Puddle stompers did phenomenal job with fun and science. They know how to make it accessible to little kids and have helped grow my son into a little naturalist. read more

We showed up to a winter camp session that had been advertised as an outdoor experience, only to find that the entire morning was indoors. My son cannot tolerate wearing a mask due to hypersensitivities related to being Autistic, and they would not make an exception to their masking rule. We were not allowed in the door, and had to forfeit three days of camp tuition. This is all after I spent hours finding a 1:1 aide we needed to pay out of pocket in order for them to allow him to attend. While I realize I should have double checked about how strict the policy is, there is nowhere else in our life that doesn't make an exception for him and for an outdoor program it didn't even occur to me. I frankly feel angry and sad about the experience, as a welcoming nature camp is exactly the right place for my son. While I understand and support masking as needed, we are three years into the pandemic, and he is triple vaccinated. I hope they improve in their flexibility and if they do I will edit this review happily. read more

Wonderful program that connected my young daughter with the outdoors. She came home dirty, happy, and bubbling with stories about her daily adventures. The staff is engaged and the operation is well-run. Would recommend to any family. read more

Our family loves Puddlestompers! We first did their parent/child class, then my son has done their spring and summer camps, and an after school class at his preschool. Each experience has been wonderful and he never tires of learning about new animals or new aspects of nature. We started Puddlestompers shortly after moving across the country from California, and I truly credit them with making the move much smoother for my son. He was nervous about a new place, but learning about all the amazing nature in New England, as well as making friends in the classes and bonding with the instructors, really helped him feel comfortable in his new home. read more

My kids really love this camp (this is a review for the summer camp program). They take allergies seriously, are well organized, employ excellent staff, have great communication, and the kids LOVE being outside. They've got a great park setting and fun themes for the week. We get a LOT of artwork home as well as in depth packets covering nature topics and activities we can do at home. The kids have learned a lot and this is our second summer there. Pro tip - overflow parking lot is easier to drive in and out of! I appreciate how flexible the staff are about before/after care - you can change plans the day of and they'll roll with it. Compared to other camps, they give kids a lot of time for lunch which means my kids aren't horrid beasts at pick up with a bunch of leftover food in their lunch bags. Woo hoo! read more

We had a birthday party for my 3&6 year old girls at Puddlestompers. It was in February, the kids went out in snowsuits, and it was so much fun! I also sent my now 4 year old daughter to 2 weeks of camp. She did not like staff at the Auburndale location. She LOVES the South Newton location at Temple Beth Avodah. The staff are warm, kind, and incredibly patient. On Tuesday & Thursday the children explore a nearby stream and my daughter is having the time of her life. I can't recommend this camp highly enough for little nature lovers. read more

Elias: Are we going to the Nature Center? (Also: Is the Nature Center School?) Mommy: Yes, we are going today. Do you want to go? Elias: Yes, let's go now! [goes to find his shoes without more prompting from me] We referred to the twin's weekly hours with Puddlestompers as going to the Nature Center since it was held there at Newton's Nanhanton Park. The Nature Center was the twin's favorite activity. They had consistently high praise for teacher Emily Rothman. Sadly, now that their fall classes are over, I'm sure I'll be hearing a lot of pleas to go to the Nature Center and see Emily, and questions about where is Emily's house and is she sleeping now. So let me give my thanks to Emily for her enthusiasm and hard work. Misc: My own tip to avoid excessive driving when dropping off kids at Nanhanton Park Nature Center: During the fall the weather was warm enough that I waited for the kids in a canvas folding chair with my laptop; with rain or cold weather I could walk/drive to Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (a 2 minute walk, Wells Ave) which has free parking and a cafe that is open to the public. read more

Puddlestompers is run by caring, knowledgeable humans who built a positive, stimulating, and fun experience both in camp and in birthday parties. My son managed to get sopping wet every single day, and return home with grins and a million nature facts. Such a wonderful experience! read more

The Puddlestompers program was a shining light during our pandemic year. Not only were the staff very COVID-protocol aware, but they became one of the few adults in their lives to encourage, support, and nurture my children's love of learning. My 3 and 7 year-old always returned home with huge smiles, art projects, and celebrated new knowledge about the natural world. I highly recommend this program! read more

Unfortunately we had a negative experience at the summer camp in Auburndale where both myself and my children felt that the staff showed very little sympathy for our son who was having physical pain during the camp. My son was younger than the suggested age of enrollment (which I am responsible for), and he didn't want to participate in their hike while he was in pain; which I know that made the program run more difficult and I understand that they cannot change their teacher/ child ratio. I have no problem that he was sent home after this. However, I hope that any early child educational program teacher would be trained to offer kindness and sympathy when a child is having difficulties no matter how young or difficult they may be. From the tone of the phone call we received when he was sent home after one hour of participating in the program, and our older son's report - in which he cried and refused to go back to the summer camp the following day because of the way that the teachers were talking about his younger brother, I unfortunately heard very little (if any) sympathy and they made it clear that he was an inconvenience to them. We also did not get any refund after needing to withdraw from the program after an hour ($740). As parents, we rarely get to see or hear what exactly is going on in programs, and we all avoid trying to share negative experiences for the sake of not offending the business or the teacher etc, and we are left to judge a program from such little information. I contemplated whether I should share this or not, but I felt I would have liked to known information such as this before signing up, and I hope others will find it helpful. read more

We had a fantastic birthday party for my 8 year old son here. There were two teachers, Jess and Sophia, who were both terrific and were very attentive, considerate and wonderful with the kids. The children ranged in age from 3 to 9 and they all had a blast! My son got to pick the theme for the party and the teachers designed a project around this theme. The teachers presented the project idea to the kids indoors and then took them outside to collect items in nature for the project. The area behind the building is beautiful! All of the adults remarked at how lovely and peaceful it is with a beautiful river nearby. We then had a half hour for the cake and refreshments and I thought the total hour and a half was perfect timing for everyone. All in all, I would love to do this party again for my daughter next year. I highly recommend it! read more

We tried the one in the Auburndale Cove and were very disappointed. The kids were just restricted in a tiny area next to the restroom in Cove. This is not what we had envisioned for a fun summer camp for sure. read more

My two year old daughter LOVED this class! By far the best parent-child class we have done. I highly recommend it.