Youth

We follow the state regulations of 1:5 for children under 7, and 1:10 for children 7 years and up.

Our Junior Counselors are at least 16 years old and Lead Counselors are at least 18 years old. All counselors are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified. Our staff also includes Lifeguards, Shallow Water Attendants, and Water Safety Instructors. All staff members are CORI checked.

All children must be signed in and out every day by an approved parent, guardian, or other adult. Check in and out is done at the camp gate at the check-in booth/REC Room. Children are then walked into camp by a counselor. Parents or guardians are not allowed inside the camp area.

If someone other than a parent or guardian will be dropping off or picking up your child(ren), you must fill out the alternate pick-up form. The person will be required to show ID. We cannot release a child to any adult without approval from a parent or guardian.

Our camp gate is locked between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:30 pm to keep your children safe. For safety reasons we cannot accommodate pick ups between 3 and 3:30 pm. Please see the Parent Handbook for more detail on late arrivals and early pick ups.

Please feel free to contact our Camp Administrator or Director to discuss how we can best support your child(ren).

Our camp is for children 4 to 13 years old. Campers are split into smaller groups by age. Some activities are done with the entire group, and some in the separate age groups. You may submit a request for your camper to be grouped with another camper (sibling, friend, etc.). We will take your request into consideration, but it is not guaranteed.

Our days are full of movement, creativity, and relationship building. Camp at Orchard Hills includes outside activity, gym games, arts and crafts, swimming, and lots of dancing!

If your child is unable to attend camp for the day, please make sure to email or call the Camp Administrator with the child’s full name at [email protected] or 978-537-8387 x501. There are no refunds or credits for missed days.

All campers will be evaluated on their first day of camp to be placed into the appropriate swim lesson group. Swim lessons are mandatory for campers 9 and under. Campers 10 and up must pass a swim test (one length of front crawl, one length of back crawl, one minute of treading) to opt out of lessons. Parents/guardians of campers 10 and up may request lessons even if their child passes the test. During free swim, children who choose the large pool (4’-5’ deep) must wear a floatation device if they cannot touch the bottom, or they are Red Cross level 2 and under. This rule is for the safety of all campers, as they will be swimming for an extended period. All campers who wish to ride the water slide must be 4 FEET tall. No exceptions.

We always welcome campers who wish to attend more weeks as long as there is still space available for your desired week. Slots fill very quickly! You can always submit a request for additional weeks on your Parent/Guardian Dashboard. You will be added to the waitlist if your desired week if full.

All campers will be treated fairly. Counselors will establish clear and concise boundaries and expectations with all campers. We expect campers to respect themselves, fellow campers, the staff, the property, and be a role model for everyone. All discipline and guidance will remain consistent and be based on the child’s individual needs and development. The goal of discipline is to always maximize the growth and development of the child and to protect the group and the individuals within it. A child’s attendance at camp is based on his/her behavior as well as the behavior of the parent/guardian. Campers and their families are expected to adhere to all rules, policies, and regulations. If a child’s behavior endangers the overall safety, security, and supervision of themselves and/or others, he/she may be dismissed upon review by staff and the directors.

All allergies are taken very seriously. All children with an allergy wear a red bracelet for indication. At snack and lunch, we have a peanut/tree nut free table, and we are able to separate for any allergy. All medications are stored in a double-locked medication box. All medications must be brought to camp in the original container with the child’s full name clearly labeled. Please contact our Camp Administrator and Camp Director to address any questions or concerns.

If you need to reach camp staff during camp hours, feel free to call the front desk (978-537-8387) or Camp Administrator (978-537-8387 x501). They can take a message and contact the camp staff.

Please keep all electronic devices and toys at home. We will be active and have plenty of toys, crafts, and other supplies for campers to use here! Camp staff reserve the right to hold electronic devices or toys for the day and release them to a parent/guardian at pick up. Orchard Hills Athletic Club is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken devices. Camp staff will assist campers if they need to speak with a parent/guardian.