FAQs

How do I get more information about Camp Weequahic?

We encourage all new families to meet with our directors who are available to visit with you in your home or speak with you on the phone to answer any questions you may have. Please call to arrange a home visit or an appointment when we are visiting in your area.

Once you decide Camp Weequahic is the place for your child, you may enroll online. We will then be in touch with pertinent information regarding your child’s summer.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like more information about Camp Weequahic. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Where is your Camp Weequahic located?

Camp Weequahic is located in the Endless Mountain’s of northeast Pennsylvania. We are about two-and-a half hours from New York City and Philadelphia, in the heart of Wayne County, PA.

Where do most of your campers come from?

Our three main draws are from the New York City area, the Washington DC – Baltimore area, and south Florida. This past summer at camp, we enjoyed campers from 16 different US States. We normally have about 10% of our campers from countries outside the US including France, Spain, Mexico, and China among many others.

How many campers and counselors are in each cabin and how are they assigned?

Our ‘camp comfortable’ bunks host up to 11 campers the same age and gender along with three specially selected and trained counselors. We group first-time campers together with other first time campers who are the same gender, age, and who are staying for the same session. Campers returning for their second summer or more can request to be with their friends.

How are the cabins situated and equipped?

Our cabins are beautifully set along on a tree-lined semi-circle in the middle of the campus overlooking the lake. Each cabin has its own bathroom with individual toilets, sinks, and showers which are powered by instant hot water heaters. Bunks are equipped with electrical outlets, abundant storage space for clothing, and ample space for their true purpose: to be a fun place in which to build community.

What is your staff like?

The most important thing we do over the course of the year is to select the finest staff possible and prepare them to create an amazing experience for everyone at camp. We have three year-round staff who interview every candidate, put them through reference and background checks, and then invite those we think match our needs to camp. Once they arrive, our staff have at 9-day Orientation experience led by Directors Kate and Cole, Associate Director Sue, Assistant Directors Dana and James, and our Program and Division Heads. We are proud to say that dozens of our staff members are former campers.

One thing to remember: our kids go to Camp Weequahic, too. So, we want the best staff possible, too!

How does my child get to Weequahic?

Children come to our summer camp on air conditioned, bathroom and video-equipped motorcoaches from the many locations between Washington DC and New York. We sit campers in specific seats to make the first moments of camp fun. Our experienced staff will be on hand in each bus to start camp off right!

Campers traveling from outside our bus pick up areas will fly to a New York City area airport where they are met at the Jetway Gate and escorted to camp. We have chaperoned flights from southern Florida, Atlanta and Los Angeles. We will also help families sending their children as Unaccompanied Minors both to and from camp.

What kind of medical staff are on-site and how does the Health Center operate?

Our modern Health Center is staffed by a doctor, four registered nurses, health care assistants and our Health Center Manager. We have two health-calls each day…but campers are treated at any time if they are ill or sustain an injury.

Our medical staff will dispense all medications to campers as prescribed by your family doctor. Parents are always called when a child stays overnight in the Health Center, needs to see a specialist, or needs to be started on prescription medication. We also contact parents immediately in the event of an accident or injury.

Wayne Memorial Hospital is a short drive from camp if needed.

How is the food and how is it served?

Our campers and staff tell us our food is excellent! Meals are served buffet style in our air-conditioned dining room and campers and their counselors sit by bunk. Our youngest campers are served Family-style. All meals are Kosher style.

We serve three well-balanced, child friendly meals. There are salad/continental bars and substitutes to supplement each meal. We also serve both mid-morning and afternoon snacks during the day and again at bedtime.

Campers who need a gluten-free diet have meals prepared in a separate kitchen in order to eliminate problems with cross contamination. As for nut products, Weequahic hosts over 25 peanut or tree-allergic campers, including two of the Directors’ kids! As such, we are a nut-restricted camp. We do not serve nut products or use nut oils in any way.

What is the daily program?

Our daily schedule is unique and the possibilities are endless. Campers and their families tell us their top twelve activities. We then build their daily program so that they are doing their requested activities with other children their same age and gender over a two-day rotation. In addition to these ‘Wee Excel’ activities, campers get to choose a daily Wee-Explore opportunity and enjoy one activity with their entire bunk.

Our summer camp program also features a one-day specialty camp in areas such as baseball, basketball, dance, fine arts, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, outdoor adventure, roller-hockey, soccer, tennis, theater, outdoor adventure, cooking and more. These one day programs offer a ‘deep-dive’ into an activity in which our campers are most interested.

Camp Weequahic also participates in the Wayne County Camp Association tournaments, where we compete against neighboring summer camps in a camper’s favorite sport. All of our teams are ‘raise your hand and join’ experiences. We do not have tryouts. If you want to play, let’s go play!

What do campers do at night?

We have a creative special events staff whose main priority is to plan the most entertaining evening camp activities. From game shows to Halloween theme nights to square dancing to MTV nights, our sleepaway camp’s spirit goes on right until bedtime.

Are there special event days at Camp Weequahic?

Special Events Days are held once a week and are a great part of the Weequahic culture. Recent special events have included Carnival, Mario Cart, WeeManji, and Superheroes and Villians to name a few. At the end of each session, our campers participate in a multi-day Color Wars: Tribals or Olympics.

What is the length of stay and is there a visiting day?

We offer two options for our camp families. Our fun-packed three week sessions provide a traditional overnight camp experience with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Our three week campers live with others of the same age and session length, take part in all of our traditional events, such as Color War, and enjoy a parents’ Visiting Day on the last day of the session.

Our Super Six Week campers enjoy a fun-packed summer but leave summer camp with still plenty of time to spare before school starts. Those in the Super Six Week session enjoy Tribal during the first half of the summer, a Visiting Day with their family, Olympics during the second half, live with other Super Six campers, and experience a true full summer camp experience in a family friendly time frame.

How can I communicate with my child during camp?

We suggest good, old fashioned letter writing as the best way to communicate with your camper. Camper’s love getting regular mail from their family and friends! Campers write home regularly. In addition, parents may e-mail their children. E-mails from parents are printed out and distributed to campers daily after lunch. Campers are able to make one phone call after the first week of summer camp.

How will I know how my child is doing at camp?

Our purpose is to provide a worthwhile and stimulating summer experience for your children. Parents of all new campers will receive a phone call from a Director or Head Counselor within the first 72 hours of sleepaway camp, informing them of their child’s adjustment. We ask that you never hesitate to communicate with us regarding any question concerning your son or daughter. Also, please be assured that we will be in touch with you should there be any issue with your child.

You may also check on your child’s camp activities and view daily photos on our secure site, accessible only to parents, invited family members and staff. This is your link to staying current with your camper during the summer! We post hundreds of photos each day.

Do campers have to wear a uniform?

Camp Weequahic is not a uniform camp. However, we do require a very modest amount of logo’d camp apparel. Campers often choose to wear their Weequahic clothing because they are proud of their summer camp and they like to show their camp spirit. Campers do wear uniform items for intercamps, tournaments, and certain “Spirit Days.” There is no “clothes competition” at Weequahic and campers do not stress about the clothing they wear.

What should my child bring to camp?

We will send a packing list outlining everything you need for the summer. Almost all the items are from your child’s wardrobe at home.

How does the laundry work?

Laundry is done once a week by cabin and returned the next day. The counselors help the campers sort the laundry upon its return.

Do I need to send extra spending money?

Every-day trips and camp activities are included in the tuition. As campers may want to buy souvenirs or extra snacks, we do recommend sending a small amount of spending money to be kept in the office. Older campers occasionally go on overnight trips with hotel stays that would require an extra charge.

How will my child's birthday be celebrated at Weequahic?

Camp Weequahic is an amazing place to celebrate a summer birthday. Each birthday child will be cheered on as he or she raises the flag at morning line-up. Later in the day, the birthday camper will be serenaded to our own rendition of “Happy Birthday” and have a delicious home-baked cake to share with his or her cabin followed by a party in the Canteen. Of course, parents will speak to their birthday child on this special day.

Does Camp Weequahic have a religious affiliation?

Camp Weequahic is a non-denominational sleepaway summer camp and welcomes children and staff from all backgrounds, religions and faiths.

How does the camp ensure the safety of campers?

Safety is our highest priority at Camp Weequahic. This starts with hiring and preparing the best staff we can find. Prior to camp, all staff undergo reference and background checks.

Once at camp, the State of Pennsylvania requires each staff member to go through a FBI finger-print background check. During our 9-day orientation, our staff are trained in multiple ways of keeping our campers (and themselves) physically and emotionally safe. Outside professional trainers are used each summer.

Once at camp, we have a team of staff greeting each person who arrives on camp and announcing their arrival. During the evenings, we have a security who walks the camp making sure all is as it should be. Video surveillance cameras dot the camp and feed into the Directors Office and home.

Like you, we are parents of campers and want to do all we can to ensure their safety each and every summer. Please call us if you’d like to discuss this or any other topic further.

Are you ACA (American Camp Association) accredited?

Yes, we are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. ACA Accreditation means that Camp Weequahic cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of our operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at our summer camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety. ACA Accreditation is the best evidence parents have of a camp’s commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for their children. ACA Accreditation means that your child’s summer camp cares enough to undergo regular reviews of its operation. We are also a member of the Wayne County Camping Association. Parents can (and should) verify the accreditation status of any summer camp by visiting www.acacamps.org or calling 1-800-428-CAMP.

What is your Covid vaccination policy?

Camp Weequahic does not require a Covid vaccination for campers or staff to be a part of our community. In the past, we have tested prior to arrival with both PCR and rapid antigen tests. We have not yet finalized our testing strategy for Summer ’23 and will work with our health care professionals to determine the best path for our community next summer.