Frequently Asked Question
Q. WHERE IS CAMP HILLCROFT?
A. Camp Hillcroft is on Rte 55 in Lagrangeville, JUST EAST OF THE JCT OF RT 82. see map
Q. WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF THE CAMP DAY?
A. The normal day is from 8:45 until 4:30. Before Care starting at 7:45 and After Care until 5:30 is available.
Q. HOW ARE CAMPERS DIVIDED INTO GROUPS?
A. Campers are divided by the grade they are entering in the Fall. Each group includes both boys and girls.
Q. WHAT IS THE STAFF TO CAMPER RATIO? AND ARE THEY BACKGROUND CHECKED?
A. In our 4 year old Group the camper/staff ratio is 1:4. Our Kindergarten groups have 2 adult staff members to 12/13 children and our other lower camp groups average 2 staff members to 13 children. In our Upper Camp Groups (4th Grade and older), our average group size is 2 adults to 14 children. All staff undergo a face to face/web cam or phone interview which lasts at least 40 minutes. References are collected and all staff are entered into the NY State Sex Offender Registry Database. We also conduct an on line Nationwide Sex Offender Background Check. All International staff provide a criminal Background Check from their home country and we utilize an on line criminal background check database for our American Staff.
Q. WHERE DO YOUR STAFF COME FROM?
A. Everywhere!!!! Many of our American Staff are from the local area but we also attract many staff members from out of state. Hillcroft is also in the very unique position of being able to house 50 International Staff each season. Many of our overseas staff come from Europe and Australia.
Q. WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE LIKE?
A. Busy, busy, busy!!! For our campers aged 4-7years old they follow a non choice yet challenging schedule involving over 20 different activities. We provide a well rounded day with all campers swimming twice a day, once for Instructional and once for free swim. For this age camper there are 3 activity periods in the morning, followed by lunch and rest and then 3 activity periods in the afternoon. We strive to make each block of time varied with a swim, physical activity and creative activity each morning and each afternoon. For campers aged 8-12 years old our schedule revolves around choice blocks! Campers enjoy having choices each period and choose from over 30 different areas. Instructional Swim, free Swim and Team Sports remain mandatory and are not part of our choice blocks. Typically this age group has 4 activity blocks followed by lunch and rest and then 2 more activity blocks. For our teenage population we have devised a schedule totally appropriate to the teenage mentality. Structured, yet choice based, with many special program periods offered.
Q. WHAT TO DO YOU WHEN IT RAINS? OR VERY HOT?
A. In the late Spring we write our Schedule for all 35 groups of campers. We have a regular day schedule with overlays for Rain and hot days. Luckily many activities can run as scheduled despite the weather due to our many permanent buildings, porches and tents. However, some program areas, for example tennis, do need to move to a covered area during rain, or a shady area during those scorching hot days. Our Waterfront will continue to run in the rain and will only relocate during thunder and lightning.
Q. DO YOU PROVIDE LUNCH AND SNACK?
A. Lunch is served to all campers and staff. Our menu is child orientated yet balanced. Water and bug juice are available on the lunch tables and our menu is also available on line. Snack is served at 3:40pm. Campers are encouraged to drink all day long and can also buy gatorade in our "Juice Room".
Q. CAN WE TOUR THE CAMP?
A. The Buttingers are always available for off season tours. Please call us and, weather permitting, we would love to walk around camp with you and your children. We also hold 2 Open Houses in April where all of our buildings are open and many of our staff are available for tours and/or meeting. We definitely recommend coming to one of our Open Houses.
Q. WHEN DO WE REGISTER?
A.Returning campers registering starts in October and all other registrations are accepted from December 1st on. Please call us at Camp to check on the availability of spaces.