Frequently Asked Questions about 4-H Camp Overlook!

Question: Where is Camp Located?

Answer: Camp is located at 70 Beach Road in Mountain View, NY. Camp’s office is located at 355 West Main St, Suite 150, in Malone NY (Downstairs in the Courthouse building!). Map to 4h Camp from Malone

Question: Who own’s camp and what is 4-H?

Answer: Camp is owned and operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties. Camp is owned and operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties. 4‑H is a Community for all Kids! In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. 4‑H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.

Through life-changing 4‑H programs, nearly six million kids have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equity and inclusion for all.

Question: How old is camp?

Answer: Summer Camp has been running since 1945!

Question: Does camp run year-round?

Answer: Yes! Camp offers programming and rental’s year round. Please check out the Year Round Programming tab on our website or call our office for more information 518.483.7403

Question: Who can attend Summer camp?

Answer:  4-H Camp Overlook is open to ALL boys and girls ages 6 through 19 without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. Campers do NOT need to be 4-H members to attend. Traditional camp weeks 1-6 is open to ages 8-19, and Cloverbud camp is open to ages 6-8.

Question: What is Cloverbud?

Answer: Cloverbud camp is a 3 day, 2 night, mini camp experience for our youngest campers! We currently run two Cloverbud camps, one at the beginning of the summer and one at the end. The Cloverbud section of our website has more information!

Question: What is the cost of a week of Summer Camp?

Answer: One week of our traditional Summer Camp costs $429 per camper. A non-refundable deposit of $150 per week must accompany ALL applications, even if you are applying for a scholarship. Cloverbud camp is $195.00.

Question: When does camp enrollment open?

Answer: Camp enrollment opens February 1st! Online registration will open then.  If you require a paper application, please contact our office and they will be mailed out in February.

Question: Why did the price of Summer Camp go up?

Answer: While we do everything possible to keep these rates low, the rising costs of operating a facility and program like 4-H Camp Overlook continue to climb. We have the additional cost (and benefit) of offering online registration and payment which costs more, as well as increasing staffing costs.  If the resulting summer camp rates have created a financial hardship for you, we encourage you to apply for a Financial Scholarships (see below).

Question: Does camp offer Summer Camp Scholarships?

Answer: Yes, to campers of St. Lawrence and Franklin county we offer financial, need based scholarships. To apply for assistance you must submit a scholarship application along with your camp application and deposit in order to qualify.  Scholarships applications are due by April 15th, and incomplete or late applications are returned and may jeopardize our scholarship award. There are no full scholarships; a $150 deposit must accompany your application. All active Franklin & St. Lawrence County 4-H Members are eligible for some scholarship assistance regardless of income. Please visit our Scholarship page for more information.

Question: How do I pay my camp balance on UltraCamp?

Answer: Click Here to Make a Payment! From here you can check your balance and click directly on the link to pay it!

Question: What is MAAPs?  Will traditional camp still run those weeks?

Answer: MAAP is our Adirondack Explorer weeks, and stands for Mountaineer, Alpine Adventures, and Pathfinder, the three classes we run. It is a separate program, run by Camp Overlook, that focuses on taking campers on wilderness trips in the Adirondacks.  While you would still drop off and pick up your camper Camp Overlook, Mountaineer and Alpine Adventures are a separate program hosted at Camp. Yes, traditional camp still runs all 6 weeks, and is not affected by the MAAPs program.  Regular traditional campers can even sign up for the introductory class of the MAAPs series, Pathfinder, where they can learn all about wilderness trips and even do a hike one afternoon!  We are only offering MAAPs program specific weeks; Please see the MAAPs portion of the website for more information.

Question: What time is Summer Camp registration?

Answer: Summer Camp registration for traditional camp (Weeks 1-6) is from 12:30pm – 3:00pm on each Sunday. Registration WILL NOT start before 12:30pm, and Cabin Assignments will be given at the registration table when you receive your name tag. Please look for your email for your staggered arrival time. Check out our blog post on Sunday Registration for more information!

Cloverbud Registration is at 10:00am on Thursday for the first Cloverbud session, and the second session registration is at the same time as traditional camp. Both with staggered arrivals.

Question: What do I need to bring with me to Summer Camp?

Answer: We have a great packing list posted under our Summer camp tab on our website!

Question: Are cell phones allowed at camp?

Answer: No! It is our long-standing policy that campers are NOT PERMITTED to have a cell phone at camp. To keep it simple, we have a strict NO screen policy. We believe that being at camp is an opportunity for your child to experience a world beyond home. This allows youth to develop autonomy, independence, and a stronger sense of self. It allows them to make new friends, take responsibility for themselves and their cabinmates, problem solve, and mature a bit. These things cannot be achieved when parents are only a phone call away.  We ask that parents respect and help us with this rule and collect cell phones before camp begins. We can all agree that our children need this time during the summer while at camp to unplug, power down and have a well-needed break from social media and electronics. Please be respectful of our rules and partner with us by communicating this message at home. This cell phone and electronic policy aligns with our mission of allowing campers the opportunity to gain independence, learn self advocacy, and immerse themselves in our camp culture and program.

Question: Will my Summer camper need money for Camp Store?

Answer: No! Camp store is open during Sunday Registration and Friday pick up, so parents are welcome to buy camp related items then. The camp store only takes cash or check. Camp store ‘treats’ are available during the week during snack time (4:00pm) and are included in the price of camp!

Questions: Pick up time on Friday for Summer Camp?

Answer: Closing ceremony starts at 7:00pm on Friday. Parents who would like to attend should arrive by 6:45pm. Campers who need to depart earlier can be picked up anytime after 4:00pm. If you need to pick up a camper before 4:00pm please let the Camp Director know during registration, or call them at camp at 518.483.0381.

Question: Can I contact my camper while they are at Summer camp?

Answer: You are welcome to write letters to your child while they are at camp! Mail is picked up and delivered everyday before lunch. We also offer the option to send a message your camper through a service called Bunk1. For a small fee those messages will be printed out everyday just like a real letter and placed in the camp mailbox during the Summer Camp Season (CB through Week 6). There is no return service message available (your campers are out having too much fun!). Regarding Phone Calls: A large benefit of attending camp is gaining independence and confidence. Homesickness is an occasional camp problem, one that we deal with very successfully. It can be made more difficult when campers call home or when parents call to camp. Please call only in an emergency. The number at camp is 518.483.0381

Question: I just found out that my camper is now unable to attend camp the week I chose. What is your cancellation policy?

Answer: Our cancellation policy can be found Here. The other option is to call the camp office to see if there is availability another week to move your camper there!

Question: Does my child need a physical  to come to camp?

 Answer: Campers are not required to have a physical to attend camp; however many physicians will not fill out the Health form without one. Campers do need an updated immunization record to attend camp. Completed health forms are due June 1st with final payments.

Question: Can my child request be placed in a cabin with a friend or sibling?

Answer: Yes, camp does take bunkmate requests. They are on a first come, first serve basis and we do our best to get camper requests together but it is not a guarantee! If campers request to be with a different age sibling, they will be put in a cabin aged appropriately for the younger sibling.

Question:What age does my child have to be to attend Summer camp?

Answer: Traditional campers must be 8 years of age to attend summer camp, and can be as old as 19 years old. Cloverbud campers are between the ages of 6-8 years old.

Question: What is your CIT Program?

Answer: Our CIT courses are for campers interested in one day becoming a camp counselor. The CIT 1 program introduces campers to the philosophy of Camp and is one class period out of the week. CIT 2 continues this training with a focus on leadership and communication, and also lasts one class period. CIT 3 is a full week course (no additional classes are taken) where participants will be enrolled in a specialized learning tract that prepares them for future leadership roles at camp. Please check out our CIT program page for more information.

CIT Part 1 is Weeks 3-5 Only (Age 14 by June 20th)
CIT Part 2 is Weeks 3-5 Only (Age 15 by June 20th)
CIT Part 3 is Weeks 1-2 Only (Age 16 by June 20th)

Question: It’s after June 1st! Is it too late to sign up for camp?

Answer: Maybe! It depends on the week, we sometimes have last minute cancellations. Please call our camp line to inquire about last minute spaces 518.483.4769