Misty Meadows Ranch
At Misty Meadows Ranch, we offer a progressive horseback riding program and two level vaulting program. The emphasis of these programs is on skill development, progression, and expanding knowledge of horses and horse care. Campers must register for a session within their existing skill level for the safety and fun of all campers. If you’re not sure which session is right for your camper, email mistydirector@sjgs.org.
If horses aren’t your thing , Misty can still be the camp for you! We offer sessions for campers interested in living off the land with our garden, chickens, and goats. We also offer sessions for girls who would rather spend their days at camp glamping in one of our climate-controlled dorms.
Newsweek Magazine and Planet-A Insights Group recognized Misty as one of the best summers camps in America in 2023. Read the article.
Accommodations 
Accommodations
Girls staying at Misty Meadows Ranch live in dormitories and cabins. Girls are assigned units based on their session, and units are assigned based on how many girls are in a session. Campers enjoy most meals in the air-conditioned comfort of the Wortham Lodge, which also features a stage, craft/activity rooms, and a large covered patio.
Camp Features and Activities
Popular activities and features at Misty Meadows Ranch:
- Animal track casting
- Basketball court
- Bird watching
- Cooking
- Gaga ball pit
- Hiking trails
- Horseback riding
- Plant identification, leaf rubbings/prints
- Rifle range
- Stargazing
- Swimming pool
- Wildlife observation
Check-in and Checkout
Camp check-in is on Sunday between 2 p.m.–4 p.m. An exact check-in time for each session will be sent the week before camp. Checkout is on Saturday at 9 a.m. Please note that for half-week sessions, checkout is on Wednesday at 9 a.m. and check-in is on Wednesday at 4 p.m. For Daisy Days, check-in is at 9:30 a.m. and checkout is at 5 p.m.
2024 Sessions at a Glance
Note: Only sessions marked with 1R (one ride) or DR (daily ride) will ride a horse during camp session.
| Week Number | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 |
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| Dates | 6/9/2024-6/15/2024 | 6/16/2024-6/22/2024 | 6/23/2024-6/29/2024 | 6/30/2024-7/3/2024 Mini Week |
7/7/2024-7/13/2024 | 7/14/2024-7/20/2024 | 7/21/2024-7/27/2024 |
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| Cadette |
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| Senior / Ambassador |
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2024 Session Descriptions
Brownies
Brownie Gardener
Calling all nature lovers! Does hanging out in the Misty garden and learning to plant your own food sound fun to you? Do you want to hang out with the Misty goats and help collect chicken eggs? Join us for this fun-filled half-week session to do just that and so much more at Misty Meadows Ranch! Round out your time at camp with camp songs, crafts, and swimming. This is a half-week session, offered either Sunday through Wednesday OR Wednesday through Saturday. Cost: $400
Little Bits
First-time campers, this one's for you! This is a great introductory session for Brownies who are not ready for a full camp session, but still want a taste of what Misty Meadows Ranch is all about. You will tour the barn, make horse treats, and go on a led pony ride. This is a half-week session offered either Sunday through Wednesday OR Wednesday through Saturday. Cost: $400
Juniors
Ranch Hand
Is ranch life your style? Join us for this session just for Juniors! Your days will be filled with hiking around camp, learning about Misty's goats and chickens, and learning about camping out on the ranch. You'll also get to enjoy all your favorite camp activities like swimming, archery, planning a night under the stars, and cooking outside! Cost: $750
Horsin' Around
Do you love horses, but you're not sure if you're ready to start the Misty Meadows Progressive Riding Program yet? If that's you, this session if you! This session is for Junior girls who want a chance to ride one time at camp and make sure they're ready to ride every day in the progressive sessions. After completing Horsin' Around, your camper will know she's ready to ride every day in the Rainbow Level session next summer! When you're not at the barn, you'll get to do all the best things Misty has to offer, like swim every day, shoot arrows at the archery range, and hike around camp! Cost: $750
Field to Fork
Where does the cleanest food come from? The soil, of course! Learn about gardening and growing your own food, collect eggs from the Misty chickens, and more. You will get real, hands-on homesteading experience while gaining a better understanding of where your food comes from. Add in traditional camp activities like swimming, archery, and hiking, and you've got one amazing week! Cost: $750
You Can't do THAT at Camp!!!
Do you get excited about trying new things? If the answer is yes, this session is for you! You'll get to participate in nontraditional camp activities like staying up late to watch a movie, making your own face masks, listening to music, making messes, and more as you bust the myths of what you may think you can't do at camp, and don't worry you can still do all your favorite traditional camp activities too! Cost: $750
Choose Your Adventure
This session is perfect for campers with a busy schedule but still want to come to camp during a short week after the Fourth of July. During this session, each camper will get to write their own story as they choose which activities they participate in as an individual during their time at camp. Choose traditional camp activities like archery, riflery, and hiking or maybe you want to see what living life on the ranch is like and you choose to learn about planting seeds and foraging for food in the wilderness. The choice is yours! Cost: $750
eQUESTrians (Rainbow) (Fifth grade and older)
Do you dream of riding a horse, but either don't know where to start or haven't ridden much? Build your confidence with your favorite four-legged friends while riding in the comfort of a covered arena. Learn to groom, mount and dismount, and control a horse at a walk. Get ready to enjoy traditional camp activities such as swimming and archery as well. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. This session is for campers who haven't come for a weeklong riding session at Misty Meadows yet or who were recommended for the Rainbow Level after their 2023 session; no previous riding experience necessary. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Rainbow Level. Cost: $750
Cadettes
Photography Session
Join us at Misty Meadows to learn all about capturing moments and memories through photography! You and your camp friends will get to take pictures of nature, each other, and all the fun happening at camp. After you capture everything, you will head to the dark room to learn how to develop your own photos! When you're not taking photos of everything you see, you'll get to do all of your favorite camp activities like swimming, archery, sing-alongs, and so much more! Cost: $750
Crafting Cadettes
Are you bursting with design ideas? Get ready to DIY your heart out this week, as you sew, knit, paint, crochet, pound, and create! Take inspiration from the outdoors and take a break from crafting to enjoy a dip in the pool, or a round of archery. Cost: $750
Glamper
Do you like to camp, but every so often want something more relaxing that includes movies with your friends, late nights, and relaxing. If you like to brainstorm new and exciting activities you haven't gotten to do at camp, this session is for you. We can't wait to see what you produce! Cost: $750
Ranch Cook
Learn how to turn fresh produce and eggs into delicious meals over the fire, in the kitchen, or on a camp stove! The possibilities are as endless as your imagination during this session! You'll also learn how to plant your own seeds so you can start your own garden at home and continue your fresh food adventure! Cost: $750
eQUESTrians (Rainbow) (Fifth grade and older)
Do you dream of riding a horse, but either don't know where to start or haven't ridden much? Build your confidence with your favorite four-legged friends while riding in the comfort of a covered arena. Learn to groom, mount and dismount, and control a horse at a walk. Get ready to enjoy traditional camp activities such as swimming and archery as well. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. This session is for campers who haven't come for a weeklong riding session at Misty Meadows yet or who were recommended for the Rainbow Level after their 2023 session. No previous riding experience is necessary. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Rainbow Level. Cost: $750
Sure Saddles (Pink)
This session is for girls who attended a weeklong riding session at Misty and want to continue learning more about riding and caring for horses. Girls in this session will get a refresher on grooming and tacking their horse and advance their riding skills in the arena and on the trail. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Pink at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Pink Level. $750
Trailblazers (Red)
Do you have some riding experience but want to go further while still enjoying all your favorite camp activities? Immerse yourself in horses during this session and review basic skills (start, stop, steer), play arena games, and be introduced to trotting. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Red at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Red Level. Cost: $750
Trotters (Tangerine)
Did you attend Horse Whisperer last summer but believe you need more practice trotting before you're ready to trot all day? If your answer is yes, this is the session for you! We added this session to the progressive program after last summer because we want our riders to have even more practice trotting before they get to Level Yellow. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: This session is between levels Red and Yellow and requires girls to have previously trotted on a horse. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Tangerine Level. Cost: $750
Misty Riders (Yellow)
Are you a more advanced rider, ready to show off your equitation skills? Spend the week riding in the arena to polish your riding skills, then finish by testing your knowledge in a riding evaluation to see how much you've learned during one of our most advanced riding sessions! This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Yellow at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Yellow Level. Cost: $750
Vaulting Level 1
Are you interested in acrobatics AND horses? Why not put them together? Spend the week learning basic vaulting moves on the ground, on the barrels, and on horseback. When you're not in the barn, you'll swim in the pool and hang around camp. Campers in this session will vault on a barrel and horseback every day and have ground school lessons. No previous vaulting or riding experience is needed, but participants must be physically able to jump, bend, and move into various acrobatic positions. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Cost: $750
Vaulting Level 2
Have you done vaulting at one of our previous sessions and love it? Spend a week this summer advancing your skills! This session includes vaulting on a barrel and horseback every day and ground school lessons. Participants must be physically able to jump, bend, and move into various acrobatic positions. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Prerequisite: To register for this session, campers must have attended a weeklong vaulting session before or have equivalent skills to register. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. Cost: $750
SPURS Training (Seventh grade and older)
Do you enjoy working with horses and want to share that with other girls on weekends at Misty during the school year? Spend a short week at Misty learning the theories and hands-on skills needed to join the SPURS (Super People Using Riding Skills) special interest group at Misty Meadows Ranch while also participating in evening camp activities. Girls will receive their level one SPURS scarf and be ready to work with the weekend riding program during the school year. No previous riding experience is necessary. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Cost: $400
Seniors
Sure Saddles (Pink)
This session is for girls who attended a weeklong riding session at Misty and want to continue learning more about riding and caring for horses. Girls in this session will get a refresher on grooming and tacking their horse and advance their riding skills in the arena and on the trail. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Pink at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Pink Level. Cost: $750
Trailblazers (Red)
Do you have some riding experience but want to go further while still enjoying all your favorite camp activities? Immerse yourself in horses during this session and review basic skills (start, stop, steer), play arena games, and be introduced to trotting. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Red at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Red Level. Cost: $750
Trotters (Tangerine)
Did you attend Horse Whisperer last summer but believe you need more practice trotting before you're ready to trot all day? If your answer is yes, this is the session for you! We added this session to the progressive program after last summer because we want our riders to have even more practice trotting before they get to Level Yellow. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: This session is between levels Red and Yellow and requires girls to have previously trotted on a horse. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Tangerine Level. Cost: $750
Misty Riders (Yellow)
Are you a more advanced rider, ready to show off your equitation skills? Spend the week riding in the arena to polish your riding skills, then finish by testing your knowledge in a riding evaluation to see how much you've learned during one of our most advanced riding sessions! This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Yellow at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Yellow Level. Cost: $750
Vaulting Level 1
Are you interested in acrobatics AND horses? Why not put them together? Spend the week learning basic vaulting moves on the ground, on the barrels, and on horseback. When you're not in the barn, you'll swim in the pool and hang around camp. Campers in this session will vault on a barrel and horseback every day and have ground school lessons. No previous vaulting or riding experience is needed, but participants must be physically able to jump, bend, and move into various acrobatic positions. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Cost: $750
Vaulting Level 2
Have you done vaulting at one of our previous sessions and love it? Spend a week this summer advancing your skills! This session includes vaulting on a barrel and horseback every day and ground school lessons. Participants must be physically able to jump, bend, and move into various acrobatic positions. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Prerequisite: To register for this session, campers must have attended a weeklong vaulting session before or have equivalent skills to register. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. Cost: $750
SPURS Training (Seventh grade and older)
Do you enjoy working with horses and want to share that with other girls on weekends at Misty during the school year? Spend a short week at Misty learning the theories and hands-on skills needed to join the SPURS (Super People Using Riding Skills) special interest group at Misty Meadows Ranch while also participating in evening camp activities. Girls will receive their level one SPURS scarf and be ready to work with the weekend riding program during the school year. No previous riding experience is necessary. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Cost: $400
Counselor in Training/Wrangler in Training I
The GSSJC CIT/WIT program is an important step towards the exciting path of becoming a camp staff member. Becoming a CIT/WIT is the best way to continue your camp adventure and develop the skills to become a fabulous leader at camp. You'll learn to work with campers, lead activities, and still get to experience the fun and magic of being a camper while also being the role model you've always wanted to be! The application for this program is built into registration and interviews are scheduled for early April. Only CIT/WIT I campers should complete the application. The application deadline is April 1. Campers must be 15 years old and entering 10th grade or above. Cost: $900
Counselor in Training/Wrangler in Training II
CIT/WIT I graduates- this is the ultimate internship opportunity! Live at camp, work in units, and get in-depth, on-the-job experience and training. During week one, brush up on your skills, review camp procedures, and explore growth mindset. Over the weekend you will just focus on fun as you prepare for the next week. Then, internship week kicks off! During week two you will live and work as a professional camp staff team member. This will be your opportunity to utilize your amazing talents, put your newly learned skills to the test, and make a difference in the lives of girls. Your immediate family is invited to attend the Final Night campfire on Friday, June 21, to watch the pinning ceremony. CIT/WITs may choose to check out after the campfire or leave with the rest of camp on Saturday, June 22, at the regular checkout time. Completion of CIT/WIT I is required to enroll in CIT/WIT II. To successfully complete the program, participants must complete the full two-week program. Cost: $1,000
Bits & Bridles (Green)
Calling all experienced riders who are ready to bring their equestrian skills to the next level! Gain more equestrian knowledge in a classroom setting before having a blast in the barn and doing all your favorite things with your horse and around camp. This two-week session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons! Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must be recommended for Level Green at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Green Level. Cost: $1,500
Equestrian Aide
Would you love to help teach riding skills to younger girls? Spend the week at the barn as an equestrian aide (EA)! Girls will earn leadership and service hours. When you're not helping at the barn, you'll get to do your favorite camp activities! Campers must be at least 13 years old and have achieved level three SPURS or completed STARS PA training and volunteered for one year by their registration date to be eligible for this session. If your camper does not meet these criteria, they will not be removed from the session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. Cost: $500
Camp Fandom
Are you a big fan of all things summer camp? Then this session is for you! In this Senior and Ambassador only session, you'll get to share your favorite fandom with new friends at camp – whether you love Sci-fi, Anime, Comics, Potter, Media, or something else! Combine your passion with your favorite things to do at camp, and top off the week by completing a project that will live on at camp after you've left. When you're not completing your project, you'll spend the week living your ideal week at camp with your counselors and fellow campers. You've probably done the basics, like archery and hiking but now you have the opportunity to put new creative twists on your favorite activities! Cost: $750
Voyager
This is the perfect session for girls who love all things Misty, Arnold, and Casa! Spend your week living in one of the Misty Dorms and experience all your favorite things about all of GSSJC's overnight summer camps! You can head over to Arnold for a day and do your favorite activities before coming back to Misty for dinner or you can try all new things if you want. The choice is yours in this exciting new session exclusively for high school campers! Cost: $750
Ambassadors
Sure Saddles (Pink)
This session is for girls who attended a weeklong riding session at Misty and want to continue learning more about riding and caring for horses. Girls in this session will get a refresher on grooming and tacking their horse and advance their riding skills in the arena and on the trail. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Pink at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Pink Level. Cost: $750
Trailblazers (Red)
Do you have some riding experience but want to go further while still enjoying all your favorite camp activities? Immerse yourself in horses during this session and review basic skills (start, stop, steer), play arena games, and be introduced to trotting. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Red at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Red Level. Cost: $750
Trotters (Tangerine)
Did you attend Horse Whisperer last summer but believe you need more practice trotting before you're ready to trot all day? If your answer is yes, this is the session for you! We added this session to the progressive program after last summer because we want our riders to have even more practice trotting before they get to Level Yellow. This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: This session is between levels Red and Yellow and requires girls to have previously trotted on a horse. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Tangerine Level. Cost: $750
Misty Riders (Yellow)
Are you a more advanced rider, ready to show off your equitation skills? Spend the week riding in the arena to polish your riding skills, then finish by testing your knowledge in a riding evaluation to see how much you've learned during one of our most advanced riding sessions! This session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons. Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must have been recommended for Level Yellow at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Yellow Level. Cost: $750
Vaulting Level 1
Are you interested in acrobatics AND horses? Why not put them together? Spend the week learning basic vaulting moves on the ground, on the barrels, and on horseback. When you're not in the barn, you'll swim in the pool and hang around camp. Campers in this session will vault on a barrel and horseback every day and have ground school lessons. No previous vaulting or riding experience is needed, but participants must be physically able to jump, bend, and move into various acrobatic positions. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Cost: $750
Vaulting Level 2
Have you done vaulting at one of our previous sessions and love it? Spend a week this summer advancing your skills! This session includes vaulting on a barrel and horseback every day and ground school lessons. Participants must be physically able to jump, bend, and move into various acrobatic positions. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Prerequisite: To register for this session, campers must have attended a weeklong vaulting session before or have equivalent skills to register. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. Cost: $750
SPURS Training (Seventh grade and older)
Do you enjoy working with horses and want to share that with other girls on weekends at Misty during the school year? Spend a short week at Misty learning the theories and hands-on skills needed to join the SPURS (Super People Using Riding Skills) special interest group at Misty Meadows Ranch while also participating in evening camp activities. Girls will receive their Level 1 SPURS scarf and be ready to work with the weekend riding program during the school year. No previous riding experience is necessary. This session is not part of the progressive riding program. Cost: $400
Counselor in Training/Wrangler in Training I
The GSSJC CIT/WIT program is an important step towards the exciting path of becoming a camp staff member. Becoming a CIT/WIT is the best way to continue your camp adventure and develop the skills to become a fabulous leader at camp. You'll learn to work with campers, lead activities, and still get to experience the fun and magic of being a camper while also being the role model you've always wanted to be! The application for this program is built into registration and interviews are scheduled for early April. Only CIT/WIT I campers should complete the application. The application deadline is April 1. Campers must be 15 years old and entering 10th grade or above. Cost: $900
Counselor in Training/Wrangler in Training II
CIT/WIT I graduates- this is the ultimate internship opportunity! Live at camp, work in units, and get in-depth, on-the-job experience and training. During week one, brush up on your skills, review camp procedures, and explore growth mindset. Over the weekend, you will just focus on fun as you prepare for the next week. Then, internship week kicks off! During week two, you will live and work as a professional camp staff team member. This will be your opportunity to utilize your amazing talents, put your newly learned skills to the test, and make a difference in the lives of girls. Your immediate family is invited to attend the Final Night campfire on Friday, June 21, to watch the pinning ceremony. CIT/WITs may choose to check out after the campfire or leave with the rest of camp on Saturday, June 22, at the regular checkout time. Completion of CIT/WIT I is required to enroll in CIT/WIT II. To successfully complete the program, participants must complete the full two-week program. Cost: $1,000
Bits & Bridles (Green)
Calling all experienced riders who are ready to bring their equestrian skills to the next level! Gain more equestrian knowledge in a classroom setting before having a blast in the barn and doing all your favorite things with your horse and around camp. This two-week session includes riding in the arena every day and ground school lessons! Prerequisite: To register for this session, you must be recommended for Level Green at the end of your 2023 camp session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. This session is part of the progressive riding program, Green Level. Cost: $1,500
Equestrian Aide
Would you love to help teach riding skills to younger girls? Spend the week at the barn as an equestrian aide (EA)! Girls will earn leadership and service hours. When you're not helping at the barn, you'll get to do your favorite camp activities! Campers must be at least 13 years old and have achieved Level 3 SPURS or completed STARS PA training and volunteered one year by their registration date to be eligible for this session. If your camper does not meet these criteria, they will not be removed from the session. Contact the camp director at mistydirector@sjgs.org to determine if your camper has equivalent skills to participate in this program. Cost: $500
Camp Fandom
Are you a big fan of all things summer camp? Then this session is for you! In this Senior and Ambassador-only session, you'll get to share your favorite fandom with new friends at camp – whether you love Sci-fi, Anime, Comics, Potter, Media, or something else! Combine your passion with your favorite things to do at camp, and top off the week by completing a project that will live on at camp after you've left. When you're not completing your project, you'll spend the week living your ideal week at camp with your counselors and fellow campers. You've probably done the basics, like archery and hiking but now you have the opportunity to put new creative twists on your favorite activities! Cost: $750
Voyager
This is the perfect session for girls who love all things Misty, Arnold, and Casa! Spend your week living in one of the Misty dorms and experience all your favorite things about all of GSSJC's overnight summer camps! You can head over to Arnold for a day and do your favorite activities before coming back to Misty for dinner or you can try all new things if you want. The choice is yours in this exciting new session exclusively for high school campers! Cost: $750
