“Overall the camp is a great way for children to have an opportunity to try activities they have an interest in. The staff is professional, respectful and flexible. My daughter enjoys her entire day at camp.”
S.M.
2nd-9th Grade FAQ’s
Is Camp Horizons accredited by the American Camping Association?
Yes! Camp Horizons has been ACA accredited since its inception in 1984. We are strongly committed to providing a safe, camping environment and to upholding the high standards of the ACA.
What are the grades of the campers who attend Camp Horizons?
Children entering kindergarten through 9th grade attend Camp Horizons. Our kindergarten and 1st graders enjoy their camp day in a safe and nurturing self contained setting. Second through 9th graders are in a total “choice” program.
What are the counselors’ qualifications?
Our counselors are teachers and or college age. All have had years of experience and most return year after year.
What is the counselor to camper ratio?
We have 185 staff, 75 of whom are teachers. This provides better than a 3-1 ratio of camper to counselor.
Is there a Counselor In Training program for 9th grade campers?
Yes! Your 9th grader can choose our CIT Training as one of their camp activities. Each prospective CIT is taught by our key staff important techniques of becoming an effective assistant counselor. One period is devoted to this program every day.
Who leads the activities at Camp Horizons?
Our activities are led by school teachers, professionals, and college students who have a speciality and desire to help and motivate the campers in a unique and enjoyable way. We have sports coaches, artists, photographers, and a professional clown and magician on our staff, just to name a few.
Will my child wear the Camp Horizons t-shirt and sneakers everyday?
Yes! Camp Horizons will provide your child with 5 camp t-shirts (with a space provided for your child's name). This allows everyone in camp to address your child by name. Campers must also wear sneakers every day (no Heelies).
Is the pool indoors or outdoors? Is it heated?
We have a beautiful 25 yard, 6-lane, heated, indoor pool which guarantees your child will swim every day. You will never hear, “Mom, the pool is too cold.”
Do you offer swim instruction?
Instructional swim can be chosen as an activity to be taken every day for 2 weeks. Campers are tested and placed in a group based on their skill level. As their skills improve, campers are moved into the next level.
What are the qualificiations for your swim staff?
Our swim staff are all American Red Cross Certified Life Guards and/or Water Safety Instructors. Many return year after year.
Do you offer Recreational Swim?
Recreational swim is also offered as a choice 3 periods per day.
Do you offer a lunch program?
Yes! Camp Horizons has an optional lunch program that can be purchased on a seasonal basis. If your child doesn't like the sandwich offering on a specific day, peanut butter and jelly can be substituted. Daily lunches are: Monday - Tuna Fish, Tuesday - Roast Beef, Thursday - Bologna, and Friday - Turkey. A fruit, milk or water, and dessert are included in the lunch program. Otherwise, campers can brown bag a lunch which is refrigerated as soon as they enter camp.
When is pizza lunch served and what is included?
A complimentary pizza lunch is served to all campers every Wednesday. In addition to pizza, we offer juice, soda, bottled water or milk and big delicious chocolate chip cookies. It is definitely the campers' favorite lunch day.
Do you provide snack?
Yes! Every afternoon campers are offered ice cream or ice pops for snack.
Is there a full time certified nurse on staff?
Yes! Camp Horizons has a certified nurse at camp at all times. Our nurse handles the everyday occurrences and the dispensing of medication. A medical history and a medicine release form allowing our nurse to dispense medication is included in the information packet you will receive in the spring after you register for camp. The release form will need to be completed by your doctor.
In the event of a medical emergency, what is the procedure?
In an emergency, our nurse will contact the Livingston Police, Rescue Squad and you. A staff member will accompany your child to one of 3 local hospitals of your choice and will stay with your child until you arrive.
Is the Camp Director employed by Camp Horizons all year round?
Yes! Alan Pressman is in the office Monday through Friday to speak with you. 973.992.7767.
How many activities are offered in a camp day?
We have seven periods daily, with over thirty different activities to choose from each period. See our Sample Schedule on this Web site.
Do you have special events and entertainment?
Yes! Every week we bring in exciting age-appropriate professional shows. Please see the Special Events Calendar on this Web site.
Can my child choose the same choice activities two weeks in a row?
Yes! Our camp philosophy is to offer choices to children. Our goal is your child's happiness.
Can campers change activities after the schedule has been approved?
Yes! If campers want to change an activity, they must have a note from a parent giving permission for the change. The change will be made during Period 1 and take effect immediately.
How will my child know where to go each period?
There are a few ways your child will become familiar with the areas of camp. The Saturday before camp opens, we have tours from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M. solely for the purpose of familiarizing campers with the facility. Also, there are tours the 1st period of the day that your child starts camp. During camp everyone will carry their own schedule and can always ask any of our staff for help. 90% of our activities are conducted on the western (left) side of the school. When activities such as swim, tennis, and gym are at the other end of the building, campers will meet their counselors in the hallway behind the auditorium and walk together to the activity. We have six locations in camp where our schedule of activities and room numbers are posted for your child's reference.
Are there staff members in the halls to help my child if needed?
There are eight locations throughout the camp where our staff is assigned and available to help. We also have supervisors who walk the camp grounds constantly for the purpose of being available to campers for help.
How will my child make friends in such an independent program?
Your child will meet other campers with similar interests in the activities they have chosen. Friendships are based on mutual interests.
Is mini-bus transportation available?
Yes! Camp Horizons has door-to-door, mini-bus pick-up and drop-off available within our geographic locations. We offer transportation from Western Essex County, Northern Union County and Eastern Morris County. All of our mini-buses are air-conditioned and the mini-bus camp counselor assists each camper to insure seat belts are secured properly.
What are the qualifications of the mini-bus drivers?
All of our drivers are over 21 years old and have met all of the requirements of the New Jersey State Commercial Driver's License procedures. They are CDL licensed. Most drivers and all bus counselors are part of our Camp Horizons Staff.
Is there a mini-bus counselor providing supervision on the van?
Yes! All of our mini-buses are staffed with a camp counselor as well as a driver.
How short is the mini-bus ride?
Our mini-buses usually pick up our campers between 8:15 and 9:00 and drop them off between 4:00 and 4:45.
Will we have the opportunity to meet the mini-bus driver and counselor prior to the beginning of camp?
Both the mini-bus driver and counselor will meet with you in your home a few days before your child begins camp. You will be given both the approximate pick-up and drop-off times and contact telephone numbers. Any questions or concerns about transportation can be addressed at that time.
Can I do my own driving to and from camp if I would prefer?
Absolutely! Many of our campers are driven to and from camp by parents each day. There is a $400 discount for driving for 8 weeks.
What if I need to pick up my child early?
The early pick up procedure is quite simple. In the morning, if your child is on a mini-bus, please give the mini-bus counselor a note with your child's name and time of pick up. This can be no later than 3:15 p.m. If you do your own driving, please have a note ready to give to the person who greets you in the lot. If you are sending someone to pick up your child, please provide the name of that person in your note. Please also tell the person to bring identification with them. We will have your child waiting in the office (Room 53) at the desired time. Your child must be met and signed out in the office. Safety, as always, is our main concern.
What if my child won't be coming to camp or will be coming in late?
If your child takes the mini-bus, please either call the bus counselor or driver the night before or in the morning by 7:30 (before they start the route). If you do your own driving and your child will not be in camp. You do not need to notify camp. In either case, if your child is coming to camp late, please park in the lot on the left side of the school and come to the camp office to sign in. Your child will be brought to the scheduled activity from the office.
If I choose Camp Horizons, have I made a good choice?
ABSOLUTELY! You and your child will love it!
