The Nature Place - About Us





			Who is the camp’s director and what is his background? Ed Bieber is the Owner/Director of The Nature Place Day Camp. Ed has a B.A. degree from Rutgers University in Botany, M.S. from Michigan State University in Outdoor Education and New York State Permanent Teaching Certification, N-6. Ed has worked professionally, since 1970, with many thousands of children, adults and families in the outdoors. He was director of Lakeside Nature Center (1/2 mile from our present camp) until 1976 and then, and still, an independent naturalist/outdoor educator at many schools in the metropolitan area. In 1986 he created The Nature Place Day Camp, Rockland County’s first non-competitive, nature oriented private day camp. In 1982 he received the highest award from the N.Y. State Outdoor Education Association, the Golden Award, for contributions to the field of environmental/outdoor education. Whether it be organizing conferences, designing new outdoor programs, writing, leading hikes, tapping maple trees or sharing the quiet wonder of a resting dragonfly with campers, Ed, through his work, combines his knowledge of children with his natural creativity and enthusiasm for teaching. How do you select and train your staff? Each summer at the end of camp we receive from parents the highest compliment of "You really do what you say you're going to do", and that is mostly possible because of the quality staff we hire every summer. You can be assured that the counselors, ages 16 to 50's, who work with your children want to be at camp doing what they are doing and realize that their #1 priority is the campers. Potential new staff members have an extensive group interview and thorough reference check. We look for people who are sensitive to children; competent; able to laugh and have fun; open to learning. They also must realize that being a great camp counselor is hard work. They need to share our philosophy, be tireless workers and know they can make a difference in a child's life. We are known for our intensive WEEK-LONG pre-camp orientation for all staff. Staff training sessions are scheduled at least 4 times per week during the summer season. Staff evaluation and support are part of a continual process by our administrative support team.
			How do I get to The Nature Place? We are located on Route 45 in Chestnut Ridge, NY (Rockland County) approximately 30 minutes north of the George Washington Bridge and 7/10th's of a mile from the New Jersey border. Click here for directions. Do you have bussing? Bussing is available for campers traveling from Manhattan's Upper West Side, Lower West Side and the East Side. We also offer centralized, public site bus stops in the following Bergen County, New Jersey communities: Allendale Closter Glen Rock Old Tappan Ridgewood Teaneck Tenafly Wyckoff Bussing from Westchester County is available for the following towns: Ardsley Dobbs Ferry Irvington Scarsdale Tarrytown White Plains We utilize public pick-up and drop-off sites for all of our bus routes. Please call the camp office for specific bus stop information. Most parents choose to drive their children to and from camp. We can help you with carpool arrangements. Do you have a nurse on duty? Yes, we have a full-time Registered Nurse at camp during operating hours. How many campers are in a group? Each group has approximately 16 to 18 campers. Groups are co–ed. How many counselors are with each group? Most groups have three counselors. Counselors stay with the group throughout the entire day, at all activity areas. During scheduled activity periods the regular group counselors are joined by the activity leader as well. Do you have extended hours? Yes. Before–camp starts at 7:30 a.m. and After–camp runs until 5:30 p.m. This option is available on a regular or as-needed basis. There is a daily fee for both before-camp and after-camp. Is there a parents visiting day? Parents are welcome to visit any day! Please stop in the camp office when you arrive. We also offer evening and weekend programs for campers and their families. What age children attend The Nature Place? Our youngest campers are 4 years old. Our oldest campers are 14 years old. A Counselor–in–training program is available for 15 years olds. Click here to download a PDF of our CIT application form. If you don't have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here to download. What do you do when it rains? We enjoy the rain, do not wish it to 'go away' and go outdoors to explore the wet world. Activities are moved indoors if there is a heavy downpour or thunderstorm.