Overnight Sessions

Before camp, each family must complete and submit:

• A complete medical history form for EACH family member

• A physical or letter from their primary care physician

Medical Form Physical Form

The perfect week at Camp Get-A-Way starts with you being prepared, and we can’t provide the following, so make sure you bring them!

WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK:

• Bedding for each family member – Pack pillows, pillow cases, sheets/blankets/sleeping bag for a twin size bed for each member of the family.

• Clothes – Bring several changes of clothing because there are no laundry services at Camp Get-A-Way.

• Lots of socks and underwear

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

• Raincoat, poncho, and/or umbrella – Come prepared for any type of weather!

• Pajamas

• Sandals, flip-flops, etc. Closed-toe shoes – sneakers or boots

• Hygiene products

• Shampoo, soap, towels, and shower shoes – Shower caddies are super helpful.

• 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 stuff during camp

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Sunscreen (and aloe for missed spots)

• Sunglasses and/or baseball cap

• Insect repellant

• Reusable water bottle

• Phone Charger

• Extension Cords

• 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.

There is a certified lifeguard present during all water activities. If a lifeguard is not present, families are not permitted to play in or near the water.

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

We have limited family scholarships. Contact us at info@cgaw.org to learn more.

For security, medications may not be kept in family cabins. No exceptions. All medications will be kept locked in the nurse’s cabin. Medications will be returned to the parent/guardian at check out. Parents/guardians are responsible to remember medications and give family members medication at the appropriate time.

All medications MUST BE IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS (prescription and over the counter, with certain exceptions).

For everyone’s safety, we require children to always be supervised by their parents/guardians unless separated for activities. Children are the sole responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times, and children 15 years old and younger must have direct adult supervision at all times.

Children 16 years old and older must be in direct visual contact with an adult at all times.

Parents/guardians are responsible for any damage or destruction caused while at camp.

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

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

• Archery

• Arts and crafts

• Tie-dye

• Rope courses

• Fishing

• Canoeing

• Paddle boating

• Swimming

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

Cell service isn’t always the greatest, but that’s okay, because there’s a ton to do.

During the morning and evening parent coffee hour, we offer resources, encouragement, and training for parents. These sessions focus on sharing practical skills to help you care for your children struggling with an emotional, behavioral, or mental illness as well as your family as a whole on a daily basis.

Weather in the great outdoors can change quickly; therefore, we recommend you pack layers. It is cool at night so bring some warm clothing like sweatshirts, socks, hats, or jackets. Since it sometimes rains, we encourage you to bring umbrellas, raincoats, and shoes you can get muddy.

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

Maybe we’re a little biased, but we think the food at Camp Get-A-Way is delicious! Expect family-friendly favorites like pancakes and bacon, pasta, salad, tacos, sandwiches, and eggs.

When you submit your application, please note any and all food allergies and diet restrictions. If you do not submit these ahead of time, we will do our best to accommodate them during camp, but please expect options to be limited.

Each family stays in their own cabin during Camp Get-A-Way. Cabins are rustic and have electric outlets and lights for Summer Session, but not for Fall Session. Cabins have screen windows with wooden shutters, screen doors, and a wooden exterior door. We recommend bringing extension cords for Summer Session. If you have back problems, bring a back board for the bed.

Cabins do not have refrigerators or running water. All meals and snacks are served in the dining hall. Because we are in the great outdoors, we ask that if you bring snacks for your family, you leave them in your car rather than your cabin.

There are showers and bathrooms for males and females located conveniently near the cabins.

Smoking is allowed only in designated area(s) of camp. Anyone smoking in non-designated areas will be asked to leave Camp Get-A-Way. There is absolutely NO smoking in or around the cabins. Children are not allowed in the smoking shelter.

No, there are no laundry services available at Camp Get-A-Way.

Camp Get-A-Way quiet hours are 10:00pm – 7:30am.

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

Yes; however, you must sign out first at the nurse’s station and then sign back in when you return.

Camp Get-A-Way has developed the following basic list of expectations to ensure a safe, healthy, and fun camping experience for everyone. During the first night of camp, we will review these and the other rules.

• No possession or consumption of illegal drugs is allowed in camp.

• No alcohol, alcohol consumption is allowed while at camp.

• No weapons are allowed in camp.

• No stealing.

• No physical or verbal aggression towards others.

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 Overnight 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 Overnight 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

We host our Overnight Sessions at Camp Comstock in Ithaca, NY. Camp Comstock is located in the Finger Lakes region on the shoreline of Cayuga Lake. Explore the woods, hike the trails, play in the fields, practice archery, and much more.

Camp Comstock
1419 Taughannock Blvd
Ithaca, NY 14850

We host our Overnight Sessions at Camp Reimagined in Huguenot, NY. Camp Reimagined is a 1,000 acres of lakes, streams, woods, fields, and hiking trails located in the foothills of the Catskills Mountains.

Camp Reimagined
160 Big Pond Rd
Huguenot, NY 12746