Welcome to a day at DEAN Adventure Camps, where every moment is an opportunity for fun, learning, and exploration.

Here's a snapshot of our action-packed schedule:

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Flexible Morning Drop-off & DEAN Zone Activities (a selection of games, crafts, and more!)
• 9:00 am - 9:15 am: Energizing Morning Introduction
• 9:15 am - 10:30 am: First Activity Period
• 10:30 am - 10:45 am: Snack & Outside Break (weather permitting)
• 10:45 am - 12:00 pm: Second Activity Period
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch & Recess Break
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Third Activity Period
• 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Snack & Outside Break (weather permitting)
• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm: Final Activity Period
• 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm: Clean Up & End of Day Closing
• 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Flexible Pick Up + DEAN Zone Activities (nature hikes, crafts, snacks, games & more!)
  
  Get ready for a day full of adventure and discovery at DEAN!

Payment

We understand that flexibility is essential. While we request full payment upfront, we are here to support your needs. If you require more time or assistance due to financial hardship, don't hesitate to contact us at deanteam@deancamps.com. We'll be happy to discuss payment plan options or other additional options to try to accommodate your circumstances. 

Cancellations

We understand that plans can change. Here's our flexible refund policy:

Until June 1: Refunds, minus a $100 fee per program. For example, if you've registered for 2 programs, your refund will be the total amount minus $200.

After June 1: Fees become non-refundable. But don't worry! You can change your camper's program selection at no extra cost as long as the total number of sessions stays the same.

If a desired change isn't possible due to full programs, we'll issue a credit with no expiration date, which can be used for future programs or transferred to another camper's account.

Scheduling Changes

We are here to help figure out the schedule that works best for you and your family. If you need to move a week or choose a different class, no problem. We will make changes at any time as long as there is space in the program.

If you decide to add additional weeks, we will also make sure that you receive the best pricing based on the number of weeks a camper is attending.

We're excited to team up with Haverford College for our camp's lunch and snack offerings, ensuring your child enjoys tasty, nutritious, and safe meals. As part of your camp fee, we include lunch, snacks, and drinks for convenience and assurance.

Special Dietary Needs

Understanding the importance of dietary needs and food allergies, Haverford College is well-prepared to accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies. Their experience in serving a diverse student body ensures every camper's dietary needs are met with care and precision.

Dietary & Allergy-Conscious Dining

The college boasts a dedicated gluten-free room, ideal for campers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Vegetarian and vegan options are readily available daily, and all food items are clearly labeled with ingredients and potential allergens like wheat, eggs, dairy, and nuts.

Food Safety Standards

To uphold food safety, we kindly ask that no outside food be brought onto campus. This policy is crucial for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring quality control.

Communicating Dietary Requirements

Managing dietary restrictions or food allergies can be challenging, and we're here to help. Please inform us of any specific needs your child has by including them in the medical forms. Our team is always available to address any concerns or queries you may have.

Picky Eaters

We recognize that some campers may have specific dietary preferences and be considered picky eaters. Fortunately, our partnership with Haverford College provides us with an extensive range of dining options to cater to every palate. In fact, we're spoiled for choice! DEAN has access to a daily rotation of hot lunch items, which includes both vegan and vegetarian alternatives. Additionally, there is a sandwich, salad and pizza bar, a variety of cereals, fresh fruits, veggies, and an array of snack items that are available every day. We truly believe that with this diverse selection, there's something to satisfy every camper's taste buds.

Open Door Policy

Should you have any questions about our meal offerings or policies, please feel free to reach out to our camp office. We're committed to providing a dining experience that's not just delicious but also safe, inclusive, and reassuring.

Sample Weekly Menus

Everything your camper needs for an epic adventure is included in the registration cost! From essential safety gear like helmets and pads to creative tools like sewing machines, we've got it all covered.

Our priority is your family’s happiness. As parents ourselves, we want for you what we would want for our own families: if you have an issue, we will fix it. No excuses, no matter what. Fix it, change it, refund it, give us a chance to make it right for you and your family. Your happiness is our happiness. Guaranteed.

We're all about ensuring your camper has the time of their lives! With a mix of indoor and outdoor adventures, it's important they come prepared for action. We recommend sturdy, closed-toed sneakers, weather-appropriate clothing with extra layers, and a readiness for fun-filled, active days. They might get a bit messy, dirty, or even wet – it's all part of the adventure! Each day, please pack:

- Sunscreen for sunny days
- A towel for water fun
- A change of clothes for post-adventure comfort
- Bug repellent (optional, but handy)

Let's gear up for an unforgettable week at DEAN!

We've got all the fun and gear covered! To keep your camper’s day carefree and focused on adventure, we kindly request leaving personal items like toys, electronics, or special keepsakes at home. This helps avoid any loss or damage in the hustle and bustle of camp activities.

While we provide all necessary equipment, including helmets and safety pads, campers are welcome to bring their own if they prefer. Just a little reminder: DEAN Adventure Camps isn't responsible for any personal items brought to camp. Let's keep it simple and fun!

The address to Haverford College is 370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041.  You can check out their campus map HERE. 

The Monday prior to your registered week(s) of camp a welcome email will be sent with specific instructions to where we are located on campus with our pick-up and drop-off instructions.

We encourage a phone-free zone to maximize engagement and fun! We kindly request that campers keep their cell phones tucked away during camp activities. If we notice any calling, texting, or phone use, we'll gently remind them to focus on the adventures at hand. We completely understand the importance of cell phones, but at camp, we're all about living in the moment and diving into the exciting activities we have in store!

We welcome campers of all experience levels, from beginner to advanced! Our instructors are equipped to guide campers of all skill levels. We created a no-pressure environment where everyone can freely explore new skills, at their own pace. It's all about discovery and fun; no experience is needed!

We closely monitor weather conditions to ensure a safe and coordinated response and ready for whatever the weather may bring! Our cool, air-conditioned indoor spaces are perfect for those less-than-sunny days. While we love the great outdoors, we always prioritize safety, so we'll head outside for breaks whenever the weather is on our side.

For our outdoor adventurers, a little rain won't stop us! We have access to Haverford College's incredible indoor facilities, so the fun continues, rain or shine. We aim to spend as much time as possible outdoors, always keeping safety at the forefront.

Camper safety is our top priority! We make sure every camper is geared up with all the necessary safety equipment and learns how to use tools and equipment safely.

In the rare event of an injury, our First Aid and CPR-certified staff are on hand to respond swiftly. We also have the backing of Haverford College's Campus Safety Department for extra peace of mind. For minor boo-boos like cuts and scrapes, our instructors are well-equipped to provide care. For more serious injuries, we're prepared to promptly seek emergency medical assistance.

Absolutely! We're thrilled when campers return year after year, week after week. It's all about skill-building and growing with us each time they join a camp program. Plus, we're all for mixing it up – one week in culinary arts, another week in DEAN Day Camp.  At DEAN Adventure Camps, we see each day as a chance for campers to dive into something new all summer long in a fun, easy-going atmosphere. It's the perfect place to discover new passions and have a blast doing it! 

When signing up for six or more weeks of camp, per camper, a multi-week discount can be applied to receive $50 off every week of camp.

On the first day of each camp week, we'll be handing out DEAN Adventure Camps T-shirts and DEAN water bottles – cool summer essentials for every camper! Each camper gets one T-shirt and water bottle for the season.

You can let your camper wear their DEAN tee to camp, making those busy mornings a breeze. Water bottles (BPA-free) will be labeled at camp and can be refilled throughout the day to keep campers well hydrated. Either way, if you decide to wear your camp tee and use your water bottle each day, or not, it can still be a fun keepsake, a special reminder of all the awesome times they had with us at DEAN Adventure Camps. 

Choosing the right summer camp involves careful consideration of cost and, of course, the safety and quality of programming. We want to transparently explain why our pricing is set at $699, assuring you that every dollar spent is an investment in an enriching and memorable experience for your child(ren).

We understand that camp costs can differ significantly across the region due to various factors. At DEAN Adventure Camps, our mission and purpose is to offer a high-quality and nurturing environment for your child's growth and development. Below, you can explore some of the specific areas where we invest our financial resources to ensure an exceptional camp experience. While we offer options that cater to different budgets, rest assured that each choice reflects our commitment to providing top-notch quality programming.

FOR OUR FAMILIES:

Lunch & Snacks

As part of our commitment to providing a seamless and worry-free experience, we include all meals, snacks, and beverages in the camp fee. With this inclusive approach, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your child will receive nourishing and delicious meals throughout their time at camp.

Extended Hours for Your Convenience

We understand the demands of family life. Trying to be in seven places at once is not an option. We decided that our camp day would complement more realistic schedules without any additional costs. Our formal camp day runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but we created a flexible drop-off schedule. Now, you can drop off your child(ren) any time between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and pick up any time between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., all for one price.

Credit Card Fees

We understand the convenience of using a credit card and have the option to pay the way you would like.  With credit cards, we know fees are a part of doing business, that is why we don’t add additional costs on top of our already set price. The price you see is the price you get.

A Beautiful Location

We are incredibly fortunate to have a strong partnership with Haverford College, which enables us to provide an exceptional camp experience. While we are always mindful of the costs, it's important to note that we chose this location to create a safe, inspiring, and enriching environment for our campers, complete with top-notch security, maintenance, and facilities.

FOR OUR TEAM:

Competitive Salaries and Benefits for Exceptional Instructors:

We believe in providing the best environment for your child's growth and learning. Our dedicated team of instructors is highly trained, experienced, and passionate about what they do. We pay our instructors competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent, ensuring your child benefits from their expertise. 

For our year-round team, we provide health benefits and other various health benefits such as, long-term and short-term benefits. We pay 3% into their 401K no matter what because we believe in investing in their future.

Training & Professional Development

As we believe in youth development, we believe in developing our team to be the best Instructors possible. Our staff is trained in child safety and welfare, inclusivity, curriculum and content training, classroom management, and the latest in youth development practices, skill building, first and CPR. 

Our directors attend professional conferences, work with consultants, and attend ongoing webinars throughout the year. 

Background Checks 

As required, all our employees go through PA state-mandated background checks, including: Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check, Federal Criminal History Record Check, and Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania Online Training and certification course. We also run all of our employees through our insurance company's Safe Counselor check. Almost all these certifications and clearances incur a fee, which we pay for each and every instructor.  We also compensate for any training that an instructor needs to undertake.

Lunch and Snacks

As part of our commitment to providing a seamless and worry-free experience, we include all meals, snacks, and beverages in the camp fee. With this inclusive approach, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your child will receive nourishing and delicious meals throughout their time at camp.

OUR PROCESS:

Programming & Curriculum

We have an in-house team researching, writing, testing, working with consultants, and recording components of our curricula to be disseminated to our instructors so they can deliver to your child a great learning opportunity disguised in summer camp fun.

Materials and Supplies

To encourage exploration and learning, we provide all the necessary materials and supplies your child needs for their various activities so there is no barrier to entry. From sewing machines to bikes, skateboards, robots, and safety equipment, everything is included.

9-months to Plan 3-Months

Just like teachers whose days don’t end at 3:00 pm, our work doesn’t happen solely between the months of June and August. We currently employ a team of 8 full-time employees to prepare for camp at our 7 locations throughout DC, MD, PA, and VA every summer. These team members specialize in Human Resources to hire over 100 seasonal, high-quality instructors, Curriculum and Programming, Marketing and Sales, Technology, Operations, The Camper Experience, Finances & administration, and Supply and Distribution management - we even have a warehouse in Manayunk housing over 300 sewing machines, 200 robots, 40 bikes etc. 

We are excited to build this new location as our summer home for our camp community for years to come.  

We are excited to share that campers entering 1st grade and above will have the option to enjoy a daily free swim period, weather permitting.  Free swimming means this is a time for campers to play and enjoy the water. Swim lessons are currently not offered at this time. Those who decide not to swim can participate in other recess-style activities. 

Campers entering Pre-K and Kindergarten will also have the chance to participate in daily water activities, such as slip and slides, water twisters, reusable water balloon games, and more. Water activities are also optional; those who decide not to swim can participate in other recess-style activities. 

As part of our commitment to safety and providing a fun experience for all campers, the pool is managed by certified lifeguards and will be supervised by DEAN staff.

We will share a detailed overview in mid-May to help you prepare for summer camp. The overview will include swim assessment details, safety protocols, and alternative activities for those who opt out of swimming and water activities.

For the weeks of August 18 and August 25, Haverford College students will be returning to campus, which makes it challenging for the college to accommodate the space DEAN needs during this time. To ensure our campers still enjoy an incredible end to their summer, we’re thrilled to partner with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern PA and use their beautiful facilities for these two weeks for campers entering  1st-6th in the fall. Campers entering preK-K will still be able to sign up for a camp being held on Haverford College's campus, but space is limited.

• Week of August 18: Camp will be held at Laughing Waters in Gilbertsville, PA, approximately a 45-minute bus ride from Haverford College.
• Week of August 25: Camp will move to Camp Shelly Ridge in Miquon, PA, about a 30-minute bus ride from Haverford College.

We’ll provide daily busing from Haverford College, which is included in the camp price. Morning drop-off will take place from 8:00–8:45 AM, with the bus departing promptly at 9:00 AM. Afternoon busses will leave camp at 3:45 PM, arriving back at Haverford for pick-up between 4:00–5:30 PM.

Families are also welcome to drop off or pick up their campers directly at the camp locations if preferred. Information pertaining to transportation details will be sent beginning in mid-May.

We’re excited about this unique opportunity to wrap up the summer with fun and adventure in these wonderful new settings. Laughing Waters and Shelly Ridge offer plenty of room for exploration and programming, such as swimming, ropes courses, nature trails, indoor climbing, cooking, and much more. ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for our campers during these final weeks!

Yes, all campers must be fully toilet trained to attend camp. Being fully toilet trained means that campers can independently use the restroom without assistance. This includes:

• Recognizing when they need to use the bathroom.
• Being able to manage clothing on their own.
• Cleaning themselves properly after using the restroom.
• Washing their hands afterward.

Our staff is always available to support and remind campers throughout the day.

If you have any questions or concerns about readiness, feel free to reach out.