Ask The Story School

Question 1

What is The Story School?

Accepted Answer

The Story School is a non-profit eduLARP overnight summer camp where campers become the heroes of their own story. Founded in 2013, it blends real STEAM learning with live-action role-play at Nature's Classroom in Charlton, Massachusetts. Its promise: Discover the Hero Within You.

Question 2

Where is camp held?

Accepted Answer

The Story School runs at Nature's Classroom in Charlton, Massachusetts, in Central Massachusetts, a short drive from the Boston area. It is an overnight (residential) camp.

Question 3

When was The Story School founded?

Accepted Answer

The Story School was founded in 2013 and is a registered non-profit organization serving campers through the magic of story and adventure.

Question 4

Is The Story School a non-profit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Story School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID 46-2394723). That mission focus is part of why scholarships and an inclusive, welcoming community are at its heart.

Question 5

What is the camp's motto?

Accepted Answer

Two phrases capture the spirit of camp: Discover the Hero Within You, and Heroes at Camp, Allies for Life. The experience is built to help every camper find their own strengths and lasting friendships.

Question 6

What makes The Story School special?

Accepted Answer

The Story School lives by its three I's: Inclusive, Interactive and Immersive. Campers do not just hear a story, they step inside a living world of quests, guilds and monsters, learning real skills as heroes along the way.

Question 7

Is it overnight or day camp?

Accepted Answer

The Story School is an overnight (residential) summer camp, so campers stay on-site for the full session and live the adventure together.

Question 8

What camps does The Story School offer?

Accepted Answer

The Story School offers two main camps: Camp FABLE, the flagship eduLARP adventure (ages 8 to 16, two-week sessions), and Camp Grimoire, a shorter, more advanced one-week quest for teens (ages 14 to 17). There are also programs along the Hero's Path for new, returning and older campers.

Question 9

What is Camp FABLE?

Accepted Answer

Camp FABLE is The Story School's flagship eduLARP adventure for ages 8 to 16. Across two-week sessions, campers blend real STEAM learning with live-action role-play, becoming the heroes of an epic, immersive story.

Question 10

What is Camp Grimoire?

Accepted Answer

Camp Grimoire is a shorter, more advanced one-week quest for teens ages 14 to 17 who are ready to level up the challenge, with a deeper, more intense story than Camp FABLE.

Question 11

What is the difference between Camp FABLE and Camp Grimoire?

Accepted Answer

Camp FABLE is the flagship, two-week adventure for ages 8 to 16. Camp Grimoire is a one-week, more advanced quest for teens 14 to 17, with a tougher, more immersive challenge for campers ready for more.

Question 12

Is there a program just for teens?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Camp Grimoire is built for teens ages 14 to 17, and older campers can also grow into leadership through the Counselors-in-Training (CiT) program. The Story School welcomes campers all the way up to age 18.

Question 13

What is eduLARP?

Accepted Answer

eduLARP is educational live-action role-play, and it is the heart of The Story School. Campers complete real lessons to earn strengths and abilities, then step into a living story as heroes, using what they have learned to overcome challenges and save the day.

Question 14

How does the STEAM learning work?

Accepted Answer

Campers complete genuine STEAM lessons to earn strength points and new abilities for their hero. They then use those abilities inside the story, battling monsters and solving problems, so learning has an immediate, heroic purpose.

Question 15

What is LARP?

Accepted Answer

LARP is live-action role-play, where you take on a character and act out an adventure in real life. At The Story School it is educational (eduLARP), so the adventure is woven together with real learning.

Question 16

Does camp build social and emotional skills?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alongside STEAM, The Story School is designed to build social-emotional skills, teamwork, confidence and empathy, as campers cooperate, lead and problem-solve together inside the story.

Question 17

Is camp screen-free?

Accepted Answer

The Story School is an immersive, outdoors-and-adventure experience in nature, so campers unplug from screens and step fully into the story and the community around them.

Question 18

Who is camp for?

Accepted Answer

The Story School welcomes campers roughly ages 8 to 18 who love stories, imagination, games and adventure, from first-timers to seasoned heroes. It is a warm, creative and inclusive community where every kind of camper belongs.

Question 19

Is camp inclusive of LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse campers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Story School is fully inclusive and welcoming of LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse campers. Building a safe, affirming place where every camper can be themselves and find allies is central to the mission.

Question 20

What ages does camp serve?

Accepted Answer

Across its programs, The Story School serves campers roughly ages 8 to 18: Camp FABLE for ages 8 to 16, Camp Grimoire for teens 14 to 17, and Counselors-in-Training for ages 15 to 17.

Question 21

Do I need experience to join?

Accepted Answer

No experience is needed. First-time campers join as New Heroes and are welcomed into the story from day one, and a single-week option makes it easy to try camp for the first time.

Question 22

What is the New Heroes program?

Accepted Answer

New Heroes is for first-time campers. They are welcomed into the story from the very beginning, with plenty of support, and a single-week option is available to make a first summer easy.

Question 23

What is the Returning Heroes program?

Accepted Answer

Returning Heroes is for campers coming back for another adventure. They continue their journey along the Hero's Path, taking on new quests and deeper challenges each summer.

Question 24

What is the Counselors-in-Training program?

Accepted Answer

Counselors-in-Training (CiT) is the leadership path for older campers, roughly ages 15 to 17, who are ready to help lead the adventure and mentor younger heroes while growing their own skills.

Question 25

What is the Hero's Path?

Accepted Answer

The Hero's Path is the journey campers travel over the years, from New Hero to Returning Hero to Counselor-in-Training and beyond, growing in skills, confidence and leadership with each summer.

Question 26

When does camp run?

Accepted Answer

Camp runs across the summer, with Camp FABLE sessions in July and early August and Camp Grimoire later in August. Exact session dates change each year, so please see the current Dates + Rates page at thestoryschool.org for this summer's schedule.

Question 27

How long are the sessions?

Accepted Answer

Camp FABLE runs in two-week sessions, and Camp Grimoire is a one-week quest. A single-week option is also available for first-time campers. Current sessions are listed on the Dates + Rates page.

Question 28

How much does camp cost?

Accepted Answer

Tuition varies by camp and session and can change from year to year, often with early-enrollment savings. For current rates, please see the Dates + Rates page at thestoryschool.org. Scholarships and discounts are available to help make camp possible.

Question 29

Are scholarships available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a non-profit, The Story School offers a scholarship fund to help make camp accessible, and there are discounts as well. Reach out through the website to ask about scholarships and current options.

Question 30

Are there any discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Along with scholarships, The Story School offers discounts, and registering early often unlocks the best rates. See the Dates + Rates and Registration pages for current offers.

Question 31

How do I register?

Accepted Answer

You can register or pre-register at thestoryschool.org/registration, with separate paths for new and returning families. You can also leave your name and email here and the team will follow up to help.

Question 32

How do I contact The Story School?

Accepted Answer

The best way to reach The Story School is through thestoryschool.org, or by leaving your name and email here so the team can follow up about camps, dates, scholarships or registration.

Question 33

Can I support or donate to The Story School?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, The Story School welcomes support. Donations and fundraising help fund scholarships so more campers can discover the hero within. You can give through thestoryschool.org.

Question 34

Does The Story School run D&D or other events?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Beyond summer camp, The Story School runs events including online Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and community gatherings, so heroes can stay connected year-round. Check the Events page at thestoryschool.org.

Question 35

Where can I follow The Story School?

Accepted Answer

The Story School is on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest. Links are at thestoryschool.org.

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