Programs

Camp Choconut, a residential boy’s camp located in Pennsylvania, is a relaxed, non-competitive camp where boys have a summer of fun, and learn to become independent and self-reliant. We teach outdoor living skills and encourage boys to learn in a safe, structured environment that feels free and spontaneous to the campers. Living away from home in a small overnight camp environment, allows for the boys to experience being away from home in a safe and friendly environment.

Enrollment is limited to 55 boys to allow the director and counselors to provide leadership, guidance, and attention to each boy. New boys get a fast start into camp activities, get to know everybody almost at once, and feel at home quickly. This small number is conducive to allow for individual attention; while at the same time allows the boys to feel a sense of camaraderie between all. The boys are split-up by age group and the cabin sizes range anywhere from 4 – 12 boys in each cabin. The counselor to camper ratio is 5:1 or 6:1.

Campers range in age from 9–16, with campers over 15 assuming more responsibility and progressing toward becoming counselors. They come from many different backgrounds and places, broadening the camp experience. Contact Us.

Our camp philosophy is to “grow the whole boy.”

We try to find creative and entertaining ways to educate and challenge each boy, every day.  We accomplish this through our Leadership Development program intertwined with our daily program.  Its aim is to instill in each boy a sense of who he is in relationship to others; how his actions effect himself and others; to find the inner strength and desire to better himself; to develop a sense of empathy; to become a unique individual while becoming a better social citizen.

The daily schedule is very structured, yet provides enough free time where the boys do not feel overwhelmed with always “having to do something”.  The boys get up at 7:00 and we keep them busy with scheduled activities throughout the day and evening.  We get to bed around 9:00 and the boys either read to themselves or the counselor appointed to the cabin for the evening reads to them. Interjected within our daily routine are “Big Games”.  These are camp wide games that take up about a 2 1/2-hour block either in the morning or afternoon.  The boys love these games.  And, of course, there is the infamous “Villa Hunt” – a three-day game of hide-and-seek within the 800+ acres available to us.  The boys get 3 meals a day – they never leave hungry – and Noon time milk shakes to tide them over until our main meal, lunch.  Fruit and granola bars are available throughout the day for those boys that require frequent snacks.

The boys partake in morning “details” or “periods” where, as a cabin, they attend scheduled activities.  These scheduled activities include instruction in specific areas, be it fire building and safety, knot tying, shelter and tent set-up, wood shop, nature, swimming, canoeing, etc… .  Our teaching is cumulative and the boys build upon the skills they previously were taught.  This program even works well with returning boys as they get to improve upon their previously learned skills and incorporate them into even more complex activities.

The afternoon provides a 2+ hour block of “free-time.”  At lunch, each counselor stands up and says what activity they have planned for the afternoon.  The boys are encouraged to select one of these activities.  There is always something scheduled the boy will enjoy doing – fishing, boating, hiking, wood-shop, a sport activity, etc… The older boys sometime choose to do something on their own.  This is not encouraged; however, it is permitted and a counselor goes along.

Our counseling staff goes through a complete week and a half of training prior to the start of camp.  In addition, each counselor is required to complete an extensive online training course developed by Dr. Chris Thurber, a board-certified clinical psychologist and father.  (You can read more about Dr. Thurber and Expert online Training at its Web site www.expertonlinetraining.com)

We grow the whole boy.
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