Day Sessions

Before camp, each family must complete and submit:

• A complete medical history form for EACH family member

• A physical OR a letter from their primary care physician

Arrive between 8:30-9:00am for breakfast and registration. We kick things off at 9:00am and learn, play, and connect all day. (Don't worry, we didn't forget lunch—we'll provide you and the kids with lunch around noon.) Our day ends with dinner, games, and campfire from 5:00-7:00pm.

Camp Get-a-Way isn’t like everyday life—and that’s part of what makes it so special. Unplugging from some of the stress and routines of normal life might also mean that we go a few days without some of the conveniences that we normally enjoy, but being prepared can go a long way! Here is a list of everything you’ll need to bring: 

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:

• Bedding for each family member – Pack pillows, pillow cases, and sheets. It can get pretty chilly overnight at camp, so make sure to bring plenty of blankets or a sleeping bag to stay warm! 

• Clothes – Bring several changes of clothing (including lots of socks and underwear) because there are no laundry services at Camp Get-A-Way. 

• Jackets, sweatshirts, socks, and warm shoes – It’s cold and wet in the early mornings and evenings at camp.

• Raingear, such as a raincoat, poncho, and/or umbrella – Come prepared for any type of weather!

• Pajamas

• Sandals, flip-flops, or other water shoes

• Closed-toe shoes – sneakers or boots. 

• Hygiene products, shampoo, soap, towels, and shower shoes

• Towels and swimsuit – swim trunks, 1-piece swimsuit or a 2-piece swimsuit with a t-shirt

• Extra Ziploc bags (for wet things, gross things, and special treasures)

• Laundry bag

• Backpack for carrying things around camp

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Sunscreen (and aloe for missed spots)

• Sunglasses and/or baseball cap

• Insect repellant

• Reusable water bottle

WHAT YOU COULD ALSO BRING: 

• Shower caddy

• Extension cords

• Phone Charger

• Alarm clock, fans, and night lights – we encourage you to label all electronic equipment and items of value. 

• For babies and toddlers – portable cribs or pack n’ plays, diapers, baby food/formula and any extra “baby items” you would use at home. 

• Fishing poles

• Life jackets if needed

THINGS YOU SHOULD LEAVE AT HOME:

• Anything (clothes, CD’s, video games, etc.) depicting violence, drugs, vulgarities, or anything of a sexual nature.

• Valuable items – Camp Get-A-Way is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

• Large sums of cash – there are limited opportunities to spend money at camp and Camp Get-A-Way is not responsible for any valuables that are lost or stolen.

Our staff and volunteers go through a special training before Camp Get-A-Way. The majority of them also work for the New York Office of Mental Health Programs or New York Family Support Programs. Our camp is driven by Family Support Program principles.

Each morning and evening, we offer a “coffee hour” with tailored training and resources for parents. These sessions (led by professional mental and behavioral health experts) focus on sharing practical skills and professional help to help you better care for your family. It’s also a time for parents to be encouraged through connecting and sharing common experiences with one another.

We do! Since we have a limited number of family scholarships, reach out early at info@cgaw.org to learn more!

All staff are trained, and there will be adequate staff to supervise the campers that are attending.

Our amazing nursing team is always present and available 24 hours a day. The camp is also connected to Wyoming County Emergency Services.

For safety, parents/guardians must keep medications secured while at Day Camp. Parents/guardians are responsible to remember medications and give family members medication at the appropriate time.

The primary purpose of Day Sessions is to provide training and support in a way most conducive to helping children and parents learn. Because of that, there will be times when parents and children are learning together and times where they are learning separately. While together, children are the primary responsibility of their parents. While separate, children will be the primary responsibility of the staffers assigned to their group.

At Camp Get-A-Way, there’s always plenty to do, whether you’re looking for fun activities, time to explore, or opportunities to relax as a family. You and your family may participate in as many or few activities as you’d like.

Here are a few of the activities we offer during Camp Get-A-Way:

• Archery

• Arts and crafts

• Camp Games

• Tie-dye

• Rope courses

• Fishing

• Canoeing

• Paddle boarding

• Swimming

Each evening, we have family activities which we require all families to participate in. It changes each year, but we love to put on camp movie nights, bingo, dance parties, and campfires.

A big part of the Camp Get-a-Way experience lies in getting to experience the great outdoors, which means that the weather can change on a whim. With cool evenings and (sometimes) wet mornings, be sure to pack some warm clothing, rain gear, and shoes that you don’t mind getting a little muddy. 

PS. Closed-toe shoes are required for some activities, so don’t forget to pack them! 

You can expect family-friendly favorites like pancakes and bacon, pasta, salad, tacos, sandwiches, and eggs. 

When you submit your application, please note all food allergies and diet restrictions. We’ll do our best to accommodate them! However, if you do not submit these ahead of time when you register for camp, please expect options to be limited. 

Since Camp Get-a-Way takes place across a few different campsites across different regions of the state, each campsite will vary slightly. Generally, here’s what you can expect: 

During camp, each family stays in their own cabin. These will have screen windows with wooden shutters, screen doors, and a wooden exterior door. Depending on the campsite for your session, you may have access to electric outlets and lights inside your cabin. 

Cabins do not have refrigerators. There will be plenty of meals (and snacks!) in the dining hall, but if you decide to bring snacks for your family, we’d ask that you leave them in your car rather than your cabin—to keep the critters at bay. 
While cabins don’t have running water, showers and bathrooms for males and females are conveniently located near the cabins. 

We like to think of a  week at Camp Get-a-Way like the first-class version of a camping trip. We aren’t quite pitching tents or fishing for our meals, but the rustic cabins and “unplugged” lifestyle of camp are all part of the experience, giving us space to enjoy one another and our time in the great outdoors!

While we love animals, the only pets allowed at Day Camp are pet rocks. All other pets must be left at home. Service animals are, of course, welcome.

We have a few basic expectations that help us make sure that Camp Get-a-Way offers a safe, healthy, and fun camping experience for everyone. We’ll review these and share anything else you’ll need to know on the first night of camp! 

• No possession or consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol. 

• No weapons of any kind are allowed. 

• No stealing. 

• No physical or verbal aggression towards others. 

• Smoking is allowed ONLY in designated areas of camp, which does not include the cabins. Additionally, no children are allowed in the smoking shelter.  

Any violation of these or other camp rules may result in a family’s dismissal from Camp Get-A-Way. All concerns will be reviewed by the Board. All decisions are final.

Yes! While precedence will be given to families who are New York residents, we welcome applications from families living in other states.  

We host our Day Sessions at Camp Bristol Hills in Canandaigua, NY. Bristol Hills Camp is located in the Finger Lakes, just 30 miles south of Rochester. The property boasts over 120 acres of beautiful land with space to hike and play, a pond for fishing, swimming pool, basketball court, ropes course, and much more.

Camp Bristol Hills
4437 Kear Rd
Canandaigua, NY 14424

We host our Day Sessions at Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp in Riverhead, NY. Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp is located on the majestic Long Island Sound. The property boasts over 140 acres of fun with hiking trails, archery, sports fields, rope course, and waterfront activities.

Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp
3186 Sound Ave
Riverhead, NY 11901