When you’re looking for summer sleep-away camps, Camp Kinder Ring has a lot to offer. A top-rated co-ed camp in operation since 1927, Kinder Ring is nestled in the heart of the Hudson Valley on Sylvan Lake. Sleep-away camp allows kids to be kids. While at camp, children also develop the skills they’ll need to succeed in life in a fun atmosphere that encourages growth.
Reassurance Via Accreditation
Camp Kinder Ring holds accreditation from the American Camp Association (ACA). Camps need to uphold high standards for health and safety to maintain accreditation. They also need to provide age-appropriate activities and maintain specific camper-to-counselor ratios.
The ACA follows rigorous standards and philosophies that include being environmentally responsible. Learning an appreciation for nature and preserving the earth’s resources play a role in activities.
Positive Role Models
The entire staff at Camp Kinder Ring and special guests present positive role models for campers. In an age where good role models may be difficult to find, personnel are screened before hiring.
Many counselors are past campers, joining the staff to pass their camp know-how to a new generation. As your interact with counselors and support staff, they will find plenty of positive roles models. Counselors work with campers on showing respect, being helpful, and having community spirit.
Confidence and Independence Go Hand-in-Hand
Camp naturally instills a greater sense of independence through activities and programs. As your child gains independence, a nice side-effect boosts confidence. Suppose your child went to camp not quite sure of themselves. Perhaps they started a little clingy, not wanting to branch out independently.
They’ll return with successes under their belt and a sense of accomplishment. They are responsible for helping their cabin-mates clean the common areas and maintaining a neat bunk space. Through routine chores, they understand what is expected of them. Even shy kids can turn into natural leaders.
Exploring their independence in the camp environment is a perfect way to ease into being on their own (without parents) but not being alone.
Forging Lifelong Friendships
Camp Kinder assigns campers to bunks with others in their age range. This has many benefits and keeps campers with similar levels together for competition activities. Most of the time, there isn’t much size disparity, meaning campers can feel comfortable around their bunkmates.
This arrangement also fosters lifelong friendships with campers returning year after year. Our children often get locked into friend groups in schools and neighborhoods around their homes. The increased diversity helps kids step out of those comfort zones at camp, forging friendships that may cross normal social boundaries.
Activities Abound at Summer Sleep-Away Camps
We often say that activities rule the day at Camp Kinder Ring. Your children will never be bored. The regular camp schedule keeps them busy throughout the day while also allowing downtime to recharge. Revelry is at 8:00 AM, which starts a day that includes three great meals and six activity periods. Evening activities may include campfires, devotions, or well-timed presentations.
The selection of activities begins with Adventure Activities that include individual and team-oriented confidence-building. Your child can stretch out of their comfort zone by participating in rope courses, mountain biking, zip-lining, and rock wall climbing. All activities are supervised, and safety protocols keep children safe while exploring their limits.
Sports-minded campers will find a wide variety of Athletic Activities, including team and individual competitions. Regardless of their chosen sport, we probably offer it at Camp Kinder Ring. Our facility has eight lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, and even a hockey arena with bleachers. Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball are among the most popular sports activities.
Creative campers can unleash their imaginations with creative arts activities, including arts and crafts, performing arts, and stage production. If you have a creative child, Camp Kinder Ring will help them channel that into tangible successes.
Waterfront Activities include everything from general swimming to lifeguarding instruction. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, sailboats, swimming competitions, and water basketball. If your camper is part fish, they will enjoy the availability of the long list of waterfront activities.
Special Activities and Special Guests
Camp Kinder Ring has developed traditions through the years. Some of our favorites include our Friday evening celebrations of “Shtiller Ovnt.” Campers gather at the flagpole dressed in white, where they begin an evening of fun that includes traditional dances, discussions, songs, and a special Shabbos meal. The evening instills pride in heritage while uniting our campers in shared exuberance.
Other camp traditions include the annual July 4th celebration — a carnival-style day of fun, games, food, and even cotton candy! Camp BBQs happen a couple of times each week. Our camp chefs bring their skills outside to prepare meals for campers.
Special guests sometimes visit the camp to share with our campers. We’re not saying we get some pretty big-name celebrities, but your camper may get star-struck. Our guests bear important messages to our campers as they journey through the maturation process that the camp promotes.
Something for All Our Campers
Camp Kinder Ring accepts campers from 7 to 16 years old. Our schedules and activities center around appropriate activities for each age grouping. This keeps campers safe and promotes the camaraderie that forges lifelong friendships among campers.
Older campers can participate in off-site, overnight activities from basic camping to trips to Boston, Washington DC, and Canada. If your camper is interested in off-site activities, please check with camp staff when registering for information about additional requirements for off-site trips.
Immersion in Jewish Tradition
With our current pace and the hustle and bustle of the outside world, it can be challenging to instill our children with customs and traditions. At Camp Kinder Ring, we take the time to teach campers the customs and traditions of the Jewish community through activities, discussions, and presentations geared toward expanding their understanding of these practices.
We teach campers to have pride and explore their heritage. They learn to identify with their Jewish heritage and benefit from a strong community built on a solid value system.
Let Your Child Begin Their Journey to Adulthood
Camp Kinder Ring is on a small list of Dutchess County summer sleep-away camps. We ensure your camper’s safety, provide life-asserting lessons, and promote personal growth — all while having a blast at camp. Our beautiful location on Sylvan Lake in the picturesque Hudson Valley is an amazing backdrop for a summer of fun, adventure, and new friendships.
If you would like to tour Camp Kinder Ring before committing, please call our camp office at (845) 221-2771. Pack your bags, kids — you’re going to summer sleep-away camp!
