Camp Regis–Applejack

Summer Camp
Paul Smiths, New York


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For More Information, Contact
Summer
Michael Humes
Camp Regis–Applejack
P.O. Box 245
Paul Smiths, New York 12970
518-327-3117
Fax: 518-327-3193
Fall, Winter, Spring
Michael Humes
Camp Regis–Applejack
60 Lafayette Road West
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
609-688-0368
Fax: 609-688-0369
http://www.campregis-applejack.com

Type of Program: Traditional camping, land sports, water sports, and wilderness experiences
Participants: Coeducational, ages 6–16
Enrollment: 225
Program Dates: Late June through mid-August: one 8-week and two 4-week sessions (two-week sessions available for younger, first-time campers)
Head of Program: Michael P. Humes

Location

Camp Regis–Applejack occupies its own protected cove with a ¾-mile shoreline on one of the most treasured lakes in the pristine Adirondack Park, Upper St. Regis Lake. Access to wilderness canoeing and hiking is at the camp’s doorstep. Within the 6-million-acre park are forty-six high peaks and thousands of lakes, streams, and rivers. Regis–Applejack is 2½ hours south of Montreal, 5 hours from New York City, and 1½ hours from Burlington, Vermont.

Background and Philosophy

Much of the feeling and spirit at Regis–Applejack can be attributed to its location and philosophy. Upper St. Regis Lake puts campers in touch with the wild every day. They see, hear, and touch nature, whether watching a sunset across the water, listening to the call of loons, or feeling the wind in their faces while sailing. This closeness to nature is a profound counterpoint to an often-crowded urban environment and to the pressures of today’s busy lifestyle. Here campers learn about nature and themselves by observing and by doing—a refreshing change from the academic climate of a student’s school year.
The camp philosophy has been established through the years by the Humes family, who founded Regis–Applejack in 1946. The family’s background is in education. The Humes believe that camping is best when it strives for excellence and brings together a variety of religions and races, as is the tradition in the Society of Friends (Quakers), of which the Humes are members. Each camper is made to feel accepted as an individual. To help implement this philosophy, a mature staff is employed, including many couples who are skilled in making campers feel at home and at ease.
Because the boys’ and girls’ sections are on the same campus, meals and many activities are routinely shared, creating a comfortable climate and avoiding the often-forced situations where boys and girls meet only on formal occasions. Both sexes are encouraged to try all the activities at camp without preconceptions about what they “should” enjoy.

Program Offerings

Regis–Applejack offers an extensive water sports program. Three separate docks support the small-craft and waterskiing programs; a fourth Olympic-regulation dock and sand beach support the swimming program. One of the highlights of a Regis–Applejack summer is sailing the length of the lake aboard a variety of boats, from small craft to full-size sloops. Campers can water-ski, windsurf, sail, fish, dive, earn American Red Cross swim certificates, canoe, and kayak.
Land sport facilities include seven all-weather tennis courts, handball and basketball courts, and four large playing fields. Regis–Applejack offers a wide range of land sports, including basketball, field hockey, street hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and track and field. Instruction in all athletics is patient and thorough; emphasis is put on learning the proper technique through individual instruction from experienced coaches who know how to focus on the special abilities of each camper. Thus the shy beginner and the natural athlete can both learn and have fun.
The Adirondack Park offers splendid opportunities to explore the natural world. All campers participate in outings, which vary in length from overnight to a week, depending on age, experience, and interest. Campers study campcraft and pioneering in a setting that lends substance to what is taught. Camp Applejack, the teen division, makes available optional weeklong canoeing and hiking trips in the wilderness as well as “teen tour” excursions to such places as Montreal, Cape Cod, and Maine.

Enrollment

Campers come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as from other countries.

Daily Schedule

8:00
9:15
10:30
11:45
1:00
2:00
2:45
4:00
5:15
6:00
7:00
8:30

Breakfast
Free-choice activities
Group activities or swim
Free-choice activities
Lunch
Quiet time
Free-choice activities
Group activities
General swim or free time
Dinner
Evening activities
Special teen programs

Thursday is set aside for field trips in the Lake George–Lake Placid area or for occasional trips to Montreal. On Saturday, there are picnics in the afternoon and skits and plays in the evening. Sunday afternoon is devoted to all-camp activities and programs, and Sunday evening is Buffet Night in the dining hall.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

The athletics and outing programs are balanced by a wide choice of arts and crafts, performing arts, special interest activities, hobbies, and field trips. During the summer, every group in camp puts on a play or musical and takes part in theater workshops, including ones on stagecraft, lighting, and makeup. The arts and crafts building offers classes in everything from batik to woodworking. Special interests include club nights, the small farm and animal center, photography, the yearbook, and cooking. For those interested in more sports, there are active competitive programs.

Facilities

Regis–Applejack, on 70 acres, was originally a private estate, and many of the “Adirondack rustic” buildings have been carefully restored to keep their original spirit. The camp’s forty-five buildings include the playhouse and recreation and dining halls. Campers are housed approximately 12–16 to a cabin. All cabins have their own inside bathrooms, three or four bedrooms, and rustic “Adirondack-style” recreation rooms with fireplaces. Girls’ cabins are near the boating area, and boys’ cabins are near the swimming dock; most have views of the lake.

Staff

The highly qualified and mature counselors include many married couples. Bunk counselors and program leaders do not double as athletics coaches; coaches are specialists and teachers. All staff members spend a week on campus familiarizing themselves with camp philosophy and programs and learning about each camper in their group.

Medical Care

The infirmary is staffed by 2 nurses. A doctor is on call, and a hospital is 12 miles away in Saranac Lake.

Religious Life

The camp has always been nonsectarian, although its origins are loosely tied with the Society of Friends and Unitarians. Catholic campers have the option of attending Mass nearby. There is a nondenominational Sunday meeting on campus at which topics relating to ethics, values, and the environment are discussed.

Costs

The 2008 costs are $4000 to $7500. A registration deposit of $600 is required.

Financial Aid

A limited number of scholarships are available based on need. Work-study positions for college students ages 19 and older are available.

Transportation

Staff members escort campers from the New York tristate area, Philadelphia, and central New Jersey aboard the camp’s chartered overland buses, and group flights are arranged out of the Baltimore/Washington, Atlanta, and Miami airports. The camp also provides group transportation from Boston, Syracuse, and Montreal. Campers may also be met at the Plattsburgh, Albany, Burlington, and Montreal, Canada, airports. Travel details are worked out with each camper.

Application Timetable

Applications are accepted beginning in early October. The director visits prospective campers in their homes in fall and winter. Parents are welcome to visit camp during summer.