Q) Is your camp accredited and licensed?

A) Pine Grove Day Camp is both licensed by the state of NJ and accredited by the American Camping Association. In addition to all local and state regulations, Pine Grove also adheres to the over 300 national standards established by the American Camping Association for summer camps. During our last accreditation we scored a perfect 100% on every single national standard. ACA Standards cover all facets of camp operation including staffing, safety, facility maintenance, athletics and pool operation.

Q) Do you conduct criminal background checks on your counselors?

A) In addition to reference checks, Pine Grove Day Camp performs a national criminal background check on all staff over the age of 18. This is neither a state nor an ACA requirement, but we feel that the safety of your child is our primary concern; therefore we go the extra step to perform these checks. Any staff member who is unwilling to sign the release for the check is not eligible for employment.

Q) What is your camp’s philosophy?

A) Camp philosophy is perhaps the most important thing in choosing a summer program for your child. At Pine Grove, ours is one of uncovering your child’s potential by creating success opportunities for them through our multifaceted camp program. At Pine Grove, our staff follow three basic Prime Directives.

1. The physical and emotional safety of all campers
2. The understanding that our program exists to create success opportunities for campers. The staff must validate and share in that success. To do that they MUST be INVOLVED with the campers in every aspect of their camp experience.
   
3. Staff must be positive role models! All staff must be aware of the tremendous responsibility they carry as role models to young children.

Q) What is your discipline procedure?

A) In order for everyone to have a safe, successful and happy summer, all campers must follow the basic rules of safety and respect for the feelings of others. At Pine Grove we use a 3-step discipline procedure.

1. The counselor is trained to deal with basic behavior issues.
2. The Division Head (Supervisor) is called in if the behavior does not improve.
3. We partner with the parents to help find ways to get campers to succeed here.

Q) Do you provide lunch? What if my child has a dietary requirement?

A) Pine Grove provides a full hot lunch program daily for our campers. A different hot entrée is provided every day with alternatives for those campers who may not like what is being served.

Q) When, if ever, do campers go off site?

A) At Pine Grove, trips start in the Senior Division, 5th & 6th & 7th graders, who go on two - four trips over the course of the summer. The 8th, & 9th graders participate in the Teen Travel Program, meaning that they leave camp for a day trip two or three times a week and have the option of going on overnight trips.

Q) What safety precautions do you take when transporting children?

A) At Pine Grove we use professional drivers and yellow air conditioned school buses. Each driver has a cell phone in the case of an emergency.

Q) Do you have a nurse on site?

A) YES! At Pine Grove we have a RN on site at all times. Our pool and leadership staff are trained in first aid and in the use of our Automatic External Defibrillator.

Q) Will my child learn to swim at Pine Grove?

A) Absolutely! All campers, Pre-K through 6th grade, participate in morning swim lessons. The campers are grouped into swim classes based on their individual level. We use the Red Cross Learn to Swim Program along with Red Cross certified instructors to ensure that all campers, regardless of their level, improve their swimming ability. One of the many benefits of our facility is that our pools vary in depth and are heated,so all campers can become adjusted to the water in a pool where they can stand, and then, when they are comfortable, progress into deeper water.

Q) What activities are offered to younger campers? (no nap time)

A) Our younger campers under the age of 6 get the full camp program less Archery, Tennis and Mountain Bikes.There is no nap time for pre-schoolers, nor do we find one necessary.

Q) What happens on rainy or excessively hot days?

A) Pine Grove has over 25,000 square feet of indoor space and numerous tents in which we hold activities in the event of rain. During rainy days all campers in 5th grade or older go off site for activities and the younger campers stay at camp. On very hot days we have over 10,000 square feet of pool space and we double up on our swim times!

Q) What if I can't be home to meet the bus either before or after camp?

A) If you will never be home in time to meet the bus, we offer both before- and after-care at camp, meaning you can drop off your camper as earlier as 7:15am and pick them up at camp by 6:00pm. If it is local, we may be able to transport your camper to and from your place of employment or a babysitter’s house. But maybe one day, you are simply running a little late. Prior to the start of the summer, you will receive your bus driver’s phone number so if you are running late, you can contact your driver directly. Campers will not be left home alone unless they have written permission to do so. If the driver is at your house and no one is home, we will try to contact you, and in the event that we are unable to reach you, the camper will be returned to camp.

Q) Are there any programs offered after regular camp hours?

A) Yes, there are a number of after camp programs. We offer an aftercare program, which allows parents to pick up their campers from camp as late as 6:00pm and provides the campers with an additional swim, snack, and additional time in some of our most popular camp activities. We also offer private swim and tennis lessons, which would give your child one-on-one instruction with one of our qualified instructors.

Q) Will my camper be able to choose the activities they participate in?

A) Campers in the 2nd Grade and above have a period on their schedule called Choice, which enables them to participate in an activity of their choice during that time period for one week at which time they are able to choose again. In addition, half way through each summer the group’s schedule is completely rewritten, and the group is encouraged to provide feedback on which activities they would like to see in their schedule more often and which they would not.