Camp Frank A. Day

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Camp Frank A. Day located?

What kind of camp are you?

What kind of campers do you serve?

Where will my child be living? How are living groups determined?

What is your mission?

When does your camp operate?

What is a typical day at camp like?

How do children learn the schedule?

What are your Elective Classes?

Does my child need to know how to swim?

Does your Dining Hall accommodate specific dietary needs?

What happens when it rains?

What safety precautions are taken at camp?

What does it mean to be an accredited camp?

Where is Camp Frank A. Day located?

Camp Frank A. Day is located at 125 South Pond Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

What kind of camp are you?

Founded in 1916, Camp Day is a 52-acre swath of fields and forest located on the breathtaking Lake Quacumquasit in East Brookfield, MA. We are a co-ed residential camp serving 7-16 year olds. We offer a wide variety of elective classes, including athletics, enrichment, and waterfront activities!

What kind of campers do you serve?

Our campers—children ages 7-16—come primarily from the Greater Boston area, although some come from other states. They stay at camp for anywhere from three to six weeks. The Freshman Unit is for ages 7-10, the Junior Unit is for ages 11-13, and the Senior Unit is for ages 14-16. Our Leader-in-Training Program is composed of 16-17 year-old campers.

Where will my child be living? How are living groups determined?

Our campers live in rustic wooden cabins, with no more than eight campers and no less than two counselors per cabin. Our Senior boys live in platform tents. Cabins have electricity, and showerhouses are located in each unit. Cabin groups are determined by grade and age; children may request to be with a buddy of the same grade and age through CampSite. Campers have ample opportunity to spend time with children of other ages, grades and genders during activities throughout the day.

What is your mission?

As an organization, the YMCA is devoted to the physical health, mental well-being and moral development of children, families and communities. We strive to teach campers new skills, help them make new friends, develop self-confidence and a sense of adventure, and join a community that will last a lifetime!

When does your camp operate?

Our camp operates for seven weeks in July and August.

What is a typical day at camp like?

How do children learn the schedule?

On the first day of camp, the children are walked through this schedule by their counselors to acclimate them to the routine. Campers are always supervised when transitioning between periods, with counselors available to remind them where to go.

What are your Elective Classes?

Every week, campers select three classes in which to participate that week. These classes aim to provide new experiences and teach campers new skills! Possible classes fall under the broad categories of athletics, enrichment, and waterfront, and include

• Athletics: archery, basketball, climbing, fitness, rugby, soccer, volleyball
• Enrichment: arts & crafts, creative writing, dance, drama, LARPing, music, nature, yoga
• Waterfront: canoeing, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, water-skiing, paddle boarding

Does my child need to know how to swim?

No. We accept children of all swim levels at our camp. We tailor lessons to individual swimmers, allowing inexperienced swimmers to build confidence in the water and experienced swimmers to continue their aquatic development.

Does your Dining Hall accommodate specific dietary needs?

Yes! Our Dining Hall aims to accommodate the needs of all our campers, including gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, nut allergies, vegetarianism and veganism. If your camper has specific needs, let us know and we can discuss how best to accommodate them!

What happens when it rains?

We are an outdoor camp, so when it rains, we remain outside as long as it is safe to do so. However, we also have great rainy day activities. In cases of extreme weather, we transition campers inside for safety, or into our weather-secure bathhouses as a precaution. In the event we do so, we will notify all parents and provide periodic updates.

What safety precautions are taken at camp?

• All camp staff and volunteers are CORI, SORI, Camp CORI, and Out of State CORI (where appropriate) background checked.
• We complete 4 reference checks for each staff member including 3 professional and 1 personal.
• All staff members are first aid certified and certified as professional rescuers in CPR with oxygen.
• Staff members are required to attend 30+ hours of camp training as well as mandatory annual child abuse prevention and bullying prevention trainings.
• We are licensed and comply with all Department of Public Health regulations
• We are an ACA accredited camp.
• We swim evaluate all swimmers every Monday. We provide floatation devices to all campers who require them.
• All swimmers must pass a deep end test before they are allowed to move beyond shallow water.
• The Waterfront is always guarded by certified lifeguards during camp hours.
• Counselors perform face counts and take attendance numerous times throughout the day.

What does it mean to be an accredited camp?

This accreditation means we comply with standards that go beyond the minimum requirements of licensing. The standards apply to all key areas of camp operations, particularly those related to program quality, risk management and the health and safety of all campers and staff, and establish guidelines for camp practices. ACA accreditation is meant to assist the public in selecting camps that meet industry-accepted and government recognized standards.