We are very excited to offer summer camp in person this season! The Tenafly Nature Center has always held campers health and safety as our number one priority. We have been following state, camp, and health regulations to be sure we can offer our campers a fun and safe summer.
We welcome kids of all abilities and will work closely with you to make sure your child feels safe and has a wonderful summer!
To Register:
Select the desired camp session,complete the online form, and pay with a credit card. Registration is complete after full payment is made. Separate registrations are required for each camper.
If you have more than one child attending camp only one membership fee is required.
When registering for more than one week, please select "Invoice me" to pay for the total at the end.
After registering your child, you will receive a confirmation e-mail within two weeks. This e-mail contains the follow-up requirements necessary to complete your registration. If you have not paid, you will not receive this email.
Please log into our online health system: PROCARE
This is where you will tell us about your camper, fill out health information, emergency contacts, other important safety data, and submit the following required files:
Including an Immunization History:
Please note, if your health care provider will not be including a complete immunization form the Health Department requires a written statement signed by the parent or guardian explaining how the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the camper’s exercise of bona fide religious tenets or practices. General philosophical or moral objection to immunization shall not be sufficient for an exemption on religious grounds.
A copy of your insurance card.
A copy of any information regarding your child's activity restrictions/special needs (ex. IEP, ISFP).
Complete the form submission through PROCARE7 days prior to the start of the camp session (New Jersey state law requires that campers submit a current health record each year).
Failure to submit all forms to TNC 7 days before the first day of camp will result in forfeiture of your registration fee. Additional camp information may be emailed once registration is complete including the Participant daily checklist (know what to pack and send with your child to camp).
Early Bird Discount: $50 off per week when families register by February 28, 2023. Payment must also be completed by February 28, 2023 to receive discount.
Sibling Discount: $25 off per sibling when attending the same week.
Multi-week Discount: $25 off per week per camper when attending multiple weeks.
To Be Added to a Wait List
If a session is marked as (Full), add your child to the waitlist option on the registration page. Please be prepared to include the following information and if a spot becomes available you will be contacted:
Your name
Your home phone number
Your cell phone number
Your child's name
Your child's birthdate
Question not answered?
Find our Guardian Camp Guide Here. For further questions, please send an email to the Camp Director. Email will get a response quicker than phone calls.
Frequently Asked Questions Click title to view
The 2023 camp season is June 26-September 1.
Each session runs Monday through Friday.
Full day sessions run from 9:00 am-3:00 pm.
Pre-K (4-5 year olds) & Kindergarten half-day sessions run from AM only 9:00 am-12:00 pm or PM only 12:00 pm-3:00 pm.
Beforecare runs from 8:00am-9:00am. $20/day or $70/week.
Aftercare runs from 3:00pm-5:00pm. $30/day or $100/week
Advanced notice is required to register.
Dress for active outdoor play — shorts, t-shirt, and two pairs of close-toed/hard-soled shoes, including one pair that can get wet.
No flip-flops, Crocs, or any open-toed or soft-soled shoes.
On extremely hot summer days, campers may be involved with water activities and games (no swimming). On these day they are welcome to bring in water shorts/shirts. No bathing suits.
No, campers must bring a lunch and two snacks daily-one for the morning and one for the afternoon. We have no means of refrigeration or microwave so please pack accordingly.
Re-fillable water bottles (at least 1 liter capacity) Filled for the start of the camp day.
Two snacks and lunch (for full day campers).
A full set of extra clothes, hat, rain jacket, towel, plastic bag for wet/dirty clothing.
A second pair of shoes for getting wet (sneakers, rubber boots, or close-toed/hard-soled water sandals).
A large bag for everything, and an optional small backpack for trail essentials.
Pre-K (4-5 year olds) & Kindergarten camps are staffed at a ratio of 7 campers to 1 adult staff member.
1st-8th grade camps are staffed at a ratio of 9 campers to 1 adult staff member.
1-2 high school Counselors in Training (CIT) assist camp groups.
All adult camp staff members are First Aid and CPR certified, and some possess other advanced certifications.
All Tenafly Nature Center camp personnel are properly certified in First Aid and CPR.
Tenafly Nature Center does not stock any medication.
It is the policy of Tenafly Nature Center and its personnel not to physically administer any medication to participants. Your child must have the ability to self-administer all medications when necessary.
Please read over our Covid & Camp webpage for up to date information. Additionally, parents can read our updated 2023 Summer Camp Guide.
For additional questions please reach out to the Camp Director
If your child is not feeling well, please keep him/her home and call us to report his or her absence.
If your child becomes ill during the camp day, we will call you; early pick-up may be necessary.
Children will not be admitted to camp if they have a fever of 100.4°F or above or the following symptoms:
Chills or fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Fatigue
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
A rash
Red draining eyes
Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
If the sickness is a COVID-19 related symptom, fever of 100.4 F or excessive coughing or difficulty breathing, child must be fever-free for 3 days without fever reducing medicines, and stay home for 7 days since symptom start. If the child has a negative COVID-19 test then they may return after 72 hours of being symptom-free. Parents will be notified to observe your child and to let us know if they display any symptoms.
If a non-COVID-19 illness, please stay at home until 24 hours AFTER these symptoms are resolved or a note from your doctor is sent to camp stating that the child may attend. If your child is diagnosed with an infection, it is very important to keep him/her out of camp for at least 24-48 hours AFTER starting antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection
If your child is going to be absent or arriving after 9:00 am for ANY reason, please contact the Nature Center office at (201) 568-6093. You may leave a message if your call is outside office hours — please try to call before 9:00 am each day your child will be absent. Refunds will not be given for absence.
Signs to note if a child is too ill to attend camp?
A few sniffles or a dry cough are okay, but if a child has a fever over 100°F, diarrhea, vomiting, a sore throat, a rash, red draining eyes, thick yellow or green nasal discharge, please keep them at home until 24 hours after these symptoms are resolved or a note from your doctor is sent to camp stating that the child can attend. If your child is diagnosed with an infection, it is very important to keep them out of camp for at least 24-48 hours after starting antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection.
Other health reasons a child may not attend camp
A camper who shows symptoms of any of the following communicable diseases will not be allowed at camp without a note from a doctor or specialist:
Chicken pox
German measles (rubella)
Measles (rubella)
Mumps
Streptococcal infections (including scarlet fever, sore throat, and erysipelas)
Whooping cough (pertussis)
Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Impetigo (staphylococcus infection)
Meningitis-meningococcal
Hepatitis infectious
Head lice (pediculosis)
A camper who is found to have live head lice will not be permitted to attend camp until there are no active lice in the camper's hair, proof of treatment has been provided to the camp director, and until all live and/or dead head lice are removed from the camper's hair.
The presence of nits (the eggs of lice) without active head lice will not prohibit a child from attending camp provided proof of treatment has been provided to the camp director and there is no evidence of active head lice in the camper's hair.
The Tenafly Nature Center’s first priority is the safety of our campers. Here at Tenafly Nature Center we strive to make camp a healthy and safe community, one in which campers can have fun, connect with others and with the Earth. Therefore, we expect all campers will:
Stay with their group
Participate in camp activities
Interact with other campers and staff members in respectful ways
Be supportive of other campers’ needs and efforts
Always act in ways that are safe for themselves and others
Treat other campers’ (and the camp’s) property and belongings with respect and consideration
Never threaten, imply a threat or “get in the face” of another camper
Not engage in put-downs of any type or make “fun” of another camper
Not purposefully and with ill intent exclude another camper
Never intentionally physically harm another camper or staff (No hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, etc.)
The Tenafly Nature Center embraces diversity and values the integrity of our community. Individual differences of religion, culture, socioeconomic status, national origin, race, ethnicity, biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, and ability are acknowledged and respected. Campers strive to behave in a sensitive, open, and respectful manner and will not deliberately exclude another individual for these reasons.
The consequences of not following the camp’s code of conduct are:
First time- meeting at camp with the camp staff and parent(s) to discuss the incident.
Second time- the camper will miss one day of camp in order to better understand that there are better behavior choices to be made relative to the incident.
Third time- a decision-making meeting with parents in order to look at the real possibility that perhaps Tenafly Nature Center Day Camp is not a good match for the camper and his/her needs.
Our goal is to help each camper have a successful and positive camp experience. Of course, each incident will be looked at individually and in terms of degree of seriousness.
Please go over the behavior policy and expectations with your camper(s), including the consequences for not following them. Clarity and consistency, at camp and at home, are the keys for making our camp a healthy, nurturing environment for children. The staff reserves the right to cancel registration without refund during camp week for unacceptable behavior.
A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds.
Membership is a tax-deductible donation with year-round benefits, and is non-refundable.
Full tuition refunds will be given for cancellations with more than 6 weeks notice (minus the $50 processing fee).
No refunds or credits will be given with less than 3 weeks notice. In this instance, a tax receipt will be issued to you indicating that the program fee was converted to a charitable donation.
Cancellations more than 3 weeks and less than 6 weeks notice will receive 50% refund.
Switching camp weeks is allowed depending on availability and at the discretion of the Camp Director. After June 1, a $20 switching fee will be applied.
In cases of cancellation due to major illness and/or family emergency, refunds will be assessed on case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director.
If a child or household member is COVID-19 positive, that child will not be able to return to camp until cleared by their doctor. A refund will be determined given how many days the child will need to miss camp. If a full week of camp (5 days) is needed then a full refund will be offered minus the $50 cancellation fee.
TNC will be sharing the financial risk during this unique time. If there is a confirmed COVID-19 exposure and the Health Department closes camp we will determine refunds on a case-by-base basis depending on the severity of the closure.
TNC reserves the right to remove any child without refund due to unacceptable behavior or if children are registered for the incorrect age group/grade level.
TNC reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or change programs as needed.
Failure to submit all PROCARE forms to TNC 7 days before the first day of camp will result in forfeiture of your registration fee.
These policies are necessary to cover the costs we incur when we commit to you to have camp available this summer. TNC is a non-profit independent nature preserve and we need financial policies that provide some budget stability to keep us running.
We put our jackets on and keep exploring! Bring rain boots, hat, a poncho or rain jacket — no umbrellas.
A full set of labeled rain gear and/or change of clothes can be left at TNC for the duration of their camp week. Everything must go home in between camp sessions.
In case of severe rain or thunderstorms we will head under cover.
No, we do not supply either insect repellent or sunscreen.
We ask that parents apply a liberal amount of sun-block to their children before camp each day and to make sure your camper is dressed for sun protection (i.e. hat with brim). The staff here is more than happy to remind and help campers reapply throughout the day, with a signed authorization form. Please let the staff know if your child is especially sensitive to the sun. No aerosol sprays please.
We do not apply insect repellent here at the TNC and instead ask that you spray your camper’s clothing with an appropriate spray before leaving for camp in the morning or have your camper wear a insect repellent bracelet. Parents may want to check with your doctor before doing this. We ask that you don’t spray insect repellent in our parking lot! We are a nature facility and the insects are supposed to live here :)
Because most of our activities are outdoors, we are sensitive to and are aware of tick and poison ivy concerns. We address these issues in a proactive, clear and efficient way through education (of staff, campers and parents) and implementation of risk management procedures.
Staff members are trained to teach campers how to identify and avoid natural hazards like ticks and poison ivy. At camp we educate everyone about ticks, minimize off-trail hiking, establish a tick check system for campers and staff, and follow other tick-related safety procedures and practices. Parents are advised to help their camper check clothes and all body areas after each camp day. The evening bath or shower is a good time for this. If you have further questions, contact the Camp Director.
TNC will send all camp communication by email, including registration confirmation, field trip details, and parent information.
If your child is going to be absent or arriving after 9:00 am for ANY reason, please contact the Nature Center office at (201) 568-6093. You may leave a message if your call is outside office hours — please try to call before 9:00 am each day your child will be absent. 
The Tenafly Nature Center’s first priority is the safety of our campers. Here at Tenafly Nature Center we strive to make camp a healthy and safe community, one in which campers can have fun, connect with others and with the Earth. Therefore, we expect all campers will:
First time- meeting at camp with the camp staff and parent(s) to discuss the incident.
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