You’ve got Questions? We’ve got Answers!
Where is Camp Taconic located?
Hinsdale, Massachusetts. A small town in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains, on Lake Ashmere.
Where do most Taconic campers come from?
The majority of campers come from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. We also have families from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and 10 other states.
Is Taconic a uniform camp?
No, campers can wear what they like. Taconic prides itself on its modest atmosphere, where campers do not need to “dress to impress.” The only uniform requirements are for trip days and inter camp tournament games.
How does laundry work?
Laundry is done weekly. It is washed, folded, and returned within 24 hours. Shower and swimming towels are washed after each use.
Is Taconic a competitive camp?
Taconic’s program is designed to enable every camper to feel successful. Our elective program allows campers with diverse interests to grow and learn new skills throughout the summer. We compete with other camps in many athletic programs and participate in inter-camp tournaments. We also have in-camp sports leagues with well balanced teams created by our professionals. We also host a number of tournaments throughout the summer, including various sports, swimming, tennis, chess, rock climbing and more.
Who will take care of my child if they get sick or injured?
Taconic’s health care staff consists of nurses and a pediatrician that cover our health center seven days a week and 24 hours a day. Children receive routine medications according to the documentation on their health history. Local physicians attend to campers who need to see a specialist. In an emergency, Berkshire Medical Center, a satellite hospital of UMASS Medical, is located 15 minutes from camp. Parents are always called when a child stays overnight in the health center, needs to see a specialist or needs to be started on prescription medication. In addition, our campers are checked on arrival and periodically throughout camp by our nursing staff to ensure that hygiene and health is maintained.
How do the campers get to camp?
The majority of our campers depart on coach buses accompanied by counselors and senior staff members from Westchester County in New York. An accompanied coach bus is also sent to Natick, Massachusetts to transport our Boston families. We arrange chaperoned flights from Florida.
What about phone calls, email and packages?
Campers may call their parents at specified times throughout the summer. Each camper is required to write letters twice a week and we encourage parents to write often. Emails may also be sent to your camper through our web site. We are a package free camp.
What does Taconic do to make new campers feel comfortable?
We host a new camper get together on the first Sunday in May. Small groups of new campers, all the same age, have a chance to meet each other as well as many Taconic staff members. Parents and campers are encouraged to ask questions, participate in activities and to leave feeling raring and ready to go! Once at camp, we match each of our new campers up with a big sister or big brother, a current, older camper.
How do I get more information about Camp Taconic?
We encourage all new families to meet with a director and make their decision during the summer or fall while space is still available. If you are considering camp for the following summer, we suggest you visit camp while it is in session. We offer tours and ‘Rookie Day’.
What types of campers attend Taconic?
Taconic campers, ages 7-15, tend to come from a fairly homogeneous background. Most of our campers are Jewish, and while Taconic has no official religious affiliation or practices, we do offer brief, optional Friday evening Shabbat services for campers and staff who are interested. As with most residential summer camps, Taconic campers typically come from upper income families looking to provide their children with a safe, supportive, and enriching summer experience that will enable their campers to learn, grow, and make and develop friends.
Taconic campers are interested in all sorts of activities and are just as likely to be found starring in the latest camp musical as they are playing in a soccer tournament or perfecting their fabric design skills. Taconic welcomes campers of all backgrounds and invites families with children of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, skills, etc. to reach out to learn more to see if Taconic is the right summer home for them. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like more information about Camp Taconic!
Feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like more information about Camp Taconic!
