The Camp Experience
“Creativity is what makes Pok-O the most fun place on earth. The games, activities, and traditions are some of the most wonderfully bizarre things I have ever done in my life.”
– Liana, Camper for over 7 years
The surreal surroundings of the Adirondack mountains serve as the backdrop for our amazing summer camp experience dating back to 1905. Rich in tradition a summer at Pok-O allows for campers to explore all that our location has to offer, while participating in new experiences, learning new skills and making new friends.
Our philosophy is to help each camper develop an awareness of and appreciation for the natural environment. These opportunities are presented in a safe and supportive environment that fosters self-confidence, leadership and sportsmanship. With over 35 activities including: Wilderness trips, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, sailing, and theater to name a few, we are able to create a place for campers to grow and experience more than they ever could at home.
Being technology free enables our campers to live in the moment and appreciate all elements of camp life, from the chorus of screen doors slamming in our rustic cabins, to gathering around our cobblestone fireplace of the dining hall. Come explore our wonderful camping experience and learn what it means to have the “Pok-O” spirit.
Programs and Activities
Here are some of the exciting programs and activities offered at Pok-O-MacCready Camps:
Some of most popular activities:
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Facilities
The Pok-O-MacCready summer camp complex is located on over 400 acres of waterfront property, with the girls camp and the boys camp being separated by just a 5 minute walk “down the path”.
This allows all campers to utilize the variety of facilities Pok-O-MacCready offers, including our beautiful dining room, Robinson Hall, and over 50 camper cabins.
Daily Schedule
Even though girls and boys have different sleeping quarters and tend to eat at separate meal times, our campers enjoy co-ed classes, activities, and all-camp events.
This is the perfect combination and really gives our campers the best of both worlds!
Typical Camp MacCready (Girls’) Daily Schedule
6:45 am – Horsemasters awake and report to barn
7:00 am – Morning wake-up bell. Campers clean cabins.
7:30 am – Horsemasters return to cabin and prepare for cabin inspection.
8:00 am – Cabin Inspection
8:15 am – Breakfast
9:00am-11:30am – Morning Classes (2 periods)
11:45 am – Lunch
12:45 pm – Rest Hour
1:45pm – 3:45pm – Afternoon Classes (2 periods)
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Free swimming, boating, or free time (laundry chores on some days)
5:15 pm – Supper
6:00 pm – Horsemasters report to barn to feed animals
6:30 pm – Evening programming: Section Activities, Co-ed activity, or all-camp event
8:30 pm – Lights Out: 8:30 (Lodge), 8:45 (Intermed.), 9:45 (Highlander), 9:30 (Senior), 10:00 (C.I.T.)
Counselors will always spend some time in their cabin following lights out, reading a story, singing a song, or in quiet discussion with the campers.
Typical Camp Pok-O-Moonshine (Boys’) Daily Program
7:00 am – Reveille and Optional Morning Swim (“Polar Bear Dip”)
7:30 am – Breakfast
8:15 am – Cabin and Section clean-up
8:45 am – Cabin Inspection
9:00 am – 12:20 pm – Morning Classes (3 periods)
12:25 pm – Free swimming, boating, or free time (laundry chores on some days)
12:45 pm – Lunch
1:45 pm – Rest Hour
2:45 pm – 4:45 pm – Afternoon Section Activities
5:00 pm – General swim and free time
6:00 pm – Supper
7:00 pm – Evening programming: Section Activities, Co-ed activity, or all-camp event
8:30 pm – Lights Out: 8:30 (Pioneer), 9:00 (Intermediate), 9:30 (Senior), 10:00 (A.D.V.)
Counselors will always spend some time in their cabin following lights out, reading a story, singing a song, or in quiet discussion with the campers.
2018 Summer Calendar
FULL SEASON (7 Weeks)
JULY 1, 2018 – AUGUST 18, 2018
Seven-weekers have more fun!
It’s true! Many of our campers choose to stay for all seven weeks of the summer. Staying for the whole season really allows campers to hone their skills in their class areas, go on more wilderness trips, and means they won’t miss out on any of the big summer camp events! In addition, 7-weekers get to enjoy special events in between the 4-week and 3-week session break such as Beach Day and a day trip to the Great Escape amusement park. Some campers choose to register for the first 4 weeks, and then decide later to upgrade to the full 7-week session, and that’s just fine by us. If you’re unsure whether your camper would like to be a 4-weeker or a 7-weeker, don’t worry…it only takes a mouse-click for us to change a 4-weeker to a 7-weeker. Feel free to discuss that option with your child if you think they could benefit from a longer session! Tuition: $8200
4 WEEK SESSION
JULY 1, 2018 – JULY 29, 2018
The first half of the summer consists of our 4-week overnight program. The 4-week session allows campers to learn new skills and take part in a variety of classes. The session includes many themed events which lead up to our “Tribal Days”, in which campers don their colors of Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, or Green and see which team will come out on top: these games have been a camper favorite for decades! After our 4-weekers depart, we move on to the second half of our summer: our 3-Week session. Tuition: $6400
ROOKIE SESSION (2 WEEK)
JULY 1, 2018 – JULY 14, 2018
For the first two weeks of the 4-Week session, we run a two week “Rookie Camp” for first-time campers between the ages of 6 to 10 years old. We feel this short session is a good bite-sized introduction to summer camp, and also allows campers the flexibility to stay on for the remainder of the 4-week session if they get bitten by the “summer camp bug” and want to stay longer!
Tuition: $3200
3 WEEK OVERNIGHT CAMP
JULY 31, 2018 – AUGUST 18, 2018
The 3-Week session offers two options to campers: a traditional overnight summer camp program, or a day-camp option. The 3-Week session is full of fun classes Mondays – Fridays, with special events planned on the weekends. It’s also the session in which our famous GREEK GAMES take place, as well as some of our campers’ all-time favorite camp events like the “Pok-O-Palooza” music festival, the Jack’s Cup sailing race, Casino Night, and the Pok-O County Fair. (PLEASE NOTE: Day Camp runs Monday – Friday these weeks, with overnight option available by arrangement. If your child is a returning day-camper, please add $200 to the tuition rate listed.) Tuition: $4600
3 WEEK DAY CAMP
JULY 31, 2018 – AUGUST 18, 2018
Our day campers attend camp from approximately 9am to about 5pm Mondays through Fridays. Just like overnight campers, they get to create their own class schedule from a list of over 30 program offerings. They are, of course, assigned to a cabin and counselor and have their own bunks so they have a comfortable spot to relax during Rest Hour. Day campers also have the option of staying the night for an evening activity or program if they wish, and we can easily make those arrangements, although a small fee may apply. They also have the added bonus of being able to stay overnight the last week of camp for no additional fee! Tuition: $2050
FAMILY CAMP
AUGUST 22, 2018 – AUGUST 26, 2018
Summer camp isn’t just for kids anymore! Want to experience camp for yourself and wrap it up into an inexpensive family vacation? Maybe you and your children are just curious to see what Pok-O-MacCready is all about, but you’re not quite ready to take the plunge with an entire summer. We have an answer for that: bring the whole family to camp! Our annual Family Camp week runs at the end of August and prices include all activities and programming, great food, lodging and facilities, hiking, trips and more! Our rates are reasonable, and simply put: YOU CAN’T BEAT IT!
Tuition:Kids under the age of 4 can attend Family Camp for free! Dogs are permitted for an additional fee of just $25 per dog!
We know how hard it can be to coordinate schedules and family free time is hard to come by. So attend family camp for all 5 days, or pick which days to come that fit your schedule! The cost is just $55 per day per person attending! Groups larger than 4 are always welcome, just use the following formula – $55 X (# in group) X (# of days attending.)
SCHOLARSHIPS
Pok-O-MacCready is very proud of its affiliation with the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation, which awards approximately 18 need-based financial aid packages for each summer. To find out more, please contact the Foundation.
THE FINE PRINT
At Pok-O-MacCready, we make every effort to make camp as affordable as possible for our camp families. You will find that Pok-O-MacCready’s tuition rates are extremely competitive with comparable summer camps. We would like to see you become part of the Pok-O-MacCready family, and we don’t want finances to sway your decision. Give us a call if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to work out a flexible payment plan that works for you.
The tuition rates do not include some extra costs. Among them are the price of a ‘Blue Boar’s Bank Account’ to cover the cost of items such as toiletries, extra batteries, toiletries, camp t-shirts and other merchandise, and out-of-camp trips (including equestrian activities, depending on the session and the camper’s level of involvement.) Normally, we suggest $100 – $150 per child for their camp account, but this may differ for your child depending on their activities and session they are attending. Please contact us if you have questions.
Senior Camp Adminstration
Jack Swan, Owner and President
First Year at Camp: 1932
University: Westminster College
Profession: Camp Administration
Jack’s energy and passion for camp is unrivaled. Having spent his entire life at Pok-O, Jack has naturally worked at camp in virtually every capacity. In the past, he also served as a teacher, lecturer and college recruiter. When not working at, or thinking about camp (which is rare), Jack, 46er #267, can be found with his nose buried in a history book. He lives in Willsboro, just across from the 1812 Homestead, another of his major projects.
Sarah Disney – Director of Admissions/Office
First Year at Camp: 1975
University: Skidmore College
Profession: Business Management
As Administrative Director, Sarah oversees all aspects of summer camp admissions and enrollment. Sarah has filled a number of important roles at summer camp over the years, including counselor, section head, Waterfront Director, and Assistant Director of Camp MacCready. Sarah enjoys tennis and golf and someday will complete the remaining few mountains towards her 46ers. All three of Sarah’s daughters have attended camp and also worked on staff.
Please contact Sarah with any questions about sending your child to camp, the summer camp enrollment process, or to request an information packet and summer camp DVD. ([email protected])
Sharp Swan – Partner & Consultant
First Year at Camp: 1955
University: Westminster College
Profession: Contractor
Sharp served as the Executive Director of Pok-O-MacCready Camps from 2002 – 2012, after having held almost every other position at our summer camp. Sharp is unrivaled in his knowledge of both the Adirondacks and Civil War battles and lends much of his time in constructing and renovating camp facilities with his other business, Cloudsplitter Carpentry. He lives in Essex, NY during the off-season, and the scenic Point House on Long Pond during the summer. He is 46er number 566W.
Margaret Swan Reinckens – Partner and Consultant
First Year at Camp: 1953
Profession: Accountant
After spending her first 16 years growing up at a “boys only” camp, Margaret was delighted when Pok-O-MacCready became co-ed in 1967. Thereafter, she worked at summer camp and later, at the 1812 Homestead. From 1999 to 2004, Margaret headed up the camp office and finances. Her three sons and one daughter have attended and worked for camp. Very soon, her grandchildren will become part of the summer camp tradition, too!
David Swan – Partner and Consultant
First Year at Camp: 1960
University: Westminster College
Profession: Immigration
While not active in the year-round operations of Pok-O-MacCready Camps, David continues to consult in an advisory capacity. After spending his childhood as a camper, David served as a counselor, section head and helped to design our three-week and day camper programs. He lives with his wife Angela in Chazy, NY, where he operates a maple sugar business. David’s children have been campers and his son is currently on summer staff. David is 46er #1959.
Lauren Swan – American Camping Association Accreditation
First Year at Camp: 1987
University: SUNY Binghamton, New England School of Law
Profession: Attorney
Another “behind the scenes” staff member, Lauren works with the American Camping Association and the New York State Department of Health to see that we meet all of the necessary standards of health and safety for our campers, staff and facilities. Lauren is a former camper, counselor and section head. Lauren currently serves as the Assistant District Attorney for Ulster County, NY.
Summer Camp Directors
Melissa "Missy" Livsey - Camp MacCready Director
Favorite Camp Moment
The start of the “Worlds Most Complicated Game” as seen from the top of the dining hall hill
2018 will be her 32nd summer at MacCready. Missy has spent summers as a counselor, section head, boating director, assistant MacCready director, and since 1996 as the director of MacCready. In the offseason, she is a high school chemistry teacher in Austin Texas. She enjoys all aspects of camp life and cherishes the experiences all campers get to enjoy, from watching the youngest campers learning to swim on our lake to campfires at night that illuminate the camp. She enjoys spending her time in the Adirondacks and when possible hiking in the high peaks.
Josh Bornt – Headmaster of Pok-O-Moonshine
Favorite Camp Quote
“What makes you quirky in the outside world makes you awesome at camp” – Josh Bornt
2018 will be Josh’s 19th summer at Pok-O-MacCready. He started in 2000 as a counselor in Poko’s Senior Section and spent 2001-2007 as the Senior Section Head. In 2008 Josh became the Headmaster of Pok-O-Moonshine and has had the job ever since. In the offseason, Josh is a high school special education teacher in Middleburgh NY. He coaches girls varsity volleyball, runs a juniors USA Volleyball club, and runs other after school related sport programs. His favorite places at camp are the Bullpen, Rusty’s porch, the rock outside the dining hall, any campfire, and of course the volleyball courts!
Tim "Skip" Singer – Website Director
Favorite Camp Moment
The camper’s getting off of the bus on opening day
Having spent 50 years at camp, Skip embodies the true definition of “Pok-O Spirit”. Having been camper, counselor, section head, assist headmaster, program director, and currently our website and Alumni director, Tim’s camp experience is second to none. When not eating and breathing camp, he enjoys time with his wife Augusta and time in both Adirondacks and Green mountains of Vermont.
Ken "Squeaky" Herz - Camp Operations
Favorite Camp Place
Intermediate Point
Ken first arrived at camp as a wild and energetic nine year-old in 1969. He was promptly given the nickname “Squeaky” and neither the name nor the description has changed in the nearly 50 years he has been affiliated with camp. Squeak was the Section Head of Pioneer and Intermediate from 1981-2001, and also Asst. Headmaster. In 2018 he will be at camp doing what he does best: focusing on the details of everything. He teaches conditioning, fishing, and Frisbee. During the year, He teaches in Alburgh, VT. He and wife Marianne live in Chazy, NY along with their two daughters, Willow and Melanie. Squeaky is 46er #1334.
Jake Gittler – Wilderness Director
Favorite Camp Event
The Revolutionary War Game
Jake first came to Poko back in 2001. As a 9 year old in the Pioneer section, he summited Cascade mountain as his first Adirondack 46er. Two decades later, and many, many memorable hiking trips, he
is thrilled to be returning for yet another amazing summer as Wilderness Director at Pok-O- MacCready. When not at camp during the offseason, he lives in Westminster, Colorado working as a substitute teacher for Denver Public Schools. In his free time he enjoys watching hockey (Let's go Rangers!), trail running, and skiing (not to mention planning for the Revolutionary War Game played each summer on the Fourth of July!)
Stephanie Bruning Konowitz – Director of Waterfront
Favorite Camp Place
Swim Docks – Especially when she gets to launch campers off the water trampoline “The Blob”
Stephanie first came to Poko as a 9 year old in the Junior Lodge. She attended for 6 wonderful summers, enjoying the barn and horses, Tribal Days, as well as her summer friends, the most. She worked as a counselor and section head in her twenties and eventually returned to camp 5 years ago after having children, when both children were enrolled at Poko. She is a math and science teacher during the school year but looks forward to her return to Poko during the summers every day (as do her children, of course). Even when she’s not director of the waterfront, she looks forward to finding a few moments to sneak down to the swim docks. Her best friends remain her camp friends, who she is fortunate to see year round.
A successful summer camp experience starts with a well trained and enthusiastic staff. Pok-O-MacCready Camps prides itself on our administration and counselors, with an industry high return rate.
Most of our staff are former campers and thus contributes to the “family” feeling at Pok-O.
The continued success of our camp is due to the vital role our staff play and directly contributes to creating a safe, nurturing environment for our campers which in turn enables them to develop their highest potential.
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