FAQ

• What is meant by Mainstreaming? Show Hide

  Our campers are a part of Frost Valley YMCA summer camp where all children are placed in villages. MAC villages participate in all activities with the typically developed campers including but not limited to meals, waterfront, choice periods and the large “All Camp” activities.

• Who is MAC a good fit for? Show Hide

  The most important thing is that the camper wants to be at camp. This means they enjoy social settings, as most of the camp activities and scheduling is dependent on this.

  Most campers in the MAC program:

  • Are 8 – 18 years old
  • Are able to be successful in at 3:1 (camper: staff) ratio
  • Are able to use the bathroom independently
  • Are able to communicate when they need help
  • Desire to be a part of a group of peers
  • Desire to try new things and follow a schedule of new & exciting activities with others
• Great! How do I apply? Show Hide

  Our application process is rolling. Start out by completing our interest form.

  Learn more & apply

• How will my child be ready to go to camp this summer? Show Hide

  We are gathering information and advice all along our intake process. We get in touch with schools/extracurricular activities to speak to the child outside of the family unit. We know that for most MAC campers, knowing what to expect helps them feel less anxious about something new. We share detailed descriptions of a typical day at camp. After registration our campers and their parents/guardians will have a chance to meet each other and our staff in the spring at our Orientation day in Manhattan. Additionally there are three open houses at Frost Valley YMCA which we encourage our families to participate in. This provides the opportunity to see the physical layout of camp.

• What kind of contact can I expect to have while my child is at camp? Show Hide

  It is important to us that you know your child is safe and happy at camp. That is why our leadership team works hard to keep communication open during the summer sessions, within the first 48 hours of camp our on-site leadership team call with a report of how the transition to camp is going with each camper. In addition, we will call you if we have any concerns about your child’s success at camp. We also participate in a password protected photo sharing website so that families can log in to see the activities and happenings of camp.

• What happens if my child wants to go home? Show Hide

  Everyone adjusts differently and symptoms of missing home present differently in all of us, this is why we gather a lot of information. If anything seems out of the ordinary we will call to get family input. Campers that overcome challenging beginnings tend to enjoy camp even more and have discovered and used coping skills they may have never known about without the experience.

• How do you handle bullying at camp? Show Hide

  Bullying in MAC, and at Frost Valley YMCA as a whole, is not acceptable. We work very hard to create a safe nurturing environment for —campers and staff included—and any attempt to disturb that is taken seriously. There are steps taken to support everyone, but if anyone is unable to commit to contributing to a positive experience it may lead to them being removed from the environment.

• Where will my child sleep? Show Hide

  All of our campers ages 8-18 live in lodge-style housing with private bathrooms, hot water, and showers. Campers have plenty of space for clothes and other personal items. STEP participants ages 18-24 live in dormitory-style housing with supervision in separate rooms.

• Is laundry done at camp? Show Hide

  Laundry is done twice during the stay at camp, typically on the first and second Wednesday of the session. You will only need to pack enough clothes for about 7 to 10 days. Our older campers (sometimes) and STEP members do their own laundry in order to work towards independence goals.

• What will my child eat? Show Hide

  Three hot, wholesome meals are served daily. There are a vast array of options from the typical “kid fare” to organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan choices. Care is taken to meet the dietary needs of all of our campers. Fresh fruit is available all day long. Chartwells Educational Dining Service creates the menus, ensuring that each meal is nutritionally balanced. Candy and soda are not served or sold in the Camp Store.

• Do the camps administer medication? Show Hide

  Yes. There is an infirmary with a registered nurse who is responsible for administering each child’s medication. Counselors are aware of when each child’s medication is to be given. The camp nurse is the only staff member to pass out medication.

• How will my child get to and from camp? Show Hide

  Coach buses will be departing and returning at the designated bus location. The buses are fully staffed with the camp counselors who work hard to ensure everyone is feeling comfortable. Camp truly begins at the bus stop.

• What is the cost of camp? Show Hide

  The tuition of one MAC session (two weeks) at Frost Valley YMCA is $3,754. MAC tuition is paid directly to the Frost Valley YMCA registrar office.

  Camp funding options

  • Self-direction (for eligible campers in NYS)
  • Partial family reimbursement (for campers with OPWDD eligibility in NYC)
  • Payment plans
  • Camp Scholarship

  If interested in applying for a partial scholarship, please contact us using the form

  Learn more & apply