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. Children also enjoy special whole camp activities and unique events that take place throughout the session. Children spend much of the day with their assigned 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.
- Our 1st Year Apprentice Program is a 2-week program for 8th graders (choose from session two or session three).
- Our 2nd Year Apprentice Program is a 4-week program for 9th grade graders.
- Registration opens January 11.
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!
Each summer morning, Horizons campers arrive from home by car or bus for a fun-filled day of play and learning. Campers participate in waterfront activities, team sports, archery, nature explorations, and creative arts of many kinds, led by counselors chosen for their teaching skills and their interest in fostering children’s growth and learning. Many Horizons counselors live, teach, work, or go to school in the Upper Valley, and many return to Horizons summer after summer to share their wealth of camp experience with children and younger staff alike. We look forward to seeing your family at Horizons this summer!
– Stuart Fairbairn, Horizons 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.
Bus Transportation
We offer bus service for an additional fee. Sign up within your camp application!
- 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 8:25 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
- Thetford Elementary School: bus leaves at 8:30 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
Campers arriving by car: Drop off by the tennis courts between 8:30-8:40 am. Pick up in the same location at 4:30 pm.
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.
Horizons hosts a 5-day pre-camp training covering a wide range of topics. Counselors who are receiving advanced trainings (first aid, lifeguarding, trip leading) also attend Certification Week.
Registration & Getting Ready
Registration Guidelines
- Apply here starting January 11.
- Requests for campership aid may be made within your camp application.
- Horizons welcomes Kindergarten – 7th grade graduates.
- 8th graders may enroll in a 2-week 1st Year Apprentice Program.
- 9th graders may enroll in a 4-week 2nd Year Apprentice Program.
- Campers are enrolled on a rolling basis, as space allows.
Payments and Cancellation Policy
- There is a no deposit due with your camp application.
- Tuition statements will be available in your online account once a camper is enrolled.
- Payments may be made via e-check or mailed to the Aloha Foundation at 2968 Lake Morey Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045.
- The camp tuition is due March 1.
Address & Directions
Horizons Address: 19 Middlebrook Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045
Bus Transportation & Dropoff/Pickup Procedures
By Car: Specific procedures for dropoff and pickup are being finalized now to ensure social distancing. Stay tuned for more details.
- Camper drop-off is from 8:30-8:45 am. Please do not arrive earlier than 8:30 am.
- Camp ends at 4:30 pm. Please do not arrive earlier than 4:25 pm.
By Bus: You may sign up for our chaperoned school bus service on your camp application. Contact Karen Danforth to inquire about availability if your camper is already enrolled. The cost, due with your camp tuition, is $100 per session per camper ($50 for the one-week session). **This fee is waived for campers receiving financial aid. Please plan to arrive at bus stops early, as the bus is on a tight schedule and cannot wait. Parents will need to sign their camper(s) in and must stay at the bus stop with their camper(s) until the chaperone releases them. Campers are expected to follow the bus rules. If the bus is running late, you will be notified by email and/or phone.
- 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 8:25 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
- Thetford Elementary School: bus leaves at 8:30 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
Authorized pick-up person(s): All adults (including parents) should be prepared to show ID and sign out their child, whether pickup occurs at Horizons or at a bus stop. If someone other than a parent or guardian will pick up your camper, we must have a note to that effect (you can authorize other adults within the Parent Portal). If your camper has permission to ride a bike or walk home alone please let us know. The camp is not liable for campers after they leave camp property, or the Campion, Marion, Thetford and Lyme bus stops.
Things to Bring
Campers should dress for the weather as they will spend lots of time outdoors. T-shirts, shorts, hard-soled shoes (sneakers), and a warm layer are essential. Campers will need to wear a clean, two-layer cloth mask (regardless of vaccine status). In addition, please be sure your camper packs the following each day:
In backpack or tote bag:
• bathing suit & beach towel
• small bottle of sunscreen
• water bottle
• extra cloth mask (clean, two-layer)
• Nut-free lunch and snack (lunches will be stored in the Horizons fridge; please pack a separate snack that can be kept in the camper’s backpack) This is a change for 2021 only as we normally provide snacks and lunch. Please note that we are a nut-free campus.
And if weather requires…
• raincoat
• extra sweater or sweatshirt
• sweatpants
Please leave the following items at home:
• electronic games, CD players, iPods, cell phones
• money
• sports equipment (we will provide everything your camper
needs)
Health Information
- 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.
- Vaccination Policy (our policy is based on VT requirements for schools and may change if VT requirements change)
- View our Medications at Camp document for more information and a list of our standing orders.
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!