Vestal Summer Camps

No Computers, No Video Games
No I-Pods, No Cell Phones
No Radios, No TVs

Just The Woods & The Lake

Camp Choconut For Boys 9-15
Building Confidence and Self-Reliance
Through Woodland Activities Since 1896

Camp Choconut is a residential boy's camp. It was founded in 1896. Our program is designed to grow the whole boy, establish a sense of self-awareness with one's surroundings, and develop character in a safe, secure environment - all while having fun.

This summer we will have no more than 55 boys attend Camp Choconut. This small number is conducive to allow for individual attention; while at the same time allows the boys to feel a sense of camaraderie between all. The boys are split-up by age group and the cabin sizes range anywhere from 4 – 12 boys in each cabin. The counselor to camper ratio is 5:1 or 6:1.

Our camp philosophy is to “grow the whole boy.”

We try to find creative and entertaining ways to educate and challenge each boy, every day. We accomplish this through our Leadership Development program intertwined with our daily program. Its aim is to instill in each boy a sense of who he is in relationship to others; how his actions effect himself and others; to find the inner strength and desire to better himself; to develop a sense of empathy; to become a unique individual while becoming a better social citizen.

The daily schedule is very structured, yet provides enough free time where the boys do not feel overwhelmed with always "having to do something". The boys get up at 7:30 and we keep them busy with scheduled activities throughout the day and evening. We get to bed at 8:30 and the boys either read to themselves or the counselor appointed to the cabin for the evening reads to them. Interjected within our daily routine are "Big Games". These are camp wide games that take up about a 4-hour block either in the morning or afternoon. The boys love these games. And, of course, there is the infamous "Villa Hunt" - a three-day game of hide-and-seek within the 800+ acres available to us. The boys get 3 meals a day - they never leave hungry - and Noon time milk shakes to tide them over until our main meal, lunch. Fruit is available throughout the day for those boys that require frequent snacks.

The boys partake in morning "details" or "periods" where, as a cabin, they attend scheduled activities. These scheduled activities include some sort of teaching. Our teaching is cumulative and the boys build upon the skills they previously were taught. This program even works well with returning boys as they get to improve upon their previously learned skills and incorporate them into even more complex activities.

The afternoon provides a 2+ hour block of “free-time.” At lunch, each counselor stands up and says what activity they have planned for the afternoon. The boys are encouraged to select one of these activities. There is always something scheduled the boy will enjoy doing – fishing, boating, hiking, wood-shop, a sport activity, etc… The older boys sometime choose to do something on their own. This is not encouraged; however, it is permitted and a counselor goes along.

Our counseling staff goes through a complete week and a half of training prior to the start of camp. In addition, each counselor is required to complete an extensive online training course developed by Dr. Chris Thurber, a board-certified clinical psychologist and father. (You can read more about Dr. Thurber and Expert online Training at its Web site www.expertonlinetraining.com)

Please feel free to call me direct at 651-338-3042. And, visit our web site at http://www.campchoconut.com

2012 Spring Break Camps:
•April 9 – 13, Stop Motion Animation Movie Camp – 9 am to 12 noon – Ages 7+ – $150
•April 9 – 13, Amusement Park Mania – 2 pm to 5 pm – Ages 5+ – $120
•WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEND BOTH SPRING BREAK CAMPS? IF YOU ARE AGE 7+ YOU CAN ATTEND BOTH CAMPS FOR $220 FOR THE WHOLE WEEK! SPEND THE WHOLE DAY AT BRICKS 4 KIDZ!

2012 Summer Camps:
•June 25 – 29, Space Adventure Camp – Age 5+ $120
•July 2, 3, 5 & 6, Animal “Grossology” Camp – Age 5+ $96 (4 DAYS ONLY)
•July 9 – 13, Extreme Expedition Camp Age 5+ $120
•July 16 – 20, Movie Making 101 – Ages 7+ $150
•July 23 – 27, 2012 Brick Olympics Age 5+ $120
•July 30 – August 3, Remote Control Mania – Ages 6+ $150
•August 6 – 10, Oodles of Pink Age 5+ $120
•August 13 – 17, Junior Robotics – Ages 6+ $150
•August 20 – 24, Advanced Movie Making – Ages 7+ $150