HI4Y CAMP VACAMAS SUMMER CAMP
Every summer, hundreds of young people from the tri-state area come to Vacamas for a summer to remember and meet friends they will never forget. Our 12- and 19-day trips provide exciting and challenging age-specific adventures for campers ages 6-17, having completed 1st through 11th grades. In addition to our sleep-away camp, we also have a rapidly-growing day camp which operates between 9am and 5pm each day with before-care and after-care options also available.
Location - Less than 1 hour from New York City.
256 Macopin Road, West Milford, NJ. Buses available at no additional cost from selected locations in NY & NJ.
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COVID and summer 2021
HI4Y is planning for summer camp in compliance with all COVID-safety guidelines mandated by the New Jersey Health Department, and CDC recommendations. While this summer will require some changes to how we do things at camp, we'll make sure that you and your child are prepared, and that camp will be as safe and healthy as possible. However, should the NJ-NY State Governments mandate that sleepaway camps are not allowed this year (as they did in 2020), we will notify our registered families and reimburse your paid fees. We will keep you up to date! (See the attached document regarding assumption of risk for activities during COVID.)
2021 Sleepaway Camp Dates:
Session 1: Sunday June 27th - Thursday July 8th
Session 2: Sunday July 11th - Thursday July 29th
Session 3: Sunday August 1st - Thursday August 19th
2021 Day Camp Dates:
Week 1: Monday June 28th - Friday July 2nd
Week 2: Monday July 5th - Friday July 9th (Potential Trip)
Week 3: Monday July 12th - Friday July 16th
Week 4: Monday July 19th - Friday July 23rd
Week 5: Monday July 26th - Friday July 30th (Potential Trip)
Week 6: Monday August 2nd - Friday August 6th
Week 7: Monday August 9th - Friday August 13th
Week 8: Monday August 16th - Friday August 20th
Some Of Our Facilities Include:
Two Basketball Courts
Indoor Stage
Beach
Zip Lining
Large Ball Field
Hiking Trails
Canoeing, boating and swimming
Children's playground
Amphitheater
Campfire Circles
BBQ Stations
Challenge Course (Low/High Ropes)
“It was the best four years of my life at Camp Vacamas and I can’t wait to return this summer.”
Safety
Our number one priority is the safety of your child. We maintain a high staff-to-camper ratio, and our experienced staff members are background-checked, fully trained and carefully supervised. Camp Vacamas is accredited by the American Camp Association, as well as local and state Health Departments. We have an onsite medical team, and there is a hospital just minutes away. All waterfront activities are conducted by certified American Red Cross Swim Instructors, Lifeguards, and a Waterfront Director.
Affordability
As a non-profit organization, HI4Y’s aim is to make sure that summer camp is affordable for all children. Each child’s fee is set individually, taking into account family income and size and using a sliding fee scale. Our fees are a great deal less than other summer programs, and sibling discounts are available.
At Camp Vacamas, our fees for 19 day sessions range from $900 to $2,000 per session for a full compliment of comprehensive services and activities. The full cost of camp is $2,000 with our tiered pricing offering discounts to those on lower income. Transportation to camp is provided from NYC, Westchester and selected locations in New Jersey at no additional cost. This includes a daily pick-up and drop-off bus service for our day campers in West Milford and the surrounding area.
*All sleepaway sessions also include a non-refundable $90 registration fee. A $60 registration fee applies to any additional trips you sign up for.
Meals
The menu at Camp Vacamas is child-friendly, healthy, and plentiful. Campers eat three full meals each day in our dining hall with their bunk group and counselor. Meals are served family-style and vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available. We offer a salad bar at each meal so that children can limit their carbohydrates and fat consumption, or have a balanced diet. Our salad bars are rich in fresh vegetables and fruits as well as non-meat proteins such as beans and dairy products. We do not serve pork or shellfish. We can accommodate some dietary restrictions (please call for more information). A fruit snack and cold beverages are offered in the afternoon and it is a long tradition at Camp Vacamas to have milk and cookies before bed each night.
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FAQs
Why is there a tiered price range?
Our pricing structure is tiered based upon household income in order to offer affordable pricing to all families who choose Camp Vacamas. We serve families from all backgrounds and we work hard all year to raise necessary funds to subsidize camp for families who may otherwise not be able to afford it.
Can I contact my child while they are at camp?
YES! Each year, we hire an experienced Guidance Counselor who acts as a line of communication between our campers and their parents/guardians. This offers the chance to call us to check on the welfare of the children, pass on email messages or even send care packages while the children are at camp.
In addition to this, we also have Facebook groups for parents where we share daily photos of the campers at their activities. As we know parents can often be very busy, we allow campers time each day where we encourage them to write letters home to share their camp experience with their parent/guardian.
Will I have a chance to come and visit the camp?
While we don't allow parent visits during the camp sessions, we will be having a number of Open Houses prior to the start of summer 2021. This is your chance to come along, have a tour of the site and ask any questions you have about Camp Vacamas. These dates will be shared on our social media channels over the next few months. Follow us on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/vacamasprograms
“I can’t begin to sum up all the fond memories I’ve had while at camp. But what I can say to any parent who is looking for a place to send your child, This is it! Camp Vacamas is truly a magical gem!”