Hale Day Camp

Seasonal staff members are carefully selected from the teaching profession, top college and graduate schools, and local public and private high schools. Every applicant is personally interviewed, three or more reference checks are required, and work histories are carefully reviewed. Hale also completes criminal background (CORI) and sex offender (SORI) checks on all of its hires.

Our counselors are enthusiastic, creative role models who understand children and love the outdoors. Activity specialists have extensive experience in their respective activities (and receive additional training prior to camp).

All staff members who work directly with campers are certified in CPR and First Aid. Hale Adventure Camp and Hale MTB Camp staff members often hold more advanced Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certifications, and often have many years and hundreds (if not thousands) of miles of experience hiking and riding terrain throughout New England. Hale Outdoor Learning Adventures staff members work with certified teachers from Boston Public Schools.

During a typical season, Kindercamp’s is 1:5. Lower Camp’s is 1:6. Middle Camp’s is 1:8. Teen Camp’s is 1:10. Additionally, program specialists staff every activity area. Hale Adventure Camp’s and Hale MTB Camp’s ratios are 1:6. HOLA’s ratio is 1:6. Overall, Hale’s staff-to-camper ratio is 1:5.

Some wait lists are longer than others, but people’s plans change. We enroll as many campers as possible in the order they signed up, so don’t delay—join a wait list today!

Parents and supporters often ask: Why can’t you simply hire more counselors and create additional groups? Massachusetts regulations and ACA guidelines require that specific camper-to-counselor ratios be maintained and that enrollment not exceed the capacity limits of current facilities.

Session price varies according to program length and activities. Most sessions are two weeks long. However, Session 1 is only 9 days long due to the July 4th holiday. At the end of summer, some programs offer a one-week session (Session 5), which does not include swimming lessons or off-site trips that campers enjoy during two-week sessions.

Please review our Refund Policies. To change or cancel a registration, please email info@hale.education or call 781-326-1770 and ask to speak to Julie Rooney. We’ll be happy to help!

During two-week sessions, every camper at Hale Day Camp has swimming lessons every day, provided by American Red Cross-certified Water Safety Instructors. Our waterfront team is trained and equipped to work with swimmers of all ages and abilities, and counselors remain with their campers to provide additional support at the waterfront.

Campers are swim tested on their first day to determine the appropriate level and determine whether the shallow, middle, or deep end is most appropriate for their lessons.

Please note that during Session 5, swimming lessons are not included — but we do spend time enjoying water-based activities to stay cool!

We have unparalleled access to Hale’s 1,200 acres of adventure. Hale Day Camp boasts a secluded campus with amenities that include Hale’s largest lodge, pavilions, playing fields, a private beach with changing areas, bathrooms, an archery range, boating cove, and challenge course.

All over, and transportation to and from Hale is included! Some of this year’s destinations could be Southwick’s Zoo (Session 1), XtremeCraze (Session 2), West End Creamery (Session 3), and Ecotarium (Session 4). Day trips are always subject to change, so please don’t promise a destination to your camper — but everywhere we go is sure to add some adventurous variety to their two-week session. Note that off-site day trips do not run during Session 5.

Teen Campers set up their tents at their campsite after the day ends. They prepare and enjoy a communal dinner, and then explore Hale after dark on guided night hikes and through facilitated games like Camouflage. This relaxed, fun night at Hale teaches them basic overnight camping skills.