The deadline for this application is 2/15. Applications can be completed online here. You will need to submit two references with your initial application. Once you submit an application, you will receive instructions as to your next steps in a confirmation email.

Next, you will need to set up and complete a 15-minute interview with the Camp Henry Hird Director BEFORE 3/1.

Then, YMCA Frost Valley will send you an email with instructions on how to accept and enroll into CampBrain. You will need to use a coupon code which YMCA Frost Valley will include in your acceptance email. Once your profile is created, you will be able to submit all required camper paperwork.

You will need to fill out a number of required forms in your CampBrain account. Required enrollment forms must be signed by a parent or guardian and include:

Mandatory forms are due at time of registration:

• Household Information

• Participant Agreement

• Emergency Contacts

• Camper Information

• Camper Medical Form: Part I (this form needs to be completed to generate the Doctor's Signature Form)

• Transportation choices (you will complete this when you enroll into CampBrain)

Required forms are due by May 15th so we recommend for families to plan ahead to make the doctor's appointments:

• Camper Medical Form: Part II

• Doctor's Signature Form 

• Camper Physical

• Immunization Record

• Medical Insurance Card

Two references are required for this program. You can ask a teacher, a supervisor, a coach, or you mentor!

Once you have submitted your application, you should immediately email ccoombs@frostvalley.org to set up an interview time. You must complete your interview by 3/1. You will receive notification of your acceptance into this program by email.

There are no required orientations or workshops prior to attending this Summer Experience, however, you are strongly encouraged to attend one of YMCA Frost Valley’s virtual Overnight Camp Information Sessions. You can register for those here or on our Events Calendar.

Make sure to attend your Goodbye Group to receive your equipment and travel itinerary, and to meet the other Summer Searchers who will be traveling with the same program!

The Overnight Camp Counselor/Adventurer-in-Training month-long program is offered twice per summer. It gives participants a well-rounded overview of the entire Frost Valley Camp Counselor experience. Campers participate in workshops and get firsthand experience working with children. They go on a wilderness trip where they learn to plan meals, set-up, and break-down camp, and use resourcefulness to overcome obstacles. This program gives campers the experience needed to become a camp counselor.

YMCA Frost Valley offers bus transportation to and from camp and leaves from four locations. The cost each way is covered by Summer Search! Campers will be supervised by camp staff during travel. YMCA staff will be wearing branded shirts to be easily identified.

Make sure to pack a lunch! Parents/Guardians will be required present photo ID at both drop-off and pick-up.

1) Brooklyn, NY - Behind the Whole Foods Market on 3rd Ave. and 3rd St. (across the street from the Al-Madinah School - 383 3rd Ave.)

Check-In @ 10:00AM, Check-Out around 3:30-4PM

2) Manhattan, NY - West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St.

Check-In @ 10:30AM, Check-Out around 4-4:30PM

3) Montclair, NJ - Montclair High School (George Inness School), N. Fullerton and Chestnut Street

Check-In @ 10:00AM, Check-Out around 2-2:30PM

4) Westchester, NY - Keio Academy of New York, 3 College Road, Purchase NY

Check-In @ 11:30AM, Check-Out around 1:45-2:15PM

Counselors in Training live in the Leadership Lodge. The Leadership Lodge does have electricity and heat, and bathrooms are located inside the lodge. YMCA Frost Valley also offers a laundry service at the two-week point of each session. Adventure CiTs spend more time on overnights in tents/yurts.

Three meals per day are provided in the dining hall.

This is an open enrollment program, which means non-Summer Searchers will be able to join your group and you’ll meet folks from diverse backgrounds. There may be a couple of other Summer Searchers attending the same program, but most people will probably not know each other!

You will not be able to use your phones or any electronic device that connects to the internet once you arrive at camp with program leaders. However, limited communication with family/friends back home is available.

Mail is sorted and delivered to campers daily by your Village Chief and Counselors (when the local post office is open).

Parents/Guardians can also email campers with YMCA Frost Valley’s personal one-way email system. To register, click here and choose the option “email”. Free postcards are available to campers upon request and password-protected blog/camp photo updates will be available for families to view. Parents/Guardians are also welcome to contact the Henry Hird Camp Director, Claire Coombs at hird@frostvalley.org or at (845) 985-2291, ext. 301. You can learn more about your options here and in the Camper Handbook.

We recommend bringing $100 for personal spending. You may want to do laundry or buy snacks and souvenirs along the way!

This will be updated in March 2024. Check back in then!