Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Valley Forge Military Academy

Summer Camp
Wayne, Pennsylvania

		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Valley Forge Military Academy & College
1001 Eagle Road
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
610-989-1253
610-989-1262
Fax: 610-688-1260
http://www.vfmac.edu
E-mail: admissions@vfmac.edu

Type of Program: Traditional outdoor challenge
Participants: Boys and girls, ages 6–17
Enrollment: 320
Program Dates: Overnight Camp: June 20 to July 17, 2009; Day Camp: June 15 to August 7, 2009
Heads of Program: COL Thomas Medearis ’66, Commandant of Cadets; MAJ Jeff Bond, Director of Summer Camp

Location

Valley Forge is located on 120 acres of beautifully maintained grounds in Wayne, Pennsylvania, just 15 miles west of Philadelphia and minutes from Valley Forge National Park.

Background and Philosophy

The Valley Forge Summer Camp is operated by the Valley Forge Military Academy (VFMA) Foundation and maintains the same high standards that have made that institution internationally famous.

Program Offerings

There are several options for a fantastic camp experience. Boys and girls can choose from an overnight adventure camp, Senior Ranger overnight or day camp, and overnight band camp.
    The camps are divided into age-appropriate groups consisting of Pathfinders (ages 6–7), Pioneers (ages 8–9), Junior Rangers (ages 10–11), Raiders (ages 12–13), and Senior Rangers (ages 14–17).
    The Senior Ranger overnight and day camp is a physical-fitness camp designed to build self-confidence and leadership. Through the positive experience of physical exercise and success, the camper builds an awareness of his or her own abilities and talents.
    Each camp has several activity periods each day to challenge and build self-confidence in the campers’ lives. The camp’s uniqueness lies in its ability to enhance the lives of the campers through team building, esteem building, and helping all the campers realize their own innate ability to succeed. During these periods, campers participate in sports, swimming, go-carts, low ropes and high ropes courses, rappelling tower, wall climbing, drill, orienteering, and more. A Boy Scout can attend and earn merit badge requirements. There are at least five trips during the four-week stay that all campers participate in, depending on their ages. Some of these trips include Dorney Park, a paintball park, canoeing, state parks, a minor-league baseball game, and a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game.
    There are several special activities to enhance the camping experience. For an extra fee, the academic program provides each camper with the opportunity to improve his skills in reading, English, or math on the elementary and middle school levels. A new program beginning this year is an SAT Prep class for the high school age campers. The faculty members of VFMA conduct classes in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Class size varies between four and ten campers.
    Sessions are held five mornings each week for two weeks and are scheduled so as not to interfere with afternoon camp activities. There are other optional activities available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and an additional fee is charged. These programs include Competitive Marksmanship Training, Karate, SCUBA, and a horsemanship program. The Band Camp offers an excellent program through individual lessons, theory classes, concert band techniques, and camper/staff recitals for youths with one or more years of instrumental experience. Afternoons and evenings are rounded out with fun activities, such as sports, canoeing, swimming, and trips.

Enrollment

Approximate numbers are as follows: 40 each in Band and Pioneers, and 100 each in Junior Rangers, Raiders, and Senior Rangers. Participants in Band Camp must already play a concert band instrument at the middle school level or better with a minimum of two years’ experience. Valley Forge Military Academy summer campers represent more than twenty-two states and fourteen other countries.

Daily Schedule

	7:00 8:00 9:00–10:15 10:15–10:30 10:30–11:45 11:45–12:15 12:15 13:15–14:30 14:30–14:45 14:45–16:00 16:00–16:15 16:15–17:30 17:30–18:15 18:15 19:15–20:15 20:15–20:30 20:30–21:30 21:30 22:15 Reveille First mess (Breakfast) First activity Break to next challenge Second activity Break to second mess Second mess (Lunch) Third activity Break to next challenge Fourth activity Break to next challenge Fifth activity Break to third mess Third mess (Dinner) Sixth activity Break to next challenge Seventh activity Back to barracks Taps
	The day campers participate in all the activities of the overnight camp as well as the trips available on the week of attendance. Day campers begin their day at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. The Academy offers extended care from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. for working moms and dads at no charge. The day campers also have lunch provided for them in the mess hall.
	The schedule varies on weekends and during field trips. Campers are required to follow the school rules, which include a code of conduct. Counselors receive conflict-resolution training and work individually with their campers to resolve individual problems. The Director of Summer Camp handles special circumstances.

Facilities

Campers stay on campus in one of five cadet barracks. The 120-acre campus has every facility necessary to ensure that each camper has an enjoyable and safe place to live and have fun.

Staff

The staff of 130 men and women includes counselors, Assistant Camp Commandants, Camp Commandants, food service staff members, medical staff members, teaching faculty members, sports coordinators, and other personnel. The camp maintains an 8:1 camper-counselor ratio. The youngest campers, ages 6–7, have a 5:1 camper-counselor ratio. All counselors and other professional staff members enjoy working with school-age children and receive special training to enhance the experience for each of the campers.

Medical Care

The Academy Health Center is staffed during camp. Minor ailments are treated promptly. Local hospitals are used for medical support beyond the capabilities of the Health Center.

Religious Life

The Valley Forge Military Academy Summer Camp Chapel service is held every Sunday and is a nondenominational service that campers are required to attend. It is an essential part of their character development at Valley Forge. Arrangements can be made for campers of particular faiths to attend services locally.

Costs

Charges for 2008 are $3500 each for Pioneer Camp, Raider/Ranger Camp, and Band Camp. Day camp is $375 per week, for up to six weeks. Fees included the cost of room and board; use of all athletic facilities; instruction in athletics, leadership, camp crafts, and basic scouting skills; and camp uniforms. There is an additional fee of $175 for each camper’s spending and activities allowance. The additional fees for specialty programs range from $250 to $900 and are available on a first-come, first-served limited basis until June 1.

Transportation

Valley Forge Military Academy is approximately 40 minutes from both the Philadelphia International Airport and 30th Street Station. Valley Forge provides pickup and drop-off services for the start and end of the Overnight Camp.

Application Timetable

Initial inquiries are welcome at anytime. Appointments to visit the campus are made on a daily basis. Invitations are sent for special campus visitation programs. It is recommended that parents and prospective campers schedule a visit at their earliest convenience. Camp applications are accepted starting in January and must include a $125 deposit, $50 of which is nonrefundable for the day camp, or a $150 nonrefundable deposit for the overnight camp. Character and medical references are required, and acceptance letters are sent promptly. The balance of the fees is due on or before the reporting date to camp.