What kind of campers love Hidden Valley Camp?

Hidden Valley campers are independent, creative, and accepting.

Watch Why Campers Love HVC

Getting Ready for Camp

In addition to packing for camp, please bring the following: An open mind, creativity, and willingness to try new things.

Kids laying on their back in a circle pattern

  • Come to Maine prepared for lovely summer weather and a great time.

    A full packing list can be found here.

    Here are some items you may find helpful as you think about packing:

    • Hidden Valley does not have uniforms. Bring casual clothes that are good for an active time at camp. We give everyone a Hidden Valley t-shirt each summer.

    • Layers are a good idea. The temperature can vary across the day, so having the ability to adjust your clothing to meet the conditions is ideal.

    • Some items campers love to have at camp include a backpack to carry your bathing suit, towel, riding boots, or other fun things; stationery, stamps, and pre-addressed envelopes; a water bottle; sunscreen; a Crazy Creek camp chair.

    • Bring things that make you happy. Books, musical instruments, costumes, games, or your favorite stuffed animal.

    • Want more? You can find fun HVC gear in our Camp Store.

    Some things are not allowed at camp. Do not pack these items:

    • Electronics / devices

    • Food / Candy / Gum

    • Curling irons (these are a fire hazard)

    • Cosmetics

  • Community and friendship are central to camp life and each person has their own way of going about making friends. At Hidden Valley, we treat each other respectfully at all times. This provides an environment where it is easy to meet new people and make lifelong friends.

    A big attraction to camp is group life. Cooperation, self-awareness, and helping out are important pieces to building a positive community.

    Campers will have daily chores. Tasks such as making your bed, putting your clothes away, plus a rotating cabin chore such as sweeping. Everyone pitches in to make cabin life nice.

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What will you do all day at HVC?

There are so many activities available at camp that you would have to keep on being a camper until you are older than the counselors in order to do all of them. And the great thing is that you get to choose which ones you like. Love art? You can learn about pottery, glass blowing, sing, dance, be on stage, or paint a masterpiece. Crazy about animals? We have llamas, horses, chickens, and kittens (just to name a few). Want to play sports, climb, or get wet? Check out all the camp programs!

FRIENDS
You will meet other campers from all over the US and other countries worldwide. Campers love to come to HVC because they want to be in a place where people accept one another and everyone is safe to be themselves.

A Typical Day at HVC

7:45 AM - Breakfast and cabin clean-up
9:00 AM - Instructional classes begin
12:30 PM - Outdoor lunch and free time
1:30 PM - Cabin activities; quiet time to write letters and relax.
2:45 PM - Fourth class
3:45 PM - Interest groups, snack, rec swim and special workshops
5:30 PM - All-camp meeting
5:45 PM - Dinner & prep for evening program
7:00 PM - Evening program
9:00 PM - Bedtime, “flashlight time” to read quietly

Campers walking llamas down camp road in llama care class

Diverse and International

Two-hundred and fifty children from far and wide attend each session. Over the years, Hidden Valley has hosted children from over 50 countries. Campers come from throughout New England, the NYC area, up and down the east coast, and as many as 30 other states each summer.

Camper's on stage performing Shrek the musical

What's it like to be away from home?

Many campers have been away from home before on trips visiting relatives, school outings, or vacations. For HVC campers, we know that camp is a new experience. Here are some people you can expect to help support your new experience as a camper at Hidden Valley.

  • Camp counselors dedicate themselves to camper adjustment and ongoing success.

  • Returning campers create a welcoming atmosphere in the cabin and classes.

  • New campers bring with them a sense of adventure and all of the personal resources they have gained in their lives.

  • Group of campers walking the donkeys in animal care class

  • Learning to throw wheel pottery

  • Silly kid making the peace sign at a camp dance

  • Counselor painting a campers face

  • Melting glass to make glass beads using a flameworking torch

  • Silly kids with painted glasses, beard, and unibrow

  • Camper having fun going down the slip and slide

  • We like the emphasis on diversity and the inclusiveness of the camp.

    HVC Parent

  • You know what I like about Hidden Valley Camp? It's that no one makes fun of each other there.

    HVC Camper

  • He had a wonderful time and seemed to love everyone at camp. The positive, fun-loving, kind spirit of HVC still lives on in our house.

    HVC Parent

Ready for summer?

Complete your enrollment today and get your camper ready for an amazing summer experience.