Helpful Information

10 Questions to Ask a Camp Director
(and our answers!)

January 1, 2022

We put together this list of 10 questions you should ask any camp director whose camp you’re considering:

1. What sets your camp apart from all other camps?

For 39 years we’ve been proud to be a different kind of camp – the only day camp that we know of that does what we do, the way we do it. Our mission is what drives us, and in practice that means our programming is nature-oriented and non-competitive, unplugged and media-free, and our camp days unfold at an unhurried pace. To nurture each child’s individuality, and their connection to themselves, their peers, and the earth, is our guiding intention.

We have a beautiful 200 acre campus, magnificent woods, streams, ponds, farmland and fields abound, inviting us to explore. We’re proud to be a family-run camp, small in size, ensuring everyone gets the individualized attention they need. Our small, all-gender groups are led by exceptionally caring and well-trained staff whom our campers from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in and represented by. At The Nature Place, campers partake in cooperative games, organic gardening and farm animal care, an American Red Cross swim program, day hikes and outdoor adventures, high ropes challenges, outdoor living skills, cooking, earth art, archery, music and drama, high and low challenge courses, nature exploration, and so much more.

We’re also proud of what we don’t have at our camp: There are no bells, loudspeakers or PA systems, no awards or award ceremonies, competitions or color wars, TVs, video games, iPads or other digital media devices, movies, pressured daily schedules, crowds to get lost in, nor times when it is okay to bully, exclude or make fun of anyone else.

2. How fast-paced is your schedule?

We believe summer should be a time to enjoy, connect and learn a skill. While other camps have squeezed in 8 or 9 periods during their day, we enjoy the non-hurried schedule of 6 periods per day.

The gift of time! Time gives our campers the opportunity to learn and advance their skills, including learning how to swim. An unhurried day gives our campers a realistic time to transition between activities. Time allows our counselors to counsel campers instead of herding them frantically across campus to conform to an unrealistic schedule. We give our campers a real lunch period, where they can eat, and connect and play with their friends. Time is a real swim period, where campers spend 45 minutes in the water.

Giving campers the time to take things a little slower, to decompress, to really enjoy an activity is why we believe in an unhurried schedule.

3. What does individual attention look like?

At The Nature Place, individual attention looks like small groups (about 16 campers, younger camper groups are smaller) with 3 well-trained adult staff. We also employ school counselors to work with our campers and their families, to be their advocates at camp and help them when things might not go smoothly. We keep our camp intentionally small, giving all of our staff the ability to know each camper. Finally, the camp director is always accessible for a conversation.

4. Who’s the ultimate decision-maker?

The Nature Place has always been family-owned. Our director (and owner) Jason makes decisions based on the benefit of the campers, not budgets put forth by far-removed stakeholders. The best thing about being family-owned, run, and operated is that we welcome you into our family when you join camp! Check out our leadership team to learn more who we are.

5. How long has your camp been in operation?

2024 will be our 39th summer! We have run every summer since 1985 including during the height of the pandemic.

6. How much do you train your staff?

Staff Training and who we hire is the key to our ability to provide a safe, nourishing, and joyful summer experience for our campers. We dedicate a whole week, 40+ hours to preparing our staff for the first day of camp. Training continues into the first week of camp and beyond through the whole summer of camp. Read about how we select our staff, and train them in critical areas over the course of our week-long intensive training.

7. How does your camp handle competition?

The Nature Place is a non-competitive camp. We believe relieving our campers of the negative stress of competition frees them to be the person they want to be, and creates a socially nourishing atmosphere where everyone can be friends. In order to promote this culture, we don’t play team sports, have color war, or drive campers into games to fill a programming gap.

8. How does your transportation work and how do you ensure safety on the bus?

Families can choose to get to and from camp via car or camp bus. We offer busing in Manhattan and Westchester, as well as Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. Our bus transportation utilizes centralized stops, which means shorter a ride times and more environmental sustainability than door-to-door transportation. Thus, we adjust our bus routes and stops each summer season, based on our families’ locations.

Our buses are operated by a long-operating school transportation company: Chestnut Ridge Transportation. We use small, air conditioned, state inspected school vehicles. Seatbelts are worn at all times and booster seats are available upon request. We have at least one bus counselor on every bus at all times. Our bus counselors ensure that everyone is safe and all needs are met during the ride, while also ensuring a fun atmosphere that makes the bus ride an extension of the camp experience, not just a means to an end.

9. Is your camp accredited?

Yes! We’re accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by the Department of Health. Check out what that means.

10. How does your program meet the needs of the various ages you serve?

Our campers range in age from 4 to 15, and each age group requires unique programmatic, social, and leadership considerations. The program grows with our campers, ensuring that each returning year they have a different and more challenging curriculum within the program areas. Our progressive camping program also grows with our campers. Learn more about our age appropriate adventures

Younger campers thrive with an unhurried schedule that emphasizes time to breathe. We provide age and developmentally-appropriate programming that allows them to build skills and make tangible accomplishments. Their group counselors create a strong foundation upon which all of this can unfold.

Our middle camper groups enjoy a more active day with added challenging activities, and the addition of overnight camping trips. Making friends and being comfortable with oneself are keystones of programming that are nurtured by counselors and staff.

For older campers, camp is a place where they can return to themselves and feel safe and comfortable enough with their community to be their true selves. They are challenged in a healthy way, where they can test their own limits and set their own boundaries, through increased outdoor adventure and team-building initiatives. Our highly-trained staff are people that these campers respect and can look up to.

Check out A Typical Day for each age group

We’re always eager to answer any questions prospective families may have. Please reach out to us via our contact form, or give us a call at 845-356-1234.

Learn more about our mission and our unique experience

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10 Questions to Ask a Camp Director (and our answers!)