Important Information for 2026 Registered Camp Families
We are looking forward to a fun and safe outdoor experience for all our Summer Explorers campers! Please review the following important information regarding this year’s camp. If you need to get in touch with the Camp Director during camp hours, please call 845-597-2526 or email debbie@stonykill.org.
DROP OFF & PICK UP LOCATION: Camp drop off and pick up is at the picnic tables outside the Learning Center which is located at the north end of the property behind the large white Manor House. On rainy day drop off, we’ll be inside the Learning Center. There is a parking lot nearby. Drop off is NOT at the barn. The address is 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY. Please drive slowly.
Our Camp Director Debbie Muesser and Assistant Director Cassidy Jimenez will greet you and direct you to your campers’ counselor for check-in.
CHECK-IN/SIGN OUT: Parents/guardians will need to sign your child in and out each day. Check in and sign out will happen at your camper’s group picnic tables each day. We are asking our camp families to do your part to keep our campers and staff safe. If you answer yes to any of the following questions before heading to camp, please take an at home COVID test before coming to camp.
- Are you currently experiencing, or have you recently (within the past 48 hours) experienced any symptoms of COVID-19?
- Is your temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit?
If you have someone else picking up your child/children, please let us know upon check in. They will need to present ID to verify they are an approved pick up person.
CAMP TIMES: Camp drop off is at 9:00 am and pick up is at 3:00 pm. Please be sure to pick up your camper(s) on time. If you need to pick up your child early, please let their counselor know at drop-off. Before care starts at 8:30 am and aftercare runs till 5:00 pm. Please adhere to the times listed. If you are interested in before and/or aftercare please email our Camp Director. There is a $25 charge for before and/or aftercare each day, for each camper.
LATE POLICY: Late pick-ups are NOT permitted. After 2 late pick-ups at 10 minutes late or more, there will be an additional aftercare fee of $25 each time.
CONTACTING THE CAMP DIRECTOR DURING CAMP HOURS: If you need to get in touch with your child or the Camp Director between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, please call the camp number at 845-597-2526. Note: this is a different number than our general Foundation number.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR CAMPER BRING/WEAR:
- Bring a lunch, refillable water bottle, and 2 snacks please **please, no peanuts!
- Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. No sandals or flip flops please. For rain days: please send your camper(s) in with rain coats and boots. No umbrellas please.
- Sunscreen and bug spray marked with their name. Please apply before their camp day starts. With your permission, we’ll help apply throughout the day.
- Extra set of clothes in a large ziploc bag, marked with campers name. These can be left at camp for the week and replaced if needed.
- OPTIONAL: Backpack
- We’ll reach out by email to let you know when to send your camper(s) in with bathing suits and towels for any water days (every Friday and sometimes other days)!
- On Fridays, our activities will include water games– your campers will have lots of opportunities to get wet and cool off! Please send your camper(s) in with their swimsuits under their clothes and a towel.
CAMP GROUPS: Campers are placed into one of five camp groups based primarily on age to support developmentally appropriate activities, social experiences, and supervision. While campers are generally assigned by age, we understand that individual circumstances, partnering siblings and friendships may be important. We will do our best to accommodate requests for group changes or placement adjustments whenever possible. Group assignments are based on overall camp enrollment, staffing, age balance, and program needs, and we cannot guarantee all requests can be fulfilled.
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS: If you have not submitted your camper’s immunization records from your pediatrician, you will need to bring them the first day of camp or email them before the first day to our camp director. Camper(s) who do not submit immunization records may lose camp days until records are received. Refunds will not be issued.
BEHAVIORAL POLICY: We want all campers to enjoy their time at summer camp and feel that this is a safe environment. As such, we have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying. We will discuss any perceived bullying of another camper with parents/guardians, but if the behavior continues your child will not be permitted to return to camp. Physical violence towards another camper may result in immediate expulsion. Dismissals from camp due to behavior issues are not subject to a refund.
Support for Neurodivergent Campers & Program Participation: We strive to create an inclusive, supportive environment where all children can participate meaningfully and safely. Our camp staff have received basic training in supporting diverse learning needs, communication styles, and behavioral differences, and they work to implement positive behavior support strategies, clear routines, and consistent expectations. We recognize that every camper’s needs are unique. In some cases, a camper may require additional support, accommodations, or structure beyond what the camp is able to reasonably provide within a group setting. While we make every effort to include all campers, there may be situations where the camp is not the most appropriate placement to meet a child’s individual needs. If concerns arise regarding a camper’s ability to safely and successfully participate in the program, staff will communicate with families to discuss observed needs and explore possible supports or solutions. This may include adjustments to the daily experience, additional family collaboration, or, if necessary, determining whether the program is an appropriate fit for the camper at that time. Our goal is always to support each child’s success while maintaining a safe, positive experience for all campers and staff.
SUNBLOCK, BUG SPRAY & TICKS: At drop-off on the first day, staff will be asking parents permission for our staff to reapply your sunblock and bug spray throughout the day. We will also ask for permission to remove ticks if they are attached. We’ll be traveling around the property each day visiting our barn, greenhouse, gardens, and trails. Be sure to check your child/children each day for ticks. We will encourage them to check throughout the day, as well.
LAST DAY OF CAMP, FRIDAYS: Families are invited to join us at 2:30 pm on the Friday of your child’s camp week for a wrap-up around the campfire. This is a great time to connect with other families, hear about your camper’s experience at camp, look through our lost and found, and pick up any crafts your camper created. We will also welcome our Executive Director and Development Manager, who will discuss ways you can help support our mission and share information about our upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration.
HEALTH & MEDICINE: Camp staff are unable to administer any over the counter or prescription medications to any campers, including pain medication, allergy medication, wound antibiotic, aspirin or any prescriptions. Should a camper require medicine, a parent will need to come administer it. Campers who are bringing prescription medicine, epi pens or inhalers to camp will need a doctor’s note. Please email them to our program director before your camp week.
ALLERGIES & DIETARY NEEDS: When food is incorporated into camp activities, we will do our best to provide reasonable accommodations and substitutions for campers with allergies or dietary restrictions. Families are encouraged to clearly communicate all allergies, sensitivities, and dietary needs during registration. Camp staff may contact parents or guardians prior to a camper’s session to discuss specific accommodations, ingredient considerations, and available options to help ensure a safe and positive experience for all campers.
EXTREME HEAT/AIR QUALITY PROCEDURES: On our hottest days of camp we’ll be modifying our day to low-impact activities, utilizing the air conditioned Learning Center and drinking lots and lots of water. We’ll let you know if you need to send your camper in with a bathing suit on in case we need to add additional water days. We’ll also have ice pop and lemonade breaks so that everyone stays hydrated and cool.
COVID-19 UPDATE: The CDC and New York State have determined that campers at day camps are not required to wear masks both indoors and outdoors. If you would like your camper to wear a mask indoors, please let us know on the first day. Click here to review our COVID-19 safety protocols along with a link to a list of symptoms.
CELL PHONES: We believe camp is a place for kids to get away from their screens and focus on the special, unique things that nature has to offer. We ask that campers do not bring cell phones to camp. If you need your camper to have their cell phone with them, please speak to the Camp Director at check-in.
ARCHERY: Camp staff leading archery activities are certified to provide instruction and oversee all archery safety procedures. Safety rules and proper equipment handling will be reviewed with campers before participation, and all archery activities will be closely supervised by trained staff. Campers may have the opportunity to use the archery range each week as part of scheduled camp programming. Participation in archery is voluntary, and parents or guardians will be required to sign a permission waiver authorizing their camper(s) to participate in archery activities each week.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION POLICY: If your child has a birthday during their registered camp week, families may choose to celebrate by providing ice pops for all campers enrolled that week (typically 50 campers per week). To ensure consistency and fairness for all campers, no other snacks or treats may be brought in or substituted for birthday celebrations. On the designated day, the entire camp will celebrate together during lunch. Camp staff will lead the group in singing “Happy Birthday,” and each camper will receive an ice pop to enjoy. This allows us to recognize each child’s special day in a simple, inclusive way shared by the whole camp community.