Frequently Asked questions
Where are you located? +
Hawthorne Valley Farm is located in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Columbia County, NY, in a small hamlet called Harlemville. We use the zip code of our neighboring town, Ghent. Nearby towns and cities include Chatham and Hudson, and we're approximately a 45-minute drive south of Albany. From New York City, it's about a 2.5-hour drive along the scenic Taconic State Parkway!
What discounts for overnight camps do you offer? +
We offer a 5% early-bird discount valid until December 31, 2024—no code required!
Additionally, we provide a 5% referral discount for referring a new overnight camper to Hawthorne Valley Farm Camp.
Thanks to the generous donations of camp families, we are able to offer reduced camp tuition of 10%-15% on a case-by-case basis. The financial aid application is available during the camp registration process.
How are you staffed? +
Our camps maintain a 3:1 ratio of campers to staff. Our camp management team works year-round at Hawthorne Valley, many of whom are trained Waldorf teachers and have worked at Hawthorne Valley for years. Our summer counselors undergo a thorough hiring and interview process, and all staff members are subject to both universal and New York State background checks. Our summer camp training meets New York State Health Department requirements and covers topics such as mandated reporting, inclusivity, holistic youth development, Waldorf philosophy, and conflict resolution.
Most of our counselors are in their final years of college or are recent graduates, and they come to us from all corners of the country! All camp staff have experience working with youth and are excited to share farm life with campers.
Where do overnight campers sleep? +
Farm Explorers stay in dorm rooms in our original farmhouse, called the Main House. There are four rooms total, sleeping between 6-10 campers each in bunk beds. Each dorm has either an in-room bathroom or one located nearby. Additionally, there is shelf space for each camper and a designated area to store their belongings.
Earth Stewards campers stay at Field Camp, nestled in a peaceful wooded glen near one of our cow pastures. Field Camp features six rustic cabins for campers and counselors, as well as several yurts for counselors and other camp staff. There is no running water or electricity at Field Camp, though campers have access to plumbing facilities during the day. The camp is equipped with a double-stall outhouse, handmade by previous campers!
My camper is 12-years-old. Which overnight camp is the best fit for them? +
We welcome 12-year-olds in all Farm Explorers sessions and 1-week Earth Stewards sessions.
For first-time sleepaway campers, or those who may feel a bit hesitant about their time at Farm Camp, we often recommend the Farm Explorers Camp. This program is designed as an introduction to overnight camps and farm life.
For more mature and eager 12-year-olds with some experience in rustic outdoor environments or camping, Earth Stewards may be a great fit!
If you need help deciding the best fit for your camper, send us an email.
What will campers be eating? +
We are fortunate to have a direct source of summer bounty in our Dining Hall. All of our meals for overnight campers are made from scratch, prepared with produce from Hawthorne Valley or other ethical, sustainable, and organic sources, often from within Columbia County. Meals are served family-style, with tables set with tablecloths and fresh flower arrangements. Our kitchen is mostly vegetarian, providing essential proteins through eggs, legumes, grains, vegetables, tofu, and other sources. Campers often have a direct connection to the food—whether by harvesting it and delivering it to our kitchen staff, or by working in the kitchen to help prepare meals for the whole camp. Learn more about food at camp here.
Where do the campers swim? +
Swimming takes place at a spring-fed pond located across the street from the farm, just a 5-minute walk through the forest. Our floating dock marks the deepest part of the pond, which reaches about 9 feet. A lifeguard is always on duty during swim time. The pond is inspected annually by the NY Department of Health to ensure optimal safety for all swimmers, and our Waterfront Director has 30 years of lifeguarding experience.
Campers will undergo a swim assessment on the first day of camp, allowing our Waterfront Director to determine the safest area for each camper to swim. If a camper is not initially deemed a deep-water swimmer, they are welcome to retake the assessment. Lifeguards and additional camp staff will monitor the campers in the water using a buddy system.
How can I contact my camper during camp? +
Here at Hawthorne Valley, we like to emphasize an unplugged experience for the campers. Cell-phones, tablets, laptops, and all devices with screens should be left at home. The opportunity to be media-free for an extended period of time is such a rare occurrence in this day and age, but we are proud to keep this as a pillar of our values. If this is concern, please contact a camp manager before registration to learn more about this policy.
For our overnight camps, we strongly encourage letter-writing as a fun way for campers to stay connected with their friends and families while remaining fully present here on the farm. Please send your camper with stationery and stamps.
You are also welcome to send emails to your camper, which we will print and deliver daily. Details about camper emails will be included in the Farm Camp Information Packet.
In case of emergency, camp managers will facilitate phone calls between campers and parents/guardians.
What if my camper gets sick or injured during camp? +
Our on-site nurse and camp managers are equipped to handle any medical needs your camper may have. In case of a medical emergency, we are 20 minutes from Columbia Memorial Hospital's Emergency Room and several urgent care facilities. Parents will be contacted by a camp manager, director, or nurse in the event of any medical emergency. Overnight campers are treated under their parents' insurance, and any expenses incurred will be covered by parental insurance.
What if my camper gets homesick? +
Homesickness is a common and normal experience for campers, especially if it's their first time away from home. All camp staff are trained to recognize and respond to homesickness with care and empathy.
In the rare event of prolonged homesickness that makes it difficult for a camper to stay engaged in camp activities, a camp manager will reach out to parents/guardians.
How are tick bites addressed and prevented? +
Overnight campers are taught how to check themselves for ticks and receive several tick check reminders each day, typically before swim time and bedtime.
If a tick is found attached to a camper's skin, our nurse will remove it immediately and monitor the camper for any signs of tick-borne illness. Should any symptoms arise, our nurse will contact parents/guardians right away.
My camper has a sibling or friend coming to the same session of camp. Will they get to experience camp together? +
Day campers can list an activity group buddy on the application form. Overnight campers can request a bunkmate, and we will do our best to accommodate all requests. Our camp sessions are relatively small, ensuring that all campers have plenty of opportunities to spend time together throughout the day.
My camper is 7 years old, can they attend Farm & Arts Day Camp or an overnight camp? +
For both our Farm & Arts Day Camp and overnight camps, all campers must be 8 years old by the first day of camp. If your camper is not quite old enough, we encourage you to consider Farm Camp for the future!
Can my camper attend more than one session of camp this summer? +
Due to the popularity of our Farm & Arts Day Camp, campers may attend only ONE session. For our Farm Explorers and Earth Stewards overnight camps, campers may enroll in multiple sessions. Please note that we do not offer programming over the weekends between sessions.
What are the check-in and check-out days and times? +
Farm & Arts Day Camp:
Day camp runs from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday. On the first day of camp, check-in will be from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. For the remainder of the session, drop-off will begin at 9:00 AM. Due to the nature of our camp, we are unable to accommodate late or early arrivals, as well as late or early pick-ups.
Overnight Camps:
Check-in for both Farm Explorers and Earth Stewards takes place on Sundays. Farm Explorers check-in begins at 12:00 PM, and Earth Stewards check-in begins at 12:30 PM. Check-out for overnight camps on the final day is on Fridays, starting at 9:15 AM. All check-in and check-out procedures for overnight camps will be included in the Farm Camp Information Packet.
I am ready to apply to camp! What are my next steps? +
Great! You can find our application for both day camp and overnight camps here. When you submit your application, you will be prompted to pay a $300 for day camp or $500 deposit for overnight camps, which will be deducted from the total camp tuition. Once you pay the deposit and submit the application, your camper's spot is reserved.
Do you offer guided tours of Hawthorne Valley Farm Camp? +
We organize guided camp tours during the weekend once a month in the spring. If you are interested, please send us an email.