Awesome Sleep-away Farm Camp close to Rockland County

Last year my child attended an awesome farm camp at the Frost Valley YMCA! It was a great experience for both child and parent! The children are separated into mixed age yurts (of course by gender). There are 8-10 girls per yurt and 2 counselors. A yurt is a cross between a tent and a cabin — there is a real floor, roof and door — canvas sides. There are approximately 50 kids in total.

In Rockland County we are lucky to live close to such beautiful areas as the Catskill Mountains and the Berkshires. The camp is located in the Catskills and only a 2 hour drive from Rockland County!

The children get to learn so much about living on a farm. They take care of goats, chickens, cows, and pigs. They also get to farm in the garden — this year they will grow their own lettuces, potatoes, carrots, squash, and corn…also there are lots of berries. They swim everyday in a swimming hole in a river and their other activities are kayaking, hiking, archery, arts n crafts, drama to name a few. There are campfires, and an outdoor camp out night where they sleep under the stars night, a dance, and great bonding activities.

There is also a full time nurse and there are doctors available at the Main Frost Valley Camp which is about a 15 minute ride away. And since the kids are involved with animals everyday — showers are required daily!

The main camp offers other summer sleep away programs. Amongst them are— a more typical sleep-away camp full of activites each day, a teen adventure camp, Mustang Village (sleep away horse camp for girls), an immersion camp for children from Tokyo, and they are still unique in the fact that they are able to mainstream children who need dialysis. They have a dialysis center on the premises and full time doctors!

John Chartier the farm camp director was very helpful and followed up to make sure my child had a great time. He got to know each of the kids. And the nurse last year was fantastic. My child got sick ( a normal virus) and she took great care of her. John was also great about putting my worries at ease — I was able to call and he let me know my daughter had adjusted really well. (It was my first time sending her to camp).

Since the camp is smaller in size, everyone gets to know each other. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to experience independence and make new lasting friendships. And as a parent, I got first hand assurance from the staff that all was well and I rested easy knowing I was only a relaxing drive away!

Kim-Adele Rosner, Associate Real Estate Broker, Wright Bros