Every session always has a new theme which we focus on each day. From pollywogs and ponds, daily hikes and swimming, our youngest campers are always on the go! Nature exploration, growing and tending to micro gardens, arts & crafts, singing, and storytelling are all part of camp life for these curious and energetic campers. Please apply sunscreen/bug repellent at home! See “Health Information” for important information regarding the use of sunscreen and bug repellent products.

Learn More About Nature Navigators

These campers will spend half their day doing a land or water activity, and the other half participating in art, hikes, team building challenges and popular games, such as Capture the Flag and Man-Hunt. Their various adventures include canoeing, tubing, fishing, creeking, archery, low ropes courses, and wilderness skill building. A daily swim in the Butler pool is always cool fun! Be sure that your camper arrives in the morning with sunscreen/bug repellent already applied!

Learn more about Wilderness Explorers

These older campers will spend most days doing various adventure activities such as high/low ropes, a climbing wall,  tubing, mountain biking, wilderness skills, and big hikes on the Seneca red trail etc. . These campers MUST BE AT CAMP ON TIME or risk being left behind. Counselors will advise the campers when particular clothing is required. These campers will enjoy an overnight on campus the second week of each session. Our goal is to share our great passion to explore and provide knowledge of the woods. We teach a LEAVE NO TRACE philosophy as a way to instill a lifetime commitment to care for our natural world. Be sure that your camper arrives in the morning with sunscreen/bug repellent already applied!

Lear more about Pathfinders

These older campers will travel out to the Seneca trails most days to do their various adventure activities such as hiking, tubing, mountain biking along with on campus high/low ropes, the repelling/climbing wall and team building games. A continuance of our LEAVE NO TRACE philosophy, we believe that by sharing our knowledge and passion for the great outdoors we will help guide the next generation of youth to a lifetime of environmental stewardship. A two night camp out on Butler will be the highlight of the second week of camp where our Trailblazers will apply the skills learned throughout their two week session to set up camp, cook meals over a fire, and truly connect with the great outdoors.These campers MUST BE AT CAMP ON TIME or risk being left behind. Counselors will advise the campers when particular clothing is required. Be sure that your camper arrives in the morning with sunscreen/bug repellent already applied!

Learn more about Trailblazers

The CIT program is all about building leadership skills, learning the ends and outs of working as a counselor at Butler Camp, and earning SSL hours.  Throughout the two week session a CIT will join several groups and specialized activities to help assist counselors and to receive training on high/low rope courses, team building exercises, and various land/water activities. Providing CITs with this training will prepare these counselors to excel in future positions as camp counselors.

The CITs should come each day with the following items: notebook, bathing suit, towel, lunch, water bottle, bug repellent, sunscreen, second pair of shoes for messy or wet conditions and lots of enthusiasm and camp spirit! After meeting with their program director, they will then join their assigned group for the morning.

Learn more about CIT

NO ELECTRONICS, including cell phones/cell phone watches. Butler Camp cannot be responsible for damaged or lost items. Please keep all valuable and “special” personal items, including but not limited to, jewelry, personal accessories, etc. AT HOME. 

NOTE: We will keep all the “Lost & Found” items for two weeks after each session. Anything remaining after two weeks will be donated to charity.

Campers should wear casual, comfortable clothes that can tolerate dirt, stains and are suitable for the weather conditions. Butler Camp cannot be responsible for damaged or lost clothing, or other items. Please keep all valuable and “special” personal items, jewelry, personal accessories, etc. at home. NO ELECTRONICS, including cell phones/cell phone watches. 

Outdoor campers are advised to avoid wearing clothing that is made of lycra or is restrictive, such as jeans. PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS.

NOTE: We will keep all the “Lost & Found” items for two weeks after each session. Anything remaining after two weeks will be donated to charity.

Each camper needs a backpack to hold daily essentials: food, water bottle, swimsuit, towel and for the younger campers (Nature Navigators), an extra set of clothes.

Campers will need both sunscreen lotion and bug repellent. See the “Health Information” section for important information regarding the use of these products. 

IMPORTANT: The following items should remain at home and not brought to camp: toys, “water wings” or other inflatable swim items, electronic games and devices, cell phones, pocket knives, and trading cards. Trading of any popular or collectible items is prohibited at camp.

Refrigeration for lunch will not be provided. Please pack lunches that contain nonperishable items. Campers can use a lunch bag (brown paper, reusable vinyl, etc.). If you prefer, a small “cooler” may be used but make sure that it is a manageable size for your child to carry.

Both a morning snack and lunch, including a lunch drink, will be needed each day. A healthy snack, kept in a small, separate container or a plastic bag marked “snack”, and a balanced, nutritious lunch will help maintain your camper’s energy. Avoid sugary foods that tend to dehydrate children, especially on hot days, and do not “refuel” children well for their active day.

Young campers are asked to avoid red and purple colored drinks and glass items!

ALL campers need to bring a water bottle EVERYDAY. Water bottles should be labeled with your child’s name and will be refilled as needed throughout the camp day. The bottles will go home each day to be cleaned for use the next day.

A sturdy but comfortable pair of shoes that are suitable for running, and other outdoor activities, and that completely enclose your child’s foot is required. NO FLIP-FLOPS or CROCS.

All campers need to bring a pair of “creeking” shoes (a second pair of shoes) on the first day of a session. These creeking shoes can be an old pair of shoes, rain boots, Keen style sandals or if necessary, purchase an inexpensive canvas “sneaker” with a sturdy sole, that can tolerate long hikes and rough terrain. The shoes must completely enclose the foot.

BEWARE: Creek shoes may be in rough condition at the end of your child’s camp session(s) and ready for the trash bin! These shoes will be kept at camp during the session and returned on the last day.

It is assumed that individual campers cannot swim until they demonstrate otherwise. This is especially true with the younger campers. To swim in the 4–5 foot “deep” end of the pool, a camper must first pass a swim test.

Great attention is given to watching the campers while in the pool, even in the shallow end which is only 2–3 feet deep. Two lifeguards are always on duty in addition to at least one counselor poolside who is watching the children in the pool.

To help children learn how to swim, as well as appreciate the safety required in water, “water wings”, life vests and other inflatable devices are not permitted at the pool.

Pathfinders: 

The Pathfinders will enjoy an Overnight with their staff on the second Tuesday of each session . Please be advised that should weather cause a cancellation, campers will need to be picked up at the regular dismissal time and the Overnight will be rescheduled for the next day . Campers will need a sleeping bag. A list of other items recommended for the Overnight will be given at the beginning of the session. A pup-tent will be provided.

Trailblazers: 

The Trailblazers will enjoy a two night overnight stay with their staff on the second Wednesday and Thursday of each session . Please be advised that should weather cause a cancellation, campers will need to be picked up at the regular dismissal time.. Campers will need a sleeping bag. A list of other items recommended for the Overnight will be given at the beginning of the session. A pup-tent will be provided.

Butler Camp Cookouts for the Nature Navigators are scheduled last Friday of each session. Campers will have a chance to grill a Kosher Beef Hotdog and make S’mores. Please provide other staples for your camper to eat that day! If your child is vegan, and you have shared this with us,  we will provide a vegan hotdog. Following our cookout will be are end of session Closing Ceremonies.

MORNING CARPOOL  9:00 am - 9:15 

To help us start off the day smoothly, please follow the appropriate carpool directions below. A counselor will come to your car, greet you and assist the children out of the car (and car seats). It is important in helping the carpool line move smoothly that parents remain in their cars. Everyone in the car must be masked. The Camper’s temperature needs to be taken by a guardian and shown to the counselor. The parent then submits this information to the Google Classroom Application before driving away. 

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL  3:15 PM – 3:30 PM 

Because our Summer Primary Montessori Class will be dismissed between 3:00-3:10, please plan to arrive for afternoon pick up after 3:15. At dismissal, please follow the same procedure as you did for “drop off”. It is very important that drivers remain in their cars; once a counselor has brought your child out to you, then you may help assist your child with their car-seat or buckling.

EXTENDED PM CARE  3:15 PM – 5:15 PM  (no drop-ins)

If your child is enrolled in Extended, parents should park their cars in the designated area on the circular driveway and CALL to the front office. We will bring your child out to you.  A Late Fee Policy memo will be given to you the first day, which will explain the fees assessed if you arrive after 5:15 PM. (weather conditions, unexpected traffic delays and any other unexpected circumstances will not excuse late fee payments, please plan accordingly.) 

Please Note: The credit card used to register your child will have the extended care charges added once the session has finished. 

Bus Transportation : 

There will be no bus transportation for Butler Camp 2021.

Because our camp is group-centered, we will address challenges related to the individual camper behavior by addressing both the campers needs and the needs of the other children in the group.

When a child demonstrates negative behavior, we will work with the child to adjust their behavior. If the behavior is serious or repeated, a director will step in to provide additional support. Parents will be called when a behavior is serious in nature, not easily resolved, repeated, or is affecting the whole group.

Participation at Butler Camp is a privilege, and we believe that all children have a right to a physically and emotionally safe environment. If a child repeatedly demonstrates inappropriate behavior at Butler Camp, we will work to resolve the issue. If it becomes a larger issue, Butler reserves the right to remove the child from the program.

Specifically: To maintain our staff:camper ratio, if one child consistently requires one on one attention thus changing the ratio and quality of the program, and the behavior is not changing with reasonable amount of effort made by staff and directors, the child will be asked to leave. If a child demonstrates a serious negative behavior that is not likely to improve and is detrimental to the group and camp culture, the child will be asked to leave camp immediately.