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Who can attend camp?Camp is open to all girls ages 4 through 15, and boys ages 5 through 11 who have sisters in camp concurrently. Boys will be able to enjoy camp in our “Tag-A-Long” unit. Tag-A-Long activities are entirely separate from the girls, except for free swim.
When is camp open?Camp is in session for 8 weeks; from Monday, June 25th through Friday, August 17th. However, in observance of the Independence Day holiday, camp is closed on Wednesday, July 4th.
Can my daughter go to camp with her friends?Girls who wish to attend camp together in the same unit must qualify for the same grade level. Our groupings are: K-1st graders; 2nd-3rd graders; 4th-5th graders; 6th graders; and 7th+ graders. Please be sure to enter your request during the registration process when prompted. We make every effort to honor all requests, however, if a unit fills before a friend registers, it may not be possible to have the girls together. Girls who must be kept in an inappropriate grade grouping may go down but girls may not go up. All of our activities are grade/age appropriately designed. Who sponsors these camps?Amity Acres Day Camp is a camp for girls operated by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. Who pays the registration fee?Girls who are not members of the Girl Scouts U.S.A. and all boys must pay an additional $12 registration fee. Girls who are between the ages of 5 and 18 will be registered with our national office Girl Scouts of the USA as members; this membership is valid until September 30, 2012. Are there any extra fees?If you want to make a change to your campers schedule there will be a $15 administrative fee after June 17, 2012. If your campers' paperwork is not completed two weeks prior to their first week of camp there will be a $25 late fee charged to your account. A late fee of $25 will also be charged to your account if your outstanding balances are not reconciled two weeks prior to your camper's first day of each corresponding week of camp. Can a camper attend more than one week?A camper may attend as many weeks as they wish. Do I need to have the health history signed by a licensed medical professional?If you are attending basic camp or cooking units, you do not have to get the signature. If you are participating in sports camp, horse camp, instructional swim or Guard Start programs, a licensed medical professional will need to sign the health history. Immunization records are required by the American Camp Association and the NJ Board of Health. If the health history is not complete two weeks prior to the campers first day, a $25 late fee will be charged and must be paid before your camper may participate in camp activities. Do you give refunds?If a camper cannot attend camp for non-medical reasons, any fees paid after April 15, 2012, less a $50 administrative fee, will be refunded upon a written request at least 20 working days prior to the first day of scheduled attendance. Refunds for medical reasons will be honored only when accompanied by a physician's statement in writing explicitly stating why your camper cannot participate in camp. Refunds WILL NOT be given for days missed during a week, nor can missed days be "made up" during another week. Full refunds are available before April 15, 2012. Do you have a sleepover at camp?Yes, we are offering two 3 night stays this summer. They are the weeks of July 9 - 13 & July 30 - August 3. Girls come to camp Monday and go home in the afternoon. They return Tuesday morning and stay until Friday afternoon. This program is available to girls entering 4th - 7th grades in September 2012. All meals will be prepared/provided for the campers beginning Tuesday evening. The fee for this program is $225 and registration is required. We also have one night overnights. Four of the overnight experiences are for girls entering 4th grade & above. Two of the overnights are for all campers. Those who register will participate in the campfire program, which includes dinner. They will receive a snack, participate in other activities and have breakfast & lunch the following day. All campers are invited to sleep over July 6 & August 17. Overnights for 4th grade & older are offered each week of camp; the week of July 5th and August 15th are open to all girls. Do you have a Tag-a-long unit?Yes, we have boys ages 5-11yrs old in camp. They will be in their own unit. Boys must have a sister in camp. The boys are separate from the girls. Do you have before & after care?Yes, we do. Before care is from 7am-9am and after care is from 4pm-6pm. The fee is $10 per session, per day f. If you use both before & after care for the entire week, the fee is $75 a week. Do you have busing?Yes, the bus transportation fee is $55 per week. We have designated bus stops and times for each route. Camp staff assists the campers when arriving and departing each day. Do you have swim lessons?Yes, we offer instructional swim to all female campers. There is an additional fee of $60 per week. The program is the American Red Cross Whales Tales program & it is taught by our lifeguards. What if a unit is full & closed to registration?We put your camper's name on a wait list. Once you have your account set up, you are able to register for any or all weeks of camp that are level appropriate for your child. When you attempt to register for a session that is filled to capacity, you will not see that session on the registration page when it opens. However, if you scroll down to the very bottom of the page, which is not immediately visible on many computer screens, you will see all of the level-appropriate programs that are closed to registration but you may waitlist for. Just click the appropriate box and the button to add to the waiting list. How do I register for camp?Go to www.amityacresdaycamp.com and click on 'Register Online' on the top border. You will need to create an account and then proceed. You will need to complete the process and pay for each camper before you register your next camper. How old do I have to be to work in camp?We hire staff starting at 15 yrs. old. Our 15 yr. olds must have completed a Teen Leadership program we offer or an equivalent program approved by the camp director. A 15 yr. old may be hired to work 3 weeks if they completed a Teen Leadership Program in previous years. There are a limited number of 15 yr. old positions. How old do you have to be to participate in the horse program?Our horse programs are designed to be progressive skill builders in riding and caring for horses. Campers can participate if they are entering kindergarten. Our horse programs are designed by levels. The programs include Saddle Sampler, Silver Spurs, Take the Reins, The Mane Event, Saddle Up, Mount Up, Wild West Adventure and Tally Ho! You can visit our website: www.amityacresdaycamp.com to decide which program is suitable for your camper. Is lunch provided at camp?Campers bring their lunch every day. We will be making lunch in camp twice this summer. Campers will not have to bring a lunch July 7 and August 4. Everyone will participate in a special "make your own lunch day" where campers select the menu. Those with allergies or who don't like the selection may bring a meal of their own from home. Is there a nurse on site?Amity Acres day camp staffs a health supervisor who is a level II first aider, an EMT or a nurse. The health supervisor is responsible for informing staff of special needs, medication and managing daily incidences that may occur. Most of our staff is first aid & CPR trained. Is there financial aid?We have a limited amount of financial aid to those who qualify. The maximum award could be one week of camp. You must submit a copy of your 2011 IRS Form 1040 and related Schedules A, B & C and a letter as to why you think you qualify. What about the sibling discount?If you choose the sibling discount, you would pay $145 for the first child, $135 for the second child & $130 for the third child. You may not combine this discount with any other discount. Sibling discount applies to basic camp only. What age does a camper need to be to attend camp?Our campers ages begin at age 4 for girls. Boys, or Tag-A-Longs as we call them, can begin camp at 5 yrs old. What are some of the activities at camp?Activities at camp may include crafts, boating, nature, archery, swimming, challenge activities (zipline, climbing wall, team building activities), camp-wide events, Wednesday extended day, sports camps and teen leadership. What are Teen Leadership programs?Teen Leadership Programs are for girls entering the 8th - 10th grades. We offer Camp Program Aide (CPA), Guard Start, CIT I and CIT II (Camp Program Aide specialization). Girls who complete our program to our satisfaction may be invited to return to camp to volunteer. What are the camp hours?Camp is in session from 9am-3:45pm. We offer extended care, before and/or after camp. What do you do if it rains? Camp goes on! Bring a poncho. If necessary, we adapt activities. We have procedures for weather related situations. We have shelters in camp as well as a lodge with a basement. What does ACA (American Camp Association) accreditation mean?The ACA is an independent organization of camping professionals which includes camps that have met or exceeded the highest nationally recognized standards for health, program, staff training and program quality. in camp. Being accredited by the ACA is voluntary. What are the themes for this summer?Week 1 (June 25-29): Camptown Races at the Ranch, Week 2 (July 2-6): Community Service, Week 3 (July 9-13): Space Aliens — Where in the World?, Week 4 (July 16-20): On Stage, Week 5 (July 23-27): Age of the Princess, Renaissance, Week 6 (July 30-August 3): Native Americans, Pow Wow, Week 7 (August 6-10): Animals, Safari, Week 8 (August 13-17): Amity, the Mystery. What forms do I need to fill out before I attend camp?All forms will be done online with the exception of the licensed medical signature form which will need to be brought in or mailed to us. Registration form Health history with immunization dates Code of Ethics Sign Out Sheet Photo Release Horse riding release if participating in horse What is a typical day like?Campers arrive in the morning and go to the flag ceremony area. Staff will be available to direct the campers to their counselor. Campers gather with their counselors and their unit. After the flag ceremony, attendance is taken, campers go to their camp sites, put away their belongings in tents and lunches collected. Lunches are taken the lodge & stored in refrigerators. Then campers begin their day with either making choices for their activities or going to their assigned activities. All of camp eats lunch at 12pm. Everyone meets back at the flag area for a closing flag ceremony and then dismissal. What are the choices?Girls choose to go to art, nature, climbing wall, boating, zipline, girls club or other special activities we may have available certain days. They make three choices in either the morning or the afternoon depending on their unit. Older girls will have some added selections just for them: digital photography, fashionista and Googles On (sciences)! What is sports camp?This year we are offering 3 weeks of different sports. Sports camp is for girls only and some have age restrictions. The sports camps this summer are: cheerleading (week of July 2), instruction to golf (week of July 9), softball (4th-6th graders only, week of July 16), volleyball (4th-10th graders only, week of July 23) and ultimate frisbee (week of August 6). Sports camps are held in the morning and campers participate in camp activities in the afternoon. Our sports camps are designed for beginner and intermediate athletes who would like to learn or improve their skills. What is the cost of camp?See the registration form for particular costs of each unit. Basic camp fee is $145, cooking unit is $155 and sports camp is $155. Horse camp range from $275- $310. Camp Program Aide fee is $300 and Guard Start is $325. What is the Thursday cook lunch day?Campers will choose their meal to prepare from a limited menu. Together, the staff and campers plan, prepare, cook and clean up lunch. All campers participate in Thursday cook-outs. What other discounts are there?Discounts cannot be combined, you may take only one discount. We are offering a $20 discount for basic camp to NEW campers if you attend an Open House and get the discount code. Registration must be completed within 48 hours of visiting the open house. If you register for 8 weeks of camp, you may pay for 7 weeks and receive the 8th week free. Save $20 per week on basic camp with the Early Bird Discount by registering for camp before April 15th. Registered Girl Scout leaders may take a $15 a week discount off basic camp for their daughters. Active horse club members will receive a 15% savings off any week's horse program except trail rides and games with horses. We're also offering our biggest discount ever for returning campers. Join us at the Camper Reunion for a $25 discount on each week you register within 48 hours with a $50 deposit. What Teen Leadership programs do you offer? How old do I have to be to participate?The Camp Program Aide runs from June 25th-July 6th.. Guard Start runs from July 9-20th. Girls must attend both weeks of a Teen Leadership program. Camp Program Aide specializaitonis offered furing the week of July 23-27th. You must be entering the 8th grade in September 2011 to participate in a Teen Leadership program. What's new at camp this summer?Cooking units have all been revised for a fantastic fun time. We've added a Leadership Journey Experience throughout the summer for kindergarten through 5th grade, day trips to Jenkinson's Aquarium, Water Works at Seaside and also a journey for those in grades kindergarten through 1st grade, which is a trip (included in the price of that week's camp) to Great Adventure Safari where, after our guided tour with our own guide, some of the animals will be brought to us for an up close look while we picnic.
Do you have financial aid & how do I apply?Yes, we do. A request for financial aid may be submitted for each registered girl attending camp for the summer. Please submit a paper registration form with your letter of request to the Day Camp Registrar. You must include a copy of your 2010 IRS tax form (1040, 1040A, etc) along with any related schedules. If you do not file taxes, please include financial documentation from an alternate source such as a social service agency, school or house of worship. If you have extenuating circumstances which you would like to make the committee aware of, please include this information with your letter of request. The maximum award is one week of camp per girl, however individual awards will vary based on the information you provide. The committee will review your request, will make their determination and you will be notified of the decision. What is the staff:camper ratio?The average ratio is 1 staff: 10 campers in a unit. A unit consists of approximately 36 campers. It is staffed with a unit counselor and a junior counselor. Counselor's in Training (CIT's) and Camp Aides may also be in the unit. When a unit goes to a program area such as archery or boating, the staff ratio increases. |