Transportation

The first day of each session is always exciting! It also means everyone is getting their bearings as campers learn to use the bus and parents and guardians chat with each other and bus monitors. Allow for a little more time in your morning schedule. The first drop-off and pick-up will probably take longer than it will throughout the rest of the session!

Morning

• To ensure your camper is ready, arrive at your bus stop at least 5–10 minutes before the scheduled stop time.

• Allow the bus (from Eastern Bus Company) to stop completely before approaching it.  A staff member will get off the bus and greet campers and caregivers. You'll know it's them because they'll be wearing a brightly colored Hale staff t-shirt.

• Caregivers must bring campers to staff members on the bus; do not send campers from cars to board the bus alone. Remain with your camper until attendance is taken and your camper safely boards the bus.

• Bus monitors have been trained to work in their positions and are responsible for camper care to and from camp each day. They carry a list of campers scheduled to ride the bus each day. If your camper is not on the roster, they will not allow them onto the bus. Please confirm the bus and stop you have registered for prior to your session start to make our first morning smooth!

Afternoon

• Similar to our morning routine, please allow the bus to stop completely and for our staff to get off the bus.

• Staff will be releasing campers one at a time off of the bus.

• Staff will release campers ONLY to adults listed on the authorized pick-up list (you completed this information in the Transportation Form.)

• Show your Camper pickup pass to the bus monitor so they can release your camper to you. They will only release campers to people authorized to pick them up. 

• If you need to authorize someone new, please call the camp office and let us know beforehand. Any new person added will need to show identification at the time of pick-up.

Late to Bus Stops

• If you miss the bus in the morning, do not chase the bus or expect the driver to pull over (they may only do so in the event of a passenger emergency). Instead, try to safely reach another stop and have your camper board there. If you are unable to do so, bring your camper to Hale directly.

• If you're running late to the bus stop in the afternoon, you must notify the camp office immediately so we can inform our bus staff. Depending on how late you’re running, you may need to pick your camper up from a later bus stop so we can keep our stops on time. We will let you know the best stop to meet your camper. 

Camp Travel Delays

• Given the traffic, buses may arrive early or be delayed. If you are concerned, please call the Day Camp Office at 781-329-8107. We are happy to provide you with the times the buses left Hale. 

• If buses leave late from the property we will use our automated system to send out communications.

Our number one priority is the safety of all of our campers. Please read through our bus safety policies with your camper.

Transportation Safety Orientation

All campers that utilize the provided transportation must be provided with an orientation regarding safety regulations and procedures.  Training will be provided on the first day of transportation for each session.  The orientation will include behavior guidelines and emergency and accident procedures.

Behavior Guidelines

We have the same camper expectations for campers and staff while on our buses. If we have continued challenges with a camper using our bus, we will discuss it with the caregiver(s). Hale reserves the right to terminate transportation for any camper that cannot maintain expectations. 

1. Campers listen and follow directions given by staff. 

2. Campers respect the personal space of others by keeping their bodies to themselves. 

3. Campers must remain seated at all times and can ask permission to change their seats while on the bus.

4. Campers do not eat on the bus for safety reasons.

5. Campers will not block exits on the bus

6. Campers communicate respectfully with adults and fellow campers. Swearing, teasing, and derogatory comments will not be tolerated at Hale.

Travel Emergencies

If an emergency happens while in transport with campers, staff on the bus will alert the camp staff immediately so camp and main office staff are aware. Bus monitors will relay important information and the camp will send out communications to families impacted through our emergency communication system.