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Camps

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Open enrollment has begun! After overcoming last year’s challenges and with program modifications ready should we need them, we’re confident that this summer, camp is on.

Hale Day Camp
Ages 4–13

Enroll

Hale Day Camp features traditional activities in four age-based divisions.

Kindercamp (Ages 4–5) offers rotating activities, smaller equipment, low camper-to-counselor ratios, a forest playground, and swimming lessons in tranquil ponds.

Lower Camp (Ages 6–7) inspires curiosity and exploration as campers visit sites like Bear Cave and Noanet Dam, learn to hike and fish, and begin teambuilding.

Middle Camp (Ages 8–10) focuses on favorite hobbies including archery, boating, sports, and arts and crafts. Counselors introduce low ropes elements.

Upper Camp (Ages 11–13) affords pre-teens more freedom and a heightened sense of adventure through electives, field games, and access to high ropes elements.

Hale Adventure Camp
Ages 9–13

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Hale Adventure Camp offers explorers three skill-based levels of challenge.

Basecamp (Ages 9–11) offers Adventure 101 during Session 1 (a great introduction for those interested in hiking, climbing, and outdoor pursuits) and features overnight camping at Hale during the second weeks of Sessions 2–4.

Frontcountry (Ages 10–12) continues building outdoor skills at Hale before campers venture to the Berkshires to climb Mt. Greylock on a three-day camping trip during the second weeks of Sessions 2–4.

Backcountry (Ages 11–13) teaches technical skills at Hale before challenging campers to summit a 4,000-footer in the White Mountains on a three-day camping trip during the second weeks of Sessions 2–4.

Hale Mountain Biking Camp
Ages 8–13

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Hale Mountain Biking Camp focuses on skill-building and ride time at Hale and beyond.

Beginner MTB (Ages 8–12) blends 2–3 hours of riding every day with traditional camp activities. Beginners develop basic skills such as reading trail heads, riding brakes while descending, down-shifting while ascending, and maintaining balance. They also learn about safety and basic bike maintenance and repair. MTB Camp runs during Sessions 1–4.

Advanced MTB (Ages 9–13) builds speed and agility on longer rides, introduces more challenging trails, and offers ample time in our private skills park. Advanced riders also learn about teamwork and land stewardship as they help build and maintain features on the trails they ride throughout Hale. MTB Camp runs during Sessions 1–4.

Counselor-in-Training Program
Ages 14–15

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Hale’s Counselor-in-Training Program (Ages 14–15) develops communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills among Hale’s next generation of counselors. Senior counselors coach these aspiring role models during multi-session blocks throughout the summer. CITs participate in professional development, teambuilding, and challenge course activities and are embedded with camp groups to observe program operations in action.

Bus Service

Hale gladly provides free bus service* for Brookline, Dedham, Dover, Jamaica Plain, Medfield, Milton, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Readville, West Roxbury, Walpole, Wellesley, and Westwood.

A camp staff member accompanies each bus for the duration of its route and ensures your camper’s safe journey to and from camp each day. Please note that you or an authorized adult must meet your camper at your designated bus stop each afternoon.

Campers may sign up for bus service at the time of registration. Buses serve campers during regular camp hours (8:45 AM–3:45 PM). Should an Extended Day option be offered, campers who remain at Hale after 3:45 PM are responsible for coordinating their own transportation. Bus service is not available during Session 5. Click here to save your camper’s seat.

Bus 1 (Yellow)
  • Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road, Newton (7:15 AM/4:45 PM)
  • Eliot School, 135 Wellesley Avenue, Needham (7:35 AM/4:25 PM)
  • Sprague Elementary School, 401 School Street, Wellesley (7:50 AM/4:15 PM)
  • Newman Elementary School, 1155 Central Avenue, Needham (8:05 AM/4 PM)
Bus 2 (Red)
  • Blake Middle School, 24 Pound Street, Medfield (7:15 AM/4:45 PM)
  • Dale Street School, 45 Adams Street, Medfield (7:25 AM/4:35 PM)
  • Dover Highway Department, 1 Dedham Street, Dover (7:40 AM/4:20 PM)
  • Sheehan School, 549 Pond Street, Westwood (7:55 AM/4:05 PM)
Bus 3 (Green)
  • Walpole Library, 143 School Street (7:15 AM/4:45 PM)
  • Norwood Senior Center, 275 Prospect Street, Norwood (7:35 AM/4:25 PM)
  • Downey School, 250 Downey Street, Westwood (7:55 AM/4:15 PM)
  • Westwood High School, 200 Nahatan Street, Westwood (8:05 AM/4 PM)
Bus 4 (Purple)
  • Brookline High School, 115 Greenough Street, Brookline (7:15 AM/4:45 PM)
  • English High School, 144 McBride Street, Jamaica Plain (7:45 AM/4:15 PM)
Bus 5 (Orange)
  • Holy Name Parish School, 535 West Roxbury Parkway, West Roxbury (7:30 AM/4:30 PM)
  • Catholic Memorial School, 235 Baker Street, West Roxbury (7:45 AM/4:15 PM)
  • Riverdale School, 143 Needham Street, Dedham (7:55 AM/4:05 PM)
Bus 6 (Blue)
  • Pierce Middle School, 451 Central Avenue, Milton (7:15 AM/4:45 PM)
  • St. Pius X Parish, 101 Wolcott Road, Milton (7:25 AM/4:35 PM)
  • St. Anne School, Como Road, Readville (7:40 AM/4:20 PM)
  • Greenlodge School, 191 Greenlodge Street, Dedham (8:05 AM/4:05 PM)
*Please note that any camper who registers for bus service may be subject to a transportation surcharge of $130 per camper, per session should public health protocols limit passenger capacities at that time.
Save a Seat

Enrollment

New this year: Camp enrollment now includes one 2021 Hale Membership per camp family (a $120 value). Valid from Mar. 1, 2021–Feb. 28, 2022, your membership features complimentary parking throughout the year, discounts on activities, and a subscription to Hale Magazine.

Hale is pleased to offer discounted early bird enrollment rates through Feb. 14. We’ve also introduced installment billing to make paying for camp more manageable—the sooner you enroll, the lower your monthly payment will be. A down payment of $300 per camper per session will hold your camper’s spot until the balance is automatically paid in 4 equal monthly installments.

EXAMPLE: Let’s say you’d like to enroll your camper in Session 1 of Hale Day Camp. Tuition is $1,325 per session. But if you opt for installment billing by Feb. 14, you’ll pay $1,195: Make a $300 down payment, then we’ll automatically charge your credit card $223.75 on the 15th of February, March, April, and May—a savings of $130. Alternatively, you could choose to pay in full by Feb. 14 and save even more: $1,130 will secure your camper’s spot, a savings of $195.

If you’re feeling tentative, rest assured that payments are refundable (minus the $120 value of your family’s membership) until Feb. 15—so you can lock in your discount and not be locked in, even if you do have a change of heart by Valentine’s Day. Click here to review our refund policy.

Whether you opt for discounted installment billing or choose to save even more by paying in full, your account balance will be settled by May 15 so you and your camper can focus on what’s most important as summer approaches: camp!

Rates & Dates

We’re able to extend the following discounted rates to early bird registrants, but only until Feb. 14, 2021.

Any remaining credit on your account may be applied toward tuition. To check your credit balance: Log into our registration system; click My Account, then History & Balances, then Current Balances, and then select Credit Balances from the drop-down menu; it will display any credit you have available.

A down payment of $300 per camper, per session is required for installment billing. Your credit card will be charged the remaining balance in four equal monthly installments on Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 15, and May 15.

Please note that significant discounts have already been applied to tuition and as a result sibling discounts are no longer available. Special discount codes are only valid on Hale’s camps for the 2021 season and may only be applied to enrollment that is paid in full at the time of registration. Hale reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to modify, extend, or end promotional discounts.
CAMP
SESSION 1
Jun. 21–Jul. 2
SESSION 2
Jul. 5–Jul. 16
SESSION 3
Jul. 19–Jul. 30
SESSION 4
Aug. 2–Aug. 13
SESSION 5
Aug. 16–Aug. 20
Hale Day Camp
Kindercamp, Lower Camp, Middle Camp, Upper Camp

Enroll
Tuition: $1,325

Installments: $1,195

Pay in Full: $1,130
Tuition: $1,325

Installments: $1,195

Pay in Full: $1,130
Tuition: $1,325

Installments: $1,195

Pay in Full: $1,130
Tuition: $1,325

Installments: $1,195

Pay in Full: $1,130
Tuition: $665

Installments: $600

Pay in Full: $565
Counselor-in-Training Program

Enroll
Tuition: $1,650

Installments: $1,485

Pay in Full: $1,405
This program begins during Session 1 and continues through Session 2.
Tuition: $1,650

Installments: $1,485

Pay in Full: $1,405
This program begins during Session 3 and continues through Session 4.
N/A
Hale Adventure Camp
Basecamp—Adventure 101

Enroll
Tuition: $1,360

Installments: $1,225

Pay in Full: $1,155
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Hale Adventure Camp
Basecamp

Enroll
N/A
Tuition: $1,465

Installments: $1,325

Pay in Full: $1,250
Tuition: $1,465

Installments: $1,325

Pay in Full: $1,250
Tuition: $1,465

Installments: $1,325

Pay in Full: $1,250
N/A
Hale Adventure Camp
Frontcountry

Enroll
N/A
Tuition: $1,555

Installments: $1,395

Pay in Full: $1,320
Tuition: $1,555

Installments: $1,395

Pay in Full: $1,320
Tuition: $1,555

Installments: $1,395

Pay in Full: $1,320
N/A
Hale Adventure Camp
Backcountry

Enroll
N/A
Tuition: $1,645

Installments: $1,475

Pay in Full: $1,395
Tuition: $1,645

Installments: $1,475

Pay in Full: $1,395
Tuition: $1,645

Installments: $1,475

Pay in Full: $1,395
N/A
Hale Mountain Biking Camp
Beginner

Enroll
Tuition: $1,395

Installments: $1,255

Pay in Full: $1,185
Tuition: $1,395

Installments: $1,255

Pay in Full: $1,185
Tuition: $1,395

Installments: $1,255

Pay in Full: $1,185
Tuition: $1,395

Installments: $1,255

Pay in Full: $1,185
N/A
Hale Mountain Biking Camp
Advanced

Enroll
Tuition: $1,495

Installments: $1,345

Pay in Full: $1,270
Tuition: $1,495

Installments: $1,345

Pay in Full: $1,270
Tuition: $1,495

Installments: $1,345

Pay in Full: $1,270
Tuition: $1,495

Installments: $1,345

Pay in Full: $1,270
N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Hale's camps licensed and accredited?

Yes. Every camp must comply with the regulations of Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local Board of Health. Hale’s collective camps (i.e. those we own and operate, which include Hale Day Camp, Hale Adventure Camp, Hale Mountain Biking Camp, and Hale’s Counselor-in-Training Program) are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association. Learn why that’s important!

How old does my camper need to be to attend?

Age requirements vary by camp, but our youngest campers must be at least four years of age and toilet trained to attend Kindercamp.

Who will take care of my camper?

Seasonal staff members are carefully selected from the teaching profession, top college and graduate schools, and local public and private high schools. Every applicant is personally interviewed, three or more reference checks are required, and work histories are carefully reviewed. Hale also completes criminal background (CORI) and sex offender (SORI) checks on all of its hires.

Our counselors are enthusiastic, creative role models who understand children and love the outdoors. Activity specialists have extensive experience in their respective activities (and receive additional training prior to camp).

Hale Day Camp staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid. Hale Adventure Camp and Hale MTB Camp staff members often hold more advanced Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certifications, and often have many years and hundreds (if not thousands) of miles of experience hiking and riding terrain throughout New England.

What are the camper-to-counselor ratios?

During a typical season, Kindercamp’s is 6:1. Lower Camp’s is 7:1. Middle Camp’s is 7:1. Upper Camp’s is 10:1. Additionally, program specialists staff every activity area. Hale Adventure Camp’s and Hale MTB Camp’s camper-to-counselor ratio is 6:1. Overall, Hale’s camper-to-staff ratio is 5:1. These ratios may be even lower in accordance with any health and safety protocols that may be in effect.

What are the facilities like?

We have unparalleled access to Hale’s 1,000+ acres of adventure. Each camp boasts its own campus with amenities that include lodges, pavilions, playing fields, private beaches, changing areas, swimming zones, bathrooms, archery ranges, skills parks, and more.

How will my camper get there?

Bus transportation during regular camp hours (8:45 AM–3:45 PM) is included in camp tuition. Alternatively, you may choose to drive your camper to Hale.

Can I pick up my camper later than 3:45 PM?

Under current Massachusetts Camp Regulations, Hale does not intend to offer an Extended Day option this summer and all campers will be required to depart at 3:45 PM. Hale will re-evaluate this plan as regulations change and may offer an Extended Day option at a later time for an additional fee. Any Extended Day option would run from 3:45 PM–6 PM and include activities such as swimming and games. Parents would be required to pick up their campers, even if they’ve registered for bus service.

What about my camper's bike?

Bikes are not permitted on buses, but locked storage at Hale is complimentary for the duration of your camper’s session. There are three options to bring your camper’s bike to Hale:

  • Join us at the annual Camp Family BBQ, date TBD. Bring your camper’s bike with you and we’ll store it until camp begins.
  • Drop off your camper’s bike before their session begins (Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 6 PM).
  • On the first day of your camper’s session, drop them off with their bike.

You may retrieve your camper’s bike after their final session by picking them up on their last day or returning to Hale the following week during business hours.

Can I apply for financial aid?

Yes. Any family may submit a financial aid application (available in January 2021). Sustained by private philanthropy, HDC’s campership fund closes the gap between tuition and what families are able to afford. Only under the most extraordinary of circumstances is full tuition granted.

I still have questions. Who should I contact?

Please contact us by phone at 781-326-1770 or by email at hdc@hale1918.org.

Hale’s camps are proudly accredited by the ACA. Learn why that’s important.

Questions? Email hdc@hale1918.org or call 781-326-1770.

More Information