ESCAPE Camp is located on the beautiful campus of Amherst College in the town of Amherst, nestled in the picturesque Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The Town of Amherst is a diverse, inclusive community offering numerous educational, cultural, shopping and dining opportunities. The name of the town is pronounced without the h (“AM-erst”), giving rise to the local saying, “only the ‘h’ is silent”, in reference both to the pronunciation and to the town’s politically active populace.
The Amherst College campus is just adjacent to Amherst’s main street and getting around campus or the town of Amherst is easily done on foot or on bicycle. Physical activity is very popular in the area and the Norwottuck Rail Trail was created for biking, running, and walking on the site of old railroad beds. The Mount Holyoke Range is also within miles and provides an amazing view and hiking trails for all levels.
FACILITIES
ESCAPE Camp also uses the outdoor tennis courts, the multi-acre athletic fields, and newly constructed outdoor jogging track. Smith College’s boathouse and boating pond are the sites for the camp’s kayaking, canoeing, sculling and paddle boarding activities. Close at hand are also numerous trails for hiking, rock climbing and biking.
Amherst College has a wide array of facilities that can accommodate the needs of even the most physically active individual or group. Alumni Gym is the main hub for campus recreation and houses 2 basketball areas, a golf room, squash courts, an indoor tennis/track facility, a pool, and the Wolff Fitness Center. The Wolff Fitness Center includes an 8,000 square foot two-level, fully air-conditioned facility, complete with a full range of cardiovascular, BodyMaster selectorized machines, and free weight equipment.