Overview
This camp is built on choice. Before camp, each child picks three 'majors' — activities they want to go deep in and do every day all session — and every morning at breakfast they choose three 'minors' to try something new. With more than 75 activities on offer (circus and flying trapeze, gymnastics, skatepark, theatre, dance, music, magic, horseback riding, tennis, team sports, water-skiing and other lake sports, mountain biking, outdoor adventure, arts and crafts, video and science), every camper's timetable is different.
Choosing by interest means campers meet children from across camp who love the same things, but bunkmates still spend at least six hours a day together — meals, rest hour, evening activity and bunk events. Once a week is Trip Day: a lie-in, a late brunch and then a special event in camp or an outing to a water park, bowling or an amusement park. Sessions end with Visiting Day, a full programme of shows and activities.
Most campers come from the US East Coast, with a group from abroad each summer. The camp's owners are on site all summer and know every camper by name.
What's included
A day at camp
- Morning Breakfast with the bunk (choose today's three minors), then the first activity periods — usually majors
- Midday Lunch and rest hour in the bunk
- Afternoon More activity periods — six a day in total, three majors and three minors
- Evening Dinner, evening activity (shows, game shows, treasure hunts, socials), then the canteen
- Once a week Trip Day — sleep in, brunch, then special activities or an off-camp outing
Where campers stay
Campers live in bunks with campers their own age and their counselors; bunks are put together using length of stay, activity choices and bunk requests. The 550-acre site has a lake for water sports, a skatepark, gymnastics and circus areas, theatre, horseback riding, tennis, mountain-bike trails and a modern infirmary staffed by a doctor and six registered nurses. The site is guarded around the clock, with every vehicle checked in and out at the gate.
Meals
Meals are served cafeteria-style in the dining room: a hot breakfast (pancakes, waffles, eggs, French toast) plus around eight cereals; lunch and dinner with two or three hot dishes — one always vegetarian — plain pasta, a big salad bar, fruit and desserts from the camp's own bakers. Every evening ends with the canteen (burgers, ice cream, pretzels, slushies and healthier snacks). The dining room is nut- and peanut-free and the camp caters for special diets.
Excursions
Frequently asked questions
What if my child picks a major and doesn't like it?
They can change it with the Program Director. It happens all the time — a child tries something as a minor, falls in love with it, and swaps it in as a major.
How do campers get there from the airport?
Fly into Newark (EWR). The camp runs buses for campers to and from camp from Newark Airport, as well as from New York, New Jersey, Maryland and the Philadelphia area. We'll pass your flight details to the camp.
Are there extra costs?
Tuition covers all activities and trips. Extras are a few camp T-shirts (worn on outings and for inter-camp sports) and optional baggage shipping. The camp suggests no more than US$100 spending money per session.
Can we speak to our child during camp?
There are scheduled phone calls — two during the 4-week session, one during the 3-week session. You can email every day through the camp's online system (printed out and handed over after lunch, with an option to get a scan of the reply), and letters are welcome.
What ages does it take?
Our catalog lists ages 8 to 15. The oldest group can go on to a CIT (counselor-in-training) year — rising 11th graders get 15% off. Tell us your child's age and we'll confirm which group they'd join.
Can my child fly to the US alone?
Yes — most international campers do. Book the airline's unaccompanied-minor service (each airline sets its own age rules, usually up to 12 or 14), and we'll make sure the camp knows the flight details so someone is waiting at arrivals. We'll confirm the camp's exact pick-up arrangements and any transfer cost when you book.
Does my child need a visa?
Families arrange travel documents themselves. Children with a passport from a Visa Waiver country — Czechia and most of the EU included — need an approved ESTA (the online US travel authorisation) before they board, so apply a few weeks ahead. Children from other countries normally need a B-2 visitor visa for a summer camp, not a student visa. For any other passport, ask us and we'll check what applies.