Outdoor Adventure-Based Programs

Vacamas Teen Camp offers four Outdoor Journey-Based programs tailored to the interests of the adventurous teenager. All of our adventure programs entail developing skills in outdoor living. During an initial week of skill- and team-building, campers learn to live and cook in an outdoor environment, set up tents, build campsites and develop their outdoor skills. They then embark on a journey of their choice ranging from Backpacking along the Appalachian Trail, Canoeing the Delaware River passing through New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, Biking through Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Country, or Novice Rock Climbing in Northwest New Jersey.

All of our adventure programs have Team Leaders who are trained in the specific skills of each journey. Lifeguards accompany the teens on any water-based adventures. One member of each team is certified in American Red Cross CPR and First Aid.

Skill Development Programs

Several programs are offered for the adolescent who is interested in athletics or the performing arts:

Basketball Skills and Drills (BSD):
BSD is offered to the camper who wants to either develop or perfect his or her ability in basketball. Skill level ranges from beginners to advanced basketball players. At least two hours each day is devoted to learning and improving skill level. The remainder of each day is spent in traditional camp activities.This program is offered during our third session only.

Exercise, Sports and Nutrition (ESP&N):
The ESP&N Program was created for campers who are interested in developing skills in various areas of sports and concerned about being fit enough to play those sports. At least two hours each day is spent on enhancing skills in several areas of athletic endeavors such as Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and other team sports from around the world. A certified Fitness Trainer is involved with the group several times a week to work with the campers on age appropriate exercising and food consumption. The teens are also involved In Nutrition seminars and given healthy cooking lessons in their own teaching kitchen.

Performing Arts:
The Theater Program is a performing arts program designed for the teenager whose interest lies in the entire range of creating, producing and performing in a live production. We focus on musicals to showcase the teen's talents in vocals, acting and dance. This is a six-week program offered during the first two sessions of the summer. The time at Camp includes preparing for a major presentation, as well as participating in traditional camp activities. All participants are taught about all aspects of creating a performance including building sets, creating props, designing costumes, as well as the acting, dancing, singing and choreographing the entire production. At the culmination of the six-week program, the production is presented to the entire camp in the Leonard Franklin Theater, which has professional staging, sound systems and lighting. The families of each of the participants are invited to see the final production.

Training Programs

Healthy Lifestyles:
The Healthy Lifestyles Program is designed for the teen who is struggling with weight management.  In today’s society, the educational and medical communities are concerned about the rise of Obesity during the childhood years. Healthy Lifestyles is dedicated to teaching overweight teens to control their own environment to produce and maintain a healthy weight. This is done through appropriate exercise designed by our certified fitness trainer and through cooking classes, healthy shopping expeditions with tutorials. and seminars on proper nutrition. The traditional camp program is modified to meet the needs of the child who may struggle with extremely rigorous activities. Each camper is given a pedometer at the beginning of the session to keep track of their physical output and is weighed at the beginning of camp, once a week and at the end of our session. This is intended to assist the Teen in making healthy choices in their daily lives. This program is only offered during the first session of our camp.

Leadership-in-Training (LIT)
Our LIT Program is offered to the Teen who will be 16 by the end of the current calendar year The Program is intended for the adolescent who is interested in working in a camp environment in several different areas. Workshop topics include general childcare, camp programming, leadership skills, positive communication and reinforcement, dealing with behavior problems, creating a positive and healthy group, and developing and running specialty areas. After completion of the initial orientation, workshops and team-building activities, the LIT spends four hours per day assigned to different areas of camp under the tutelage of an experienced staff member. A portion of their time is spent on community service projects, such as a Camp construction project, or at service learning off camp site such as Habitat for Humanity.

The LIT Program is a very selective progam. In order to be accepted into this group, the participants must have three recommendations from their high school teachers or former employers. After successfully completing this program, the LIT may be offered a position as a salaried Junior Staff member for the following summer. LIT is a six-week program offered during summer sessions two and three.