Our name is of Dutch origin and means “deer stream”. When Irwin and Mildred Rhodes purchased the camp in 1958 it was called “Deerkill Park Country Club” and consisted of a pool and just a few buildings. Soon after, it became Deerkill Park Day Camp and, eventually, simply Deerkill Day Camp.
back to topWe are located near the border of northern New Jersey, just 30 minutes north of New York City (Exit 11 off the Palisades Parkway), 45 minutes from Hoboken and Montclair and convenient to Rockland, Bergen and Orange counties.
back to topDeerkill attracts campers from many areas in and around New York. Campers come from throughout NYC, Hoboken and the Montclair area as well as Rockland, Bergen and Orange Counties.
back to topThe eight week 2011 session is from July 5th August 26th. We also offer 2,4,5,6 and 7 week options. Please see Dates & Rates for more information.
back to topThe camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4:15 PM. A typical day includes a mix of athletics, instructional and free swim, and specialty activities with a mid-day break for a lunch and an afternoon break for refreshments.
back to topWe are especially proud of our swimming program. At Deerkill, young campers quickly become comfortable in our warm and shallow beginners’ pool. We have small swimming groups led by experienced instructors. Please feel free to discuss your child’s swimming progress with our Directors or visit our Activities section for more information.
back to topWe work with day care programs in a variety of locations including Prime Time. We will do our very best to pick up and drop off your child in order to accommodate your schedule.
back to topYes, the families of Deerkill campers are invited to use our pool with lifeguards and athletic facilities for 8 weekends from 12-5 at no extra charge. This is one of the ways we make sure our camper parents feel like a part of our Deerkill community.
back to topThere are no hidden charges at Deerkill and we have NO TIPPING. We believe that tipping, which can amount to upwards of $500 at many camps, can lead to uncomfortable situations for both staff and parents. Our staff compensation is above industry average and more than offsets typical tips received by staff at other camps. Our counselors, many of whom are teachers and parents themselves, are happy to know what their compensation will be for the summer. They are professionals and we treat them as such. We do offer horseback riding at a local stable as an elective for campers who are 6 and older for an additional weekly cost.
back to topYes, day camp tuition is eligible for Child Care/Dependent Care Reimbursement through your employer, or as a straight deduction on your taxes. Many Deerkill families take advantage of this.
back to topYes, as an ACA camp we meet over 300 rigorous standards for health, safety, and program quality. Please visit the American Camp Association to learn more about the value of accreditation.
back to topWe have a 3 to 1 ratio overall but just as importantly we have an exceptionally mature staff. At Deerkill each individual group is led by a college graduate. This group leader, who is always supported by a college student, is with the group throughout the day and available for parents throughout the summer. In the younger groups there are also additional assistants.
back to topYes, we have a registered nurse or EMT on the campus at all times.
back to topParents may visit any day from 9:30 to 11 AM and from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Parents appreciate our open visiting policy. All you have to do is get a nametag from our gatekeeper and sign in at our office. We will escort you to your child’s group.
back to topWe are one of the very few camps that have enough indoor space to offer a real camp program in the rain. Campers follow a complete “rainy day schedule” full of indoor activities.
back to topWe always offer alternatives to the hot lunch including cheese or jelly sandwiches. However, we do encourage our campers to try the hot lunch, as this is part of their learning experience. We ensure that all of our campers are provided with a full meal and will work with parents whose children have dietary restrictions, including allergies.
A sample menu (PDF) is available for review.
back to topWe honor one request per camper when assigning our groups. Additional requests are handled on an individual basis. We do encourage all of our campers to make new friends in their groups.
back to topThe owners/ directors can always be contacted by email or phone until 9:00 pm Sunday to Thursday evenings.
back to topWe offer tours almost every weekend. This is the best way to get to know what the Deerkill community has to offer your child. Please call us at (845) 354-1466 or email us. to schedule a tour.
back to topCampers can attend Deerkill for 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks. New campers may also attend for a 2 week session their first year.
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Campers are picked up at their own doors in air-conditioned mini buses with both professional drivers and bus counselors. In Hoboken and Montclair, we provide convenient central locations for pick-up and drop-off. Transportation is included in the tuition.
back to topWe believe camp is a place for your child to connect with other campers in the real world and not the virtual world. We offer a large variety of activities every moment your child is at camp to give them this opportunity. Therefore, we have a firm policy banning the use of cell phones, video games, and other electronics. We appreciate your support of this policy.
back to topThe camp “uniform” consists of a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, sneakers and a baseball cap (to provide shade from the sun). On rainy days, please remember to send along a sweatshirt or rain coat with your camper’s name written on it. One day each session we will hold our “photo days” and we will ask that all campers proudly wear their Deerkill t-shirt.
back to topWhile our campers make tremendous progress in the pool during the summer as part of our swim program, sometimes parents do choose to supplement instruction for their children. We provide opportunities for private swim lessons on weekends here at Deerkill through our Waterfront Director, Mat Malden. You can contact Mat through his site at Malden Aquatics.
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