In DEAN’s Velocity Camp, campers channel their adventurous spirit into action-packed outdoor experiences that build confidence, responsibility, and resilience. From weekly biking, slacklining, and skateboarding activities to specialized weekly themed activities such as geocaching, campfire cooking, and pickleball, every day brings a new challenge designed to spark curiosity and teamwork. Campers cheer each other on as they tackle obstacles together, creating friendships that grow as strong as their skills. With professional-grade equipment, safety gear, and supportive counselors, campers can safely push their limits while discovering the joy of outdoor adventure.
Curriculum is thoughtfully adapted for each age group, with techniques and independence progressing from foundational skills in younger grades to more complex challenges as campers mature.
SKILLS & TECHNIQUES
Each week, campers engage in outdoor adventures and physical challenges, learning key skills and mindsets. The specific skills taught vary by program, giving each camper the chance to explore different aspects of Velocity programs:
- Foundation Skills: Biking safety, skateboard construction and riding, campfire cooking basics, orienteering, geocaching, and slackline balance
- Technical Abilities: Managing equipment safely and mastering new moves through focus and practice, with weekly themes allowing campers to dive deeper into specialized areas
As they explore and challenge themselves, campers strengthen essential character skills:
- Collaboration: Supporting teammates and cheering each other on through challenges
- Resilience and Self-Regulation: Overcoming obstacles, bouncing back from setbacks, and building confidence through perseverance
By the end of the week, campers leave with new outdoor skills, stronger physical abilities, and the confidence that comes from pushing their limits in a safe, supportive environment.
GENERAL DAILY SCHEDULE
HOURS
VELOCITY CAMP
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CAMP CONSTRUCTION EXPLORERS (1ST-2ND)
Grab a rope. It’s time to build big!
In this hands-on building adventure, campers become young builders as they design and construct impressive A-frames, bridges, and towers using ropes, knots, lashing, and wood. With imaginations running high and hands always busy, campers explore how simple materials can turn into exciting structures they can climb, crawl across, and explore.
Throughout the week, campers learn beginner building skills like tying knots, securing lashings, and working together to make sturdy creations. Counselors guide campers step by step, helping them practice teamwork, follow safety routines, and take responsibility for materials and tools. As campers test their structures, they build confidence, resilience, and pride in what they’ve created together.
By the end of the week, campers proudly share their favorite builds at a Friday showcase, showing off the structures they worked on and celebrating their teamwork and creativity. They head home feeling strong, capable, and excited about all the amazing things they can build with their own hands.
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ECO EXPLORERS (1ST-2ND)
Hop on, roll out, and explore the great outdoors!
In Eco Explorers, campers dive into action-packed days filled with biking (pre-riders welcome!), skateboarding, slacklining, obstacle courses, and team-building games. Campers even build their own skateboard and enjoy plenty of movement and play as they explore new skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Throughout the week, campers also become nature detectives as they explore plants, animals, and the world around them. Through scavenger hunts and hands-on activities, they practice noticing details, identifying species, and learning how to treat nature with care using simple Leave No Trace principles. Campers even craft their own handmade bird feeder to bring their eco-exploration to life.
By the end of the week, campers proudly share their favorite discoveries, creations, and adventures at a Friday showcase, celebrating what they explored and learned together. They head home with new outdoor skills, growing confidence, and a sense of wonder for the natural world around them.
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MULTI SPORT MASH-UP EXPLORERS (1ST-2ND)
Try it, play it, and find your new favorite game!
In Multisport Mashup, campers jump into a mix of exciting sports like disc golf, flag rugby, and pickleball, learning the basics through playful games and friendly challenges. Campers practice taking turns, following rules, and cheering for one another as they build confidence and discover what makes each sport fun.
Throughout the week, campers also explore movement on wheels through biking and skateboarding… no experience needed! With caring counselors by their side, campers try new skills at their own pace, tackle obstacle courses, test their balance on slacklines, and even build their very own skateboard to take home. Along the way, they grow perseverance, teamwork, and confidence as they step outside their comfort zone together.
By the end of the week, campers proudly share their favorite sports, skills, and creations at a Friday showcase, celebrating everything they tried and learned. They head home with new movement skills, growing friendships, and the excitement of discovering just how much they can do.
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CAMP CONSTRUCTION ACHIEVERS (3TH-4TH)
Tie it tight and build it right!
In this hands-on building adventure, campers become creative builders as they design and construct A-frames, bridges, and towers using ropes, knots, lashing, and wood. With big ideas and busy hands, campers discover how simple materials can be transformed into strong structures they can climb on, crawl across, and proudly test.
Throughout the week, campers develop building skills like choosing the right knots, securing lashings, and following simple plans to make their structures sturdier. With guidance from counselors, they practice teamwork, problem-solving, and safety as they take responsibility for tools and materials. As campers test and improve their designs, they build resilience, confidence, and pride in their work.
By the end of the week, campers proudly present their favorite builds at a Friday showcase, sharing the structures they designed and built together. They head home feeling capable, accomplished, and excited about all the new things they’ve learned to build.

ECO EXPLORERS ACHIEVERS (3RD-4TH)
Explore, move, and discover what’s out there!
In Eco Explorers, campers dive into active, adventure-filled days that blend biking, skateboarding, slacklining, obstacle courses, and team-building games. Campers build and customize their own skateboards and challenge themselves to improve balance, coordination, and confidence through movement and play.
Each week also includes a nature exploration focus, where campers become curious investigators of the world around them. Through plant and animal identification, scavenger hunts, and habitat exploration, campers sharpen observation skills and learn how living things are connected. They practice caring for the environment by following simple Leave No Trace principles and crafting a handmade bird feeder to apply what they learn.
By the end of the week, campers proudly present their projects, discoveries, and outdoor accomplishments at a Friday showcase, sharing what they explored and how their skills grew. They head home with stronger outdoor abilities, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
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MULTI SPORT MASH-UP ACHIEVERS (3RD-4TH)
Level up your skills!
In Multisport Mashup, campers jump into a rotating mix of exciting games like disc golf, flag rugby, and pickleball. Through friendly competition and guided play, campers learn rules, practice skills, and begin using simple strategies while building confidence and discovering what they enjoy about each sport.
Throughout the week, campers also expand their movement skills on wheels through biking and skateboarding with no experience needed! Expert counselors support campers as they work at their own pace as they take on obstacle courses, test balance on slacklines, and build their very own skateboard to take home. Along the way, they strengthen perseverance, teamwork, and communication as challenges become more complex.
By the end of the week, campers proudly share their favorite sports, skills, and skateboard creations at a Friday showcase, celebrating everything they practiced and accomplished. They head home with stronger movement skills, new friendships, and the confidence that comes from trying new things and sticking with a challenge.
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ECO EXPLORERS NAVIGATORS (5TH-8TH)
Adventure outside the ordinary!
In Eco Explorers, campers take on active, challenge-driven days that combine biking, skateboarding, slacklining, obstacle courses, and team-building games. Campers build and customize their own skateboards and push their physical skills further, gaining confidence through movement, balance, and coordination.
The week also centers on an environmental exploration theme, where campers step into the role of field researchers and nature investigators. They sharpen observation skills through plant and animal identification, geocaching-style scavenger hunts, and habitat exploration while learning how ecosystems work together. Campers practice responsible outdoor ethics like Leave No Trace and apply their learning through hands-on projects, such as designing and building a functional bird feeder.
By the end of the week, campers proudly present their projects, discoveries, and outdoor achievements at a Friday showcase, explaining what they explored and how their skills grew. They head home with stronger outdoor abilities, a deeper connection to the environment, and the confidence that comes from tackling both physical and intellectual challenges in the natural world.
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CAMP CONSTRUCTION NAVIGATORS (5TH-6TH)
Climb higher. Build smarter!
In this advanced building adventure, campers take on the challenge of designing and constructing large-scale structures like A-frames, bridges, and towers using ropes, knots, lashing, and wood. Campers move from idea to execution as they plan, build, and refine structures meant to be climbed, crossed, and tested in real time.
Throughout the week, campers deepen technical skills such as knot selection, tension control, and structural stability while working through increasingly complex builds. With counselors acting as coaches, campers collaborate to solve design problems, adapt plans when structures don’t behave as expected, and take shared responsibility for tools, materials, and safety systems. Resilience grows as they troubleshoot failures, and confidence builds with every successful adjustment.
By the end of the week, campers proudly present their completed structures at a Friday showcase, explaining how they designed, built, and improved their creations. They head home with strengthened problem-solving skills, real-world engineering experience, and the pride that comes from building something strong enough to stand and climb on.
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MULI SPORT MASH-UP NAVIGATORS (5TH-6TH)
Mix the sports. Master the challenge!
In Multisport Mashup, campers dive into a rotating lineup of dynamic games like disc golf, flag rugby, and pickleball, building skill, strategy, and confidence with each new sport. Through structured play and friendly competition, campers sharpen coordination, learn game tactics, and practice sportsmanship as they push themselves to improve.
Throughout the week, campers also advance their biking and skateboarding skills, whether they’re refining technique or trying something new. They build and customize their own skateboard, take on slacklines and obstacle courses, and work through resilience-building challenges that encourage smart risk-taking, teamwork, and leadership. Campers learn to support one another, communicate clearly, and stay focused as challenges become more complex.
By the end of the week, campers proudly present their athletic accomplishments, skills, and custom skateboards at a Friday showcase, sharing how they challenged themselves and grew throughout the week. They head home with stronger movement skills, deeper confidence, and the pride that comes from trying hard, playing fair, and pushing their limits.
Passport to YUM
the world of sweet imagination
is it cake?
DEAN Adventure Camps - Premium summer day camps serving Haverford PA (Main Line/Philadelphia area) and Lawrenceville NJ (greater Princeton). Specialty programs for ages 4-16 include woodworking, machine sewing, robotics, culinary arts, performing arts, STEM, and leadership and entrepreneurship development. Full-day care with breakfast, lunch, and snacks included. Serving families from Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Radnor, Princeton, Hopewell, and surrounding communities since 2001. Call 610-660-9600.

