Pioneer Trails Day Camp offers campers an opportunity to discover new interests and gain a sense of achievement through progressive, age-appropriate activities and experiences. Teamwork, problem solving, curiosity, self-confidence and the Y values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility are emphasized throughout our camp program.
Camp Options: Cougars - Kindergarten Y’s - entering grades 1-4: Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 M’s - entering grades 5 and 6 O’s - entering grades 7 and 8 CIT’s - entering grades 9 and 10 - application required
What Should My Camper Bring?
Note: All items, especially water bottles, towels, and goggles, should be labeled with the camper's name. Sharpie works best.
Tote bag or backpack
Swimsuit and towel (To speed up the changing process, we recommend all campers wear their bathing suit (boys) or under their camp clothes (girls) when they come to camp in the morning - don't forget to put underwear in their backpack!)
Plastic bag (for wet bathing suits)
Hat
Lunch and snacks
Sunscreen lotion or spray. (If your camper needs help applying their sunscreen after swimming, we ask that you kindly put this request in writing.)
Water bottle - reusable so we can refill throughout the day.
What to leave at home:
Trading Cards like Pokémon Cards
Gaming Devices
Delicate or important jewelry
Anything that can not get dirty
Camper-to-Staff Ratio: K – 6 to 1, Grades 1-3: 8 to 1; Grades 4 & up: 10 to 1.
Bus Transportation: Bus Transportation is provided from the surrounding school districts, including Livingston, West Orange, and the Caldwells. All campers are supervised by our Y staff on their trip to and from camp.
Morning bus pickup is typically between 8am-8:30am. Afternoon bus drop-off is typically between 4:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
In order for our buses to stay on schedule, please arrive 5 minutes early at your stop for drop off and pick up.Buses will not wait beyond pick up time in the morning, go to the next stop or bring the camper directly to camp. If a camper is not picked up within 5 minutes of drop-off time in the afternoon, the bus counselor will contact the Camp Office, keep the camper on the bus and move to the next stop.
Campers must be supervised at the stop by an adult until the bus arrives.Counselors are on each bus to ensure the safety and supervision of campers.
No food or drinks to be consumed on the bus.
Camp Activities and Clubs: Each week of camp has a special theme along with corresponding activities for the week. Our Specialists provide age appropriate instruction in Arts and Crafts, Archery, Performing Arts, STEAM (Science, Technology, Art, Engineering and Math), Maker's Space, Indoor and Outdoor Sports, and Swimming.
Club Timegives our campers from Y2 – O’s the opportunity to choose an activity to explore for the week. Club offerings change from week to week. Club Time activities include: Art Club, Sports Club and special interests such as Creative Writing, Music or Science based clubs.
Special Events: Every week of camp includes either a field trip or special event such as an on-site educational or instructive program to keep camp fresh throughout the summer. Parents receive advance notification through the camp calendar and weekly emails about upcoming camp events.
Some of our favorite outside presenters include Rizzo's Wildlife and the Mentalist, Robert Channing!
Traditions: Pioneer Trails brings back many traditions year after year to the delight of our campers and staff. Highlights include the The Science Olympiad, Camp Olympics, the Talent Show and the end of Camp Carnival.
ALL CAMPS: Starting February 1, a $35 administrative fee will be added for changes to your camp experience. April 1 - Final day for camp deposit refund.
At the Y, we let you pay your summer camp balance in a way that works for you! When you sign up, you'll need to provide payment information, but you stay in control. As long as you pay each installment before the due date listed on your receipt, no automatic payment will be processed. If you partially pay early, only the remaining balance will be charged. You can make payments anytime from registration until each installment’s due date, at any frequency.
