News

Important notice regarding 2022 COVID vaccination policy

Dear Camp Families,

I hope you are well.  With the camp season quickly approaching we are getting very excited about welcoming your campers back to camp.  

We’ve spent the past several months carefully considering our COVID-related policy options for this summer. Our hope is to make camp accessible and safe for all and to give kids a full camp experience while limiting and providing an antidote to the many hindrances that COVID has imposed on their lives for the past couple of years. It is also our hope that all campers will be able to complete their full session without any need for quarantine or isolation and to leave camp infection-free.  In making our policy decisions, we have taken into account the experiences of schools and other community organizations during the winter surge, the current rise in cases in our region, the latest information about the impact of COVID and the COVID vaccination on children and the current guidance provided by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

In consultation with our board of managers, we have determined that the best course of action in light of current guidance is to require all campers and staff to be up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations to be a part of camp this summer unless granted a medical exemption.  Commonwealth of Massachusetts COVID guidance distinguishes significantly between those who are up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations and those who are not. Protocols triggered by campers or staff who are not up to date with their COVID vaccinations would significantly increase the risk that campers would not be able to complete their full stay at Hi-Rock and would limit our ability to give campers an experience that closely approximates our pre-COVID summer camp program.

The Massachusetts definition of “up-to-date” on COVID vaccinations is as follows:

• Completed the primary series of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J vaccine AND a booster dose OR

• Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months OR
• Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
• We will also accept international campers considered up-to-date using other vaccines accepted by the World Health Organization

All campers and staff will be required to meet this definition by the time they arrive at camp.  Campers under twelve are not currently eligible for the booster but will be required to have completed the primary series of the vaccine.  

For those who have not yet been vaccinated who wish to complete the vaccination series before the start of camp, please note that campers will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their final dose in the primary series.  The primary Pfizer series requires two doses administered 3-8 weeks apart and the primary Moderna series requires two doses administered 4-8 weeks apart.  With this in mind, campers who have not yet been vaccinated will need to receive their first dose of Pfizer at least five weeks prior to their first day of camp or their first dose of Moderna six weeks prior to their first day of camp.  For those more who will be eligible for a booster by the time they arrive at camp, they will be considered “up-to-date” immediately following their receipt of the booster.  

We will continue to monitor the COVID situation and relevant state and CDC guidance and may modify our policies as circumstances change.  Any changes will be communicated to registered families immediately.  

Please contact me with any questions or concerns you might have in the office at 413-528-1227 x3001 or via email at executive@camphirock.org.  Please also direct any inquiries related to medical exemptions to me. 

Sincerely,

Jessica Speer-Holmes

Executive Director

Additional 2022 Virtual Info Session Dates

Join us for a zoom session to meet one of our Camp Directors and learn more about our programs!

Register Here: https://forms.gle/XX52RcNbzSkJUysYA

2022 Open House

Thinking of visiting Camp Hi-Rock? We’re happy to arrange a tour for you! Please contact us to set up a visit. In addition to tours, Camp Hi-Rock holds an open house event in the spring for families who would like to visit camp and meet some camp staff before the beginning of summer camp.

2022 OPEN HOUSE 

June 12, 2022 11 am – 2 pm

Meet the camp directors, take a tour of camp, talk with our knowledgeable camp staff and enjoy a meal while visiting our beautiful Berkshires location!

Spring Volunteer Work Weekend

SPRING WORK WEEKEND April 29 – May 1, 2022 

Please join us for a great weekend with fellow Hi-Rockers getting camp ready for summer, tackling some important camp improvement projects, and catching up with our Hi-Rock friends!

Accommodations and meals will be provided. Children and teens under the age of 18 who would like to join us must be accompanied by a parent or other supervising adult. Volunteers are welcome for all or part of the weekend. Meals served will include Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Work projects will conclude Sunday morning by noon. Housing with heat is limited and it may still be chilly at that time of the year so please RSVP online.

We’ll do our best to have some indoor projects but there will surely be work to do outside. Please bring warm clothes. We promise to have lots of tea, hot chocolate, and coffee!

Hope to see you here!

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock Staff & Volunteers

REGISTER ONLINE

New Group Participants- Create an events dashboard account. Once you have created your account, you will receive details to log into your account. Complete the Spring Work Weekend Registration.

Returning Group Participants- Log into your events dashboard account. Complete the Spring Work Weekend Registration.

Wilderness First Responder Training Information and Registration

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING COURSE

Course Dates:

June 8-15, 2022 at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock

Course Description:

Wilderness First Responder is the industry standard in Wilderness Medicine, ideal for anyone working professionally as an outdoor leader or responsible for the care of groups in the backcountry. This course is a 72-hour 8-day event combining classroom learning, hands-on skills training, and practical scenarios.

Location:

Camp Hi-Rock is nestled among 1,000 acres in the Berkshire’s Southern Taconic Mountain Range, surrounded by conservation forest, and centered around our pristine, private, ninety-acre lake.

Cost:

$775 per participant. Participants must be 18 years or older.

Room & Board:

Room and Board costs are variable depending on lodging choice. Please see below for available options and costs. Meal service is included and we offer well-balanced, family-friendly meals. Vegetarian meals are available and we can accommodate specific dietary requests with advance notice.

Choose one option:

• Cabin with separate shared bathroom facilities – $225
  • Additional first night – $32
• Cabin with en suite bathroom – $336
  • Additional first night – $55
• Dorm style room with shared bathroom in hallway – $373
  • Additional first night – $60

Questions:

Please email Barbara Nibur at barbie@camphirock.org.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Register Online:

To register online, please click here to create an account with our online registration system. Once you receive log in details, you will be able to register under the “Group Registration” tab.

Paper Registration:

To print and mail the registration form, please download the WFR Training Registration Form and return the completed form to:

• • Mail: YMCA Camp Hi-Rock ATTN: WFR Registration 544 East Street Mount Washington, MA 01258
  • Fax: 413-528-4234
  • Email: tanya@camphirock.org

2022 Virtual Info Session Dates

Join us for a zoom session to meet one of our Camp Directors and learn more about our programs!

Register Here: https://forms.gle/XX52RcNbzSkJUysYA

Book your winter getaway at Camp Hi-Rock!

Book your winter getaway at Camp Hi-Rock!

This winter you can escape to YMCA Camp Hi-Rock for a private Berkshires retreat in our beautiful, lakeside lodge with your family. Take in stunning views on hikes around the Hi-Rock Reserve and then warm up in front of your very own fireplace. Weekend trips or longer are available in Parker Seeley Lodge, which includes 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, two large sitting porches overlooking the lake, a small kitchen, library, and large common room with fireplace. The lodge sleeps 30. $550 per night, for up to 10 people, each additional person $50/night.

Please contact Heather Neaz-Nibur, heather@camphirock.org with questions or to reserve the lodge. Photos of the lodge and additional information about Camp Hi-Rock are available at http://camphirock.org/camps/group-camping-retreats/.

 

Early Bird Registration Open Now Until December 31, 2021!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Dates & Rates

BOLD & GOLD Wilderness Expedition Information

Registration Information

Fall Volunteer Work Day

FALL VOLUNTEER WORK DAY:

November 6, 2021

Please join us for a great day with fellow Hi-Rockers getting camp ready for winter, tackling some important camp improvement projects and catching up with our Hi-Rock friends. Projects will be available for all skill levels.

Saturday meals (lunch: 12pm and dinner: 6pm) will be provided.

Due to current Covid concerns, we will require all participants to be fully vaccinated.

TO REGISTER:

NEW group participants

Once you have clicked the above link, you will be able to create a profile and request any additional information. Once your profile is created, you will be directed to the events dashboard and you will be able to complete your group registration request.

RETURNING group participants

(If you have attended a Camp Hi-Rock event since 2015, i.e. Family Camp, Fall Family Fun Weekend, etc., you already have a profile on the Events Dashboard)

Once you have clicked the above link, you will be able to log in with your email address. Please click “What’s my password” to reset your password if needed. You will be sent an email with details for how to log in.

 

New for registration this year: You will be asked to complete a group participant information questionnaire for each participant during registration in lieu of completing a paper form prior to or on arrival. Please have the insurance information for each participant ready.

 

We’ll do our best to have some indoor projects but there will surely be work to do outside. Please bring warm clothes. We promise to have lots of tea, hot chocolate and cider!

Hope to see you here!

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock Staff & Volunteers

Celebrate Earth Day