Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat is year-round Christian camp and retreat center located on 750 acres with two lakes in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Our facilities are available year-round for retreats, day events, school field trips and homeschool events. We also host a variety of summer camps for kids of all ages and welcome all communities to join us for outdoor adventure and lasting memories this summer! Summer Camp at Pocono Plateau is filled with adventure, nature, community, and Christian teaching. Pocono Plateau’s mission is to provide a space for children and youth to experience God’s love and presence in a Christian environment through fellowship, outdoor recreation, and challenge. Pocono Plateau offers both day and overnight camps and ages range from:

Overnight grades:

• • 3rd – 6th grade Upper Elementary
  • 6th– 8th Grade Junior High
  • 9th – 12th Grade Senior High

Day Camp Ages:

• • 5 – 13

WHY SUMMER CAMP?

We are committed to camp ministry because we believe it transforms lives, builds confidence, and shapes the faith formation of our children and youth. We welcome all campers just as they are, in a loving and accepting environment. Past campers return because of the strong communal bonds formed with other campers and staff and the recognition that something magical happens at camp.

• Faith Formation – A Christian community provides children with structure and support, while providing a deeper awareness of their place in God’s world.
• New Friends – Campers meet other campers their age and learn to live in a welcoming community with others. Many campers expressed feeling loved and accepted at camp when they struggle to experience the same feeling in school or other social settings.
• Outdoor Learning – Through interactive experiences with the natural world, campers develop a sense of wonder and desire for environmental stewardship of God’s creation. Engaging with the unplugged world builds new skills and encourages curious, creative interaction with the world.

Lodging and Meals

Main Site

The Main Site is situated next to Lake Pocono Plateau. Campers stay in one our several lodges (Carlson, Moore, or Cedar) Lodges have bunk beds, electricity, air conditioning (or fans), and communal bathrooms. Campers enjoy three meals a day
inside our air-conditioned Springer Dining Hall.

Adventure Site

The Adventure Site is nestled in our beautiful forest setting on top of the hill across from main site. Campers stay in rustic cabins with bunk beds. Cabins have no electricity or bathrooms. Campers walk to a centrally located bathhouse. Breakfast is served in the Main Site Dining Hall
and Dinner is served in the Adventure Lodge Pavilion on the Adventure Site. Lunches are cooked (with adult assistance) at each site over an open fire.

Meals

Pocono Plateau serves healthy, kid friendly meals during summer camp. We strive to provide accomodations for food allergies and dietary restrictions. If you have concerns about the food choices and accomodations, please contact chef@poconoplateau.org

Typical Summer Camp meals include:

• • • • Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and hashbrowns, Pancake and bacon, breakfast sandwiches. Daily options include cereal, oatmeal, and yogurt.
      • Lunch: Chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese and tomato soup, hamburgers, chicken tenders. Daily options include fresh vegetables, fruit, and peanut butter/jelly sandwiches
      • Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs, chicken teriyaki and rice, BBQ baked chicken with potatoes and steamed vegetables.

Camp Safety Policies

Our Commitment to Excellence — and What That Means to You and Your Child

ACA Accreditation

As camp professionals, we understand that your biggest concern is for the safety of your child.  We also know you have goals for your child’s development related to the powerful lessons the camp experience provides in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living.  We share those same goals, which is why we have taken the added step of becoming an accredited camp through the American Camp Association (ACA).

ACA accreditation means that Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center submitted to a thorough review of over 200 standards of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.

ACA helps all accredited camps provide:

• Healthy, developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences
• Discovery through experiential education
• Caring, competent role models
• Service to the community and the environment

Why Is ACA Accreditation Important?

As the only recognized accrediting body for the camp experience in the United States, ACA accredits approximately 2,400+ diverse camps nationally.  However, that number represents only 25 percent of the camps that operate in this country.  ACA’s goal is to continue to grow the number of accredited camps to ensure a safe and positive camp experience for more children.  ACA-accredited camps meet up to 266 health and safety standards. Accreditation is a family’s best evidence that their camp is committed to the health, safety, and overall well-being of their child. 

Other camps like to say they follow industry standards and best practices. Some even say they use the ACA guidelines, but the fact remains that camps that do not hold themselves up to a transparent, complete peer review of their operations are not acting in the best interests of their staff, campers, families, and the public at large. If your camp is not accredited, ask the owner or director why. ACA accreditation matters. 

What Are the Standards of Accreditation?

The ACA accreditation standards focus on health, safety, and risk management. They are widely used as operational benchmarks for the camp industry by local, state, and federal government entities, insurance companies, and courts of law.  Our camp and program completed the peer-review process, which includes a visit by an ACA-trained team of standards volunteers, signifying that we meet the standards applicable to our program.  ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to ensure that current practices at our camp reflect the highest and most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.

We Set Our Standards High

Earning and maintaining ACA accreditation takes time and commitment.  We set our standards high, to provide your child with an environment where he or she is having fun and is unaware of all of the work related to safety and learning, which has been carefully incorporated into the daily routine.

To be accredited by ACA, we had to demonstrate sound practices in every aspect of camp management and operation, including:

• Site: Fire protection, food service, sleeping quarters, utility, and maintenance systems.
• Transportation: Procedures concerning drivers, vehicles, and traffic on site.
• Health and Wellness: Staff qualifications, facilities requirements, recordkeeping, storage and administration medicines, health forms.
• Operational Management: Safety regulations, emergency communication systems, procedures for intruders, personal property regulations.
• Human Resources: Staff qualifications, screening and training, supervision ratios, and procedures.
• Program Activities: Aquatics, adventure/challenge, trips, horseback riding, and staff qualifications for special programs.

Mandatory standards also include requirements for staff screening, emergency exits, first aid, aquatic-certified personnel, storage and use of flammables and firearms, emergency transportation, obtaining appropriate health information, among others.

Frequently Asked Questions about Camp Accreditation

What’s the difference between state licensing of camps and accreditation by ACA?

Accreditation is voluntary, and ACA accreditation assures families that camps have committed to a safe, nurturing environment for their children. If a state requires licensing, it is mandatory; licensing requirements vary from state to state. Courts of law and government regulators recognize ACA standards as the standards of the camp community.

How do ACA standards exceed state licensing requirements?

ACA goes beyond basic requirements for health, cleanliness, and food service into specific areas of programming, including camp staff from director through counselors, emergency management plans, health care, and management. ACA applies separate standards for activities such as waterfront, horseback riding, and adventure, and travel.

What are some of the ACA standards for camps?

• Staff-to-camper ratios that are appropriate for different age groups
• Goals for camp activities that are developmentally based
• Emergency transportation available at all times
• First-aid facilities and trained staff available when campers are present

Does ACA accreditation require criminal background checks?

ACA accreditation standards require an annual criminal background check on all seasonal staff and a criminal background check at least once every five years for year-round staff.  They also require an annual check of the National Sex Offender Public website and an annual disclosure statement that attests to the non-conviction of violent crimes again children. When talking to a camp director as you consider enrolling your child, ask what the screening process for that camp includes.

What the ACA Accreditation Standards Mean to You and Your Child

ACA accreditation serves as an assurance to families that our camp cares enough to submit to a transparent, thorough review of our entire operation.  Our goal is to provide parents with as much information about our camp, to reassure you about your camp choice.  Our voluntary participation in the professional development and accreditation process of the American Camp Association demonstrates our commitment to providing you and your child with the best possible camp experience.

For more information about ACA accreditation, contact our camp director or visit the American Camp Association website at ACACamps.org.

Pocono Plateau Training & Supervision:

Pocono Plateau full-time, year-round staff includes the Camp Director, Program Manager, Food and Hospitality Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Office Manager. For summer camp, additional staff are hired to help facilitate programs, prepare meals, and assist in maintenance needs. Adult volunteers stay for a week of camp providing supervision and support for summer campers. All Pocono Plateau full time staff, summer staff, and volunteers go through training and are required to provide background checks and child abuse clearances prior to their service. Campers are supervised at all times based on age-appropriate camper to counselor ratios.

Summer Camp Nursing Staff:

Our registered nurses reside on site under a physician’s standing orders. The nurses stay in cabins on both the main site and the adventure site. The nurses’ stations have infirmaries where medications are monitored and always locked. Nurses collect and review the medical forms, monitor children with medication needs and specific allergies, and provide first aid and care for injured or sick children.

Pocono Plateau Certified Lifeguards on Waterfront:

Pocono Plateau has a lakefront offering swimming and boating. We employ certified lifeguards to supervise all waterfront activities. Campers must take a swim test prior to entering the lake. There are three swim levels: beginner (beach/shallow water), intermediate (shallow water and buoy lined designated area), and advance (full access to buoyed area). We use a buddy system at Pocono Plateau’s lakefront, ensuring campers enter and exit the water with their buddy. Lifeguards call buddy checks every 20-30 minutes during waterfront time.

Pocono Plateau Inclusivity Policy

Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center is one of four camps in the Eastern Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference. Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries serve as sacred common ground for a great diversity of people from many backgrounds. Regardless of the varying theological perspectives among us, we all have a deep commitment to do no harm. More than this, we are committed to doing good. We come together in the wide embrace of God to love and be the community for each other as children of God. Love calls us to eliminate all harassment, devaluing, bullying, lack of acceptance, and other actions that harm or isolate any individual or group. We endeavor to interact in ways that honor each person as one created in God’s image who is beloved beyond measure. Christian hospitality and deep welcoming are part of the enduring purpose of Camp and Retreat Ministries.

Camp Activities

Typical Day Camp Daily Schedule

7:30am Optional Before Care
9:00am Drop Off
9:30am Large Group Welcome and Songs
10:00am Morning Snack
10:15am Small Group Activity Block
11:15am Bible Discovery Time
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Waterfront time
2:15pm Rinse off/Rest
3:15pm Afternoon Snack
3:30pm Recess: Includes Gaga, Basketball, 9-Square Playground
4:30pm Pick-up 
5:30pm After Care Pick-up

Scholarships

Pocono Plateau provides limited funding for campers whose families have need of
financial assistance. Camperships are awarded based on the availability of funds. Camper families who cannot
afford the full fee should first contact their church about scholarship support. If the camper’s family and local
church cannot cover the event cost, see below for the Financial Aid Request Form. Contact the camp office at camp@poconoplateau.org or 570-676-3665 with questions

Early Bird Discount

Overnight:

Dec 1st – Dec 31st to receive $25 off per child

Jan 1st – Jan 31st to receive $20 off per child

Feb 1st – Feb 29th to receive $15 off per child

Day Camp:

Dec 1st – Dec 31st to receive $25 off per child

Jan 1st – Jan 31st to receive $20 off per child

Feb 1st – Feb 29th to receive $15 off per child

Multi-Child Discount

Households that send more than one child to summer camp are eligible for a discount. A second child receives a $10.00
reduction in the fee for their event. The third child or more receives a $30.00 reduction in the fee for their event. Dollar discounts are automatically applied to the least expensive sibling.

Bring a Friend Discount

If you attended a 2023 Pocono Plateau Summer Camp event you may choose to receive a discount off your 2024
registration fee for each NEW camper you refer who attends a 2024 Pocono Plateau Summer Camp program.
• Refer 1 new camper = $25 off
• Refer 2 new campers = $50 off
• Refer 3 new campers = $75 off
• Refer 4 or more new campers = One FREE Pocono Plateau Summer Camping event
You must contact the camp office to request the discounts. Siblings are exempt from Discount.

At Pocono Plateau, we believe summer camp is extremely valuable to the mental, physical and spiritual growth of children
and youth. At camp, Christian community is experienced, relationships are built, faith commitments are made, and
tomorrow’s leaders are developed every day.
We are proud to say that all our camp programs are priced significantly under the industry average price of $690.00 per
week.
Our Tiered Pricing is intended to more closely represent the actual costs related to the camp experience and allow families
to select the level of payment most appropriate for their financial circumstances.
Each family may FREELY CHOOSE to participate at the Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 level; and every child will receive the same
camp experience regardless of the tier chosen.

Tier 1: Partially Subsidized Cost

Every effort is made to keep the cost of camp as affordable as possible. At this level, every camper’s fee is partially
subsidized by generous donations.
If scholarship help is requested through our Pocono scholarship fund, Tier 1 will automatically be selected.
If partial payment is coming through your church or an agency, Tier 1 should also be selected, unless that party
agrees to a different tier.

Tier 2: Direct Cost of Camp

Electing to pay the Tier 2 price helps cover the direct cost of a week of summer camp including program costs, food,
summer staff and camp administration.

Tier 3: True Cost of Camp

For families who are financially able to pay Tier 3 pricing, this level represents more closely the true cost of camp
including all aspects of maintaining facilities in good condition, utilities, etc.