Friends Academy provides professional, door-to-door, air-conditioned transportation for its campers. All of our drivers are CDL certified and have background checks completed. In addition, each vehicle has a staff member on it called a bus counselor. Bus counselors ensure safety, know all of the campers and make sure our bus rides are an extension of the fun-filled camp day.

3. What are the ages of campers that attend Friends Academy?
Our General camp program is for Nursery (age 2) through 2nd grade (age 7) The Academy is offered to campers ages 8-14 unless specified. Our CIT program is for students entering 9th and 10th grade (ages 14-15)

4. Do we offer swim instruction?
The Friends Academy swim program is an important part of every camper's day. We provide 2 swims daily with swimming instruction scheduled for our General campers according to the Red Cross Swim Levels. Each camper has small group instruction every day with the same swim instructor to ensure that the camper feels safe and secure. Campers also are scheduled for recreational swim everyday. In The Academy, swimming instruction is optional and by request only at no additional cost. Open main gym is another option offered to all our Academy campers during swim time.

5. Do we offer lunch?
Yes! FASC includes a lunch program for every camper. We offer hot meal choices, plain pasta, sandwich bar, salad bar, fresh fruit, and snack on a daily basis. All campers are offered Gatorade, water, and milk daily. Our Junior Campers receive a snack in the afternoon. We also offer ice cream at the end of each camp day. Ice pops are always available as an alternative to ice cream. We are well equipped to handle picky eaters and any food allergies!

6. Is there a nurse on campus?
We have a Registered Nurse on campus. Coaches and head staff are trained in first aid and CPR. We also have a Doctor on call at all times in case of an emergency as well as AED machines located throughout our campus.

7. How many campers/staff will be in my child's group?
In General Camp, our Junior Camp has a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio of campers to counselors and our Intermediate Camp has a 5 or 6 to 1 ratio. Groups are organized according to by age and gender in General Camp. All group counselors travel with their campers everywhere throughout the day and are active participants and helpers at each activity.

We also have a Division Leader who supervises all the groups in a particular division. All Division Leaders are teaching professionals who are available to you before the summer begins and throughout the entire summer. Our Academy programs have different staffing ratios depending on the particular activity and facility capacity. Our Academy staff consists of Head Coaches or Leaders, Assistant Head Coaches or Leaders, and Counselors.

8. Who instructs each activity?
General Camp - While Group Leaders and Counselors accompany all campers to each activity, they are not responsible for teaching each activity. Group Counselors are active participants and remain with their campers the entire day. Specialists, with a highly skilled background, teach each activity. Our specialists are often teachers, coaches or professionals in their particular field.

The Academy - Our Head coaches plan the daily practice schedule with the help of their assistants. They often break up into smaller groups for more specialized and individual training. Our coaches are comprised of professional athletes, High school or College coaches. Our sports counselors are both college and high school age athletes. Non-sport activities are planned and organized by the adult leaders.

9. What happens if it rains?
General Camp - Rainy days at Friends Academy are treated like a Special Event day. During the winter we put together different rainy day schedules for our General Camp programs. All of our indoor activities can still run and we have plenty of additional indoor space to program great activities! Please make sure to dress your child with a waterproof jacket in case of inclement weather! Our older campers will sometimes go off campus to see the latest movie, or go bowling.

The Academy - We are very fortunate to have indoor facilities for many of our sports, while our camp field house provides additional space for sports activities to continue due to inclement weather. We have a set schedule for field house time during bad weather and set aside large classrooms for video and classroom instruction. We ask that each camper be prepared for the weather as we will play during light rain as we examine daily the safety of the field for playing.

10. What do I need to send to camp everyday?
We recommend that every camper bring 2 bathing suits (a towel service is provided)! Sports campers will receive an equipment list for their particular sports prior to the summer season. We supply water and gatorade stations throughout the campus.

11. Can my child change sports/electives if he/she doesn't like the activity or elective originally chosen?
Although we intend to explore the reasons for wanting to change a sport, our main goal is to make sure each camper is happy with their camp experience. We provide the opportunity to switch before the second day of each session if your child is not satisfied with his/her choice. Switching is always based on availability while providing minimal disruption to the existing sport or elective.

12. How can I find out more about Friends Academy Summer Camps?
Please contact our camp office to schedule a tour or to ask questions. We are extremely proud of our program and facility and invite you to take a look for yourself! Our year round staff is available to answer your questions by calling 516-393-4207 (Monday - Friday) from 9:00am - 4:00 pm and Saturdays 9:00-4:00 pm beginning in January.