Frequently Asked Questions (Answered!)
Who Can Attend Hidden Valley 4-H Camp? Hidden Valley 4-H Camp is open to all boys and girls ages 8 through 15 (16 and 17 year olds may attend as CITs) without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. Campers need not be 4-H members to attend.
How Much Does Camp Cost? The base fee for one week of camp is $260. There is an additional fee for a weekend stayover, and for cabin photo. Schuyler County residents receive a $15 per week discount, and campers whose registration is paid in full by April 1, 2008 receive a $15 per week discount. Discounts do not apply to Day Camp or to CIT.
What If I Need Help Paying for Camp? From time to time, Hidden Valley 4-H Camp may be able to offer camperships. Please contact the office for updates. Also, each participating county’s Cornell Cooperative Extension office (see list here) has information on camperships that may be available for that county’s residents. Social Services agencies, churches, and civic groups are another resource to check for potential funding help. If payment is not included with your registration, you must include confirmation in writing from the sponsoring agency, indicating the exact amount to be provided.
How Do I Register My Camper? Click here to download a form (in Adobe .pdf format), print it out, complete it, and mail it in with your check (we do not accept credit cards). Please complete one form for each week your child will attend camp.
Each registration MUST be accompanied by a minimum deposit of $75/week. You may pay in full if you wish, and all paperwork and fees due must be paid no later than July 1, 2008.
Registrations paid IN FULL by April 1, 2008 receive a $15/week discount. Mail registrations to:
Hidden Valley 4-H Camp
323 Owego St., Unit 5
Montour Falls, NY 14865
When is the Registration Deadline? All paperwork and payments must be completed by July 1, 2008. If there are openings left after that date, additional registrations MAY be accepted. Each week is limited to the first 100 campers to register. Camp registrations paid in full by April 1, 2008 receive a $15 discount per week.
When Is Check-in and Check-out? Each weekly camp session runs from Sunday afternoon through Friday evening. Registration and check-in is from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Check out is between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Friday. Weekend stayovers begin on Friday evening between 5-6:30 p.m. and run through Sunday afternoon, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
What if I Have to Cancel My Registration, or My Camper is Sent Home? The Hidden Valley 4-H Camp staff strives to maintain a safe and productive atmosphere at all times. The Camp Director reserves the right to send any camper home for disciplinary reasons at their sole discretion. Campers who fight, use profanity, and behave inappropriately are disruptive to the entire camp and will not be permitted to stay. Campers sent home for disciplinary reason will not receive a refund of any monies paid.
If you must cancel your camper’s registration before camp starts, we will refund all but $75. After a camper is signed in to camp on Sunday, there will be no refund for any reason.
Will My Children Be Safe at Camp? Health and Safety are job #1. Hidden Valley 4-H Camp exceeds all regulatory and safety standards and is inspected and certified by the New York State Department of Health and accredited by the American Camp Association. Certified lifeguards are on duty at the pool and accompany campers to all water activities. New York State Park Police patrol regularly, and there is a certified nurse or EMT on site at all times; several other staff members are first aid and CPR certified.
Who Works at Hidden Valley 4-H Camp? Staff is hired based on experience and qualifications, and screened through personal interviews, reference checks and background checks. All staff members participate in an intensive pre-camp training to prepare them for the camping season. Counselors come from the U.S. and overseas, bringing diversity and cultural richness to the Hidden Valley experience.
Where Do Campers Sleep? All campers live in cabins with counselor supervision, and are assigned by appropriate age groups and gender.
What Do Campers Eat? Our professional kitchen staff takes pride in preparing traditional camp food that is delicious and nutritious, using fresh, locally-grown produce when available. NEW THIS YEAR: Meals will be served family style!
What About The Camp Store? The Camp Store is open during registration on Sunday, and during Friday pickup. The store stocks souvenir items and additional camp t-shirts will be available as well. (Each camper will receive a t-shirt at camp, included in the registration fee.)
What if My Camper Has Other Obligations During Camp Week? It is our goal to make your child's stay at 4-H Camp the highlight of the summer. We strive to create a community in which all campers are actively involved 100% of the time, which is difficult when campers leave for other engagements. Please try to make arrangements within your schedule so your child can remain at camp for the entire week.
How Can I Correspond With My Camper During Camp? Mail from camp is taken to the post office daily. If your child would like to write home, please include some stamps, and envelopes or post cards. Please feel free to mail letters or packages to your child while at camp. Address camper mail to:
<Camper Name>,
Hidden Valley 4-H Camp,
P.O. Box 830,
Montour Falls, NY 14865.
MAIL SENT TO 323 Owego Street in Montour Falls MAY NOT BE DELIVERED TO CAMPERS.
Phone Calls: A large benefit of attending camp is gaining independence and confidence. Homesickness is an occasional camp problem, one that we deal with successfully. It can be made more difficult when campers call home or when parents call to camp. Please call only in an emergency.
What If My Camper Leaves Something Behind After Camp? Any lost-and-found items will be collected in a box that will be available to search during pick-up on Fridays. It is your responsibility to see that all camper items, including any medications, are taken home with you when you pick up your camper. Camp staff will not locate misplaced items nor can we mail them to you after you leave camp. All left-behind items will be donated to local charities on August 31, 2008.
How Do I Get to Hidden Valley 4-H Camp?
From Rochester, Buffalo, and points Northwest: Take the NYS Thruway (I90) east to Geneva, Exit 42. Take Route 14 South into Watkins Glen. In Watkins Glen, take a right onto Route 329 (at the 5th traffic light in town). Follow Route 329 2.7 miles and take a right onto Whites Hollow Rd. Hidden Valley Camp signs are at the bottom of the hill; bear left into camp.
From Erie, PA., Jamestown, and points West: I-86/Route 17 East to Corning Exit 46 to 414 North toward Watkins Glen. About 20 minutes from Corning, turn left at signal light onto County Rte. 16. After one-half mile, turn right on to Meads Hill Road. At the stop sign, go straight. Hidden Valley Camp signs are at the bottom of the hill, bear left into camp.
From NYC, Binghamton, and points Southeast: Take I-86/Route 17 West to Elmira. Exit 52N onto Route 14 North to Watkins Glen. When reaching Watkins Glen, turn left at the second traffic light onto Route 329 (just before the State Park entrance, which is the third light). Follow Route 329 approximately 2.7 miles and take a right onto Whites Hollow Road. Hidden Valley Camp signs are at the bottom of the hill, bear left into camp.
From Albany, Syracuse, and points Northeast: Take the NYS Thruway (I90) west to Geneva, Exit 42. Take Route 14 South into Watkins Glen. In Watkins Glen, take a right onto Route 329 (at the 5th traffic light in town). Follow Route 329 2.7 miles and take a right onto Whites Hollow Rd. Hidden Valley Camp signs are at the bottom of the hill; bear left into camp.What Should My Camper Bring to Camp?
While there is no list of requirements for campers to bring to camp, the following is a list of suggestions — pack your camper with whatever they will need for a week away from home! Please be prepared with extra footwear, and pay attention to weather reports before coming to camp!
- Blankets and sheets or sleeping bag (this isrequired — we do not provide bedding)
- Pillow
- Boots
- Sneakers (pair for dry, pair to get wet)
- Water Bottle
- Rain Coat
- Pants or jeans, shorts
- T-shirts or other shirts
- Sweatshirt or sweater
- Socks
- Jacket (keep weather in mind)
- Pajamas/sleeping gear
- Towels and washcloths
- Soap/Shampoo
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Comb/Brush/Mirror
- Swimsuit (two, if possible)
- Bag to take home laundry
- Flashlight and Batteries
- Notebook and Pencil, Stamps, envelopes, writing paper
PLEASE, do not send hand-held video games, personal stereos, cell phones, or other electronic devices with your camper. Such devices tend to distract from the total camp experience, and can tend to be lost or broken while at camp. The Camp Director reserves the right to remove such devices from a camper’s possession and return them to the parents on Friday.
Hidden Valley 4-H Camp is not responsible for damage to or loss of any personal property.
I want to rent Hidden Valley for a wedding or other event. Please contact Watkins Glen State Park at 607-535-4511.
