Summer Day Camp (4-8 Week Camp)

Gate Hill is an experience of a lifetime for our campers. We offer programs for children ages 3 to entering 10th grade. 

We understand that not all kids are the same. Interests vary and that should not prevent them from enjoying a complete camp experience. At Gate Hill we’ve created an environment that integrates campers into our camp community, while still nurturing their individual needs. Our program is balanced; giving campers opportunities for independent choice, participation in daily activities, and the experience of camp wide events.

ATHLETICS

Team Sports: Every major sport is played at Gate Hill. Our talented sports instructors are supported by an impressive range of facilities for every age.

• Baseball
• Softball
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Hockey
• Tennis
• Volleyball & Newcomb
• Flag Football
• All Sports Leagues
• Team Camp Games (special events)

Games and Disciplines: Highlights include our soft and spacious Gymnastics pavilion and martial arts dojo. 5 professional Gaga pits set the stage for our annual Gaga madness week.

• Martial Arts
• Gymnastics
• Gaga
• Street Games
• International Games

Jr Sports: Our youngest campers (up to entering 1st grade) have athletics activities organized by a dedicated team on several purpose built facilities. Motor skill development and sportsmanship are emphasized with compassionate fun and age appropriate games.

CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS

Performing Arts: Campers will experience a range of performing arts, from drama at our outdoor theatre, to fun and laughter at our music platform.

• Music games
• Drumming
• Singing
• Guitar
• Two 4 week long theatre production electives a summer
• Improvisational games
• Scene studies

Creative Arts: inspiring projects in a range of media. From true kiln fired ceramics projects to digital photography in our media lab.

• Tie Dye
• Camp Crafts
• Lanyard
• Jewelry
• Painting
• Decoupage
• Ceramics
• Digital Photography
• Nature art
• Video media
• Build-it
• Cooking

Early Childhood Arts: Our dedicated Early Childhood arts team builds self esteem and motor skills with colorful creative projects and experience on stage for campers up to entering 1st grade.

OUTDOOR & ADVENTURE

Climbing and ropes: Our incredible climbing tower and twin 300ft ziplines provide an inspirational challenge for every camper.

• Jr zipline for 3 – 6yrs
• Full 4 sided 45ft rock climbing tower
• Vertical playpen climbing challenge
• Twin 300ft ziplines over our lake
• Senior & Jr Treetop adventure course

Nature: Our 33 acre wooded facility provides a perfect setting for our diverse nature program.

Nature cabin with fish, reptiles, small animals and invertebrates

• Wooded hiking trails
• Vegetable and herb garden
• Mini farm with goats, chickens, rabbits and more
• Lake for fishing and ecology studies

Team building and problem solving: Group cohesion is promoted throughout the summer at our dedicated team building turf.

Archery: Campers can be recognized as a “Bowmaster” for hitting 4 “bull’s eyes” in one summer.

Imaginative play: Gate Hill believes in the importance of pretend play to social and cognitive development.

• Treehouse Playground
• Early childhood playground
• “The Village” play town with themed playhouses
• Block island building blocks

Go Karts: After graduating from sit on scooters, electric Jr. go karts entertain campers from 5 yrs old at the Jr raceway. Once in Pioneers (ent 3rd grade), campers can strap on a helmet and harness in our full sized gas go karts.

WATERFRONT

Waterfront: Our impressive 4 pool aquatics complex features our towering super slides, diving board, and shallow learning pool.

• Comprehensive Swimming instruction
• Water slides
• Water basketball
• Diving
• Splash Park
• Boating

Optional Services:

SPARKS: TUTORIAL PROGRAM

Our Sparks tutorial program is designed to help our active campers maintain their academic skills, while enjoying the full camp experience. A personalized program is designed for each child by his/her parents, teachers and camp provided tutors. Campers will spend a designated number of sessions per week with their tutor, and then return to their regular group to participate in all activities.

EARLY AND AFTER CAMP CARE

As well as our accommodating transportation program, Gate Hill offers optional care before and after camp as part of our all inclusive package. Campers arriving as early as 7:45am join our dedicated staff for a choice of breakfast options. After camp care continues the fun until 6:00pm with selected activates and light snack. This flexible day by day option is popular with families who work locally or are coordinating weekend vacations upstate.

Additional Programs:

Explorers: S.T.E.M & Arts based Program (For Campers entering 3rd-9th grade)

A modern take on a summer at camp, Gate Hill Day Camp’s Explorers Program combines the fun of our traditional day camp with the excitement of S.T.E.M. and the Arts. Campers entering 3rd grade – 9th grade are drawn to the exciting variety and flexibility of this enriching program.

Uniquely designed workshops capture the interest of today’s young makers, thinkers and creatives, all in a community that encourages play, develops skills and builds self-esteem.

All of our workshops are taught by specialist instructors in dedicated studios, across five core learning areas. Here are some examples of our hands-on, S.T.E.A.M. based workshops:

• Science & Nature: Animal Care, Forensic Science, Kitchen Chemistry, Insects, Pond Ecology, Survival Skills, Geology Lab, Weather Station.
• Engineering & Technology: Junkyard Wars, Catapults, Electronics, Rocketry, Hydraulics, Roller Coaster Engineering, Solar & Wind power.

• Digital Arts & Robotics: Lego NXT robotics, Photography, Video Game Design, Animation, Videography, Green Screen, Editing, Special Effects.

• Performing Arts: Camp Band, Camp Musical and Variety Show, Drumming, Zumba, Theatre Games, Improvisation, Puppetry, Ukulele.

• Visual and Creative Arts: Theatre Set Design, Ceramics, Duct Tape Designs, Recycled Fashion, Jewelry-making, Pixel Art, Branded Designs.

Explorers workshops all share the same objective – To create learning experiences that are fun, interactive, relevant, and engaging. For extra enrichment, guest speakers and field trips are scheduled throughout the summer.