Through December 24, 2025, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is accepting public comment on a proposal to increase the tuition for its Green Mountain Conservation Camp (GMCC) from $250 to $300.

In addition to the proposed GMCC tuition increase, the department is also proposing to increase day use fees for the buildings at its Buck Lake and Kehoe Education Centers. Day use rentals of Buck Lake and Kehoe would increase to $300 per day for partnering organizations and $600 per day for private entities. Additional minor facility rental fee changes are also proposed.

“The proposed camp tuition and day use fee increases are only intended to keep pace with the costs of providing a high-quality outdoor education experience for GMCC campers,” said Director of Outreach Alison Thomas. “These increases will not generate a profit.”

The tuition increase is proposed as an amendment to a Commissioner’s Rule under 10 V.S.A. §4132(e). That statute allows the Fish & Wildlife Commissioner to set fees for use of public lands owned and managed by the department, as well as facilities on those lands, including tuition for the Green Mountain Conservation Camps.

Tuition at GMCC and fees for the use of department facilities have not been updated since 2013. Expenses associated with staff time and maintenance of facilities have increased substantially between 2013 and the present. At the same time, the department is committed to keeping GMCC accessible to all families through need-based financial aid.

“GMCC’s strong network of generous community organizations and individual donors will continue offering sponsorships to any camper in need of financial assistance,” added Thomas. “Cost should never be a barrier to learning about Vermont’s natural resources. Thanks to our sponsorships we can offer any youth in need the opportunity to participate in GMCC at no cost to their family.”

Public comments can be submitted via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov through December 24, 2025. More information on the proposed tuition and fee increases is available online at: https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/commissioners-office/commissioners-rules