keeps emergency calls from reaching us, and often makes a happy camper miss home or a home-missing camper even more upset.
• Campers love mail, so write often! Keep letters positive and refrain from telling them what they are missing or how lonely you are. Focus on questions about their camping experience and how proud you are of them.
• An occasion may arise when you receive a negative letter from your camper. Please realize 2-3 days have elapsed since the letter was written. Whatever was troubling the camper could be completely forgotten or resolved by the time you receive the letter.
• Please call the camp director with any concerns. The staff will be happy to give you a progress report on your child and look into any concerns.

Barry Conservation Camp Camper Strategy for "Home-missing”
• We will help the camper connect with other campers and become involved in camp activities.
• We may find a special role for the camper to undertake.
• We will help the camper define and set hourly, daily and/or weekly goals.
• We will focus on camp experiences the camper can take home to share with their families.
• We will encourage campers to write home.
• If camp staff members do not feel a camper is responding to our strategy, the camp nurse or director will contact the parent for advice.
• We want campers to have a positive experience while at camp. For children to get the most out of their experience they must want to be at camp. They need to perceive it as a choice and not a mandatory stay.

• We recommend all camper clothing and articles be labeled with their name.
• Please check the camp lost and found during checkout. Items will be displayed by the check-out table.
• We recommend that your child doesn’t bring a favorite item that could not be replaced.
• At the end of the summer, all lost and found items are collected and held for a month after camp ends. If you find your camper has lost something, please contact the Lancaster office with a description of the items.

• No, campers will not need money while at camp. Camp has a small store with essential items like toothpaste, Chapstick etc.  Deposits are made at the camp store on check-in day.
• Campers should not keep money or other items of value on their person or in the cabin.

Please leave all valuables at home! 

• Any special equipment (fishing tackle, archery equipment, etc.) brought to camp must be checked in with the camp director, to be used only under supervision at appropriate times.
• Personal Electronic devices are a detractor to the community experience in the cabin. Many small personal electronic devices are expensive and do not do well in the outdoor environment of camp. We recommend these items not be brought to camp.

This guide will help you pack for your camper’s stay at Barry Conservation Camp.

HINT: Label all your camper’s clothing and belongings and it will help minimize items lost during a week at camp!

Camp Packing List

•  Barry Conservation Camp has a “no phone” policy for campers, this includes cell phones.
• Please do not call and ask to speak to a camper. The activity schedules and the camp layout prevent us from allowing campers to receive or make phone calls.

 4-H & UNH 4-H Camp: Mission, Vision, and 4-H Pledge

Barry Conservation Camp employs counselors (ages 18-25 years) from around the state, country, and world! All staff possess relevant certification, training, and/or education for their position in camp. ALL staff members, after an interview, reference checks, protection of minors training and other screening methods, including NH State Police Criminal Records Check, participate in a mandatory camp orientation, which lasts a minimum of 5 full days. During this time, staff members are trained in issues of child development, behavior management, activity leadership, health care and first aid, risk management and safety issues, and other topics relevant to the maintenance of a safe and healthy camp environment.

Throughout the summer, counselors are closely supervised and regularly discuss the excitement and challenges they face in caring for campers. Camp administration is supported by UNH Cooperative Extension and the resources of the University, providing them with expertise and guidance often not available in other programs.

• Please submit the UNH Support Needs/Accommodation Request prior to coming to camp.  This will allow us to learn more about your camper, so we provide the best possible camp experience for them.
• Any dietary, physical, behavioral, and/or other special considerations should be noted in writing on the Camper Health Form.
• Will your camper be bringing an epi-pen or inhaler?
• The camp director will determine information dispersal on a need-to-know basis.
• During check-in time you will be able to meet with the camp director, nurse, and cabin counselors to express your concerns and offer further information regarding your child.

Morning: 

• 7:00 Rise & Shine
• 7:50  Flag Raising- everyone gathers around the flagpole starting the day together
•  8:00  Breakfast
•  8:30  All Camp Clean-Up – everyone works hard to take care of their camp
•  9:00   Activity Period One – activities may include outdoor education, canoeing, fishing
• 10:30  Activity Period Two - shooting sports, archery, map & compass, tour of the hatchery
• 12:00  Lunch

  Afternoon & Evening:

• 12:30  Siesta – this is the time to relax, rest, and write letters home!
• 1:30  Waterfront – everyone has the chance to cool off in Camp Barry Lake
• 3:00  Activity Period Three
• 5:00 Dinner
• 5:30  Recreation Time – includes activities such as soccer, relay races, walks, etc.
• 6:20  Flag Lowering
• 6:30  Activity Period Four
• 8:30  Evening Activity & Campfire – campers have the chance to go on night hikes, star gaze  or play group games like flashlight tag
• 10:00 Lights Out

Barry Conservation Camp is one of the few camps that offer a full shooting sports program. Instructors are certified through the National 4-H Shooting Sports curriculum, with training and certification in each of the shooting sports disciplines. Each instructor is observed, before the camping season begins, by NH Fish & Game, and 4-H Shooting Sports Level 2 Firearm Instructors to ensure his/her ability to safely teach each discipline. The disciplines taught at Barry Conservation 4-H Camp include archery, rifle, shotgun, pistol, and black powder. However, not every discipline is offered during every session.

Safety is the priority throughout the program. Campers in the shooting sports program are required to attend Safe Range Procedures and Firearms Handling sessions, prior to going to the range. Participation is optional and at any time during the camp week, campers can decline participation in the shooting sports program. Parents/Guardians are granting Permission to Participate in shooting sports by registering their camper. The 4-H Shooting Sports program teaches respect, discipline, responsibility, and safety when handling a firearm of any type. The shooting sports program develops and practices the skills necessary to safely handle the firearms and uses inanimate target practice for accuracy. This program does not qualify youth to continue these activities on their own, but rather initiate or maintain an interest in an activity inherent to the culture of New Hampshire and this country. Campers are encouraged to continue these activities after camp through participation in their county 4-H programs or local Fish & Game Department.

Important Information to Print

Health Form

Family Guide

Epi-Pen & Inhaler Permission Slip

Camp Packing List

Driving Directions to Barry Conservation Camp

UNH Support Needs/ Accommodation Request

FAQ Barry Conservation Camp

Missing Home - Tips to consider

Questions?  Contact Andy Schafermeyer, BCC Administrator