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Frost Valley YMCA Camp

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Frost Valley YMCA Camp

Description

Frost Valley YMCA Summer Camp

 

Frost Valley YMCA is the premier year-round camping and retreat center in the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountains and a favorite choice for parents seeking an engaging, affordable summer camp experience for their children.  Our 6,000-acre camp offers one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the country, surrounded by 250,000 acres of “forever wild” Forest Preserve.  Our roots reach back to 1901, when established as one of the nation’s first overnight camps for children.  Over a century later, we remain true to the Y mission and our non-profit commitment to bring children of all backgrounds and abilities together in our enriching, life-changing community of summer camp.

On summer days Frost Valley campers live in a special world where they experience journeys on every scale—from spending their first night away from home and bonding with new friends to bolder quests like mountain hikes and all-camp traditions and games.

Frost Valley YMCA offers several different options for our Summer Camp programs.    In addition to our very popular Sleepaway Camp program we also offer specialty camps such as Horse Camp, Farm Camp, Adventure Village and Adventure Trips!

Visit our website for more information:  frostvalley.org

 

 

Reviews (24)

  • Review from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey

    Location: Upstate New York How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 13 Review: My child has done a horse back riding program at this camp for 3 years and likes it. They sleep in yurts. They learn a lot about caring for horses. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? There isn't any swimming and I would like it if there was. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? They require a test before starting camp. I think they retest everyone after a few days.

  • Review from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey

    Location: Clairyville, NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 11 (rising 7th grader) Review: My daughter loved Frost Valley's East Valley Ranch all girls horse camp. (Age range 10-16, all skill levels). Every camper is assigned a horse that they care for and ride for the two weeks (or more) that they are there. The girls sleep in yurts and my daughter said the bunk beds were very comfortable. My daughter said the food was great. She described many options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that gave the girls lots of choices. She said she'd go back again next year. This was our first full experience with sleep away camp (our first try in 2022 was cut short when the camp counselors all got Covid) and it looks like we'll make it a tradition. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I can't think of anything I'd change. I love that they are screen-free. And as much as I would have liked to have had more contact, I think it was good for my daughter to have some independence. She wrote letters and I sent her messages via the camp's email that were distributed to campers at lunch. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? In 2022 the camp shut down after 5 days because too many staff members got Covid. This year there weren't any problems. Per the camp's rules, we tested our daughter the day of and brought the negative test with us. We didn't hear about any staffers or campers getting sick.

  • Frost Valley Horse Camp

    My daughter went last year and loved it! If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.

  • Review from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey

    Location: Claryville, NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 9 and 12 Review: Son participated in Adventure Village for second year in a row and loved it. Able to sleep outside under the stars. Daughter did the equestrian camp. She was sad to leave her horse. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? This is a no frills camp. I thought they were better this year than last year with posting pictures. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Solid. I wasn’t crazy about the idea of my kids wearing masks. Frost Valley had good standard. Test before and if mixed with other groups wear masks.

  • Review from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey

    Location: Claryville, NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? One was 8, one was 11 Review: Both of my kids made friends easily, liked their counselors, and enjoyed the activities they did. Community of camp was warm, open and fun. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? The camp had a rough 1st session with COVID, but they worked really hard to reorganize their policies to make sure the rest of the summer could happen. It's a big camp, so they did have some cases, which I think was unavoidable even with having everyone test before arrival, but I appreciate their efforts and their communication around COVID, and the work they did to contain it within camp, even though it meant that some activities had to be adjusted from what was originally planned.

  • Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey

    Name of camp: Frost Valley YMCA Location: Catskills How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 10 Review: Absolutely loved it. She was in Mustang Village, the younger horse camp. But they also did boating/water sports, crafts, and other fun activities. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? The camp provided testing in advance and midway through program, which we felt was a great way to handle.

  • Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey

    Name of camp: Frost Valley YMCA (Overnight Camp- Wawayanda) Location: Claryville, NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 10 Review: Her first year (brother's 3rd at FV) - she loved it. Diverse friend group, handled COVID precautions (testing, podding, masking, etc.) well and no cases. So many activities, including favorites of swimming in the lake and of course ga-ga and crafts. There is one camping under the stars overnight which was NOT a favorite (bugs, etc.) What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Nope. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? see above - handled very well.

  • Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey

    Name of camp: Frost Valley YMCA (Adirondack Hike and Climb) Location: Claryville, NY+ How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 13 Review: Great experience, went with 2 other friends, out in the wilderness all but 2 nights of the 2 week camp. Mixture of back country camping (hiking 5-7 miles/ day, backpacks, cooking, tents, etc.) and then rock-climbing from a base camp. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Wouldn't change, but noting that it was very physically demanding. Some teens (like mine) will probably opt for something "easier" next year. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Handled well - pre-testing, kids on this trip were a pod (that came down with/ passed around a cold while hiking, of course), so they all got tested while on the trip and were negative.

  • Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey

    Name of camp: Frost Valley YMCA Location: Claryville, NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 8 and 10 years old Review: Wonderful experience for first time campers! My son and daughter spent 2 weeks at Frost Valley in the Catskills and loved it. My 10 year old son was in Adventure Village where he went on a canoe, lots of hiking trips, spent nights under the stars, basketball and lots of other fun activities. He knew one other friend and was able to meet many more. He shared a tent with 3 other boys. We didn’t know much about the camp before, so his only complaint was that he didn’t know how much hiking there’d be. He says he’d do it again though! My 8 year old daughter spent time at Mustang for horse back riding. She made more friends and was sad to leave. Beautiful grounds. Trees, creeks and a nice lake. Definitely a wonderful get away for the kids. The kids loved their counselors and I got a good community feel at drop off and pick up. Both kids said food was good. My son is a picky eater, but at least there was cereal, pizza, ice cream and cake. My daughter loved the eggs, waffles, pancakes. Bottom line is that my first time campers have said they want to go back. That’s an endorsement in my book. We loved hearing about their adventures and the memories they will have for their lives. We were very anxious that they wouldn’t like it. It was the first time away from home for so long. The camp is less expensive than other options we were looking at which is important to us since we have to pay for two. I started to look at other camps just to see what else is out there, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Frost Valley for their lifetime memories! What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? At first we were bummed that more photos weren’t posted on a site that is available to stay connected to your camper. Also blog wasn’t updated at all for their 2 camps. Probably depends on the counselor, but at the end of the day time should be focused on the kids and not updates for the parents. It was their first time so I was nervous and was looking for any info. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Unfortunately my daughter’s session was cut short a week because a girl in her bunk tested positive for COVID. It was disappointing and a reminder that things aren’t normal yet. We felt comfortable signing our kids up for this camp because we felt the kids would be safe with all the safety guidelines in place.

  • Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey

    Name of camp: Frost Valley YMCA Location: Claryville, NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 10 Review: Our daughter went to the general sleep-away camp for one two week session and loved it. She made friends, loved her counselors, had tons of fun, and wanted to sign up for next year immediately. This was her second year at camp (she went two years ago, pre-Covid), and she was so anxious to go back, and we're so glad she got the chance to. She got to do many of her favorite traditional camp things--Gaga ball, ropes course, archery, group cheers as well as lots of goofy activities which are a big part of the culture of the camp (like her specialty activities: Frisbee Ninja and Taylor Swift Murder Mystery). What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? In normal years, they go swimming every day--this year, she only went twice the whole time. I am guessing this is due to staffing issues with having enough counselor lifeguards to staff waterfront or to social distancing needs--having fewer kids in water at one time, but she was sad not to swim more. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Camp seemed to handle COVID well--kids tested before and during camp, there was a real push to get everyone vaccinated who was old enough, and they wore masks and were podded in ways that seemed very clear and aligned with health and safety guidelines. She went off to camp right when the Delta variant was picking up, and they had no issues, at least as far as I heard about.

  • Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey

    Name of camp: Frost Valley Adventure Survival Camp Location: Claryville NY How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 15 Review: My daughter loved the outdoor survival skills challenges (making shelters, rapelling down a waterfall, knife skills, etc) and hiking with like-minded kids and counselors. Great bonding opportunity in this small program. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? More creativity/thoughtfulness could be applied to the foods provided for camping/hiking. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? This was a small group that was primarily outdoors so we were comfortable with no masks in most situations. Protocols were tighter at main camp with many campers and more indoor settings.

  • Experience with Frost Valley YMCA camp in the Catskills?

    I spent 11 summers at Frost Valley as a camper and counselor, met my husband there and remain in close contact with the camp and the large and devoted community of alumni including people who have become lifelong friends! is a wonderful place. Beautiful location, extremely professional and responsible staff and policies in place, great variety in activities and a lovely ethos and commitment to diversity, community minded-ness and lots of other nice things. Extremely popular camp with Brooklyn families for more than 30 years. Happy to answer any specific questions.

  • 1 week sleepaway camp?

    Frost Valley is a great place. My daughter did the farm camp, which is a smaller setting than the general camp, and really enjoyed it. Lots of gardening and interacting with animals, if your kid likes that kind of thing. The food is good (much of it grown onsite) and I found the counselors to be very supportive of her (she had some homesickness issues). Plus she has celiac and they did a really nice job with offering food she could eat.

  • 2018 Summer Camp Reviews

    Summer 2018 Review: She had a fabulous experience--loved her counselors and made great friends who she's missing with genuine grief. She was pushed to grow through new experiences like an Adirondack 5 day canoe trip, hiking up a mountain without trails, playing fun/silly games, etc. and got over her fear of bugs! Age of child: 12 What would you change about the program, if anything? Nothing--it's fantastic

  • 2018 Summer Camp Reviews

    Summer 2018 Review: It was his first sleep away camp experience and he loooooved it and cannot wait to return. He went for one session and wants two seasons next summer. The camp is well organized and very responsive. They posted pix for us to see as he was there and a great blog so that we knew what was happening. It is affordable and lovely! They have a great orientation for anyone who wants to explore the program. Age of child: 14 What would you change about the program, if anything? I wish they offered a 3-week session.

  • Re: family Camp

    Frost Valley has a family camp. I’ve only done an overnight for a class trip, but the facilities were good and space was really beautiful!

  • Review from the 2017 PSP Summer Camp Survey

    We have attended two summers. The camp provides a great assortment of activities, and seems well run, but we were not very happy with the administration this year. Campers' bunks do not seem to be thoughtfully assigned and the directors were not receptive to feedback. This is the 2nd time my son was assigned a bunk with 7 boys from the same small town in New Jersey all of whom were already friends. Last year, he was reasigned, but this year he stayed put, and it turned out to be a mistake. Additionally, administration was inflexible when it came to communication around other minor issues, which was a bit of a 'turn off' this year. Not sure we'll return for subsequent summer. If you could change anything, what would it be? I wish that the camp was more sensitive to the needs of first time campers and socially awkward campers. Age of child: 11 years old Based on a Summer 2017 experience

  • Summer Camp Survey 2016

    Age of child: 11 Review: Great experience and they want to go back What would you change about the program, if anything? Better food and more time doing activities such as art and pottery

  • Summer Camp Survey 2016

    Age of child: 11 Review: very positive, focus is on riding horses and horse care, kids also go swimming in lake and do art projects

  • Review from 2015 Summer Camp Survey

    Age of Child: 12 Likes: He loves this camp! He likes the activities that are provided (swimming, boating, archery, hiking, outdoor skills, etc). The food is good and plentiful. Lots of Brooklyn kids go to this camp and many seem to have been attending for several years. The counselors are very nice and my kid has made so many friends there. What would you change? Not much! Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend

  • Re: Sleepaway camp

    My daughter had a fantastic experience at East Valley Ranch in Claryville Ny. It was her first time at a sleep away camp. EVR is part of Frost Valley camp. It is a horse camp. It's an all girls camp. She was absolutely thrilled and wants to go back for four weeks!! (November 2014)

  • Review from 2013 Summer Camp Experience

    Program: Resident Camp, Adventure Village Age of Child: 11 Likes: My son loved everything about it. The activities were great: wacky field games, hiking, archery, overnight camping, canoeing, swimming, etc. There was tons of camp enthusiasm through learning cheers for each bunk, special traditions, etc. And he really liked the kids and counselors. This was his second sleepaway camp, and he enjoyed this one much much more than the first. What I really liked about it is that it's a very traditional camp, where the focus is on outdoorsy activities, camp spirit, fun traditions, etc. The focus isn't on finding the latest craze (like bungee jumping), like some camps that are more like resorts. And they don't run the kids ragged by programming every minute (again, like some other camps do). There was a good balance between programmed activities and time to just hang out with friends -- time enough to become expert at a Rubik's Cube, for example. What would you change? Nothing Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend Do you have any other information to add? The staff is VERY friendly and helpful and can answer any questions.

  • (no subject)

    My son is ten and he went for one session (two weeks) at Frost Valley Camp Wawayanda. Basically, it was an excellent match. It's a straightforward sleepaway camp and an advantage for many families is that it is structured so that there are several two-week long sessions and one try-it-out one week session for first timers, so that you can go for as long or as short as you need. We did the two-week one because it was his first time at sleepaway camp and we wanted to be cautions. But he loved it, bonded with his counselors, and loved sleeping in a cabin with 4 other boys. He has some attention and organizational and other issues, though mild, and the camp was sensitive to it and handled it well. We know they did because he had such a great time and it was reported to us that his behavior was excellent and in fact he was a model of cooperative behavior. I think it is good value because of how much it costs and the relatively high ratio of counselors to campers. They stress inclusiveness and cooperation, fairness, and kindness, which we happen to appreciate. They have loads of activities (my son discovered photography, for example), have "activities counselors" as well as the regular ones, and do a lot of things that build teamwork among the kids, such as building a structure in the woods, rock climbing, etc. The only thing I would criticize is that we were not happy about how something was communicated to us, that is, not at all really and we felt that it wasn't handled correctly. When we arrived to drop him off, our son was designated to be in a cabin with boys going into the same grade as he is, however, he was switched during registration to be in another cabin. It wasn't until we got home that we realized that the cabin he ended up in was made up of boys going into a lower grade. We didn't mind so much that that was the case as that no one explained that that's what it was and why. When we asked the camp director about it she said that the cabin he was originally assigned to was overcrowded, and she offered to move him there though he would have to sleep in a cot, not a bunk. We knew he wouldn't like that so we had him stay where he was, but I do think someone could have spoken to us. It's a large camp with many different types (farm, horse, etc.) so registration day is a zoo. All in all, our son is going back next year for two sessions instead of one and he is delighted to be doing so, and is planning on eventually being a counselor in training. The counselors he had were so sweet and kind; our son wrote one a letter and the counselor wrote a lovely one back. I highly recommend it to parents of kids who have some special needs yet could handle a mainstream environment.

  • Review from 2010 Summer Camp Survey

    Age of Child: 9 Likes: This was his second summer. He loved the activities (horseback riding, sports, camp-wide Olympics. He also adored his counselors - the staff were a real plus for him this summer and last. The camp also stresses core values (responsibility, respect, caring, diversity, etc.) and he was proud of his accomplishments in this area also. What would you change? He didn't like the food. Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend Do you have any other information to add? My older son also attended the same camp in the past and had two good summers there but one bad summer. That year (several years ago), the staff was a big part of the problem. He had two counselors who were not suited to the job and they also allowed some bad behavior among campers to go unchecked. I did call the camp and complain and though it was too late to do anything about his experience, they were very responsive, enough that I felt comfortable using them again. Interestingly, they do seem to have done something about staff training around bullying and bad behavior since our negative experience, because this past year there were problem campers and the issues were dealt with very directly and successfully by staff, according to my son.

 

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