Hilltop FAQ's

Q: Where is Camp Hilltop located?
A: Hilltop is located in Hancock, NY, just off NY Route 17. Approximately 40 minutes from Binghamton, 2 ½ hours from NYC, 1 ½ hours from Albany, 4 ½ hours from Boston, 3 hours from Philadelphia. Hancock is nestled between the Pocono and Catskill Mountain ranges at the mouth of the Delaware River. If you are looking at a map and see the Northeast corner of Pennsylvania, Hancock is located just over the border in NY.

Q: How many campers are at Hilltop?
A: Hilltop has approximately 240 campers at any time.

Q: Where do most Hilltop campers come from?
A: The majority of our campers come from the East Coast (NY, NJ, CT, PA & MA, MD) but we do have campers from all over the United States and the world!

Q: How long are the sessions at Hilltop?
A: Hilltop offers sessions that are 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks in length.

Q: What percentage of Hilltop campers return?
A: Each year approximately 80% of Hilltops campers return for another summer of friends and fun.

Q: Do most campers come with friends?
A: Most Hilltop campers come to camp by themselves. Many have said they have found it is easier to make friends that way. Occasionally, we have campers come to camp with friends from home and that’s okay with us. If that’s what it is going to take to give your camper the confidence to try camp, great! Just remind them that there will be tons on new people to meet and to keep an open mind.

Q: What do I wear at camp?
A: Hilltop is not a formal place and we have no uniform. Camp is a great place to wear out old clothes. We just require that all campers where appropriate clothing.

Q: Will I see my brother or sister at camp?
A: Hilltop has many siblings at camp. They see each other as much or as little as they would like to. The camp meets as a whole for 3 meals a day, as well as, 2 all camp meets between activities and evening program. So there is plenty of time when everyone is together. So if siblings want to see each other these are great times.

Q: Who can campers talk to if they have a problem?
A: There are always plenty of caring people to help: counselors, nurses, the program director and of course Bill, Kathy, Scott, Ann or Melissa are available at anytime day or night.

Q: Can a camper stay longer if they want to?
A: We love it when campers want to extend their stay with us. If we have room in the cabin for a camper to stay, we would be more than happy to accommodate that. Please be aware that very often our cabins are full and space is limited.

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Program

Q: Is Hilltop a competitive camp?
A: Camp Hilltop is a non-competitive camp. We believe that kids have enough competition during the school year. Camp is a place to improve an already familiar activity or learn a new one in a fun and friendly environment.

Q: Is the program free choice or are activities assigned.
A: The Hilltop program offers a mixture of both free choice and assigned activities. There are five activity periods each day, 2 one-hour activities (cabin activities) are assigned by our creative program staff and the remaining 3 one and a half hour periods (2 intensives and a free activity) are chosen by the camper.

Q: Do I have to bring my own fishing pole, basketball or tennis racket?
A: No. Hilltop has all the equipment you will need to participate in our programs. Of course you may also bring your own, but please leave anything that is very valuable at home.

Q: How will I know what activity I have next?
A: The list of cabin activities is posted each morning. Intensives are picked on Sunday for the week and counselors keep a list of their camper’s activities posted in the cabin.

Q: What happens on rainy days?
A: Lots of activities! We have ample indoor space and will adjust our program accordingly. Never, do campers just sit in their cabin and watch the rain drops fall.

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Cabin Life

Q: How are campers assigned to cabins? Can I be in a cabin with my friend?
A: Hilltop assigns campers to cabins based on the grade they are entering in the fall. We certainly take requests for friends to be in the same cabin.

Q: How many kids are there in a cabin?
A: We have several different size cabins; some hold six campers, some hold 18 campers and everything in between. No matter what size the cabin is, the 4 to 1 staff ratio remains.

Q: Do we have to clean the cabin?
A: Yes. Hilltop, like any camp, is communal living. Part of living in a community is taking responsibilities within and for that community. It is each cabin's responsibility to keep their living space clean and tidy. The camp nurses will do cabin inspections each day. Our maintenance staff sanitizes the bathrooms daily.

Q: Can campers bring stuff to decorate their cabin?
A: Of course, your cabin is your home and you need to make it feel like that. We think it is great to bring pictures of family and friends and items that give the cabins that "homey" feel.

Q: Is a trunk necessary?
A: No, only if you want to bring one. Cabins do have cubbies where you can store your things.

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Parent/Camper Communication & Visiting

Q: Can I email my camper?
A: E-mail is inbound only. You can send your campers emails via our web site. They are printed off daily and delivered with the snail mail. Hilltop does not have the facilities for campers to return your email.

Q: Does Hilltop have visiting days?
A: Yes, Camp Hilltop has two types of visiting days. There are Family Days (last Saturday of week 4 and the last day of camp) where we encourage your entire family to come and spend the day at camp. We provide a picnic lunch and your family can participate in activities or watch your camper(s) show off all their new accomplishments. The second is a day (first Sunday of week 3 and 7) when parents can come and take their camper(s) out for lunch. The hours for visiting day are 10:00 to 2:00. Please note there is no visiting day within a 2 week session.

Q: Can I receive/send care packages?
A: Campers are allowed one package every two weeks. Food is not allowed and will be confiscated (food in the cabin invites small furry visitors.)

Q: Can parents and campers call/talk to each other while they are at camp?
A: There is not an open phone policy. Parents may call and speak to both the administration and cabin counselors to check on their child. Parents may also email and write letters. Campers are encouraged to write letters home often. In addition, the cabin counselors will send a postcard home to the parents once a week letting you know how your camper(s) are doing.

Q: Does Hilltop allow cell phones to be brought to and used at camp?
A: Hilltop does not allow cell phones to be brought to or used at camp. Please leave them at home. Cell phones brought to camp will be confiscated and returned when you leave.

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Facilities & Services

Q: Are there bathrooms in cabins?
A: Yes, all cabins have bathrooms (toilets and showers) with hot and cold running water and electricity. All of Hilltop’s cabins are simple and well maintained.

Q: What kind of food do you serve?
A: The food we serve at Hilltop is much like the food you eat/serve at home, except a lot more of it. Some examples: Breakfast - pancakes, French toast, eggs, cereal / Lunch - tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken nuggets / Dinner - turkey, hamburgers, stir fry, spaghetti. We also offer a Vegetarian menu.

Q: What do I do if I feel sick?
A: Visit the Hilltop Wellness Center. It is staffed by 2 medical staff (RN, RNP) and open 24 hours a day.

Q: Who does the laundry?
A: Laundry is done once a week by a laundry service. It is picked up on a Thursday afternoon and delivered back to camp Friday morning. That means that it is out overnight. So you need to bring either 2 sets of sheets or a set of sheets and a sleeping bag.

Q: Does Hilltop have religious services at camp?
A: Hilltop is not religiously affiliated so we do not have services on camp. We accept and welcome campers and staff from all background, religions and faiths. If campers wish to attend religious services we will transport them to the services of their choice.

Q: How do campers get to camp?
A: The majority of campers are dropped off at camp by their family. Hilltop does offer a bus from/to the NYC, Metro NY and Philadelphia areas for an additional fee on the following days: first day of camp, last day of week four, first day of week 5 and the last day of camp. For campers who fly to camp we offer an airport pickup for an additional fee.

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Staff

Q: How old is the staff?
A: The average age of the Hilltop staff is 23 years old. Hilltop hires staff that are 18 years old with at least a year of university completed.

Q: Do the staff live in cabins with the campers?
A: Yes, the staff lives in the cabins with the campers.

Q: What is the ratio of campers to staff?
A: In general Hilltop has 4 campers per staff person. The ratio increases to 3 campers per staff person when the campers are in 4^th grade or below.

Q: How does Hilltop train their staff?
A: First we seek staff that has experience working with children. Then we provide an extensive one-week orientation prior to campers arriving. Among other things we bring in child behavior specialists to instruct/guide our counselors, as well as run sessions on camp and cabin life. We offer certification courses in key areas such as the outdoor adventure course and waterfront. During the camp season we hold Staff Development meetings every Sunday morning. In addition, Hilltop has an open door policy for all staff and campers.

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