Ivoryton, CT
Campers and staff join us each summer from all over the country and the world. Our community is home to folks who are neurodiverse as well as individuals spanning across both the gender and sexuality spectrums.
Coming to camp for the first time may induce some nerves on the first day. This is a completely normal and healthy response to being in an unfamiliar place with new people. Our staff are sensitive to this issue and encourage those campers to talk out their feelings and become involved in camp activities. Experience tells us that very quickly nervous campers will be fully engaged in camp happenings and be comfortable in their new surroundings.
Our camp is situated along our mile-long private lake surrounded by 740 wooded acres. We do not share our property or lake with anyone and we do not allow any kind of motor boats in our waters, meaning only the freshest and cleanest lake water to swim and boat in for all of our campers. All of our trails are closed to the public in the summer camping season.
Campers might canoe on the lake to investigate a beaver lodge, cook lunch over a campfire, catch frogs and salamanders in the pond, build a shelter in the forest, and play trail games as they hike, turning every path into a brand-new adventure. They will examine nests, dams, and other animal-built structures; practice real outdoor skills like shelter building, fire basics, and navigation; and take part in hands-on activities that build awareness of environmental stewardship, recycling, and sustainability.
Once campers have changed out of their swimming gear and into dry clothes, they come together at our shaded natural amphitheater for an afternoon snack and a chance to reflect on the day's adventures. This time fosters community, creativity, and connection across field groups. Campers and staff perform skits, share stories, and showcase skills they are learning, such as cordage making or artwork they created during the day.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Lunchtime is also when counselors connect individually with each camper, offering a chance to share highlights, challenges, check in, and make sure everyone's doing well. It's a relaxed break in the day, perfect for refueling, unwinding, and getting ready for the fun ahead.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Explorer's Choice brings new opportunities for discovery to the Bushy Hill day! Campers get to choose from rotating hands-on activities and creative projects that introduce them to new interests and skills. Guided by staff members who share their own hobbies, talents, and enthusiasm, these experiences encourage campers to try something different, connect with kids from other groups, and discover new things they enjoy.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Bushy Hill is a not-for-profit camp, therefore we try to keep our tuition costs as low as possible so as many families as possible can partake in our camp experience. We offer various amounts of financial aid in the form of scholarships to any of our camp families that are in need. Our financial aid allocations are made in April, and then thereafter are done on a rolling basis until our funds have been exhausted. In general, our maximum allocation offered is 50%.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Medication is given out by the health center each day. Please bring the medication with you each Monday and give it to the front check in desk, or give it to the designated staff member riding the bus to camp with your child. All medications need to be in their original containers and accompanied by a signed release form from you and your doctor. EPI pens and inhalers must also be handed in — these will stay with your child's counselor throughout the day so that they are easily accessible.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗We have registered nurses on camp 24 hours a day and the health center is always open. The pediatrician's office and hospital are only a short 10 minutes away. If your child is unwell we will contact you immediately. If a child is ill they will need to be picked up from camp.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗We are a tech-free environment. There are no cell phones, computers, gaming consoles, or anything else that needs to be plugged in at camp. For however long they decide to join us, our campers get to disconnect from the virtual world and reconnect with the natural world around them. We provide an atmosphere where campers are 'in the moment' and enjoying those around them.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗