ACA Accredited
We are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which provides rigorous standards in health, safety, and program quality. We go above and beyond the ACA’s standards to ensure our programs meet high standards of program delivery.
Praesidium Accredited
We are Praesidium Accredited, which means we meet the highest standards in child abuse prevention—supporting a safe and trusted environment for all children.
Licensed by the Board of Health
This camp must comply with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local Board of Health.
Chimney Corners Camp and Camp Becket each have a health center that offers general health services for campers. Health services at our camps are overseen by our healthcare consultant who is a licensed pediatrician. On-site, licensed nurses and medical assistants are available throughout the day and on-call at night.
Medications are typically distributed during meal times and at night unless otherwise required.
Medical staff treat the aches, pains, and skinned knees that often can happen at camp. They’re also good at providing just the right amount of TLC for first-time campers. Campers who need a higher level of care may be taken to a local urgent care facility or hospital emergency room approximately 30 minutes away. Local Ambulance Services are available and can respond directly to camp in the event of an emergency.
If your camper requires specialized medical care, please reach out to medical@bccymca.org so a member of our team can review whether your camper’s needs are able to be reasonably accommodated.
We recognize that a child’s mental, emotional, and social well-being are essential to a successful camp experience. In addition to our on-site medical team, our camps are supported by a dedicated Community Life team made up of experienced professionals who guide and support staff in creating a positive, inclusive environment for campers to thrive. This team works behind the scenes to equip counselors with strategies to support a wide range of needs. Our goal is for every camper to have a safe, rewarding, and joyful summer, and we partner closely with families to ensure camp is the right fit for each child.
Please be sure to email us at communitylife@bccymca.org if you have any questions about your camper’s mental, emotional, and social well-being at camp. We welcome a conversation with you to determine if our camp is the right place for your camper.
We strive for our campers and staff to enjoy wholesome, appetizing, and nutritionally sound meals, prepared with care in a clean and healthy environment. We can accommodate a variety of dietary needs including food allergies. Families are asked to complete our Food Allergy Form in advance of campers arriving at camp so that we can be prepared.
Our summer camps prioritize the safety and well-being of every camper by maintaining a thoughtful and proactive approach to emergency and disaster preparedness. We work in coordination with local emergency service providers to align our procedures with community response systems and best practices. Our staff members receive regular training to help them respond effectively to a range of potential situations, from minor incidents to more serious emergencies.
Each year, we review and update our emergency and disaster response plans to reflect current guidance and lessons learned. While no plan can anticipate every possible scenario or guarantee specific outcomes, our goal is to be as prepared, responsive, and communicative as possible. We encourage parents to feel confident that preparedness is an ongoing priority, supported by planning, training, and collaboration with local and state resources.
Each summer, we hire over 300 seasonal staff members across our three camps to support our programs. Our staff arrive one to three weeks before campers and go through an intentionally designed training tailored to their work. Staff learn about child development, safety procedures, and get trained in specialized topics like child abuse prevention, equity and inclusion, and transportation. Additionally, our staff receive certification training as relevant to their positions in First Aid/CPR, Lifeguarding, Concussion Awareness, and more.
Before arrival, our staff go through our rigorous hiring process, which includes an interview, references, and background screenings.
