Overnight Camp FAQs
2026 Family Handbook
Suggested Camper Packing List (English) (Spanish)
Camp Fees and Financing
Cabins/Lodges & How They Are Assigned
Supervision & Safety
Medical Questions
Mail & Packages
Dining Questions
Getting To Camp
Horse-Specific Questions
Adventure-Specific Questions
Adventure Trip Packing Lists, Itineraries & Waivers
Camp Fees and Financing
Check out our Camp Fees page to find out this year’s prices.
Knowing that families have different abilities to pay our camp registration fees, Frost Valley YMCA offers a voluntary four-tier fee structure to help keep camp accessible to our families. All campers receive the same Frost Valley experience, no matter which amount you choose to pay. Simply choose the tier that is most suitable or comfortable for your family.
Four-tier pricing offers an opportunity for you to take an active role in supporting the true cost of your child’s camp experience at Frost Valley. As you consider your family’s financial situation, please also consider the true cost of camp.
Yes! Frost Valley YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign raises money for camperships to provide a Frost Valley experience for nearly 600 children each year who would not otherwise be able to join us. Financial Assistance is approved and applied on a rolling basis. Application opens 10/1.
For more information about our camperships and to start the application process, email: campership@frostvalley.org.
Cabins/Lodges & How They Are Assigned
The majority of our campers reside in cabins and lodges, with some specialty programs – East Valley Ranch, Farm, and Adventure Camps – staying in yurts and tents. These arrangements all promise the opportunity for friendships to flourish naturally and with ease, while under the close supervision of counselors and village coordinators. We honor one mutual bunk request per camper.
Making new friends is an essential part of the camp experience and cabin assignments are the key to creating a positive camp environment. Frost Valley’s program is age-specific and progressive in nature. Campers are placed in groups of eight with two staff members assigned to each cabin group. Lodging varies from group to group. Some campers live in independent cabins clustered together to make up a Village. Others stay in larger lodges where multiple groups live together. Each camper has his/her own bunk and storage area. Campers are placed in villages based on their age and gender identity. Villages consist of cabin groups of children the same age. Therefore, grouping campers by age is required. Frost Valley YMCA will make every effort to honor special requests for cabin mates but due to the number of campers registered per session we do not guarantee any placements. Frost Valley YMCA places campers in cabin groups based on the following criteria: 1) One mutual request made by 2 campers who are the same age. 2) Age (all campers in a cabin will be less than 12 months apart) Camper’s grade is not considered in cabin assignments. Requests by campers who are more than 12 months apart to be together may be honored, but the older child will be placed with the younger camper’s age group.
We will do our best to honor one mutual request. However, there are many other factors involved in cabin placement (see above).
Consistent with our mission and values, Frost Valley strives to create a safe place where every camper feels comfortable being and expressing their true, genuine selves. Our living spaces are gender specific. That means:
- Girls+ includes girls, trans* and non-binary campers who feel most comfortable living with girls
- Boys+ includes boys, trans* and non-binary campers who feel most comfortable living with boys
Frost Valley upholds that trans boys are boys and trans girls are girls; they will have access to lodging that reflects that. Gender-expansive campers and staff will be housed in spaces where they feel most comfortable and safe.
For more information about our housing and gender inclusion policies, refer to our family handbook.
There are eight to ten campers in each cabin group.
Yes. Space varies for different cabins and lodges. Each camper will have a cubby for personal items and a place to hang jackets, towels, etc. A trunk or large duffel bag are good choices to bring in order to store your clothing.
Cabins and lodges are heated, have electricity and outlets, hot running water, and are equipped with flushing toilets and screened windows.
Campers in our East Valley Ranch, Farm, and Adventure Camps stay in yurts and tents. Yurts are insulated structures, however they have no heat, electricity, or running water. A short walk away from each group of yurts there is a bathhouse. Campers shower daily. If a camper needs to use the bathroom at night, a bathroom buddy and counselor accompany them for the walk over. Supervision is always a top priority.
Supervision & Safety
Many of our summer staff members were campers who became CiTs and then counselors, so they know Frost Valley YMCA better than most. Others join us from around the world as international staff. Many return year after year, giving Frost Valley a family environment and a true sense of culture and tradition. Counselors undergo extensive training on our policies and procedures which stress health and safety first. In-depth background and criminal history checks are performed on all of our employees. We follow the American Camp Association standards by providing a 1 to 6 counselor-to-camper ratio. For younger campers, this ratio is often smaller. To ensure a welcoming and familiar community, roughly 70% of our staff return each summer.
Level of supervision is high with a 1:4, counselor-camper ratio. Campers remain supervised even during down-time and rest periods.
Safety is a top priority at Frost Valley YMCA. Frost Valley’s Summer Camp program has a counselor-camper ratio of 1:4, exceeding Department of Health standards. We employ 18 lifeguards, all of whom are re-certified annually, regardless of their experience. The horse barn staff, all of whom are Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) certified, are supervised by a master trainer. Children must all wear safety gear, including helmets, without exception. Our ropes courses are extremely well-supervised. There are three ropes supervisors, all expert in taking safety measures and necessary precautions. Belaying policy and procedure is dictated by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).
Staff are very sensitive about identifying authorized and non-authorized individuals on campus. Staff are in constant contact with one another, and with the administration, via hand-held radio. Frost Valley YMCA runs a “closed campus” during summer session, therefore, any strangers would be readily identifiable. Conferences, retreats, and adventure events can coincide with summer and day camp events. In the event that this should occur, procedures are in place to safeguard our campers. All other guests are required to wear name tags and color-coded wristbands identifying the program in which they are enrolled. Additionally, their vehicles are registered with Frost Valley’s conferencing center. This ensures an increased awareness of whom is on the campus at any given time. Trespassers are immediately identified, approached, and asked to vacate the premises. Guided tours of the facility are available via appointment only.
Medical Questions
The Guenther Family Wellness Center, located on camp, is staffed by registered nurses and emergency responders 24 hours a day. If your child gets sick, you will be notified immediately while your child receives the care they need. To learn more, email: nurse@frostvalley.org or call our Healthcare Administrator at: 845-985-2291 ext. 232.
Within the 12 months prior to the date your child arrives at camp.
Yes. You are responsible for sending all medication and medical equipment required for your child’s health and well-being. Please see our medication policy for further details.
A licensed RN or EMT and Wilderness First Responder live on-site and are trained to treat campers’ needs for medication, emergency care, and general health. The Farm and East Valley Ranch facilities share a small wellness center between the two sites where am EMT is on duty 24/7 and a nurse is on duty. If there are any major issues that cannot be adequately dealt with on-site, campers can be transported to the Guenther Family Wellness Center located on the Main Camp, expanding our ability to isolate children with potentially contagious infections.
Mail & Packages
Mail is sorted and delivered daily (when the local post office is open). Mail is delivered to campers by their Village Coordinator and counselors daily. You can also email your camper with our personal one-way email system. To learn more about this service, check out our Connect To Your Camper page.
Non-food items are acceptable to send to campers. Send toys, magazines, books, stickers, and things your child can share with their cabinmates. It is a good idea to send packages early within a given session. Do not send food of any kind. Due to possible food allergy issues, we will not accept food items. Food received will be disposed of promptly. To better ensure your camper receives their package before the end of their session, you may send it before the start of camp if you choose.
We have a one-way e-mailing system that we use during camp. Parents, relatives and friends can keep in contact with campers during their time away. We print out emails and deliver them with the day’s mail. We encourage campers to write home as frequently as possible – we suggest that campers come with writing materials, stamps and addresses, but we also provide free postcards for kids to use. Parents can also keep up with what is going on at camp by looking at our photos uploaded to smugmug.com and also by following us on our blog! This way you never have to miss out on all the fun!
To learn more about these services, check out our Connect To Your Camper page.
Please send mail to the appropriate address below based on what camp program your child is in.
MAIN CAMP PROGRAMS & ADVENTURE TRIPS*
Frost Valley YMCA
2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725
Attn: Your Child’s Name and Village Name
FARM CAMP
Frost Valley YMCA Farm Camp
2875 Denning Road, Claryville, NY 12725
Attn: Your Child’s Name
EAST VALLEY RANCH AND HORSE TRAILS*
Frost Valley YMCA East Valley Ranch
21 Straus Lane, Claryville, NY 12725
Attn: Your Child’s Name
*Campers on one-week sessions may not receive mail in time due to their shortened stay and delays in rural postal services.
Dining
First, feel free to reach out to our kitchen staff at goodfood@frostvalley.org. Second, take ease knowing we are a nut-aware facility, meaning our Food Service team does not serve any items containing nuts or nut-based products, with the exception of coconut (MCT). We have a variety of meal and food options to accommodate a wide range of allergies and restrictions. Students are also able to bring their own allergy-friendly food and store it in our dedicated allergy-friendly refrigerator.
At Frost Valley YMCA, campers are discouraged from eating foods with zero or little nutritional value, a.k.a. junk foods. Candy, soda and snack food are neither served in the Dining Hall nor sold in the Camp Store. Instead, Frost Valley’s fabulous food service staff serve three wholesome meals daily, with special features including morning breakfast bars, lunch and dinner salad bars, and alternative vegetarian/vegan menus. The Frost Valley Food Service is an integral part of every participant’s experience. The dining hall is not just a place to eat, but a key component to the educational experience. Frost Valley composts all of its food waste. Campers participate in this process by separating their organic from non-organic waste. Through these activities, we hope to increase awareness and understanding of the resources around us. The Dining Hall staff is sympathetic to our campers’ dietary concerns and food allergies. If you have a food concern please contact our Food Service Director at goodfood@frostvalley.org, or call: 845-985-2291 ext. 230. Frost Valley’s food service is managed by Chartwells Educational Dining Services, who provide nutrition planning and food service to independent schools and colleges, corporate dining clients, and private organizations.
Meals at Farm Camp are an important part of the experience. Farm-fresh camp food is the best description of our meals, a combination of food raised on the farm as well as food from our food service provider, Chartwells. The beef that is served is pasture raised on the farm. Many of the vegetables and herbs that are served are grown in our garden. The food is nutritious, and the menu is planned with the camper’s active schedules in mind.
Campers sit in a yurt during breakfast, and are encouraged to mix it up with other campers and counselors for lunch and dinner. Meals are served family-style and there are always options available at the salad bar. Throughout the day, we have fruit available and a snack at mid-afternoon keeps us going.
Farm Camp makes sure to meet the dietary needs of all campers. We encourage parents upon drop-off to speak directly with our camp chef to communicate specific dieting needs.
Campers will have opportunities to learn about nutrition, cooking produce fresh from the garden; and they will sometimes participate in cook-offs for the whole camp. Food and farming goes hand-in-hand at Farm Camp.
East Valley Ranch campers eat in the East Valley Lodge’s family-style dining room. The same food that is available at Main Camp is served here with the only exception being fresh produce harvested from our very own Farm just a mile down the road.
Three hot, wholesome meals are served daily. Care is taken to meet the dietary needs of all of our campers. Fresh fruit is available all day long. Chartwells Educational Dining Service creates the menus, ensuring that each meal is nutritionally balanced. Candy and soda are not served.
At every meal, there is a cereal bar, fresh fruit bar, and salad bar, as well as soup and sandwich fixings. Juices, water, tea and coffee (for adults) are also available at all times throughout the day.
Getting To Camp
We offer bus transportation to and from camp in these neighborhoods: Brooklyn NY, Montclair NJ, Manhattan, and Westchester! The cost is $100.00 per camper, one way. For more information, check our Family Handbook or contact us at campregistration@frostvalley.org.
Montclair Bus:
Bus To Camp: 10:00 am
Bus From Camp: 2:30-3 pm
Address/Location:
Montclair High School (George Inness School)
N. Fullerton and Chestnut Street, Montclair, NJ
Manhattan Bus:
Bus To Camp: 10:30 am
Bus From Camp: 4-4:30 pm
Address/Location:
West Side YMCA, 5 W 63rd. St. New York, NY 10023
Brooklyn Bus:
Bus To Camp: 10:00 am
Bus From Camp: 3:30-4 pm
Address/Location:
Behind the Whole Foods Market on 3rd Ave and 3rd St.
Across the street from 383 3rd Ave (the Al-Madinah School)
Westchester Bus:
Bus To Camp: 10:00 am
Bus From Camp: 2:15-2:45 pm
Address/Location:
Keio Academy of New York 3 College Road Purchase, NY 10577
Frost Valley is located approximately 2 hours north of NYC in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Check out our Directions page for detailed directions if you plan on driving to camp.
Horse Camp-Specific Questions
On the first full day of each session we have a ‘riding evaluation’ – which is not a test or an exam, so there is no need to worry or stress! The campers are assigned a horse (which might not necessarily be the horse they ride for the rest of the session), and asked to do a number of different activities (such as stopping, reversing, and circling) and we look to see what their riding ability is. Our riding instructors are trained to recognize specific skills that we would like to see in order to place them by their riding level. They will be placed in a group of three or four other riders of the same or similar ability. However, this is not a concrete final decision. If a camper is progressing more quickly than others or needs to take things a little slower, we do allow for changes in lesson groups.
We have fifty incredible horses at our Main Camp barn and thirty at East Valley Ranch of all different shapes, sizes, colors and abilities. We assign a horse to a rider by evaluating each and every camper’s riding ability on the first day in order to match them up with the perfect horse. The key to the perfect horse assignment is matching similar personality and character type, size, and riding ability. However, we do accept that not every assignment will be spot on and sometimes we do switch out horses for a better fit – but this only means that riders become more experienced and adaptable in riding different horses! Our goal is to make sure that each rider gets to spend the maximum time available with their assigned horse.
Adventure-Specific Questions
Frost Valley Adventure Trips are for teens looking to have fun, try new things, and make great friends in a dynamic and safe environment. Multiple trips run concurrently and each trip consists of co-ed groups of teens. Some teens come with a friend while others attend on their own. If you are interested in attending a trip with a group of friends, check in with the adventure director to find the best trip for you.
Frost Valley trips are led by two qualified and responsible trip leaders. Trip leaders have significant experience as leaders in the outdoors and there will always be at least one 21+-year-old per trip. Our hiring process includes interviews, extensive background and reference checks, in-depth training, and a high standard for required certifications and qualifications. All adventure staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, and many have more advanced training including, but not limited, to Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In addition, our staff are chosen for their specialized skills and abilities as they relate to trip-specific activities.
Email adventure@frostvalley.org and we will be able to help you find the best program for your child’s interests.
Each trip is unique, and accommodations vary from backcountry campsites to beaches to front country campgrounds. Please contact us or refer to the sample itinerary for the accommodations specific to the trips you are interested in attending.
A balanced healthy diet is essential to maintaining energy on an Adventure Trip. We work hard to give each group a variety of well-balanced, tasty foods that fit within the style of the trip. Breakfast and lunch vary between hot and cold options, dinners are always hot. In addition to three meals per day, our menu planning includes snacks and treats. We discourage trip participants from bringing, or purchasing, junk food. If you have dietary needs or restrictions, please call to discuss the specific details before registering.
Campers are responsible for bringing any personal items such as clothing, toiletries, comfort items, books, etc. but any required outdoor gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, etc.) can be provided by Frost Valley. Personal rain gear and hiking boots that are broken in prior to the beginning are essential in promoting camper comfort and preventing blisters!
There is no need to reserve items in advance of your camper’s trip. When you arrive for your session, we will make sure all campers have the necessary equipment and provide anything that is needed. Our Trip Center is fully stocked with enough to accommodate everything campers could need on the trail. If you do already have these items, feel free to bring them and our trip leaders will determine whether or not they will be usable on the trip. You can find links to the specific packing lists for each trip on the adventure trips page.
Rain is a common occurrence during the summer, and we continue the trip rain or shine! Personal rain jacks and rain pants are vital to promoting camper comfort while on their trips. In the event of thunder or lightning or other inclement weather, we take all of the necessary precautions to minimize risk in these events.
Frost Valley Adventures expects everyone on a trip to be an active member of the trip community. Your positive attitude and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the trip make the experience great for everyone involved. Cooking, clean-up, equipment maintenance, fire-building, and many other aspects of your trip are the responsibility of the group. Honesty and respect are very important. As people face the physical and mental challenges of the trip, they need the support of the group to learn and grow.
In the backcountry, you are in an area that lacks plumbing, electricity, or phone lines. Everything you need must fit in a backpack or dry bag. You could be in the middle of a forest, on a coastal island, or in any number of “wild” places. A front-country experience is akin to car camping. Typically, front-country involves the same campsite every night at an established campground that is accessible by vehicles. These sites sometimes involve modern plumbing and public bathrooms, but this is not always guaranteed.
In the backcountry, it is a more rugged experience than in the front country. These areas are typically accessed through hiking or canoeing many miles into the wilderness away from vehicles, electricity, plumbing, and even cell phone coverage. Everything you need must fit in a backpack or dry bag. You could be in the middle of a forest, on a coastal island, or in any number of “wild” places. Trip Leaders on backcountry trips have advanced medical certifications, are equipped with in-reach communication devices, and are familiar with emergency procedures for the area. Living in the backcountry gives people a chance to reflect and unplug. These experiences are some of our most challenging and our most rewarding.
All trips start and end at Frost Valley YMCA. Instructors will transport all participants to-and-from the activity locations. Campers will arrive at Frost Valley YMCA on the check-in day of a session where they will meet the other trip participants and their trip leaders and begin preparing for their trip. For more details about the departure and return days, please see the sample trip itinerary for the trip you are interested in.
Our transportation depends on the trip’s needs. Eight or nine-passenger sprinter vans are the typical modes of transportation. Frost Valley drivers are all over the age of 21, with safe driving records, and go through extensive driver training. Buses may be contracted to transport us to different sites.
While campers are on their trip, there may or may not be access to showers depending on the nature of the trip. Backcountry trips typically do not have access to showers, toilets, or running water while they are on trail. We encourage campers to maintain good hygiene through teeth brushing, hand washing, hand sanitizer, wading in bodies of water when deemed appropriate, and using pack towels or a bandana to wipe away any dirt. They will shower when they arrive back at camp after their trip.
Time in the outdoors is limited and precious and our goal is to prioritize camper’s time building connections with each other and nature. Due to the nature of trips and limited access to laundry facilities while on the trip, laundry is NOT provided and there are no opportunities for laundry to be done while on trips.
Wildlife encounters are a normal part of being outdoors, and we do our part to limit direct exposure to wildlife. In order to do this, we regularly make sure that the food is not in the tents to prevent any unwanted visitors, give larger wild animals their space, and carry the necessary food storage devices so that we are only feeding our campers and not the animals. Our trip leaders are well-trained in wildlife safety, and how to prevent any unwanted encounters with wild animals.
Campers should not bring money on their trips. There will not be time for them to spend it and we do not want to risk it getting lost. Trips campers will have access to the Frost Valley store while they are on-property where they can purchase forgotten items such as toothbrushes or other souvenirs of their time on a Frost Valley trip.
Frost Valley is an unplugged camp and our trips are no different. Campers are not allowed to bring their cell phones or other electronics (iPods, video games, ect.) on trips. These devices get in the way of campers’ ability to connect to nature. Additionally, we would not want these devices to be damaged, so it is best for everyone if their electronics are left at home.
If your camper would like to take photos for the memories, we recommend bringing either a disposable camera or a digital camera. The staff will also be taking pictures throughout the trip that will be shared on Smugmug once the trip concludes.
You can send trip campers mail; however, they will not receive it until they have returned to Frost Valley at the end of the session. There is no way to send campers mail while they are out on their trip.
