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Welcome to the AMC Ponkapoag Camp in the Blue Hills Reservation. As a volunteer run outdoor facility our, and your, mission is to preserve this woodland oasis for future generations. We ask you and your guests’ sincere cooperation in following these rules and regulations in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable retreat experience.

We reserve the right to ask any camper(s) or guest to leave the premises whose conduct, in our opinion, is causing a disturbance, endangering life in any way, interfering with the orderly operation of the camp, or breaking the listed rules and regulations. Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior, safety and whereabouts at all times while within the campground.  Refunds will not be granted.

Ponkapoag Camp is located on DCR land and as such is required to abide by applicable DCR Regulations (found here) as well as MA state laws.

Additionally, Ponkapoag Camp Rules are in place to help promote the outdoor experience and safety of all campers and users.  These are listed below along with key (but not all) MA state laws and DCR regulations.

Driving and Parking

  • For the Camp’s security and the protection of the Blue Hills Reservation, the entrance gate shall be kept locked at all times.
  • Speed limit on the access road is 10 mph. Be courteous to walkers, runners, and horseback riders; they have the right of way. Vehicles approaching horses must pull over, dim your lights, and wait until horses have safely passed by.
  • Park vehicles in designated areas only. The greatest threat to the camp’s landscape comes from parked cars. Park so that vehicles do not restrict fire access or damage vegetation or soils. No parking on roadsides. [304 CMR 12.23]. Day users shall park in the Day Use parking lot (at the bottom of the hill behind the lodge). The camp manager will indicate where campers’ cars are to be parked. Campers with more than one car may either use the Day Use lot or ask the camp manager where they may park the additional car.

Camper, Day User, and Guest Registration

  • All campers shall register with the camp manager.
  • During the summer season (last week of June to Labor Day), day users shall register with the camp manager or lifeguard and pay the established fee.
  • During the summer season, campers’ guests shall pay the day use fee. Campers shall check with the camp manager if they are planning to invite more than six guests for the day. Campers shall be present with their visitors.
  • Day use groups of more that 6 people shall call ahead for permission to use the camp. The camp has a group limit of 12 people.

General Rules

  • Cell phone conversations and radios without earphones are prohibited from the dock and beach area, and at other places shall be used with consideration for the comfort of others.
  • No person may smoke or vape in or on any Ponkapoag buildings or structures including porches,  designated swimming areas, other public gathering areas, areas where posted as prohibited, or at the camp managers discretion.
  • Drunkenness and rowdy behavior spoil other people’s enjoyment and will not be tolerated. [302 CMR 12.04]
  • Quiet hours shall be observed between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Please inform the camp manager (781-961-7007) if someone is creating a disturbance.
  • Carry out your trash; the camp has no trash removal service.
  • Do not litter. Be courteous and pick up litter that you see. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 270, § 16]
  • Dishes are to be washed at rented cabin or campsite only. Scatter (do not dump) used water on the ground.
  • Food is not to be thrown into the woods; it encourages pests and may harm wildlife.
  • No fireworks, or firearms, including air rifles and paintball guns, are permitted in camp or elsewhere in the Blue Hills Reservation. [302 CMR 12.04]
  • Stay on trails. Stay off the fragile slopes between the pond and cabins; taking shortcuts through these slopes will lead to serious erosion. Please explain this to your children.
  • Picking or disturbing native plant materials, with the exception of edible berries, is prohibited. [302 CMR 12.04]

Not permitted in cabins:

  • Candles and lamps with an open flame must never be used in cabins. Violators are subject to losing camping privileges.
  • Propane tanks greater than one pound may not be used in cabins.
  • Sleeping in lofts is prohibited due to lack of fire egress.

At the End of Your Stay

  • The Camp has no housekeeping service. Before checking out, campers are expected to sweep and mop the floors (equipment is provided), clean tables, and leave the cabin ready for the next camper. Violators may lose camping privileges.
  • Cabins are to be locked, and the key returned to the manager. Windows must be shut.

Fire Danger and Firewood

  • Fire danger in these woods is great. Open fires are permitted only in designated fire rings or grills [302 CMR 12.09], and at the discretion of the camp manager.
  • Fires must be contained within the designated site and attended until they are extinguished.  Campers may not bring portable fire pits in to camp.
  • Bonfires are not permitted; flames should never reach higher than your waist.
  • Firewood may be gathered from the ground. No tree shall be cut.
  • Chainsaws or other equipment with a gas or electric motor to cut wood are not permitted. [302 CMR 12.04]
  • Firewood brought into camp must be kiln dried wood.
  • Do not burn plastic.
  • Grills should be stored and/or used at least 10 feet away from the buildings with clear space (meaning no combustible materials at least 10 feet around).

Pets

  • Day users may not bring pets.
  • Campers may bring a maximum of two well-behaved pets, at the discretion of the camp manager.
  • Pets must have proof of rabies vaccination. Flea and tick protection is strongly advised.
  • Pets may not be left unattended. Pets must be under owner’s control, and leashed [302 CMR 12.13]
  • Dogs are not allowed in the swimming or dock areas but may be taken to swim at other areas. Dogs are also not allowed in the lodge.
  • Excessive noise from pets will not be tolerated.
  • Owners shall clean up after their pets. [302 CMR 12.13]

Swimming

  • Swimming is only allowed when there is a lifeguard on duty.
  • Children under 13 may not be on the dock or in the water except under the supervision of an agreeing adult, including when a lifeguard is on duty.
  • People under 18 shall not swim alone.
  • Swimming alone after dark is dangerous and prohibited.
  • Flotation devices are not allowed because they can carry a person into deep water. [302 CMR 12.16]
  • Use of shampoo or soap of any kind in the pond is prohibited.

Boating

  • Fishing and boating in the swimming area are prohibited. Fishing hooks can be lost and pose a danger of serious injury to swimmers.
  • State law requires a life jacket be in the boat for each person. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90B, § 5A] Non-swimmers and children under 12 must wear life jackets when boating. Life jackets can be borrowed from the main lodge and are to be returned immediately after use.
  • Children under 18 shall only use the boats when accompanied by an adult.
  • In order to protect the shore from erosion, boats may only be launched and brought ashore at the designated boating beach.
  • No person may leave a boat overnight except while they are renting a cabin or tent site. If the boating area becomes crowded, the camp manager may impose a limit of one boat per cabin.
  • In the case of severe weather, such as thunder and lightning storms, campers, guests and day-use individuals are required to follow the lifeguard’s instructions regarding swimming and boating activities.