FAQs

Camp and Staff

  • The American Camp Association (ACA) is a national organization that sets the highest standards for the camping industry, which include the oversight of health and safety of campers and staff, as well as delivery of high quality programming. Being an ACA-accredited facility means we have agreed to meet standards higher than the NY state department of health requires, which ensures the highest possible quality of programming. We are reaccredited every five years and submit ongoing paperwork annually to maintain our accreditation.

  • Each summer we undergo an inspection by the local department of health. We are required to meet standards for health and risk management, program, personnel, and site safety as established by both the department of health and the American Camp Association.

  • We are proud to cultivate an enthusiastic, caring, mature and committed staff each summer. Our team is selected based on their experience, genuine desire to make a difference for our campers, and their commitment to our mission, vision, and values. Extensive interviews and annual background checks are completed for all staff members.

    Additionally, all staff receive extensive training prior to campers arriving, including health and safety, meeting camper needs, diversity and inclusion, age level characteristics, emergency procedures, activity, and outdoor program skills, how to support campers who are missing home, and so much more. All staff members are First Aid and CPR trained. Staff members who supervise specialty activities such as waterfront or trips receive additional training and have experience and qualifications within their specialized areas.

  • In accordance with the American Camp Association, we maintain a max. ratio of 1 unit counselor per every 8 campers. However, whenever possible we strive to decrease this number and in practice our ratio is more often 1 staff member per every 5 campers.

Camp Life

  • Camp Little Notch is a wilderness camp with rustic facilities. Overnight campers stay in platform tents, which are large canvas tents on a wooden platform. Each tent holds 4 campers on their own individual cots. You can learn more about summer camp lodging here.

  • Campers must be registered into the same session to bunk together (for example, trip campers can only bunk with other trip campers or CITs can only bunk with other CITs). During the paperwork process, you’ll be asked for a bunkmate request. Please make sure the bunkmate lists your child, too. Note: campers may not request more than one bunkmate.

    We can accommodate bunkmate requests for campers of similar ages. No more than 2 years apart in age is recommended. If the age gap is greater than 2 years, we do not recommend bunking together because we believe that each camper will have their best possible experience when with their own age-appropriate group. And camp is all about making new friends.

    Note: campers are not isolated from other groups during the session. There are opportunities to intermingle so even if two campers are not bunked together, they’ll still be able to see each other at times throughout the week.

  • Yes! In the parent handbook, you’ll find the detailed information needed to contact your camper via traditional or email during their stay. Please note that we are an intentionally tech-free environment and do not have cell signal on site, so campers do not have access to technology of any form during their session.

    If you would like an update about your camper’s experience, our staff will be happy to share that with you via phone or email, so don’t hesitate to get in touch during the session.

  • Care packages are welcome, but please do not send food in packages or luggage. CLN is in the Adirondack wilderness, which comes with all kinds of creatures who will happily chew through luggage or boxes to eat any goodies. Care packages that include items that are useful and/or promote community such as cards or stationary are great replacements.

  • We have an RN is onsite 24/7 while camp is in session, and they oversee all camper/staff health care and administration of medications. They also oversee the health check-in process on the first day of camp, which includes a lice check of all campers. Our health director is also trained to identify health issues that require more advanced medical attention. You will be contacted if your camper experiences any illness or injury that requires attention from emergency medical services or if they need to be transported out of camp to obtain medical services. You will also be contacted to discuss issues such as strains/sprains, vomiting, or if your camper must spend the night in the health center for any reason. Additionally, we will contact you if your camper is experiencing frequent feelings of missing home or makes frequent trips to the health center for a routine issue that becomes ongoing, such as upset stomach, frequent headaches, etc.

  • Our food service team prepares a variety of nutritious meals that are intentionally planned to be accessible to all types of eaters. We serve plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and vegetarian-friendly items. At each lunch and dinner, a salad bar is provided in addition to the main course. Additionally, one of campers’ favorite times of the day is snack time where we gather at the carpark (main field) or waterfront to have afternoon snack together as a whole camp to help fuel the afternoon’s fun.

  • Dietary information is collected on your health history form during registration. This information greatly aids us in providing your camper the best possible experience. We regularly provide vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free alternatives. Our dedicated food service team ensures each camper with special dietary needs has an adequate substitution or modified meal that meets their needs. If your camper has allergies or special dietary needs, please contact us at any time prior to camp to discuss your requirements. We are often able to provide everything your child needs at camp, but if not, we’ll work to find a solution.

Transportation, Registration, Payments, Cancellation, Camp Store

  • Each session of camp, we have a small camp store on-site. If you prefer not to leave money for your child, caregivers can shop with their campers during drop-off on Sundays or pick up on Fridays.

  • Deposits are non-refundable.

    Prior to April 30: A full refund, minus the deposit, will be provided if you cancel your child's registration before this date.

    May 1 - 31: Cancellations made during this period will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee minus the deposit.

    After June 1: We regret that we are unable to provide refunds for cancellations made after this date.

  • Yes, there is limited transportation available for an additional fee per week. Pick up points will be designated at the beginning of each season. You can sign up for this option during camp registration.

  • Links to the summer camp sessions and events registration pages are in the header and footer or this website.