General FAQS

  • Camp Reece is in the town of Johnsburg, by Lake George in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York.

  • Camp Reece was founded in 2016 as part of The Reece School, one of the oldest special education schools in New York City. Alumni, parents, and the community wanted a place where children with learning and developmental challenges can experience the adventures of a traditional sleep-away camp in a differentiated and growth-encouraged environment.

  • Our staff goes through a rigorous interview and screening process before being hired. We hire professionals and college students who work in related fields – such as psychology, social work, teaching, occupational therapy, speech and language – or university students from around the world who are working toward a career in one of these fields. In addition to their professional and educational background, we select staff members who have experience teaching/coaching in the program areas we offer at Camp Reece.

    Camp Reece provides staff with a significant training period that is led by instructors who have experience both with camp and in working with children who are differently abled. All staff members are required to complete a comprehensive background and criminal check prior to arrival at camp.

  • At Camp Reece, we offer two, three-week sessions OR a full summer session, lasting six weeks. We believe that our campers need a certain amount of time to establish friendships and positive relationships – therefore we do not offer sessions shorter than three weeks. We aim to build and develop social skills so that campers can make new friends and keep them for years to come.

  • We offer round trip van service from locations: Manhattan, Westchester County and the Catskill mountains. For our campers who wish to fly, Camp Reece is accessible via Albany International Airport in New York, where our staff can be waiting at the gate to meet your child as they step off the plane. Of course, parents who would like to drive their children to Camp Reece are welcome to do so. Please speak to our staff for more information.

  • In addition to the camper reports we request from parents, each camper and their family are met by the admissions team. This is for the benefit of the camper and family, as well as Camp Reece, to ensure that Camp Reece is the most appropriate fit for your child.

  • Funds are raised to help provide financial assistance to campers who qualify. We solicit money from foundations, agencies, companies and individuals that are part of our community. Campers requesting financial assistance are required to complete the financial assistance form and submit proof of income. We award assistance in a way that attempts to allow as many campers as possible to attend summer camp. Scholarship money is awarded based on several factors including annual household income, family size, and extenuating financial circumstances. Because this assistance is based on resource availability, we may not be able to offer a scholarship to everyone who applies.

  • Reece campers’ range in age from 10-17 (first year) and, similar to the students at Reece School, include boys and girls with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and high and mid-functioning autism. Most of our campers live in New York City and the surrounding area but we accept children from all over.

  • The Camp Reece program has been designed to provide campers with a dynamic program of activities tailored to age and ability. We provide a highly structured environment that keeps our campers both interested and invigorated, from sun-up to sun-down, June to August.

  • Our children are typically grouped by age; however, we also take into consideration the abilities of each individual camper. We consider the group dynamics and how a specific camper will fit into a group to provide them with the best possible opportunity for personal growth.

  • We have an in-depth registration process that ensures every camper who comes to Camp Reece can succeed socially. We use all the information from the registration form and the face-to-face meeting to assess which group would be the best match for each camper.

  • Camp Reece has three categories of activities: adventure, arts, and sports. Specific activities within these categories include soccer, tennis, swimming, basketball, water skiing, white water rafting, high ropes, archery and ceramics just to name a few. We also offer many traditional camp experiences. You can learn more on our program pages.

  • During the camp season our weather is generally around 80 degrees. We plan extra swimming and water games when it gets extremely hot. All our dorms have large fans, most have AC to keep everything cool when the temperatures climb and, when needed. Rain gear is also recommended so that we can continue our days schedule in mild weather.

  • Campers are organized in groups of six with each group being led by two counselors. During specific activities, program specialists join the group to provide increased instruction, coaching, and support.

  • Campers are provided times when their group will collect laundry. We have staff to provide laundry service as needed.

  • We can accommodate most dietary needs for the campers’ meals and there is no need to send special snacks. Our chef is available to consult with families and all staff monitor daily intake of campers with our nurse.

  • Each child will receive a Camp Reece t-shirt and sweatshirt. Information, including website links, to assist with ordering will be sent to parents prior to the start of camp. If needed, some additional clothing can be purchased on site. Campers are supervised when making purchases.

    Here are a few tips to ensure that everything returns home with the camper.

    1. Don’t over pack. Campers have laundry on-site.

    2. Don’t bring new or expensive clothing – this is camp, we will most likely get dirty!

    3. Don’t send anything that you consider irreplaceable – grandma’s quilt, family photos, jewelry, etc.

    4. Clearly label all of the camper’s belongings with a full name. First and last initials are little help in ensuring items return home.

  • Yes! We make our best effort to send each camper home with the same items with which they arrived. Despite our best efforts, things do occasionally get left behind. The lost and found will be located at the camp office. Items will be held until the end of the camping season, pending calls to claim items left behind.

MEDICAL QUESTIONS:

  • Camp Reece has a full-time nurse and will call your doctor. All our administration team are fully trained to respond to emergencies and are medication certified. In any emergency, we have a relationship with the North Creek EMT Squad, Warrensburg Urgent Care Center for immediate attention. Additionally, we also have established relationships with Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs Hospitals.

  • All medications must be in their original, pharmacy-packed containers. Medications will not be accepted in any other containers.

    All medications (including over-the-counter medications) need to be clearly labeled with camper name, drug name/strength, and current dosage

    All medications and treatments must have a signed Physician’s Order or a copy of the most recent prescription

    All medications must be turned in and reviewed with the nurse during check-in, this includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as any vitamins and supplements. Please do not leave any medications in luggage.

    Please provide any specialty medication supplies necessary for the camper.

    Unused medications/supplies will be returned on the day of departure.

    On the first day of camp, the first dose of medications will be dispensed at 4:00 pm.

  • We do not supply prescribed medications or nutritional supplements. Please bring enough for your camper for the session in the original containers.

  • We require that the health forms be submitted two weeks prior to attendance. This gives the clinical staff time to review the forms and request any necessary items.

FOR CAMPERS:

  • There are so many great things to do at camp that you might not have time to get homesick; however, if you start feeling a little homesick, please let us know and we will have our counselors support you and, together, work on strategies to help you feel better.

  • We create an inclusive, community atmosphere for you, your families, and staff so that your relationships will last a lifetime. Our goal is for you to return year after year and spend your summers with the friends you made at Camp Reece.

  • HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!!!!

  • In emphasizing the safety of our campers and staff, visiting days are offered, on an individual basis, only to campers who attend the full 6-week session. We encourage you to email and send letters home and share experiences and projects. We have an awesome website where staff can upload your photos daily so you can share with friends and family the experiences, activities and fun you are having at camp.

  • Yes! Our campers love to talk about and listen to each other’s music. We are happy to have you bring along music to share. Once again, Camp Reece does not assume any responsibility for loss/damage to any of these devices, so it would be your responsibility to make sure it is safe and well looked after.

  • Yes! Our campers love to talk about and listen to each other’s music. We are happy to have you bring along music to share. Once again, Camp Reece does not assume any responsibility for loss/damage to any of these devices, so it would be your responsibility to make sure it is safe and we’ll looked after.

  • The food is amazing! The Chef does a wonderful job creating food stations in the dining hall for campers. We can provide different diet options, including our farm-to-table option, at lunch and dinner. We offer many of your favorites from home and some new foods you might like to try for the first time.

  • Depending on the activities we have planned for the day, wake-up time varies between 7:00am and 8:00 am. We have a later “Rise and Shine” on weekends. Lights out also varies depending on our schedule. Generally, activities finish, and we are back in our rooms by 10:00 pm.

  • We have free time built around your daily schedule when you can catch up on arts projects or play indoor games one-on-one. We also have “camper’s choice” when you choose the activity in which you would like to participate.