Children (minimum age 5) and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities.
In an effort to maintain a safe environment, we cannot accommodate campers with the following challenges:
- Campers with extreme and significant behavioral challenges
- Campers who exhibit aggressive or self-abusive behavior
- Campers who are a flight risk
- Campers who require constant one-to-one attendant care
Take a tour of the facility and meet with the camp administrators.
Each session consists of a mix of disabilities including (but not limited to) mental retardation, autism, Asperger's Disorder, cerebral palsy, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and muscular dystrophy.
A maximum of 24 campers attend per session.
2 campers to 1 staff person.
Potential employees complete a comprehensive application including disclosure of criminal history and a complete background check (state and sexual offender databases). Each applicant completes a personal interview with camp administration and three references are checked for every candidate. Employees are continually observed during their employment to ensure exemplary performance.
Transportation to and from camp is the responsibility of the camper.
Financial assistance is available for campers who qualify. Campers requesting financial assistance are required to complete the financial assistance form found in the camper application and submit proof of income. We award assistance in a way that attempts to allow as many campers as possible to attend summer camp. Based on resource availability, we may not able to offer a scholarship to everyone that applies. Scholarship money is awarded based on several factors including annual household income, family size, and extenuating financial circumstances.
The full-time summer staff consists of a medical director and nurses (RNs and LPNs) on site 24 hours per day. The medical staff dispense medications, provide routine treatments (e.g. feeding tubes, diabetes management, nebulizer treatments) and attend to emergency and non-emergency situations (e.g. seizure management, bug bites, illness).
The infirmary is a comprehensive facility complete with a treatment room, observation/quarantine rooms, and private bathroom. Emergency equipment is readily available and portable. Ellis Hospital is 15 minutes from camp.
We do not supply prescribed medications or nutritional supplements. Please bring enough for your camper for the week in original containers. The infirmary stocks common over the counter medications in case of headache, stomach ache, etc.
Campers will be admitted to additional sessions based on the Camp Director's approval and available space.
The Camp Director will discuss alternate sessions with you but we also maintain a waiting list for each session. We will notify you as soon as possible if a space becomes available in the desired session.
A letter will be emailed/mailed with the status of your camper's application and any missing items will be indicated.
An acceptance packet with details about the session (when to arrive, what to bring, directions, etc.) will be emailed/mailed to you upon approval of a complete application.
After completing registration/check-in, you will be able to go to the cabin and meet your camper's counselors. As you are helping your camper unpack, we encourage you to chat with the staff.
The medical staff and counselors are trained to assist your camper with any personal care needs he/she may have (e.g. bowel and bladder care, bathing, transferring and other activities of daily living).
Our meals are healthy, varied and camper-friendly. Lunch and breakfast options are typical of a school menu. Dinner options are typical of home cooking. All meals are served family-style.
As long as all allergies are indicated on the camper's application, we are able to accommodate most dietary needs. Campers that are lactose intolerant are encouraged to bring Lactaid and/or lactose-free snacks. Campers that are diabetic or on a gluten-free diet are encouraged to bring appropriate snacks. The Camp Director may contact you for more specific information or meal ideas.
Camp has three rustic camper sleeping cabins with screened doors and windows. Each cabin houses eight campers and two overnight counselors. Cabins are all close in range to other buildings and have two exits monitored by motion detectors for safety. All cabins are recently refurbished and fully accessible.
Campers will have the opportunity to visit the camp store for snacks each afternoon. We recommend your camper bring $10-$20 per session. During registration we will collect your camper's spending money, log their money into their personal account, and issue a receipt. Your camper may then debit purchases to his/her personal account. Unused money will be refunded at the end of the session.
We sell t-shirts, chips, candy, soda (regular and diet, all caffeine-free), and ice cream. If your camper has dietary restrictions we suggest that he/she bring labeled snacks from home (individually wrapped packets work best). We will keep these in the store so that he/she does not feel left out when his/her cabin mates are "shopping".
We have activities typical to summer camp including daily swimming in our fully-accessible heated swimming pool, arts & crafts, music & drama, sports, games, nature study, theme days, and much more. All activities are adapted to ensure that every camper experiences success.
Both a caregiver and the camper must be present at check in. Please bring any outstanding paperwork and all medications. Luggage can remain in the vehicle until after check-in. The camp staff will assist with bringing luggage to the cabin after your camper completes the check-in process.
It is not unusual for young or first time campers to be homesick. We do our best to keep campers active and involved in fun and exciting activities. If the homesickness persists, the Camp Director may call to let you know what is happening and seek helpful suggestions. We strongly discourage campers from speaking directly with family and/or caregivers. Telephone calls tend to cause homesickness - not cure it.
Personal cell phones are not allowed at camp. Please do not send a cell phone with your camper.
To help your camper enjoy his/her experience we discourage calls home. You will be notified in the case of an emergency or any other concerns. If you are concerned that your camper may be overly homesick, a private chat with your camper's counselor or the Camp Director may be a better solution than simply telling your camper to call home anytime. You are welcome to check in daily with the Camp Director for an update.
You may contact your camper by one-way email at cloverpatchcamp@cfdsny.org. Upon receipt, the email will be printed and delivered to your camper. These emails are one-way, and campers will not have computer access.
Families and caregivers are encouraged to send mail. Please be sure to send it prior to camp or just after arrival.
Camp applications are sent as an email attachment whenever possible. When necessary applications will be sent via US Mail.