FAQs

Camp Horizons is a co-ed, overnight summer camp for ages 6–16, offering one- and two-week sessions. With more than 50 activities—from horseback riding and swimming to creative arts and outdoor adventure—campers explore their interests, challenge themselves, and make lifelong friends.

We are proudly independent and inclusive: not affiliated with any political or religious group, and welcoming campers and staff from around the world. Everything we do is guided by our four pillars: Safety, Community, Growth, and Fun. From the moment we say “Welcome Home” at check-in, campers know they are in a place where they belong and can always return.

Camp Horizons is located just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia at 3586 Horizons Way.  

We are located around 2 hours from Washington DC, Richmond, and Roanoke. The closest international airport is Washington-Dulles (IAD).

Activities: Each day, campers enjoy four activities from our six program areas: Aquatics, Equestrian, Outdoors, Performing Arts, Sports, and Creative Arts.

• Discover (ages 6–8): Campers rotate through activities in small groups with a counselor.
• Journey & Explorer (ages 9–16): Campers select activities before arriving, and older campers (12–16) can join offsite trips like caving, canoeing, and tubing.
  Evenings bring all-camp fun such as Talent Shows, Capture the Flag, and International Night. Campers staying two weeks pick new activities for their second week.

Camper Life: Campers live in villages by age and gender, with counselors in every cabin. Villages eat meals together, rest during “horizontal time,” and wind down each evening as a group. Each village has a Village Coordinator, and each program has a Program Coordinator focused on camper safety, inclusion, and fun.

Our staff come from across the U.S. and around the world—typically ages 18–25—and many are former campers themselves. Most study or work in education and youth development.

Every staff member completes a detailed application, interview, and local, state, and federal background checks. International staff are also vetted through trusted partner agencies. Before campers arrive, our team participates in intensive training to prepare them to create a safe, welcoming, and memorable summer.

We’re supported year-round by a dedicated team of directors, customer service staff, and facilities professionals who keep Camp Horizons thriving.

Our dining team provides kid-friendly, healthy meals designed with camper feedback in mind. Options include:

• Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free meals (selected at registration)
• A full salad and sandwich bar at lunch and dinner
• Milk choices: 2%, oat, and soy
• Produce sourced sustainably and grown at camp when possible

Meals are family-style for Discover & Journey campers in the Main Dining Hall, with counselors leading conversation at each table. Explorer campers enjoy a buffet-style dining experience in the Explorer Dining Hall. On opening day, our staff meet with campers who have dietary needs to ensure they’re fully supported

Yes, The Swop Shop is our little camp store—part snack shack, part souvenir stand, and a daily highlight for many campers. We suggest sending $30–50 per week depending on your camper’s interests.

What’s inside?

• Snacks & drinks: Gatorade, chips, ice cream, and other camper-friendly treats. Most snacks cost between $1–$4. We do not stock candy or soda.
• Camp apparel & gear:T-shirts, hats, water bottles, camp spirit items, and small souvenirs. Prices range from $5–$35 depending on the item.
• Small amenities: Toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, stamps, and other odds and ends a camper might have forgotten or run out of.

All medications are handled and monitored by our amazing Camper Care staff. Daily medications and other medications that your camper might need throughout their session. 

Handing them in: All medication is handed into our camper care staff on check-in day, and it is labeled and stored in our camper care facility. Any medication that needs to be kept on the camper person, like EpiPens and inhalers are left with the camper or counselors, depending on age. Counselors are informed of any of the campers’ medical or allergy needs before the session begins.

During Camp: Medicine and Medications are distributed at set times during the day, such as evenings and meal times, and are built into the schedule. Camper Care is always open if your camper needs anything or has a unique time for taking their prescribed medication.  

We use a digital tracking system that allows us to ensure that all medications are taken at the correct dosage at the right time. We keep common over-the-counter items on hand (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, other allergy medicine, first aid supplies). If your camper prefers a specific brand or type, you’re welcome to hand them in along with all your other medication.

For the health of our camp community, all staff and campers must be vaccinated against:

• DTaP
• MMR
• Polio
• Chicken Pox

We do not accept exemptions from these requirements.

Proper energy intake and health are crucial to a successful time at camp so your campers dietary needs are very important to us.

During enrollment: You will have the opportunity to  detail all allergies, intolerances, and restrictions on  your camper’s  dietary form during enrollment This information populates a master list that reaches our kitchen and every counselor has a list for their specific campers. In certain cases, our Kitchen team will reach out before the summer begins to discuss your campers dietary needs.

At meals: Each  meal is displayed on a screen with each part of the meal having a breakdown of the ingredients. Every component is labeled clearly. Campers with restrictions learn quickly to check the screen in their dining hall. There is also a dedicated kitchen staff ready with carefully curated meals for each camper. Alternative food options are always readily available at the dining hall.

Our staff are the heart of camp—and we train them as such.

Camper Care Team: Each member of our Camper Care Team has medical field experience, including nurses, student nurses, EMTs, EMT students, med students, and other qualified professionals.

Activity Staff: All of our activity staff participate in intensive training to be proficient in their activity area. From Lifeguards to Mtn. biking guides, all our staff must be checked off and approved per our and ACA standards.

Lifeguards: We always maintain a 1:20 camper-to-lifeguard ratio, well above many state requirements. Our lifeguards are American Red Cross certified and trained on the specifics of our waterfronts.

Most days, a little rain doesn’t stop us. The counselors will ensure the campers are well-equipped for the weather conditions of the day. Here at camp, sometimes some of the best memories happen in the rain.

But when the weather turns serious, we monitor conditions constantly. If lightning, heat waves, natural events, or severe storms are in the area, we have clear protocols:

• Outdoor activities move indoors.
• Campers gather in our 2 dining halls.
• Programming shifts to movies, board games, cabin time, and other indoor activities.

In the case of the need for site evacuation, parents will be contacted as soon as possible once the safety of all on our site is assured.

We want every child to succeed at camp, so we encourage families to consider our Essential Eligibility Criteria (based on ACA recommendations). Campers should be able to:

• Manage their own hygiene (showering, brushing hair/teeth, etc.)
• Live cooperatively in a group and share a cabin with 8–10 others
• Express needs and feelings without becoming physical
• Handle busy, sometimes loud environments
• Spend at least one night away from home successfully
• If your camper takes medication for mood or focus, please keep them on it while at camp. We also ask all campers to follow our Community Agreement.

If you’re unsure, we’d love to talk with you—please reach out!

Yes! We offer several Open Houses each spring, and we’re happy to arrange private tours if the listed dates don’t work for your family. 

Our staff attends camp fairs across the region, which is another great way to meet us and learn about camp closer to home. Check out our events page to see our Open House, Community Events, and Camp Fairs

During sessions, however, we discourage parent visits since they can disrupt the camp experience and sometimes spark homesickness. If you feel a visit is necessary, please contact us to discuss.

We know being away from home can be a big step—for campers and parents! We make communication simple:

• Letters: Drop off pre-written notes at check-in, or send snail mail during the session.
• Emails: Parents can send messages through the Parent Dashboard; we print and deliver them daily. Campers reply on special “email sheets” that are scanned and sent to you once a day.
• Photos: Daily uploads to the Parent Dashboard let you see the fun your camper is having.

Registration is easy—click “Enroll Now” at the top of our website to create a family profile. Our office team is also happy to help by phone if you prefer.

Tuition varies by program (one- vs. two-week sessions, traditional vs. specialty). Visit our Dates & Fees page for full details, including available discounts.

You can find a full packing List here for all your camper’s needs – Packing list 

No refunds or reductions are made for late arrival or early departure from camp. Any camper whose behavior disrupts the camp program or is harmful to themselves or others will be dismissed with no refund. Campers found possessing or using tobacco, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or weapons will be dismissed from camp with no refund of fees. 

 For cancellations made before April 1, 2026, all fees may be refunded, less the $375 registration fee per camper per session 

 All cancellations made on or after April 1, 2026, are nonrefundable.