Camp Activities

Camp Programing

Nature 

Get outside and explore nature!

Campers will spend the majority of their time exploring the outdoors and learning about the natural world around them. Programming is designed specifically to take advantage of our hard wood forests, lake and stream, and our glen at Riley’s. Some of the single period programming includes: Wet Hikes, Forest Explorations, Blind Hikes, Stream Ecology, Campfire Building with “One Match Club”, Shelter Building, Geology, Tree Identification, Bird Calling, and more. Some days we need more time for some of our programs, so we will offer daily sign-ups for more in-depth programming. They include but are not limited to, Campfire Cooking, Fishing, Glen Hikes, Outdoor Photography, Camping Skills and Extended Hikes. 

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Arts & Crafts

If you enjoy art projects, you will love this program area!

Youth will learn new skills such as candle, jewelry and/or basket making in the Arts & Crafts program area. Our goal is for campers to return home with new craft skills and a beautiful project each week. Other projects such as Friendship Bracelets, Boondoggling, and Painting will also be offered. Photography will be offered as a special two period program that campers can sign-up for. 

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Sports and Rec

Have fun trying out new sports!

Traditional sports are offered under the guidance of our qualified staff. Camp favorites such as Gaga, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Softball, Kickball, Soccer, and Basketball are offered to challenge campers of all levels. Archery will be offered as a special two period activity during Sports & Rec.

In order for campers to take part in Archery they must be 8 years of age by January 1st, 2023

Archery – Campers learn all techniques and safety commands required to be a successful Archer. Targets are 15 yrds out for good aiming practice.

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Aquatics

Marco!! … Polo!! . . . and so much more!!

Water games for all are offered in the wild wet fun of Hidden Valley’s pool. Campers will take a swim test Sunday afternoon to assess their skill level to determine the swim activities available to them. (For example, a beginning swimmer will only be allowed to take part in activities in the shallow end of the pool.) Swim lessons will be available depending on certified staff availability.

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Evening Activities

We try to make every day at camp exciting and fun, and every evening creative and thrilling. As many nights in a week as possible campers participate in evening activities that they couldn’t do anywhere else in their lives. Every week starts with an opening campfire and ends on Friday afternoon at the staff vs. campers softball or kickball game. In between we hold epic all-camp activities like capture the flag, counselor hunt, talent shows, and scavenger hunts. On nights that we don’t get the entire camp together, cabins can choose to take part in campfire sing-a-longs, wish boats, evening hikes, star gazing, hide and seek, and more. On Thursday night as we wrap up the week we hold a special closing campfire culminating in a candle lighting ceremony where four special campers are chosen to receive the Honor Camper Award.

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Week Specific and Master Camp Activities

These are activities you may sign up for during the registration process. Each of the special activities is scheduled every day. When campers are not in their special activity they will be in their regular program area.

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Rocketry

NOW OFFERED Weeks 1, 4 and 6.

Returning By Popular Demand — 3, 2, 1, … Blast off! The ground shakes, the engines roar, feel the adrenaline surge! Okay, maybe it is not Cape Canaveral but building your own rocket, sending it on a seemingly orbital journey, and retrieving it after a safe return home is one of the most thrilling experiences for our future Rocket Scientist. Campers will learn about the physics of flight and using the scientific method to hypothesize and experiment with design changes to their rocket.

An added $25 fee is required for this program.

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Special Event Week

Week 2

July 10 – 15

We plan an alternate schedule during this week, so regular program activities will only take place for the first two activity periods. Campers should expect a surprise themed event that covers nearly the whole week! There will be lots of great activities and fun during Special Event Week! If your child wants to have a full week of regular activities, this would not be the week to select. 

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Endless Summer Celebration

Week 6

August 7–12

Join us as we celebrate our sixth and last week of the 2023 camping season. During this week we will be celebrating all things camp by revisiting all of our most popular activities and themes from the summer, in a camp Olympics format. This includes team competitions, individual challenges and all camp activities like tug-of-war, field relays, and games of capture the flag. Join us for an Endless Summer Celebration as we get ready to wrap up another fun filled summer at Hidden Valley.

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Special Master Camps open to all campers age 12 and older

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Stained Mosaic Glass Class

Week 3 

July 16 – 21

Ages 12 – 16 (Available for $75 additional fee)

This class will be a full week Arts & Crafts offering. Participants will develop a pattern, learn to cut the stained glass, breaking the stained glass into workable pieces for their design, and adhering the stained glass to their pattern on clear glass. Campers will then learn how to clean up excess glue, securing loose glass pieces if needed, cleaning the glass, and sealing the glass art piece in tile grout. Final steps will be the “sealing” the glass piece for it to be preserved for years to come.

Patterns for mosaic glass pieces will be a mountain/sunset scape, a 4-leaf clover, or a sunflower. A choice will be provided based on age of either an 8x8 piece or a 5x5 piece of glass. 

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Music Camp (Music in the Valley)

Week 3

July 16 – 21

New for summer 2023, we are opening the music camp to vocalists of all skill levels this summer, and we are no longer charging an additional fee for this Master Camp. Please read the description below.

Music in the Valley master camp is open to campers 12 and older who have participated in a school or organized music program for at least two years. Bring your instrument to camp for this weeklong music program, make new friends, learn new music, and perform for the entire camp in the camp band/orchestra. Campers will be part of the regular evening camp program with separate daytime programming. The music program participants will have the opportunity to learn new songs and techniques and perform in the unique setting of the outdoors (weather permitting). The music participants will also be able to perform with the entire camp in an all-camp concert on Wednesday night, utilizing traditional and non-traditional instruments, including boom whackers, bucket drums, didgeridoos, kazoos, and others. The final performance for the music campers will be on Friday morning. Instruments will be kept safe in a humidity-controlled room when not in use.

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Backpacking 101

Week 4

July 23 – 28

Ages 12 – 16 (Available for $50 additional fee)

Designed for campers 12 years and older who are looking for a different kind of camp experience. Participants will spend the first night in camp learning about and preparing for an independent self-contained camping experience. Backpackers will learn the basics of clothing selection, proper packing techniques camp site selection, proper use of a camp stove, tent and backpack maintenance, how to pitch a tent, and basic personal hygiene and safety. On Monday afternoon campers will pack their backpack, lace up their boots and hike to a more secluded part of camp to start their outdoor adventure. Backpackers will return to regular camp life on Thursday afternoon in time to take part in the closing camp ceremonies.

While the campers will ultimately determine many of their own activities throughout the week, options may include a variety of outdoor skills such as: map and compass, GPS, fire building, natural arts and crafts, knot tying, and more. The backpackers will also take advantage of the 584-mile-long Finger Lakes Trail that winds along the edge of Hidden Valley 4-H camp in order to learn good backpacking skills while carrying a pack over varied terrain.

Camp will provide most of the essentials for this rustic, all-outdoor experience, including tents. Campers will be required to bring additional equipment of their own to ensure a successful camp experience. Campers should plan to bring personal items including a sleeping bag, a small backpack, rain gear, flashlight, boots, toiletries, etc. A full packing list will be provided for registered backpacking campers.

The backpacking camp area will be on a secluded part of camp but close enough to use the camp bathroom facilities and possibly the camp pool depending on regular camp programming and weather. All other activities including meals will be enjoyed away from the main camp.

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Culinary Arts

WEEK 5

July 30 – August 4

Ages 12 – 16 (Available for $75 additional fee)

Culinary Arts Master Camp is an immersive culinary experience designed for kids and teens ages 12 – 16. It's an unforgettable week full of cooking, learning, team challenges and FUN! Campers sharpen their culinary skills under instruction from expert chefs. They also develop healthy lifestyle and personal growth skills alongside training by our staff of culinary professionals and counselors. It doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you're already a skilled chef — our Master Camp cover everything from the basics to the newest cooking techniques. Cook off to culminate the week.

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Fishing and Aquatics

Week 6

August 6 – 11

Ages 12 – 16 (Available for $50 additional fee)

Whether you take fishing seriously or do it as a leisure activity, there’s nothing like feeling a tug on the end of your line!

In this master camp, campers will learn how to prepare for and go fishing. From the very basics of baiting a hook and casting a rod to learning different kinds of fish, their habitats, stream ecology, lures, and techniques, this fishing camp offers a fun fishing experience for campers 12 years old and up. Campers will practice catch and release fishing in the lake near camp. Campers may bring their own rod and tackle box if they wish, but this is not necessary.

Participants will be part of regular evening camp activities with separate daytime programming.

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Pottery

Week 6 (New In 2023)

August 6 – 11

Ages 12 – 16 (Available for $50 additional fee)

Hidden Valley 4-H Camp is excited to introduce a new pottery program this summer. The hand-building pottery Master Camp is perfect for campers aged 12 and older who are interested in exploring pottery. This Master Camp will feature several projects using basic methods such as Coils, Slabs, Pinch Pots, and the addition of textures, glazes, and other materials. This class will take up two activity periods each day. Campers will take home any projects they create. Extra fees include all necessary supplies.

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Last updated February 9, 2023