Camp Ralph S. Mason
Encyclopedia
Camp Ralph S. Mason is a YMCA
summer camp located in Hardwick, New Jersey. The 650 acre site is located next to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
. Camp MAson is one of the oldest continuously operated youth camps in the world it now serves over 800 campers in its summer camp alone, in addition to its family camps and outdoor center.
for kids who have finished grade two through nine. Overnight campers are split into a senior camp (grades seven through nine) and a junior camp (grades two through six). Each age group is then split into a boys and girls village Algonquin (junior boys), apache
(junior girls), sioux
(senior boys), and iriquios (senior girls). A typical day of camp includes breakfast, cabin cleanup, cabin activity, free time, lunch, siesta
, activity periods one, two, three, free time, dinner, village activity and cabin chat. For the three activity periods the campers get to choose their activity allowing them to customize their experience. Changes in the schedule occur during trips that campers sign up for and on the theme weekends which have activities related to the theme such as Harry Potter
or The Olympics. Each village has 6 cabins with two counselors in each cabin. The counselor to camper ratio is about one to five. Overnight camp is offered in two or four week sessions, with one week sessions available for young first-time campers.
through sixth grade for residents of the Blairstown - Hardwick - Knowlton area of North Warren County, NJ. Day camp starts at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm but before and after camp is available. Camp Shanon does not offer transportation but does have financial aid
for those in need. The day camp shares the facilities of the overnight camp including the pool, fields and rock wall.
area. The trekkers live in tents for a week near the river and do activities every day. The trip ends with time on the Camp Mason high ropes course.
Teen Programs (Counselor-in-Training
Camp Mason's CIT program is a four week co-ed residential expireience. The teens learn many skills and work in all aspects of a councelors job at camp. From service projects to behavior management
the CIT's are trained to become Camp Mason councelors. CIT applicants must be sixteen years old and have finished tenth grade. Entry into the program is very competitive.
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
summer camp located in Hardwick, New Jersey. The 650 acre site is located next to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, administered by the National Park Service, preserves almost of land along the Delaware River's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores, stretching from the Delaware Water Gap northward almost to the New York state line...
. Camp MAson is one of the oldest continuously operated youth camps in the world it now serves over 800 campers in its summer camp alone, in addition to its family camps and outdoor center.
History
Founded in 1900 and originally called YMCA Camp Washington, Camp Mason was originally owned by the Trenton/Mercer YMCA. It was later moved to an island in the delaware river and renamed. Then the camp moved again, due to a flood, to its current location and was renamed again. The camp was renamed for the third time to Camp Ralph S. Mason, towards the end of the 1970s to honor a man instrumental in rebuilding after the flood. Ralph mason also served as the volunteer Chairman of the Board of Trustees for thirty five years.Programs
Camp Mason Offers many different programs to suit campers of all ages. From business conferences to Adventure-bound treks, they have options for everyone.Overnight Camp
Mason offers a traditional overnight campSummercamp
* Please note Summercamp are a different band from the English indie pop duo Summer Camp.Alternative rock quartet Summercamp hailed from Santa Barbara, California, United States, where, in 1987, vocalist/guitarists Tim Cullen and Sean McCue met in high school...
for kids who have finished grade two through nine. Overnight campers are split into a senior camp (grades seven through nine) and a junior camp (grades two through six). Each age group is then split into a boys and girls village Algonquin (junior boys), apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
(junior girls), sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
(senior boys), and iriquios (senior girls). A typical day of camp includes breakfast, cabin cleanup, cabin activity, free time, lunch, siesta
Siesta
A siesta is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those where the weather is warm....
, activity periods one, two, three, free time, dinner, village activity and cabin chat. For the three activity periods the campers get to choose their activity allowing them to customize their experience. Changes in the schedule occur during trips that campers sign up for and on the theme weekends which have activities related to the theme such as Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
or The Olympics. Each village has 6 cabins with two counselors in each cabin. The counselor to camper ratio is about one to five. Overnight camp is offered in two or four week sessions, with one week sessions available for young first-time campers.
Day Camp
Since 1872 Camp Mason has offered YMCA Day Camp Shannon to children in KindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
through sixth grade for residents of the Blairstown - Hardwick - Knowlton area of North Warren County, NJ. Day camp starts at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm but before and after camp is available. Camp Shanon does not offer transportation but does have financial aid
Financial aid
Student financial aid in the United States is funding intended to help students pay education expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, etc. for education at a college, university, or private school. General governmental funding for public education is not called...
for those in need. The day camp shares the facilities of the overnight camp including the pool, fields and rock wall.
Ranch Camp
Ranch Camp is a two week program available for campers finished with grade seven through nine. Ranch Campers ride their horses for half the day every day where they learn about horses, horse care and riding. The other half of the day they can choose to spend with the overnight camp or at the ranch helping out.Adventure Bound Treks
Adventure Bound Treks are a group of teens and councelors exploring the wilderness. You create new friends and learn new skills. Treks leave weekly throughout the summer. Currently two Treks are provided.Adventure Pack
Adventure pack consists of hiking, biking, swimming and exploring the delaware riverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
area. The trekkers live in tents for a week near the river and do activities every day. The trip ends with time on the Camp Mason high ropes course.
River Runners
The river runners trip begins in the upper Delaware river. For one week the trekkers paddle down the river camping on the shore each night.Teen Programs (Counselor-in-TrainingCounselor-in-TrainingThis article is about the program at a summer camp, i.e., church, Scouting, or other organization.Counselor-in-Training can be both a person’s designation and a program, intended to prepare the individual for the leadership and responsibility of being a counselor...
Program)
Camp Mason's CIT program is a four week co-ed residential expireience. The teens learn many skills and work in all aspects of a councelors job at camp. From service projects to behavior managementBehavior management
Behavior management is similar to behavior modification. It is a less intensive version of behavior therapy. In behavior modification the focus is on changing behavior, while in behavior management the focus is on maintaining order. Behavior management skills are of particular importance to...
the CIT's are trained to become Camp Mason councelors. CIT applicants must be sixteen years old and have finished tenth grade. Entry into the program is very competitive.