Camp Homeward Bound

New York City, with its bustling streets and vibrant energy, is a place unlike any other. But even the most dedicated city dwellers occasionally crave a respite, a chance to reconnect with nature, and an opportunity for growth and adventure away from the urban landscape. For families in the New York region seeking a meaningful and transformative summer experience for their children, Camp Homeward Bound stands out as a truly exceptional destination. More than just a campground, this unique establishment offers a rich and nurturing environment designed to provide unforgettable memories and valuable life lessons.

Camp Homeward Bound, nestled in the scenic surroundings of Southfields, NY, is a pioneering sleepaway camp with a profound mission. Established in 1984 by the Coalition for the Homeless, it holds the distinction of being the nation's first summer sleep-away camp specifically designed for children experiencing homelessness in the New York shelter system. For decades, it has served as a beacon of hope, offering a safe haven where hundreds of children each summer can escape the challenges of their daily lives and simply be kids. The camp provides three 16-day sessions annually, welcoming campers aged seven to fifteen, with opportunities for older participants to return as "Leaders-in-Training." It’s a place where fun, friendship, and personal development converge, creating a positive and lasting impact on young lives.

Camp Homeward Bound is strategically located in Southfields, NY 10975, USA, offering a convenient escape from the city without requiring extensive travel. Situated within the beautiful Harriman State Park in Upstate New York, the camp benefits from the park's expansive natural beauty, including lush forests, scenic trails, and serene bodies of water. This proximity to New York City, approximately an hour's drive, makes it an accessible option for families looking for a local summer camp solution that still feels like a true getaway. The natural environment provides an ideal backdrop for a wide array of outdoor activities, allowing campers to immerse themselves in nature's wonders.

Camp Homeward Bound is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and enriching summer experience. Their services are designed to foster physical, social, and academic growth in a supportive and fun environment. Key services include:

• Residential Sleepaway Camp: Offering three 16-day sessions each summer, providing a full immersion experience for campers.
• Age-Appropriate Programs: Tailored activities for children aged seven to fifteen, with a focus on holistic development.
• Educational Enrichment: Integration of learning opportunities in reading, math, science, and nutrition, making summer learning engaging.
• Social Skill Development: Encouraging interaction, teamwork, and friendship-building through communal living and group activities.
• Experienced Staff: A dedicated team of counselors and specialists, many of whom are college/university students or graduates from diverse backgrounds, providing round-the-clock supervision and mentorship.
• Health and Safety: A commitment to ensuring the well-being of all campers, including comprehensive care for those with specific needs, as evidenced by the positive review highlighting care for a broken arm.
• Leadership Opportunities: Programs for older campers to return as "Leaders-in-Training," fostering responsibility and mentorship skills.

What makes Camp Homeward Bound truly special are its diverse features and the unique environment it cultivates. It's more than just a place to stay; it's a vibrant community where children thrive. Highlights include:

• Wide Range of Activities: Campers can enjoy a full roster of classic summer camp activities, including swimming, sports, art, dance, yoga, archery, biking along nature trails, culinary arts, music, hiking, and photography.
• Immersive Nature Experience: Taking full advantage of Harriman State Park's environment, children are immersed in outdoor adventures, from exploring nature trails to harvesting vegetables in the camp garden and telling stories around a blazing campfire.
• Supportive and Loving Staff: Reviews consistently praise the staff for being "loving, kind, fun, fair and firm," creating an environment where children feel safe, cared for, and empowered to grow.
• Community Building: The camp fosters a strong sense of community, where campers build lasting friendships and staff members from around the world share their unique cultures and experiences.
• Focus on Overcoming Challenges: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by many of its campers, Camp Homeward Bound provides a critical respite from city life and aims to help children overcome social, developmental, and education-related challenges.
• Well-Maintained Facilities: The camp boasts 24 buildings, 30 tent platforms, a beachfront, and docks, all maintained to provide a high-quality camp experience. Ongoing efforts for renovations ensure the facilities continue to meet the needs of campers.
• A Place for Self-Discovery: Testimonials reveal that children have truly "the best time of their life," learning much about themselves and the world around them in a supportive setting.

As a program of the Coalition for the Homeless, Camp Homeward Bound's primary mission is to provide an invaluable summer experience for children who might otherwise not have access to such opportunities. Therefore, the camp's "promotions" are inherently tied to its charitable nature and the support it receives. It is not a traditional for-profit campground offering seasonal discounts to the general public. Instead, its "special offer" is the profound opportunity it provides to hundreds of children from the NYC shelter system each year, entirely free of charge to the families. This vital service is made possible through generous donations and fundraising efforts, such as the Camp Homeward Bound 40th Anniversary Capital Campaign, which seeks to ensure the camp's continued operation and facility improvements. For those interested in supporting this incredible initiative, contributing to the Coalition for the Homeless directly contributes to these life-changing summer experiences for New York's most vulnerable children.

For detailed information about Camp Homeward Bound, including specifics on their programs, how children are selected, and ways to support their mission, you can reach out to the Coalition for the Homeless.

Address: Southfields, NY 10975, USA (Camp Location)

For inquiries and information about the program, you can contact the parent organization:

Coalition for the Homeless

Telephone: (212) 776-2000

Email: info@cfthomeless.org

For New Yorkers, Camp Homeward Bound represents more than just a recreational spot; it embodies a profound community initiative that enriches the lives of children right here in our region. While many of us seek out places for our own families to connect with nature and enjoy summer activities, Camp Homeward Bound offers a unique chance to support and appreciate a vital resource that directly impacts the city's most vulnerable youth.

The camp's location in Harriman State Park provides an accessible and beautiful natural escape, showcasing the incredible outdoor resources available just a short distance from the five boroughs. For parents and community members, understanding the existence and mission of Camp Homeward Bound is an opportunity to learn about an organization that directly addresses the challenges faced by children experiencing homelessness, offering them a chance to simply "be kids" in a safe and supportive environment.

The glowing testimonials from former campers and their families underscore the camp's success in fostering personal growth, resilience, and happiness. It’s a place where children, regardless of their circumstances, are taken care of "very well," learn valuable skills, and create cherished memories, as one former camper eloquently stated, having "the best time of my life!" For locals looking to engage with their community, understand local initiatives, or even contribute to a cause that benefits New York City's youth, Camp Homeward Bound serves as an inspiring example of positive impact. It’s a testament to the power of a supportive community and the transformative experience of a summer camp, right here in our New York backyard.

Camp Homeward Bound

Southfields, NY 10975, USA