Explore nature-focused activities for campers ages 4 to 15.

What age groups can attend Bushy Hill Day Camp?

Bushy Hill Day Camp offers programs for toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens:

• Seedlings Day Camp: Ages 4 and 5
• Bushy Hill Day Camp: Ages 5-12
• Scout Survival Camp: Ages 13-15
• Bushy Mountain Teen: Ages 13-15

There’s also a CIT (Counselor in Training) program for 15-16 year olds.

Where is Bushy Hill Day Camp located?

The camp sits on more than 700 acres of woods and wetlands at Incarnation Center in Ivoryton, Connecticut. The sprawling campus includes miles of trails, a working tipi and wigwam site, a private mile long spring fed lake, a working farm, and an expansive ropes course for campers to enjoy.

How long are the camp sessions?

Both Bushy Hill Day Camp and the Teen Programs run for five two-week sessions. Arrival time is between 8:00 and 9:00am every morning and the camp day ends at 5:00pm. AM Care and PM Care are available for an additional fee.

Meanwhile, Seedlings runs for ten one-week sessions. The camp day starts at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Again, AM and PM Care can be added for a charge.

The Bushy Hill campus includes a private mile long spring fed lake.

What does a typical day look like for a camper?

Day Campers start their mornings doing activities with their age-based field groups, which truly become their community during their time at camp. After lunch, campers gather at the Busy Hill’s mile-long lake for swimming time and water adventure activities. After that, the entire camp gathers for what’s fondly known as “Snackertainment,” where they enjoy stories, skits, and songs while resting and refueling.

Seedlings follow a similar schedule, replacing lake time with water play on the activity field, complete with sprinklers, wading pools, and water tables.

What kind of activities do campers do at Bushy Hill?

Field group activities focus on age-appropriate environmental education and nature exploration. Campers hike, identify plants and animals, participate in pond studies, canoe, practice archery, learn fire building and other wilderness skills, and create nature-inspired art. Kids also receive nature journals and choose “sit spots” to help them strengthen their observation skills and their connection to the environment. Counselors lead field groups in team building games as well, which boost kids’ confidence and help foster meaningful friendships among campers.

During waterfront time, in addition to swimming, row boats and canoes are available. Campers also have opportunities to play with water trampolines, mats, slides, and more.

Team building games boost kids’ confidence and help foster friendships.

Why choose Bushy Hill Camp?

Bushy Hill fosters a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and play. If you’re looking to get your kids and teens off of screens and into nature for the summer, Bushy Hill is a fun and educational program that keeps campers and counselors coming back year after year.

Is transportation available to and from camp?

Yes, round trip transportation is available by bus from a number of convenient Connecticut locations: Middletown, Killingworth, Branford, Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Old Saybrook, and Old Lyme.

Note that Seedlings campers are not eligible for the bus.

Does Bushy Hill offer open houses or tours?

For families interested in touring Bushy Hill, there will be open houses on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 and Saturday, May 17th–both from 10:00am to 3:00 pm. To reserve a spot or to schedule a tour on a different date, visit the Bushy Hill website.

How can I register my child for Bushy Hill Day Camp?

If you’re ready to get signed up, you can review session dates and rates here or go ahead and register for Bushy Hill Day Camp here!

All photos courtesy of Bushy Hill Day Camp