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 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 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.
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 freebus 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 (7:30 AM/4:45 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.
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 copy of Hale Magazine.
Hale is pleased to introduce 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 2 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 Apr. 14, you’ll make a $300 down payment, then we’ll automatically charge your credit card $512.50 on the 15th of April and May. Alternatively, you could choose to take advantage of our pay-in-full discount: $1,260 will secure your camper’s spot if you register by May 14.
If you’re feeling tentative, rest assured that we offer an adaptive refund policy so you can recoup tuition minus down payments.
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 full! But we’ve already begun planning for next summer. Submit your information below to be among the first to know when registration opens.
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.
The session I wanted is full! Should I join the wait list?
Yes! Some wait lists are longer than others, but if changing public health guidelines allow us to increase capacity, we will enroll as many campers as possible in the order they signed up.
I still have questions. Who should I contact?
Please contact us by phone at 781-326-1770 or by email at hdc@hale1918.org.
