WHERE IS CAMP SHOHOLA?

Camp Shohola is located on 75 acre Lake Greeley, in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. It is approximately 90 miles from New York City. 120 miles from Philadelphia, 235 miles north of Baltimore, and 270 miles north of Washington, D.C.

WHAT ARE THE AGES OF THE CAMPERS?

HOW MANY CAMPERS AND STAFF DO YOU HAVE?

We average 155 campers ages 7 through 15 and 80 staff members. Eight to ten campers and two or three counselors live in each cabin.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?

The average daytime temperature during the camp season reaches about 80 degrees. It gets cool at night, (in the 50's) and blankets are often needed for sleeping.

IS THE CAMP ACCREDITED BY THE ACA?

Camp Shohola is an accredited member of the American Camp Association (ACA), which inspects safety, cleanliness, and programs on a regular basis. We are also inspected and licensed annually by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for drinking water, public bathing facilities, and food service.

DOES THE CAMP HAVE EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP?

Duncan Barger is a third generation director of Camp Shohola.  His grandfather purchased the camp in 1943, and a Barger has been running it ever since.  Duncan has over 25 years camping experience and the senior staff of Shohola together have over 100 years at Shohola.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE COUNSELORS?

Many on the staff are teachers or college students who were previous Shohola campers. We have a diverse and interesting counselor group representing many countries, languages, and cultural backgrounds. Most of the counselors are Red Cross certified in lifesaving, first aid and/or C.P.R. This includes all waterfront staff and trip leaders. Many of our staff attend certification clinics related to their specific responsibilities. Since counselors are hired for their expertise in activity instruction, many already have achieved a high degree of proficiency in their instructional areas.

WHERE DO YOUR CAMPERS COME FROM?

Most of the campers are from the mid-Atlantic states, although campers come from across the United States and many European, Latin American, and Asian countries.

DO YOU HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CAMP?

We have optional bus service from Washington, Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia. We also meet incoming flights at any of the New York City airports and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA for a small additional fee. Campers arriving by air will be driven to camp escorted by a camp representative.

WHAT ARE THE CABINS LIKE?

Cabins are frame buildings with screened sliding windows, bunk beds, electricity, and a bathroom with toilet and sink. There are two centrally located shower houses.

HOW IS CABIN PLACEMENT DONE?

Cabin placement is based on camper age, grade, length of stay, separating language groups(international campers), and parental requests. There is also an attempt to have a balance of new and returning campers in each cabin.

HOW MUCH CHOICE WILL MY SON HAVE IN HIS DAILY ACTIVITIES?

Each camper chooses ten instructional activities for the session. With the exception of swimming which is mandatory, campers may choose from more than 40 selections. These activities meet three times a week, 5 activity periods per day. It is our hope that campers will select a varied program from watersports, landsports, the arts, and specialty areas, so that they will return home with new skills as well as expanding former interests.

HOW COMPETITIVE IS SHOHOLA?

As members of the Pike County Camp Athletic Association, we can offer a level of competition to satisfy the most avid sports enthusiast. We field intermural teams to compete with other camps in our region, and any boy who has signed up for the camp instruction activity can also sign-up for the team. Our teams do very well, and we are the proud recipients of trophies in baseball, basketball, street hockey, soccer, riflery, archery, golf and volleyball.

Our intramural sports offerings are varied, and nearly everyone participates in them - there is no bench-warming, and each boy plays in every game.

Our instructors are chosen for their proven expertise; many are professional coaches, and some play in AAU and international competitions.

WHAT KIND OF TRIPS ARE OFFERED?

Camp Shohola  trips include:

• Rafting trips on the Youghiogheny River

• Canoeing and kayaking trips on the local Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers

• Ocean kayaking trip to the Atlantic

• Extensive hiking and rock climbing trips to New York, New Jersey and northeastern Pa.

• Camping and hiking are also done on the Appalachian Trail and in state parks.

• Special excursions are scheduled to area historical sites.

• Whale watching trips to New England.
  

(If a camper wants to participate in an extended trip away from camp, parents will be called for permission.) 

WHERE DO YOU WATERSKI?

Campers who sign up for waterskiing are driven 17 miles to our property on Lake Wallenpaupack where they spend one day a week waterskiing and/or tubing. A swimming test must be passed before participation in this program is allowed.

WHAT MAKES YOUR CAMP DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?

Our method of activity scheduling allows campers to customize their own camp experience to their interests. This degree of customization in the program is second to none in the industry.  Many camps require campers to go to activities as a cabin group or allow campers to choose only a part of their schedule.  Some camps allow full choice of activities every single day, giving plenty of choice, but very little consistent instruction.  We think we offer the best of all worlds with our program design. 

Our Communications and Technology Program, CommTech, is one of a kind. We have the nation's only licensed Summer Camp Amateur Radio Station WB3DGR and continue to operate one of the first camp radio broadcasting stations in the United States. Campers learn and put to practical use knowledge gained in electronics, computer programming, telecommunications, photography, radio, sports play-by-play broadcasting, acting and video production.

We also have a complete arts department, a strong instructional program in English horseback riding, and an extensive Ropes/Initiative course. Please consult the activity list for other creative programs.

WILL MY SON HAVE ANY DAILY CHORES?

Each camper is expected to help serve a table about four meals per week. He also is expected to participate daily in a general clean-up around camp, as well as make his bed and keep his personal property and cabin in order. We stress conservation of natural resources and have an active recycling and energy conservation program in which all campers are encouraged to participate.

HOW ARE CAMPERS' MEDICAL NEEDS MET?

Camp Shohola has two fulltime medical personnel in accordance with American Camp Association guidelines and all campers receive a regular weekly health inspection.  Our infirmary consists of a six-bed ward, two isolation rooms and one treatment room. Cost of infirmary care is included in the camp fee.  Our physician is on call 24-hours a day and Wayne Memorial Hospital is 17 miles from camp.  You will be notified if your son must stay overnight in the infirmary or needs to visit the doctor's office or hospital.

WHAT ARE MEALS LIKE?

Meals are served family style. We have a diverse menu with unlimited quantities except for desserts which are kept to one serving to limit sugar intake. Yes, there is singing and silliness in the dining hall - and a certain amount of foot-stomping to accompany announcements.  We have a full breakfast bar at each breakfast serving fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt.  And there is a full salad bar at every lunch.  

HOW OFTEN IS LAUNDRY DONE?

Each cabin's laundry is washed weekly in our on-site laundry facility. The cost of this service is included in the camp fee. It is very important that all campers' possessions are properly labeled.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF SHOHOLA'S SISTER CAMP?

Camp Netimus for Girls in nearby Milford, is our sister camp. Their program and philosophy are very similar to ours.

IS THERE MUCH CONTACT WITH CAMP NETIMUS?

Events such as horse shows, canoe trips and fishing tournaments are scheduled throughout the summer. Brother/sister visits and dances are held bi-weekly.  There are even occasional coed sports events.

ARE THERE RELIGIOUS SERVICES?

Camp Shohola is a non-sectarian camp. Historically, campers have been taken to church based on parent requests, but no religious services are held on camp property.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMP SHOHOLA?

For more information, please call or write Duncan and Holly Barger. We have a camp video which will be mailed to you upon request. Slide shows are scheduled at regular intervals in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. If you would like names of current families, the Director would be happy to provide them. We encourage and welcome visits from parents and prospective campers. Just contact us to arrange a convenient time.

How to contact Camp Shohola? Duncan and Holly Barger, Directors Camp Shohola For Boys 105 Weber Road Greeley, PA 18425 Phone 570.371.4760 FAX   570.504.1702 E-Mail duncan@shohola.com