Camper Handbook
Camp staff created a handbook you can download (PDF) that answers many of the questions parents and campers have about DEC summer camp. Please review it and contact Summer Camp Staff if you have additional questions. After registering your camper for this season, you will receive a copy of the handbook with your registration confirmation email.
Looking for images into camp life? Check out the DEC Summer Camps Facebook page.
Check-in & Pick-up
- Check-in: Sunday, 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM
- Pick-up and closing ceremony: Friday, 4:30 PM
Note: DEC Summer Camps is not responsible for camper's transportation to and from camp.
All authorized adults must show photo ID to sign-out their camper.
Leaving Camp Early: If your child needs to leave camp early for any reason, please discuss this with the camp director at check-in so the details are confirmed. This will ensure they are ready on time. The guardian must sign the child out at the time of pick-up. Only the adults listed in the online registration system will be allowed to pick up the child. The names can be updated in the system by the parent/guardian.
Arriving Late: While we understand this happens, it is very important to arrive on Sunday as close to the check-in time as possible. After check-in, there are critical camp-building activities and meeting the staff, and during check-in parents and campers can talk with directors about specific needs like allergies and medications.
Alternative Adults Picking Up Campers
If the parent/guardian cannot pick up their camper, or if one adult is picking up multiple campers on Friday, the alternative adult must be listed in the online registration system. Parents/Guardians can update the list of approved adults to pick up their children in the online registration system or by emailing the camp during the week.
Health & Safety of Campers
Medications
While the health director can accommodate medications while at camp, all medication must be in the original container and properly marked. At check-in, the parent/guardian must speak with the health director to provide the medications and any instructions. Each camp has an EMT or nurse on site at all times.
Campers receive medications at each meal and at bedtime, when the health director holds "Med Calls".
Food Allergies
Cooks at camp can easily accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets, but the parent/guardian must notify the camp at least two (2) weeks prior to the child's arrival at camp to ensure the necessary food is ordered and available at camp. During check-in, the camper and parent/guardian should meet with the Camp Cook to confirm dietary restrictions and needs. For other diets, please contact the Sumer Camps Administrator to discuss your child's needs, the Camps Administrator can be reached at 518-402-8014, Monday-Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Respiratory and Other Illnesses During Camp
Please be aware that the specific details of how camp may operate are subject to change based on the guidance from the New York State Department of Health and Governor's Office.
In accordance with the New York State Department of Health's Camp Safety Advisory Council Summer Camp Guidelines, DEC Summer Camps strongly encourages that campers be up to date with an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination information is available at the New York State COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Adolescents page.
Campers will be required to complete a health screening including a questionnaire and lice check during check-in. If a camper fails the screening, they will be turned away from Camp and refunded.
Health cabins have two isolation bedrooms for temporary use. Camps do not have long term accommodations for sick campers.
If a camper’s illness warrants, staff may take the camper to a nearby hospital or urgent care. Parents/Guardians will be notified as soon as possible if a camper is being transported to an off-site healthcare facility.
Emergencies: Illness or Injury at Camp
On-duty staff carry radios on them, both in the field and at camp. The radios link to the camp's directors and/or directly to the regional radio system, which can summon help immediately. All off-site trips have been approved by the DEC Summer Camps Administrator and the NYS Department of Health.
DEC camp counselors have at least two years of college and have required training and training in first aid, AED, CPR, 15-passenger van safety and fire extinguisher use. They also have training in working with youth, firearm safety, child abuse reporting, bloodborne pathogens, hazard awareness, waterfront safety and preventing sexual harassment. In addition, all camp staff are checked through the NYS Sex Offender Registry and Unified Court System for background checks.
Homesickness: Calling Home
Normally, we don't have campers call home. Staff try to help the child work through homesickness by encouraging involvement in camp activities. If there is concern that a child might become homesick while at camp, the parent/guardian should talk to the health director during check in on Sunday. Knowing the parent's/guardian's wishes regarding a child's camp experience will help us if homesickness occurs.
Staying at Camp
Money, Electronics, and Laundry:
- Spending money is NOT needed at camp. There is no place to spend it. Money and all valuables should remain at home
- Electronics (including cell phones and smart watches) are NOT allowed at camp. If electronics are brought to camp, they will be confiscated and returned to the camper during check-out. They are easily damaged and there is limited to no cell signal at the camps. Campers may write letters that can be scanned and sent home via email and/or mailed home to keep in contact during the week.
- There is no regular laundry service at camp. Campers should bring enough clothing for the entire week for a range of temperatures and weather conditions. Note: there is a washer and dryer for emergencies.
Sharing Cabins with One Friend
Friends can attend camp the same week. Two friends can request to share a cabin, but BOTH friends must request the other on their application and understand that if camp staff have concerns or issues, they can be separated. Only one cabin mate request per camper is allowed.
Cabins at Camp
Cabins are rustic and have bunk beds. Approximately ten (10) people sleep in each cabin, including a counselor and possibly a camp volunteer or second counselor. A bath house is located within 200 feet of each cabin with toilets and showers. Cabin size and style varies from camp to camp.
Food at Camp
Meals consist of wholesome foods prepared by experienced cooks. There are plenty of options for everyone, but if your youth has allergies, please see the section on allergies in the "Health & Safety of Campers" section on this page.
Meals might include things like:
- Breakfast: breakfast burritos, tofu scramble, build your parfait bar, pancakes, waffles, French toast, and granola.
- Lunch: build your own sandwiches, chili or soup, pasta salad, quesadillas, and mac and cheese.
- Dinner: taco night with rice and beans, a cookout with burgers (including veggie burgers), baked ziti, stir fry, BBQ chicken and vegetable sides.
Sample Schedules
Each day is a little different, and each camp is a little different. Generally, campers get up at 7:00 AM and have an optional early bird activity like a polar bear swim or fishing, and then it's off to breakfast. After breakfast, there are activities until lunch. These may include playing environmental games, participating in an environmental lesson, hiking or using sampling equipment to study insects. For example, one popular environmental lesson and game is "Oh Deer!" in which students participate in a game while learning about population biology.
After lunch, there are more activities, such as hiking, canoeing, archery or field trips. Preparations for an overnight hike or hunter education classes are other possibilities. The afternoon session is followed by dinner. A guest speaker such as a wildlife biologist, forest ranger, or conservation officer may visit during the afternoon or evening to talk with campers. Taking a night walk, star gazing, playing games or listening to stories around a campfire might round out the day.
Each week there is one overnight camp out. The camping trip may be off-site after a hike or paddle, or be on-site at an established campsite or lean-to. Campers rank their preferences for the overnight trips and groups are determined by camp staff. Campers participating in the hunter education class will almost always stay on-site for this trip.
Vaccinations
Vaccination documentation is included in the Health Care Provider Form.
For Camp DeBruce, the Sullivan County Department of Health (DOH), requires evidence of the following required vaccines or a valid medical exemption: Dtap/DTP/Tdap; HepB; MMR; IPV/OPV; Chickenpox; and MenACWY.
In accordance with the NYS DOH Camp Safety Advisory Council Summer Camp Guidelines, NYSDEC Summer Camps Colby, Pack Forest, and Rushford strongly encourage campers be up to date with all vaccines. Please contact DEC Camps staff via email at [email protected] with questions or for clarification. Staff will return your email as soon as possible.
