Horizons
program for kindergarteners-7th graders
Camp Overview
Horizons Day Camp is located on Lake Fairlee with 150 acres of inviting fields, woodlands, and trails. Horizons campers explore a rich array of activities, run by our high-caliber staff—then go home to bed at night—tired and happy. From archery and boating to swimming and drama, campers spend time in each of our 11 departments throughout their session. Participants also enjoy special whole camp activities and unique events that take place throughout the session. Campers spend time in assigned groups which are scheduled to rotate through all departments. They have free choice of activities for the majority of afternoons. Group placements are made with great care, considering factors such as prior camp experience, school, age, and developmental needs.
- Hot lunches and snacks are provided daily.
- Bus transportation is available from Lebanon, Norwich, Lyme, and Thetford for an additional fee.
- Children must have completed Kindergarten to be eligible for Horizons 2022.
- 8th graders may enroll in a 2-week 1st Year Apprentice Program.
- 9th graders may enroll in the 4-week 2nd Year Apprentice Program.
The Aloha Foundation offers financial support to more than 75 children at Horizons each year. Interested families can apply for campership aid within the camp application. Please contact us with any questions.
2022 Dates & Rates
Welcome to Horizons!
Horizons is a very special place and unique to the region. Operating in a similar fashion to our residential camps, but in a day camp setting, campers experience a huge breadth of programming through our diverse activity departments and frequent special events. There is a strong focus on the lessons learned through challenging ourselves in different ways. We see the experiences we facilitate as opportunities to help campers learn about themselves, building resilience, self-awareness, independence, and personal growth. Horizons Day Camp values relationship-building and chooses to keep technology away from our experience so we can focus on each other while becoming immersed in the program on a beautiful campus. And, we have a bucket full of fun at the same time!
– Stuart Fairbairn, Horizons Program Director
Archery
Archery is set on a range with a three mile valley view. Quality instruction focusing on safety and proper form is combined with fun activities like archery golf, balloon shoots, and informal tournaments with other Aloha Foundation camps.
Arts & Crafts
The Arts & Crafts barn is filled with the creativity, imagination, inspiration, and materials needed to create individual and group projects out of cloth, wood, clay, paint, beads, leather, metal, yarn, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Boating
The Boating department offers campers the opportunity to learn paddling skills. In canoes or kayaks, children exploring the open waters of Lake Fairlee and the small tributary that runs under the Horizons foot bridge.
Drama & Music
In the Lodge, home of our Drama & Music department, campers try out whacky improv and crazy costumes. They create puppet shows and imaginative skits. Those looking for even more theatre might choose to act or work behind the scenes on set and costumes for our end-of-session performances.
Field Games & Court Sports
Horizons’ large field, basketball, tennis and pickleball courts see lots of action between our two sports departments. Alongside some unique Horizons games, campers revel in activities such as Quidditch, dodgeball, tag games, soccer, frisbee, and kickball. We enjoy friendly competition with an emphasis on cooperation and sportsmanship.
Gymnastics
Another popular sport at Horizons is gymnastics in a large, airy studio with a variety of equipment including beams, floor mats, low bars, and spring boards. Campers develop greater coordination and body awareness through a range of skills practice, challenging games and some additional voluntary extras such as dance, stretching and mindfulness.
Nature
Exploring the natural world is an important part of the Horizons experience. Campers take advantage of our forests, wetlands and meadow, building links between the diversity of organisms (including human), and their respective roles in the overall wellbeing of our ecosystems.
Sailing
Horizons’ fleet of sailboats is used by novice sailors under the supervision and instruction of counselors or soloed by campers who have passed their skipper's test. Campers interested in racing enjoy sailing regattas with other camps.
Swimming
At our welcoming waterfront, campers play in the sand and swim in Lake Fairlee. Through small group swimming lessons with our experienced staff and fun free swim games, campers see improvements in skill and comfort.
Tripping
The Tripping department takes campers into the beautiful hills and mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire for wilderness hiking adventures. Older campers also learn camping skills on an overnight trip and venture to our other camps on Lake Morey to challenge themselves and support each other on a high ropes course or climbing tower.
Daily Schedule
Horizons campers are assigned to a camper group of 10-12 children and 2-3 counselors. During Unit Time, two groups combine to form a unit. Each unit has a specific intentional space and additional support staff. Younger groups have two full time counselors to guide and support them during transitions and activity periods. Older groups transition themselves and have assigned staff all other times.
Morning
- 8:30 – 8:40 am – Campers arrive by bus or car
- 8:45 am – Camp begins!
- 8:45 – 9:15 am – Unit Time (Campers learn about the day, connect with friends and counselors, and enjoy down-time activities.)
- 9:15 – 9:40 am – Assembly (singing, stories, sharing, performances, announcements)
- 9:40 – 10:35 am – First activity period (camper groups assigned to 1 of 11 activity departments)
- 10:35 – 11:40 am – Second activity period and Snack – (camper groups assigned to 1 of 11 activity departments)
- 11:40 – 12:30 pm – Third activity period (camper groups assigned to 1 of 11 activity departments)
Afternoon
- 12:30 – 1:00 pm – Unit Time (free time in Units, wash up and table setting)
- 1:00 – 1:45 pm – Lunch
- 1:45 – 2.15 pm – Unit Time (quiet focused activities after lunch)
- 2:20 – 3:05 pm – Fourth activity period (campers choose from a wide variety of activities)
- 3:05 – 3:55 pm – Fifth activity period (campers choose from a wide variety of activities)
- 3:55 – 4:30 pm – Unit Time (free time in Units, prepare for departure)
- 4:30 pm – Time to go home!
Meals
At Horizons, the chef knows what kinds of food keep active campers fueled and happy. Lunch menus include pasta, pizza, chicken, turkey, roast beef, burgers, sandwiches, soups, tacos, and plenty of salads, vegetables, and fruits. We take pride in the supplier relationships we have established with local growers and farm stands nearby in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Our dining program not only feeds campers but also involves them as table helpers, recyclers, and composters. Our kitchen can accommodate many medically-dictated dietary requirements. We do our best to accommodate dietary needs by not serving nuts, and by making vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. However, we cannot guarantee there will be no cross-contamination from food ingredients from facilities that also process nuts, dairy, or gluten products.
Arrival and Departure
Bus Transportation
- Campion Rink: bus leaves at 8:00 am, returns approximately 5:10 pm
- Marion Cross School: bus leaves at 8:10 am, returns approximately 5:00 pm
- Lyme Elementary School: bus leaves at 8:30 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
- Thetford Elementary School: bus leaves at 8:25 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
An adult must remain present at the bus stop until the chaperone releases them. Campers must be signed in and out each day. Campers are expected to follow the bus rules. If the bus is running late, you will be notified by email and/or phone.
Dropoff and Pickup at Camp
Authorized Pickup Person(s)
Health & Safety
All of our practices have been developed to meet or exceed guidelines put forth by the American Camp Association (ACA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and Vermont’s Department of Health.
Staff Training
Vaccination Policies
Health Forms
- Health forms, due May 1, will be available in your account after your camper is enrolled. If you have questions, please email Karen Danforth, Associate Director of Enrollment, or Gretchen Cyros, Nursing Supervisor.
- Campers are required to be covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan.
- View our Medications at Camp document for more information and a list of our standing orders.
COVID-19 FAQs
The Aloha Foundation continues to monitor the threat that COVID-19 presents to our camp communities and has taken necessary, reasonable steps to mitigate these concerns. The following Frequently Asked Questions were last updated on 6/9/2022. They are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
What are the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for campers in 2022?
- All campers must adhere to the Aloha Foundation’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.
Are there restrictions on activities this year?
- We anticipate a return to normal camp activities, with plenty of choices every day and all departments will be open! Our kitchen is open and will be serving hot lunch and snacks each day. We will have two seatings at lunchtime to ensure social distancing.
When will campers need masks?
- We ask that all campers bring masks with them each day (cloth, surgical, or KN95s are fine). Most of our camp program takes place in an outdoor, open-air setting and we do not anticipate campers wearing masks on a daily basis. However, there may be some situations in which campers are asked to mask (for example, if they are in close proximity indoors for an extended period of time).
What if our camper displays symptoms of COVID-19 at home?
- Campers should not attend camp if they are ill. Campers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home until they have received two negative rapid tests taken 24 hours apart or a negative PCR test AND their symptoms have improved and they feel well enough to participate in camp. **Symptoms include, but are not limited to: sore throat, headache, cough, congestion, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose.
What if our camper displays symptoms while at camp?
- If a participant shows any symptoms of COVID-19 while at Horizons, they will be taken to the designated isolation zone and assessed by the nurse. If a participant needs to go home, a parent/guardian will need to collect their child as soon as possible. Participants will not be able to travel home on the bus if they have symptoms.
What if our camper has close contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of camp?
- Participants who have close contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19 may still attend Horizons as long as they have no symptoms. Participants should test five days after exposure.
- Participants who are close contacts who DO have symptoms of COVID-19 may return to Horizons after receiving 2 negative rapid test results within 24 hours. These participants will be required to be masked for 10 days following exposure (defined as the last day you had close contact with someone positive for COVID-19) in accordance with the CDC’s guidance for close contacts.
What if our camper tests positive for COVID-19 before or during their session?
- Participants who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 5 days. They may return to the program AFTER Day 5, IF they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours AND symptoms are improved and they feel well. These participants will be required to be masked and eat lunch outside of the dining hall (with supervision) for the next 5 days. Depending on the group’s schedule, alternative programming may be planned for these participants during this 5 day period as we cannot ensure social distancing during swimming and boating activities.
Are visitors allowed on campus? What if my camper needs to arrive late or leave early?
- Visitors are only permitted during designated Open House events or by prior arrangement with the camp director. If your child needs to be dropped off late or picked up early from the program, please contact the Main Office to make arrangements.
During the Summer
Things to Bring
In backpack or tote bag:
- bathing suit & beach towel
- small bottle of sunscreen
- water bottle
And if weather requires…
- raincoat
- extra sweater or sweatshirt
- sweatpants
Please leave the following items at home:
- electronic games, iPods, cell phones
- food, (unless arranged with the camp nurse in advance)
- money
- sports equipment (we will provide everything your camper
needs)
Final Friday Open Houses
Second Tuesday Overnight
Let’s Connect
We offer camps and programs for people of all ages. Let’s talk about you, your child, your family – and discover together which experience you would value most. There are many options and possibilities!