Camp Activities

Archery

Campers practice their bow and arrow skills under the careful watch of our trained staff.

Arts & Crafts

Imagination comes alive during arts and crafts! You can expect to fill your fridge and shelves with new art projects.

Boating

During boating, groups go out on Noanet Pond with their counselors and lifeguards. If they pass the deep end test during swim, they are able to take a kayak by themselves!

Teambuilding

Whether it's on our low ropes course, playing soccer in the field, or going on a hike to one of the many beautiful spots at Hale, our campers learn and practice working together to accomplish a common goal.

Outdoor Engineers

We bring fun and engaging STEM activities into the outdoors.

Gaga Ball

Gaga ball is a camp favorite. If you haven't heard of it yet, you will by the end of your camper's experience this summer!

High Ropes

If your camper is 8+ years old, they will get to experience flying high on our high ropes courses. This activity is led by certified instructors and there are many roles to play if heights aren't your thing.

Knowledge

As an academically infused camp, campers have knowledge blocks led by BPS teachers who help them further their Math and ELA skills.

Nature

We are surrounded by it but we also engage with it! Nature exploration is at the core of Hale's mission and we instill a deep respect for nature in all of our campers.

Outdoor Skills

While we use Hale's 1,200 acres of land, we teach our campers how the natural world can help protect us and how to use teamwork to be successful nature survivalists.

Sports

Our campers are active all day, but during sports they engage in team-based games where we facilitate good sportsmanship and teamwork.

Swimming

No matter if you're a new swimmer or a swim team all-star, all campers are invited to get in the water at Hale. Every day, campers participate in swim lessons to develop their skills, and work toward moving up swim levels. We end the activity block with free swim within the areas designated for their current skill levels.

Activity Eligibility

When you filled out your camper's paperwork, you signed forms regarding activity eligibility. Due to the nature of some of our programming at Hale, your camper may not be eligible to participate in all the activities we provide. When determining eligibility, we consider the age, experience, physical, cognitive, and emotional health of all participants, as well as trip length, location, and skill level(s) required. If your camper does not meet the specific criteria to participate in an activity, they will not be able to participate. There may be cases where they may be able to participate partially in a program. Camp staff have the final say regarding program participation ability.

Examples of program restrictions include:

Archery:

Participants must be able to follow verbal instructions.

Participants must have physical control or assisted physical control of their body (i.e. with help from a staff member or aid).

Participants may be denied a chance to do archery if staff members deem them to be untrustworthy with a bow and arrow.

Boating:

Participants must be able to follow verbal instructions, especially when regarding safety precautions inside a watercraft.

Participants must have enough physical control over their bodies to remain seated in the boat without excessive movement, either individually or assisted, that could lead to the watercraft capsizing.

Participants must wear a PFD for water safety. Participants who refuse to comply with safety precautions will not be eligible to go boating.

Challenge Course/High Ropes:

Participants must be at least 8 years of age to climb on one of our ropes course elements.

All safety equipment must properly fit, as determined by our challenge course facilitators, and by our local and state operating procedures. A participant who refuses to comply with safety precautions will not be able to climb, even if they meet other qualifications.

Participants must be able to follow instructions given by challenge course facilitators. Challenge course facilitators of camp staff members have the right to decline a participant to climb based on behavior.

Swimming:

Hale provides swimming lessons for all summer program participants, regardless of swimming ability.

Participants must be able to follow verbal instructions given by water safety instructors, lifeguards, and general camp staff.

Participants must follow the rules of the beach and water. If a participant shows inability or refusal to follow water safety rules, they will not be allowed to swim.

On the first day of the session, campers will take a swim test to place them in the appropriate ‘bin’ (shallow water, middle depth water, deep end) that lets the participant and lifeguards/staff know which area the participant can swim in. Failure to stay in the area(s) they are allowed to swim in will result in the participant being disqualified from swimming (until they can comply with the safety regulations).

If a participant is causing unsafe conditions for other swimmers, they will be temporarily ineligible to swim until they can demonstrate that they can be trusted in the water and contribute to a safe swimming environment.

We welcome all abilities to get in the water at Hale. If a participant needs one-on-one support, we will do our best to accommodate this need. If we cannot provide this supervision, this participant may not be able to participate until supervision can be acquired.

General Programming

Each day our campers participate in various activities that require them to follow rules, some of which are in place for safety purposes.

If a participant cannot follow rules at an activity area, especially ones that are in place for the safety of others, they will be asked to sit out until they can demonstrate the ability to contribute safely. “Safety” can be related to the physical, emotional, and/or social safety of other participants or staff members.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding activity eligibility, please contact summercamps@hale.education.

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