International Campers

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Families outside of the United States registering children individually must register directly with the camp. All fees, rules, procedures, etc. that apply to American families apply the same for these children. Please read the materials carefully, and remember to allow three weeks for regular mail to move in one direction. Payment must be made in US Dollars, drawn on a bank with a US branch, by money order, or better, using a Visa or Mastercard.

We find such exchanges work best if the family has a friend or relative in the New York area to meet the child and arrange travel to and from camp. We can arrange transportation to and from camp from Newark Airport at a charge of $75. Transport to and from JFK airport is not available at this time. Please be sure to clearly understand the airlines regulations for unaccompanied minors, and any associated additional fees, which are the camper’s family responsibility, etc.

We can provide letters for each child to the US embassy in your country, at your request, to facilitate granting of a visa or other permit to allow the children to travel internationally without a parent or guardian.

American children bring their own towels and a sleeping bag and pillow. International children are encouraged to do the same, but if this is not possible due to airline weight restrictions, these items can be supplied by the camp.

Our camp dates are very specific. All campers must plan their arrival inside a time window on our published session start and finish dates. Failure to do this can compromise our program, as we have no staff available outside these times. Times windows are available on request.

Parents must understand that with 200 children, daily visits of relatives or phone calls are logistically impossible, therefore are against our policy. American campers have no visitors (unless children stay for four weeks), and make no phone calls. We make only two exceptions for international campers. First, visits in which the child leaves camp with family members can be arranged by an advance phone call with a specific appointment, plus a written letter from the parent, giving that person permission to pick the child up. A FAX means they are too late. It must come in advance or with the child. Second, we allow one reverse, card, or collect charge phone call to home when the international campers arrive in camp, and one call just before they leave. Mail comes and goes every day, and incoming FAX and email to campers is sorted and delivered daily, the same as mail.

Parents must know they cannot take a child away from camp for more than several hours, even with an appointment. This has happened in the past, where as some families used the Y to get a visa for the child, with no intention of the child staying here. If this happens, we can get fined, and lose our international exchange status with the State Department. We have a commitment to report to INS any international campers taken from camp and not returned.

Children bringing money for trips and shopping, should bring travelers checks only. We will keep these in a safe. The camp’s store does not handle cash. A $50.00 deposit into the child’s camp trading post account will cover in camp needs. ($100.00 for 4-week campers) This is billed as part of the tuition statement. It covers candy, snacks, toiletries, tee shirts, camp souvenirs, etc. Unspent camp store money is refunded to the children on departure. Traveler’s checks are meant only for shopping or for extra purchases on the major out of camp trip (to New York City) if the parent’s so desire.

Children who speak absolutely no English will have a difficult time. Please be certain your child is taking or has taking English lessons. We usually have many international staff with varied languages spoken but they are not always readily available ( languages vary from year to year, depending on need and availability).

For more information please feel free to visit our contact us page and email our summer camp director for an international camper information packet.