Where is Camp Nyoda?

Camp Nyoda is located in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, 30 minutes East from Morristown, and 20

minutes South from Sparta. It is accessible from Route 23 and Route 80/15.

Where are campers from?

For over 100 years the majority of campers have come from the northern New Jersey area.

However, about 25% of our campers are alumni children, so they hail from all over the US. In

recent years we have seen a large number of girls from New York City and its environs,

Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Why is Nyoda special?

At Nyoda, girls like who they are. It’s our motto, and we strive to succeed with every girl every

day. Girls discover confidence, self assurance, how to make friends, and life skills, both practical

and emotional. Traditions are vital here, and many of our counselors were campers who love

to be sure these beloved “ways” are carried into the next generation of campers.

What size are the bungalows?

We group by grade in school. Each bungalow is one grade and can hold up to 16 campers. The

exception is the youngest bung which is a combined group of second and third graders, many of

whom have a shortened stay of one or two weeks. Beginning in grade four the stay is three

weeks or six weeks and continues through grade 10.

Who is the counselor staff?

The counselors are all female, from ages 17-22. They are enthusiastic, fun, energetic, kind,

caring, and supportive. Almost all of them were campers themselves. The girls are Junior Staff

for two years, and then Senior Staff, who are college students and in charge of both

departments and bungalows. All the counselors on the waterfront in both boating and

swimming are life guards. At least one is a certified Red Cross Swimming instructor. Every

counselor on the staff is trained in CPR/AED and the life guards are also trained in First Aid.

Who is the staff other than counselors?

Other than counselors, our staff includes the Directors and adult Leadership staff, the

Maintenance staff, the Kitchen staff, the Nursing staff, and the Riding staff. Kitchen and

Maintenance often have male staff on a commute-in hourly basis.

What are the Activities?

Camp Nyoda offers: Swimming (lake), Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Archery, Dramatics,

Arts and Crafts, Horseback Riding, Tennis, Dance, Outdoor Adventures, camp wide special

events and unplugged time with friends. Some age groups take out of camp trips.

What about Technology?

We live a nature filled, unhurried life at Nyoda. We are attuned to each other and the beauty

that surrounds us. Therefore, Nyoda is tech-free and no campers are permitted phones, iPods,

tablets, headphones, or music players. We make our own music.

Can my daughter be with her friend?

Our groups are organized by grade in school. There is only one cabin per grade. If your daughter

and her friend are in the same school grade, they will be in the same bungalow.

What if my camper doesn’t know anyone?

Counselors are up for this challenge! The first day is “get to know everyone and find a friend”!

There are games, ice breakers, stories, snacks and lots of fun. Time is also given to touring

around and making sure everyone knows what is where. Nyoda is a first time overnight

experience for many and the counselors spend many hours in training, mapping out the best

way to keep someone new or on her own engaged and happy. Many girls attend Nyoda without

a friend, so we are well prepared to support anyone through a few tough minutes.

How is the food?

Great! Our goal is to provide good, nutritious, well balanced meals that are also kid friendly.

We have fresh fruits and vegetables on the salad bar which is available two meals a day, and

the breakfast bar offers a variety of eggs, protein, yogurt, granola, and fruit each morning. We

do expect that every camper will eat something that is provided for each meal. We do not make

special meals or substitutes because a girl does not like what is available. We get rave reviews

about our meals, and campers like what we serve.

What is the menu?

In addition to the breakfast bar, the breakfast menu can be one of the following: pancakes,

muffins, French toast, waffles, eggs, bagels, cinnamon coffee cake, and hot and cold cereal.

Lunch, in addition to the salad bar could include: wraps, grilled cheese, main course salad,

hoagies/subs, hot dogs, chili, soups, cold cuts, and always, peanut butter and jelly. Dinner

usually also has the salad bar, and the menu can include spaghetti, lasagna, tortellini, shells- all

with sauce served separately!, hamburgers, chicken served a variety of ways, pizza, dinner

bowls, tacos, fajitas, baked potato bar, and more. Of course, desserts! Everyone usually likes

something!

What about allergies?

We are a nut free kitchen. We can also provide a peanut butter free table at lunch. Otherwise,

as long as the allergy is listed and documented on the medical form, we will work with the

camper’s family to provide substitutes when necessary and make sure the camper stays safe.

Often the family will provide substitutes if there are a large number of foods a girl cannot eat.

We do ask that the camper be aware of her food limitations and advocate for herself if she is

concerned. We can provide gluten free and dairy free alternatives, vegetarian and vegan meals. We do

not provide kosher meals.

Is Nyoda ACA accredited?

We belong to the American Camping Association, but we are not ACA accredited.

How can my daughter and I see camp?

We offer virtual tours and videos on YouTube. Search Camp Nyoda.

We hold scheduled zoom meetings with our director throughout the winter. Any number of families,

girls, and parents can be involved on the call. Peggy will walk through camp, go through a Nyoda day,

and answer any questions with a slide show presentation that takes about an hour. Call or email the

Nyoda office to be on the list and get the sign in for the meeting. 973-697-4382

We have an Open House tour on the camp property in May. You can arrive between 11 and 2 and go on

a tour, talk to counselors, see bungalows, and learn about camp life at Nyoda. Check for the date on the

website.

Do you provide any transportation from airports or train stations?

No, we do not. Every camper needs to arrive by car with her parent.

What about Laundry?

We have a weekly laundry service that picks up on one day and returns the next. There is an extra

charge for this service. The cost will be added to your account when you sign up. It is optional. You may

also call ahead for a laundry pick up and your child’s laundry will be on the front porch of the farmhouse

ready for you to pick it up, do at home, and return it.

What if my child is not a swimmer or is uncomfortable in the water?

Our swimming staff will meet the each girl where she is. There is a lot of encouragement, support and

reassurance built into every swimming lesson. We strive to teach every girl to improve the skills she has

and learn new ones. Swim lessons are daily for everyone, and our lake is the center of our summertime

activities. We boat, swim and play in the water every day. Our goal is for every camper to improve and

be comfortable in the water.

What about pronouns?

Nyoda encourages every girl to be her authentic self. Therefore, everyone has the opportunity to share

their preferred pronoun, if they wish to, and the staff will use whatever is your child’s preference.

How does drop off work?

Drop off on Opening Day for your session is staggered by bungalow is between 1:00 and 3:30PM, and

you will receive an email the week before with your time for check in. You should plan on at least one

hour to move in your daughter. Before heading to the bungalow, you will have a brief wellness meeting

with the nurse and a lice check. After those, you and she will go to the bungalow and unpack and make

her bed. Her counselors will assist you throughout this process. When you are all set, say goodbye and

the counselors will start their afternoon of fun. If you are arriving for week 2 or week 5, you will get an

email with directions.

How does pick up work?

Pick up is a different process. If you are picking up on the closing day of either three week session, you

will follow the driveway as directed and stay with your car. Your daughter’s belongings will be taken to

your car by the counselors and good-byes are said right there. If you are picking up at the end of week 1,

2, 4, or 5, you will be given instructions. Pick up is designed to be a quick process.

What is the lice check?

We have a company come in and screen every girl for head lice on each opening day. If your daughter is

positive (it happens every summer!) she will be treated on the premises by the professionals before she

can move into her bungalow. There is a protocol for cleaning and sanitizing her belongings as well.

Parents are responsible for the charge for the treatment only.

How do I communicate with the camp?

You are welcome to email peggy@nyoda.com or molly@nyoda.com at any time. During the summer,

we strive to check emails once each day. You can also call the camp landline at 973-697-4382 and leave

a message. Those are usually checked in the evening.

How can I communicate with my daughter?

Campers do not have cell phones, nor can they use the camp phone. Therefore, notes and letters

through the mail are the way to be in touch. We do not print emails for individual campers. If you have

a concern or an emergency, please contact Molly or Peggy and we will make plans for you to speak with

your daughter if it is necessary. If your daughter has a birthday while at camp we can arrange a Birthday

Call.

What if my daughter leaves camp early?

Our refund policy is at the bottom of every page of the registration process. There is no refund for a

camper who is sent home because of a rule infraction, disruptive behavior that cannot be managed by

counselors, or voluntary withdrawal.

What about security?

Nyoda has cultivated a great relationship over the years with our neighbors. Our property is small and

counselors are trained in stopping and checking strange vehicles and persons. There are cameras at the

ingress points to the camp proper, and the video is fed to a monitor in the farmhouse. The counselors

have cell phones should they need to be in touch with us.

What are the emergency procedures?

The police, fire, and first aid squad are 3 minutes away. We prefer to use Morristown Memorial Medical

Center, as it is a level one trauma center for children. That is about 25 minutes by car. You will be

notified and a staff member will accompany your daughter to the hospital and stay until you can arrive.

We have protocols for and practice fire drills, severe weather drills, and whole camp evacuation.

Because of the topography, lake flooding has been non issue.