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.
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.
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 8:30 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
- Thetford Elementary School: bus leaves at 8:25 am, returns approximately 4:45 pm
Campers arriving by car: Drop off by the tennis courts (3878 VT Route 244) 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.
As always, as we plan for the upcoming camp season, the safety of our campers, counselors, participants, and staff is our top priority. For the summer of 2022, the Aloha Foundation will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all participants, staff, and volunteers at Horizons. The number of vaccine doses required will vary depending on the person’s age, the date they started their vaccine series, and the type of vaccine received. Read the Aloha Foundation’s full policy here.
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.
- Campers are enrolled on a rolling basis, as space allows. We encourage you to apply early!
- 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 the 4-week 2nd Year Apprentice Program.
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.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Policy.
- Aloha Foundation Vaccination Policy
- View our Medications at Camp document for more information and a list of our standing orders.
Payments and Cancellation Policy
- There is 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.
- Read our cancellation policy here.
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. 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
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)
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!