Parent FAQs

Sending your child to summer camp for the first time brings up all kinds of questions. Here are many helpful answers; but please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have a question we haven’t answered!

Topics

Location • Our Campers • Packing, Laundry • Care Packages, Shipping Trunks • Summer Communication • Special Diets, Allergies • Cabins • Homesickness, What if…? • Staff, Counselors • Health Insurance

What should I pack? Is there a dress code?

We give you a suggested list (PDF), but it’s very basic, comfortable, and casual. Our concerns are to keep campers safe and healthy, and to stay away from trying to outdo one another in the clothing department.

Close-toed shoes, a warm sweatshirt and rain attire are necessary items. Mostly, campers bring clothes they already have. A uniform of sorts (a navy blue t-shirt and matching navy or khaki shorts or pants) is worn from Retreat (our pre-dinner flag-lowering ceremony) through the end of the evening.

Smooth-soled sandals are not appropriate, nor are string bikinis, or low hanging pants.

How often is laundry done?

Laundry is done each week by cabin in our own on-site laundromat and comes back the next day. We ask that parents send enough clothing to get a child through the week and make sure camper names are included on all clothing, sheets, and towels.

Where do I go to purchase my child’s required camp uniform?

Uniforms may be purchase from Maine Camp Outfitters. Please contact the camp office if you have questions.

What if we forget to send something with our child?

We have daily US postal service if you need to send something to Camp. We can also make arrangements to purchase something in town if needed. We have a small Camp store for necessities like soap, toothbrushes and flashlights.

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When can I visit?

Parents’ visit day is Sunday, July 16th 9:30am-4:30pm. Please contact Rikki at rikki@adirondackcamp.com for more information.

How can I communicate with my child?

Parents are encouraged to write letters and emails. Email your camper at and log in to track your child through pictures, videos and personal messages. Parents may also fax letters or schedule a time to speak with their child on the phone after the first week. Communication via the telephone is kept to a minimum to ensure a camper’s complete immersion in our Camp environment.

How can I get in touch with my child’s counselor?

If you have an issue or concern about your child – our Camper Advocate, Tom McDonough, is your primary point of contact. You may email or call him directly at tom@adirondackcamp.com or 518-547-8261.

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How does Camp handle special diets and food allergies?

We offer vegetarian meals during the summer and do our best to accommodate gluten-free and lactose intolerant diets. We are nut aware but not nut free. So although we do not serve any peanut butter (we use sun butter instead) we cannot guarantee no nuts.

We also do our best to make picky eaters happy! Fresh fruit is part of every meal. We offer hot and cold breakfast options, an oatmeal bar, a salad bar, a fresh wrap bar, special soups, afternoon cookie breaks, and more.

Please notify the Office of any specific food allergies and/or health concerns. Due to rising food costs, we will be charging a surcharge for those campers who will be eating gluten-free this summer. The cost per week per camper will be $130. Any questions, please call or email rikki@adirondackcamp.com/518-547-8261. If your camper is gluten-free or has any other special food needs please contact the office.

What are the cabins like?

Our cabins are “open-air” (without screens) with roll-down canvas flaps for when it rains, and mosquito nets for sleeping. For anyone who likes to fall asleep listening to the wind rustling through the trees, and waves lapping against the shore, our cabins are the best around. If your child’s bunk is near an exterior wall facing the ball-field, he/she may even see a shooting star from one of the best spots in North America.

Most of our cabins are a 40×40 foot square layout with high ceilings and bunk-style beds. Trunks and footlockers are used for storage of personal belongings. With the exception of our one cabin for fifteen year old girls, there is no electricity in the cabins. Bath-houses serve each cabin line with hot and cold running water, showers, and toilet facilities.

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What if my child doesn’t know anyone in the cabin?

Returning campers are our greatest allies in making your child feel welcome and all are under the ever-watchful eyes of counselors who ensure that cabin bonding occurs and new friends are made. With the start of each session, the first thing returning campers do is to prepare to welcome the first-timers. Senior campers also volunteer to “adopt” the youngest first timers for the first orientation week of camp. We have many gatherings by cabin and age-groups over the course of the season, all designed to integrate new campers into our Camp community and to be made to feel a special part of it.

What if my child misses home?

It’s not unusual, and can happen at almost any age. Our counselors are specially trained and sensitive to the emotions experienced by campers who miss home.

We take a common sense approach to missing home. The most important antidotes we offer are love, caring, sympathy, and lots of things to keep kids engaged! It is important to acknowledge to the camper that what he or she is experiencing is real, but with time will pass. In some instances we consult and work with parents, behind the scenes, to help with their child’s positive adjustment.

What if my child wakes up in the middle of the night, or is afraid of the dark?

Counselors live in cabins with campers, and are always there for the campers. Counselors rotate evening duties to always ensure presence 24 hours a day. We also have illumination on each main building (including the exterior of the bath houses) creating a suffused light throughout the trees when dark.

What if I need to cancel my camper?

Don’t worry. Things can come up. This is why our families are required to purchase tuition insurance. Tuition to Camp is a huge investment, and we want to ensure when enroll your kids you do so with the peace of mind that you have options if unforeseen circumstances arise. Our current cancellation policy offers a full refund for withdrawal until January 15th minus a $600 cancellation fee, but with the addition of the Program Protector you are covered until the day before your camper is set to arrive at Adirondack Camp. This is required for all campers. For more information please visit our Dates & Rates page.

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Who’s on staff?

We recruit educators with parenting experience, recent and older former campers, and young adults from around the world, to work together with a core group of professionals who return every summer to assure the preservation of ADK spirit, traditions, and level of excellence.

Every member of the ADK staff undergoes a rigorous selection process. We look for a deep love and empathy for children of all ages, a Pied Piper like capacity for getting kids excited about the opportunities around them, a strong sense of responsibility, and common sense — all essential in the care and supervision of children.

Meet our staff.

How old are your counselors?

Our staff ranges from 18 to 65 years old. It’s a wonderful combination of wisdom and enthusiasm!

How do you select your counselors?

Our highly selective process is very much like college admissions. We begin with qualification screening, then hold in-person interviews, check personal references, and finish with background checks. We also utilize camp services such as Camp America, Camp Leaders, or Inter-exchange to recruit and screen international staff.

Do staff receive special training?

Every counselor, every year, is required to successfully complete an intensive, 10 day, exclusive Adirondack U leadership course before the summer.

More than half of our staff are Red Cross certified for First Aid and CPR. Waterfront staff have their Lifeguard qualifications. Wilderness Adventure staff have Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder.

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Health Insurance and Vaccinations

Adirondack Camp requires that all campers and staff be current for vaccinations, including COVID.

Health insurance is required for all campers and staff. All international and domestic campers must be properly insured in the United States and provide proof of insurance. Most domestic families will already have family health insurance in place. Please see two options to purchase health insurance, if needed, below. The benefit of option 1 is that it also covers several travel-related claims for our international families.

1. International Short-Term Health Insurance is designed for foreign nationals while in the United States and is available for as little as five days and up to 364 days. This insurance provides quality levels of illness and accident expense protection. Coverage for emergencies that may occur during their trip, including illness and injury, emergency medical evacuation, and emergency reunion are included. Other benefits and services offered that may arise during travel include stolen passports, loss of baggage and 24/7 assistance services. Click here for more information

2. Short Term Medical (STM) will protect your domestic uninsured campers coming to Camp. Domestic Short Term Health Care is not available in the following states: AL, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV, & WY. Click here for more information