Schedule

At Camp Vacamas, the daily schedule is geared specifically to each age group and designed to introduce campers to new challenges year after year and ensure cherished memories for a lifetime. A day in Junior Camp provides a balance of activities designed to engage campers in activities while providing numerous opportunities to develop friendships. Each age group has its own camp schedule to follow. Click here to learn about a typical day at Camp.

Activities

Camp Activities are led by cabin counselors or by specialized activity leaders. Typical Camp activities include: mountain biking, basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, arts and crafts, woodshop, dance, drama, music, fishing, hiking, boating, computers, nature, camp crafts, games, challenge course, camp-outs, creative kitchen, farm and cook-outs. Each day, campers receive American Red Cross swim instruction and have an opportunity for recreational swim. Each group’s schedule is designed just for them and campers have the opportunity to contribute activity ideas and requests. Choice activities and hobby groups are built into schedules for campers ages 11 and up.

A highlight of every Camp day is Mass Activity, Vacamas’ evening activity which includes an entire age group. Mass Activity might be a carnival, talent show, beach party, Olympics, scavenger hunt, or campfire. During special Theme Days – such as Survivor Vacamas, Kung-Fu Panda Day, International Day, Super Hero Day or Medieval Day - campers are encouraged to dress up and get really involved.

Bunks

Junior campers live in wooden cabins with up to eight children their age and two staff members. Cabins for younger campers have bathrooms and showers in sleeping areas. For campers ages 10 and up, facilities are located just outside their cabin. Each age group has its own community of cabins, an activity lodge and a fire circle. Campers are encouraged to be a part of the camp community by helping out with simple clean-up tasks. A small portion of each camper's day is spent working together to ensure that sleeping and activity areas are tidy. Campers are taught to keep track of their personal belongings, make their beds and keep their clothes organized.

Food and Snacks

The menu at Camp Vacamas is child-friendly, healthy and plentiful. Campers eat three full meals each day in our dining hall with their bunk group and counselor. Meals are served family-style with a kosher-style menu. Alternatives are available. A fruit snack is offered in the afternoon and it is traditional at Camp Vacamas to have Milk and Cookies before bed each night. Campers are offered canteen weekly with a choice of a sweet, salty and nutritious snack to enjoy.

About Our Staff

Vacamas staff members are chosen from hundreds of applicants for their maturity, skills and commitment to young people. They are carefully screened and closely supervised by trained camp professionals. The typical counselor at Camp Vacamas is over 21 years old and has experience in working with children. Staff members come from the tri-state area, across the United States and throughout the world. All counselors take part in a week-long orientation to prepare for the most important job of looking after each child's physical and emotional safety. Each counselor has responsibility for between four and eight children.