We’re refreshing programs and boosting capacity on the heels of last summer’s unprecedented wait lists. Check out what’s already in store, and sign up to be among the first to know when open enrollment begins. We can’t wait to see you next year!
Hale Day Camp features traditional activities in four age-based divisions tailored to their developmental needs. For enrollment, note these are “rising” grade ranges; in other words, campers should be entering these grades next fall.
Kindercamp (Pre-K–Kindergarten)
Kindercamp (Pre-K–Kindergarten) offers rotating activities, smaller equipment, low camper-to-counselor ratios, a forest playground, and swimming lessons in tranquil ponds. Kindercampers engage their senses through play, learn sports, explore nature, spend time at the beach, and have dedicated rest times each day. There’s just one catch: they need to be toilet-trained to attend!
Lower Camp (Grades 1–3)
Lower Camp (Grades 1–3) inspires curiosity and exploration as campers visit sites like Bear Cave and Noanet Dam, learn to hike and fish, and begin teambuilding. Lower campers practice sports, make arts and crafts, begin visiting the archery range, and start teambuilding activities. They enjoy the waterfront, too—through swimming lessons, free swim, and facilitated games.
Middle Camp (Grades 4–5)
Middle Camp (Grades 4–5) builds on lower camp activities including archery, sports, and arts and crafts. Counselors introduce challenge course elements (low and high ropes) as well as hiking, fishing, and boating. Group electives begin, and campers begin to identify the outdoor activities they’re most passionate about.
Upper Camp (Grades 6–8)
Upper Camp (Grades 6–8) affords pre-teens more freedom and a heightened sense of adventure through electives, field games, and access to high ropes elements. It includes all of the traditional camp activities of our lower divisions, as well as an overnight campout at Hale and a day trip to Nantasket Beach.
Hale Adventure Camp features four levels of challenge that build outdoor skills and include travel opportunities. Campers also enjoy traditional camp activities such as archery, boating, climbing, and swimming.
Adventure 101 (Grades 4–6)
Adventure 101 (Grades 4–6) is a week-long program during Session 1 that teaches campers to read maps, start fires, and more. It’s a great introduction to Adventure Camp for those interested in hiking, climbing, camping, and other outdoor pursuits. Prerequisite: None, although previous experience in Hale Day Camp is encouraged.
Basecamp (Grades 4–6)
Basecamp (Grades 4–6) is a two-week program during Sessions 2–4 that applies basic outdoor skills, including those taught during Adventure 101. It includes overnight camping at Hale—one night during the first week, and two nights during the second. Prerequisite: None, although previous experience in Adventure 101 or Hale Day Camp is encouraged.
Frontcountry (Grades 5–7)
Frontcountry (Grades 5–7) is a two-week program during Sessions 2–4 that includes an overnight at Hale during the first week, a two-night trip to Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires during the second, and Hale’s Outdoor Skills Gauntlet—a day-long competition that features challenges in raft building, orienteering, and more. Prerequisite: Basecamp or equivalent experience.
Backcountry (Grades 6–8)
Backcountry (Grades 6–8) is a two-week program during Sessions 2–4 that serves our most experienced campers. It teaches technical skills and includes an overnight at Hale during the first week before challenging campers to summit a 4,000-footer in the White Mountains on a three-day camping trip during the second. Prerequisite: Frontcountry or equivalent experience.
Hale Mountain Biking Camp focuses on skill-building and ride time. Campers execute drills, increase endurance, and learn about bike maintenance and trail stewardship in our private skills park and beyond.
Beginner MTB (Grades 3–6)
Beginner MTB (Grades 3–6) starts with 2–3 hours of riding each morning followed by drills and practice time. 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, basic bike maintenance (such as how to repair a flat tire), and trail stewardship—they’ve even been known to enhance or build elements in our skills park! Counselors incorporate one traditional camp activity and swimming every day, too. New campers should be comfortable riding up to 3 miles of trails and able to clear obstacles up to 6 inches in height.
Advanced MTB (Grades 4–8)
Advanced MTB (Grades 4–8) is suited to confident riders eager to build speed and agility on longer rides. It introduces technical 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 trails and in the skills park. Campers also participate in our hobby elective program, which empowers them to choose a traditional camp activity each afternoon (or opt for more ride time, if they prefer). Swimming is included, too. New campers should be comfortable riding up to 5 miles of trails and able to clear obstacles up to 12+ inches in height.
Our 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* with stops in Brookline, Dedham, Dover, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Medfield, Milton, Needham, Newton, Norwood, West Roxbury, 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). Campers who remain at Hale after 3:45 PM for Extended Day are responsible for coordinating their own transportation.
Bus 1 (Yellow)
Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road, Newton (7:30 AM/4:45 PM)
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 258 Concord Street, Newton (7:50 AM/4:25 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.
As we all return to leading more active lives, we’re pleased to include one 2022 Hale Membership per camp family (a $120 value) with registration. Valid from Mar. 1, 2022–Feb. 28, 2023, your membership features complimentary parking throughout the year, discounts on activities, and a copy of Hale Magazine.
We’re also pleased to once again offer installment billing to make paying for camp more manageable—the sooner you enroll, the lower your monthly payment will be. A deposit will hold your camper’s spot until the balance is automatically paid in equal monthly installments. And you can always save the most if you choose to pay in full.
EXAMPLE: Let’s say you’d like to enroll your camper in Session 3 of Hale Day Camp. Tuition is $1,375 per session. If you opt for installment billing, you’ll make a $300 deposit (per camper, per session), and then we’ll automatically charge the balance to your credit card on the 1st of each month thereafter. If you register in October and secure our $75 early bird discount, that’s roughly $140 per month. Alternatively, you could choose to pay in full and save even more: $1,225 will secure your camper’s spot.
This year’s refund policyis even more flexible.All payments—deposits and additional payments—are fully refundable until Jan. 31, 2022.
Whether you opt for installment billing or choose to save even more by paying in full, your account balance will be settled by May so you and your camper can focus on what’s most important as summer approaches: camp!
Rates & Dates
Open enrollment begins next month, but until then, save the dates for next year’s sessions:
Session 1: June 20–24
Session 2: June 27–July 8 (no camp on July 4)
Session 3: July 11–22
Session 4: July 25–August 5
Session 5: August 8–19
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?
Yes, Hale is once again offering an Extended Day option that you may add when you register. Extended Day runs from 3:45–6 PM and includes activities such as swimming and games. Even if they’ve registered for bus service, Extended Day campers may only be picked up from Hale by parents or guardians.
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 Welcome Event, 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 people’s plans change (and we’ve been known to increase capacity when space and staff availability permits). We 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.
