HALE RESERVATION GREATER BOSTON YMCA Day Camp WESTWOOD

CAMPER QUOTES

“I love finding new places to explore.

After 5 years of being here, there are

still new places to see.”

“I love the ropes courses. Being that

high in the air is thrilling.”

“Hale is where I learned to swim, and

I love being able to swim. If you love

nature, than Hale is your camp!”

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Nicole Horan

Like many of our campers, I started at Hale as a

Pee Wee when I was 5 years old. Every summer

since then I have returned, and have moved up

from being a camper, to a Counselor In Training

(CIT), to a full camp counselor and as a Camp

Director. There are so many reasons why I have

decided to come back, some of which are the

hikes, the ropes course, swimming, the theme

weeks and most of all the great staff and

campers that I have been able to work with year

after year.

GREATER BOSTON YMCA

316 Huntington Ave,

Boston MA 02115

www.ymcaboston.org/camps

This camp must comply with regulations of the

Massaschusetts Department of Public Health and

be licensed by the local Board of Health

HISTORY OF THE Y @ HALE

The Greater Boston Y has held camp at Hale

Reservation for over 15 years, and is still based

out of the same cabin as it was on the first day

of camp. Our camp is a staple, and we do our

very best to make camp a highlight to our

campers’ year and a favorite place to return to

each summer. Even though our camps continue

to be successful, each year we re-evaluate how

we operate to make sure that we stay fresh!

THE FUN THAT WE HAVE

Themed Weeks & Special Days

There is no shortage of fun to be had at Hale

Reservation. Our staff have the best ways of

taking advantage of all that is offered. Whether

it’s themed weeks, or special events and days,

the campers always have plenty to look forward

to when spending their days at Hale.

There are many long-standing camp traditions

that are still alive and well to this day at Hale!

Like any great camp, skits have always been a

huge part of what the counselors and campers

do throughout the summer. Every other Friday

each group performs their skit for the entire

camp and finishes the day off with a pizza

party. Another tradition is the

Annual Bake-Off between the counselors,

where children create banners, have a parade

and create a cheering section during the mock

cook-off show.

In order to mix up the camp experience and also

have fun, the campers are encouraged to

participate in the theme days throughout the

summer. Examples of themes that have been

done are Halloween Day, Crazy Hat Day, Twin

Day and Mismatch Day. We also have entire

weeks devoted to fun and excitement. The most

popular have been Olympic Week and Ninja

Week, which are both centered around

challenges which build up to an awards

ceremony, complete with medals!

Many of the campers’ and counselors’ favorite

camp memories are centered around all-camp

challenges such as the Amazing Race, Clue

Day, Scavenger Hunts and the creation of a

camp movie:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW_5CHbi-Fc)

The movie is a sequel to one filmed around

2005 which included both campers and staff.

Activities That Are Unique to Hale Camp

One of the many perks of hosting our camp at

Hale Reservation is that we are able to take

advantage of some excellent, and sometimes life

-changing activities. Each week, the children

have the opportunity to participate in the

following activities: Boating, Fishing, Hiking,

Archery (ages 7 and up), Swim Lessons, and

use of the Ropes Course (ages 8 and up).

What Makes Hale So Special

Our camp is made up of many long time staff,

and it is very common for children to come back

year after year, moving up the ranks from

camper to CIT to counselor. This is a special

component to keeping Hale such a great place

to spend a summer. The counselors know Hale

Reservation and keep the fun traditions alive.

The counselors are a tight-knit group, and the

culture at Hale incorporates all of the groups,

so that campers know the entire staff within

their first few days at camp.

The Greater Boston Y has held a

Day Camp at Hale Reservation for

over 15 years, with many of our

counselors starting as campers.

Pee Wee trip to Turtle Pond

Annual Bake Off