Eligibility & Application Process

Eligibility

Campers seeking to attending any Steve’s Camp session must:

Attend an NYC-area middle or high school or other community organization with which Steve’s Camp has an established relationship.
Attend at least one online info session with Director of Programs, Taylor Snider.
Be recommended by a teacher, school counselor, or community mentor with a formal letter.
Have contributed to their community, family, or school in two ways. Steve's Camp provides community volunteer opportunities as part of it's year-round programming.

For session-specific eligibility requirements, please refer to each session description found on the Summer Camp Programs page.

Fill Out Interest Form

Application process

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Ask for a letter of recommendation

Request this from your your teacher, counselor, or community mentor. You will upload this when you submit your application in Step 2.

Fill out a camp application

Those who have filled out our interest form will be invited to apply to an appropriate session. The application deadlines are as follows:

New and returning campers: March 31st

After the deadline, applications will be accepted based on available spaces.

Interview with camp

Between late March and early May, all applicants will have a short phone interview with a Steve’s Camp staff member. (See our interview tips below.)

By mid May, you’ll receive a phone call and e-mail to let you know if you’ve been accepted or placed on the camp waitlist.

Attend an online Q&A session

Sessions will be offered on multiple dates. You only need to attend one Q&A session.

Fill out the required forms

A month before the start of the session, you and your caregiver will complete important paperwork—such as our Steve’s Camp Acceptance form and medical authorization document—and receive a packing list and information about camper transportation. All paperwork must be completed before the start of the session.

Confirm enrollment

In the weeks before camp, participants’ families will receive a call to confirm their attendance.

Interview tips

Tip #1

Be able to explain why you want to attend Steve’s Camp. We believe that campers who actively choose to be at Steve’s Camp—without pressure from caregivers or teachers—will get the most out of camp.

Tip #2

Be prepared to tell us about at least two ways you contribute to your community, family, or school. We ask everyone to participate in community service, charitable acts, or volunteer experiences before they attend camp.

Tip #3

Be yourself. An interview can seem intimidating, but we really just want to get to know you. Don’t be afraid to let yourself shine.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Camp is completely free to attend. A small fully refundable deposit is required to reserve your child's spot at camp. The deposit is returned to families at the end of the session. Deposit waivers are available for families who cannot afford the deposit.
Horizon Farms is the name of the 100-acre property on which Steve’s Camp is located. It is a working farm with animals and gardens that allow campers to understand the food system and gain first-hand experience growing their own food. The farm is located on the traditional land of the Lenape people. Learn more about the history of the land and the Lenape people.
A letter of recommendation helps us understand whether Steve’s Camp is a good fit for the applicant. It’s also another way for us to get to know their personality and interests.
All letters of recommendation should be written by an applicant’s teacher, school counselor, or community mentor. They can either be attached to the application as a PDF or emailed as a PDF with the subject line “Your first and last names - letter of recommendation” to info@stevescamp.org by March 31st.