A third-generation, family-owned camp celebrating its 69th year, Deerkill Day Camp was built around the belief that summer camp is about more than buildings, equipment and scenery—it’s about community. Founded in 1958 and still owned and directed by the Rhodes/ Rothman family, Deerkill continues to be a place where kids are happy to explore their curiosity, develop new skills, form friendships, and have fun.
DOWN-TO-EARTH CAMP EXPERIENCE
Deerkill’s camper families and staff hail from all different locations and a variety of ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds. “Our diversity and the very personal nature of everything we do resonates with people looking for a downto- earth, traditional camp experience for their children,” says Owner/Director Todd Rothman. “We provide a personal family feel in an intimate setting with all the modern amenities and facilities you would expect from a current private traditional camp program.”
Campers can take advantage of athletic facilities in addition to 15 different specialty programs, which include gardento- table cooking, yoga, movie making and a climbing tower, Deerkillimanjaro (with two tandem 250-foot zip lines), along with traditional camp activities such as nature, archery, ceramics, dance, drama and music.
Deerkill also hosts weekly theme days and shows from visiting entertainers, several off-campus trips for older campers and a unique Counselors in Training (CIT) program for rising 10th graders.
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
Each individual group is led by mature adults, typically a teacher, and assisted by college students. The camp offers an exceptional swim program led by experienced instructors who provide 40 minutes of personalized instruction daily in heated pools with a small group of peers at a similar skill level.
Social opportunities for campers and staff abound, from a weekend pool club to an annual Fall Fest. The camp also hosts several “Deerkill Cares” events within the community to raise funds for camp scholarship programs and provide an opportunity for campers and staff to give back.
“A lot of camps can have great facilities and innovative programming…but what matters is do children (and staff) leave feeling that they’ve grown as an individual?” Rothman says. “We’re trying to build the foundation for years of independence to come.”
Suffern, NY
845-354-1466
deerkilldaycamp.com
