Camper FAQ’s
How do I apply?
First, you must fill out a pre-application and mail it to:
Camp Harbor View c/o Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston50 Congress Street, Suite 730 Boston, MA 02109
Once we receive your pre-application we will mail you a full application that must be filled out and sent back to us. After we review your full application, we will get in touch with you to let you know whether or not there is a spot available at Camp Harbor View.
How much does it cost?
The camp costs $5 for the four week session.
Where is the camp?
The camp is located on Long Island in Boston Harbor.
How old do I have to be?
Campers must be between the ages of 11-14. The cut off date is July 1st, so you must be 11-14 year old on that day.
When is camp in session?
Please check back soon for the updated 2012 schedule.
How do I get to camp?
There are 14 different locations throughout the City of Boston where buses will pick you up and bring you to the camp (and back again in the afternoon.) The buses are the same ones used for Boston Public Schools.
What do I need to bring?
On the first day of camp we will give you a back pack, three t-shirts, and shorts. You MUST wear your camp shirt everyday. You should also wear sneakers and shorts/sweats. The island gets cold and rainy on some days, so bringing a change of clothes and a sweatshirt/jacket is always a good idea. Swimsuits and towels should be brought every day so that you can participate in swimming, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.
You may NOT bring iPods, cell phones, PS2s or any electronic games.
What activities are at the camp?
The activities that CHV provides fall under five different focus areas: The Arts, Aquatics, Leadership Development, Sports & Fitness and Knowledge is Power. In each program area there are tons of activities, including but not limited to sailing, rock climbing, kayaking, swimming, dance, music, crafts, group games, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, golf, tennis, baseball, biking… the list goes on and on.
Who works there?
Most of the staff are college students who grew up in different parts of Boston or the surrounding area. Some of them have worked with youth for a long time, others are new to the business, but all share the hope of bringing a fun, safe, memorable summer for the campers.
How do I get into the Leader-In-Training (LIT) Program?
If you have attended Camp Harbor View as a camper, when you turn 15, you can apply for the Leader-In-Training program. The application process is similar to applying as a camper accept that to be a LIT you must complete an interview, too. We give some workshops over April vacation to prep you on how to be successful in an interview, but then it is up to you to use those skills to beat out the other applicants.
Where do the campers come from?
The campers come from every different neighborhood in Boston. They attend 191 different schools. Campers come from all different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and races. The diversity is what helps make the camp so awesome!!
Is there a way to participate in camp activities all year long?
We don’t think four weeks of summer is enough, so we have reunions throughout the school year. In the fall we have a reunion at the camp, and a holiday party in December. From January to June we hold our “Spring Training… beefing you up with fun” series of reunions. Each month there is a different focus; The Arts, Knowledge Is Power, Leadership Development, Sports and Fitness, and Aquatics.
What kind of facilities are there?
The camp has every type of field for all the different sports we play there; soccer, football, baseball, etc. There are basketball courts and tennis courts. A beach lines the North side of the island. The Great Hall is where the whole camp gathers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s an art pavilion for crafts and music. One of the favorites parts of the camp is the Jr. Olympic size pool. Behind the pool is the classroom space where KIP and the CITs meet, with a stage and ampitheatre off the back for performances and talent shows. The highest spot on the island is the top of our 55 foot high climbing wall and the high ropes course. At the end of the island there is lighthouse and some old army bunkers. There’s a pier and docks where the sailing program is located. There are also paths through the woods so that campers can explore different parts of the island.