Our Mission
North Shore Holiday House, a tuition-free summer sleep-away camp, enriches the lives of low-income girls and empowers them to navigate the world ahead.
About Us
Since 1914, North Shore Holiday House, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has provided free summer experiences to more than 200 children each summer.
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Accredited by the American Camping Association, we engage campers in traditional camp activities. Our camp serves girls ages 7-11 from families whose incomes meet the USDA guidelines for free or reduced lunch. Camp is 100% free of charge to participants. During four, two-week sessions, more than 200 girls from Long Island make new friends, learn new skills, and have fun.
Every year we are able to expand our camp programs and activities. Daily activities include arts and crafts, games, sports, recreational swimming, dance, girl power, drama, nature and special field trips. Our programs are designed to educate, inspire and empower our campers.
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Counselors and volunteers also lead our campers in a variety of new skills such as languages, zumba, traditional dancing, martial arts, financial literacy, and more.
Campers learn about international relations and cultural differences from counselors who in past years have come from England, Ireland, South Africa, Turkey, Scotland, Poland, Mexico, Latvia and Spain. These counselors share the fabric of their culture with the campers through play, song and explaining cultural traditions. The small size of our camp affords the girls the personal attention of the counselors and staff in a nurturing, family atmosphere.
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All of our staff, including Volunteers, are subject to a criminal background and sex offender check. Our domestic staff are also subject to work history verification spot checks and references must be provided before the camp season begins. Our international staff are hired through Camp America (est. 1969) and International Exchange of North America (est. 1995), both reputable organizations, who source Camp Counselors and Kitchen Staff for summer camps throughout the USA. The mission of both organizations is to promote cultural exchange and understanding.