Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Northern Frontier is fully accredited by the American Camp Association and is an approved Christian Service Brigade Camp.

Additionally, Chris Studley is a member of the New York State Camp Directors Association (NYSCDA).

You may send your son an e-mail message by using our Camper Contact Form. We retrieve and print all the e-mails once a day and deliver them during lunch. You may also send your son a letter or postcard via USPS. Please reserve phone calls for emergencies only.

All activities are carefully planned to be age appropriate, as well as monitored by trained counselors who will be on-hand to assist in any way possible. All craft or activities that require a certified instructor will have a certified instructor on duty. All swimming and boating activities are closely monitored by a full lifeguard staff certified by the American Red Cross.

Most counselors were once NF campers themselves. Of all the applications we receive, we select and hire the counselors that will have the most positive impact on your son and the surrounding camp.

A standard cabin (Stockade & Battalion) will have 2 counselors and 8 campers, for a ratio of 1 to 4. This ratio is exclusive of program directors and administrative staff.

Northern Frontier is inspected on a regular basis by the NYS Department of Health. This inspection includes the entire camp property, including all camp facilities, with a keen focus on both safety and sanitation as well as staff training. In addition, a licensed health care professional in on duty 24/7. The vast majority of our staff is also certified by the American Red Cross in CPR and Wilderness First Aid. Our entire Waterfront staff are certified lifeguards, and our Waterfront Director is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) by the American Red Cross.

Yes, a counselor will be assigned to each Father/Son Camp session. They will lead the specialized activities and help whenever needed. They also want you and your son to grow closer to each other, and to God.

Rules for acceptance and participation in Northern Frontier’s program are the same for everyone, without regard to race, color, nationality or religious beliefs. Boys and/or their fathers do not have to be members of any specific church or Christian Service Brigade unit to participate in Northern Frontier Camp. If you’re interested in what we believe, click here.

Limited scholarship funds are available to those who can demonstrate financial need. These are distributed on a first-come/first-served basis. Please contact Northern Frontier’s secretary, Kelly Studley, to apply for a scholarship. E-mail or call 215-493-2995.

Yes we offer gift certificates for boys to attend a week of camp, as well as Father/Son camp.

YES! You may deduct $25 from your total camp fees for your second son and each additional son that attends Northern Frontier this year.

Parents are welcome to drive their son(s) to Northern Frontier. The camp address and driving directions can be found here.

Alternatively, Northern Frontier offers a chartered bus to camp each Saturday from Hawthorne, NJ and Newburgh, NY. More information on the bus schedule, fees, and reservations can be found on the registration page.

It is Northern Frontier’s policy that divisions between programs be determined by the camper’s age and not by his school grade. We believe that school grade is based primarily, if not entirely, on academic ability and progress. This does not take into account the social, spiritual, emotional, physical and mental (apart from academic) areas which are also developing in a boy or young man.

We understand that certain churches that use Brigade Ministries programs or other youth programs have chosen to determine program division by grade. The discrepancy between a specific church’s policy and Northern Frontier’s policy will cause an occasional situation where a boy or young man may not attend the same Northern Frontier program as others in his school or church program. While it is never our goal to disappoint others, it is our belief that Northern Frontier’s policy is in the best interest of the camper in regard to his personal enjoyment, growth and emerging manhood.

Northern Frontier’s programs are divided by age as follows:

Stockade, Battalion, Toolbox, Trips and CORE:
Stockade – for boys ages 8 through 11
Battalion – for teen guys ages 12 through 16
Toolbox – for teen guys ages 13-16
Trips – for teen guys ages 14-17
CORE Training – for teen guys ages 14-16

Father/Son Programs:
Tree Climbers – for fathers with sons ages 6-8
Father/Son Camp – for fathers with sons ages 8 and up
Father/Son For Older Guys – for fathers with sons ages 12 and up
Father/Son Trips – for fathers with sons ages 13 and up

Age Requirements (All dates are of the corresponding camp year):

Tree Climbers: A boy must turn 6 by September 1. If he turns 9 before June 1, he should register for Stockade or Father and Son Camp.
Stockade: A boy must turn 8 by September 1. If he turns 12 before June 1, he should register for Battalion.
Battalion: A young man must turn 12 by September 1
Battalion Trips: A young man must turn 14 by September 1
Father/Son Camp: A boy must turn 8 by September 1
Father/Son for Older Guys: A young man must turn 12 by September 1
Father/Son Trips: A young man must turn 13 by September 1

Exceptions to this policy are rare and may be made only by the Camp Director.

While we can’t specifically recommend any hotels/motels or camping areas, we can help point you in the right direction. Click Here.

Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks offers a quality camping experience for girls that shares NF’s values.