At Camp Tuku we strive for a camp environment that empowers kids to enjoy the wonders of camp by immersing in nature to explore the connection between heart, mind, and body. We are please to announce our return to the Orme School for the 2025 season!
Founded in 1929 the Orme School is located in Mayer, AZ and has been home to the children of great American’s such as Ronald Reagan & Jimmy Stewart. Lush green fields dot the 300 acre grounds surrounded by historical buildings that harken back to the glory days of the West.
CAMP SEASON 2025
- Adventure Week: June 10 – June 14, 2025
- Session 2: June 15 – June 21, 2025
- Session 3: June 22- June 28, 2025
- Two Week Session: June 15 – June 28, 2025
- CIT (Counselor in Training): June 9 – June 28, 2025
Camp Tuku will be returning to the Orme School in 2025. Bordered by the Prescott National Forest at 4,000ft elevation, we welcome our campers to a beautiful land of tall trees, green lawns, flowers, organic Vegetable Garden and Orchards.
| Address: 1000 Orme School Rd, Mayer, AZ 86333 |
At Camp Tuku, our mission is to provide a mindfulness approach to the camp experience for kids; a program designed to integrate the mind, body, and heart, giving kids skills early in life to help them nurture inner resilience.
With a focus on developing mindfulness skills, our unique summer camp experience offers a great opportunity for kids to learn and practice simple, fun tools for the development of self-awareness, as well as practices that will enable them to respond more effectively to the inevitable stress of every-day life. At Camp Tuku, we aim to nurture the mind, body, and heart.
From the time campers wake up to the time they hit the pillow at night, each day at Camp Tuku is designed to allow children time and space to connect their inner worlds to nature through fun and mindful activities including arts & crafts, innovations, pet care, wilderness exploration, Chef’s Table, yoga and an off-site adventure where campers will go kayaking or canoeing! Here is a sample schedule of a day at Camp Tuku:
7:15am – Wake up
7:45am – Assembly
8:00am – Breakfast
8:45am – Setting Intentions & Cabin Clean-Up
9:30am – Camp Tuku Activity Block 1
10:45am – Camp Tuku Activity Block 2
12:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm – Rest Period
2:00pm – Camp Tuku Activity Block 3
3:15pm – Camp Tuku Activity Block 4
4:15pm – Afternoon Choice Workshops
5:00pm – Dinner
5:45pm – Free Time
7:00pm – Evening Activity
9:00 – Practicing Gratitude
9:30am – Lights Out
BUNKS/DORMATORY
Our campers are housed in cabins or dorms with bathrooms/showers inside. Layouts of accommodations vary in style including traditional dorm halls, joined jack and jill suites, and rooms situated around a shared common space. Regardless of the building layout each bunk building is supervised by counselors & a roaming Director.
DINING ROOM
Enjoy your healthy meals in our cafeteria-style dining room. We will provide yummy foods that are balanced, fresh, natural, and sourced locally (where possible). Our professional staff are ready to meet the special dietary needs of our campers and families, including but not limited to vegetarian, gluten free, and nut allergies.
Throughout the day campers enjoy delicious treats. Every afternoon following Rest Hour we open “Snack Bar” for refreshing fruit, juice, ices or ice cream.
HEALTH CENTER
Our campers will be cared for by the Camp Tuku healthcare provider at a fully equipped infirmary with 24X7 care.
ACTIVITY FACILITIES
Campers will be able to explore all the facilities that we have to offer – Nature walking and hiking trails, Campfire, Archery Field, Basketball Court, Tennis Court, Horseback riding trails, Swimming pool, Pond for boating and fishing, Low Ropes Course, class rooms for innovations, arts and music, and more.
| Camp Dates | Age Range | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Adventure Week: June 10 – June 14 | Age: 6 – 17 years old | Tier 1: $1,120 Tier 2: $ 970 Tier 3: $ 850 |
| Session 2: June 15 – June 21 | Age: 6 – 17 years old | Tier 1: $1,675 Tier 2: $1,450 Tier 3: $1,300 |
| Session 3: June 22 – June 28 | Age: 6 – 17 years old | Tier 1: $1,675 Tier 2: $1,450 Tier 3: $1,300 |
| Two Week Session: June 15 – June 28 | Age: 6 – 17 years old | Tier 1: $3,350 Tier 2: $2,900 Tier 3: $2,600 |
| CIT (Counselor in Training): June 9 – June 28 | Age: 15 – 17 years old | $1,800 |
Is your camper a young adult between the ages of 15-17 looking to attend camp? We are actively accepting applications for our Counselor-in-Training program!
Through our CIT program, we seek to mentor young adults with strong leadership capabilities and support them in finding their own unique voice and leadership style.
As a CIT you will be asked to assist with the implementation of camp activities, provide secondary support for campers in your assigned bunk areas, assist with guiding younger campers around camp, and assist with evening activities. Additionally, CITs may assist with other tasks as delegated by the Director of Operations and other leadership staff.
In addition to these responsibilities, CITs have a very unique opportunity to participate in leadership workshops to gain a better understanding of themselves and their leadership abilities.
- June 9 – June 28, 2025 | Tuition: $1,800
Qualifications: Must be between the ages of 15-17. Must have a positive attitude, excellent communication skills, passion for working with children, strong leadership abilities, ability to be self-reflective. Background check will be required. CPR/First Aid Certification preferred.
If you are interested in the CIT position, please 1) register for a CIT Spot here and 2) fill out the application below. A member of the Camp Tuku staff will be in touch with you within 3 weeks of submitting your application.
We offer our families tiered pricing. Please take a moment to look at the rate descriptions below and determine which of the three prices your family is able to pay for your child’s camp experience. Price selection is done strictly on an honor system. If you can afford to pay the full fee (Tier 1), please do so. If you cannot, simply select the price which is right for your family’s circumstances. There is no difference in the camp experience for campers registered at different tiers and tier selection is kept confidential.
TIER 1
This rate most accurately reflects the true cost of camp, including operational, general, administrative expenses, and our mission to make access to camp equitable for all children. If you can afford to pay this fee, please do so.
TIER 2
This is our partially subsidized rate for camp that covers most operational costs supported by the generosity of Camp Tuku supporters and donors.
TIER 3
We believe all children should have a transformational summer camp experience & we never want the cost of camp to be a barrier to access. This rate is subsidized at approximately 25% of the true cost of camp. Families who may need additional assistance in sending their campers to Camp Tuku may apply for our scholarship program using the following link: Apply for a Camp Tuku Campership.
Why Camp Tuku?
We offer a camp experience like no other. We focus on nurturing young minds and building life skills while campers build special friendships and participating in fun camp activities.
After their time at Camp Tuku, your children will:
- KNOW: how to manage stress and be resilient, enabling them to be happier and healthier.
- HAVE: simple, proven techniques that kids can apply at any time to help manage their emotional state, tap into their creativity, and be even more resourceful in overcoming obstacles in their lives.
- FEEL: happy and excited about the connections made with new friends and the fun activities they have enjoyed together.
How can I tell my child is ready for camp? What if my child gets homesick?
Our campers range from 6 to 17 years of age. We encourage you to speak with your child about his/her willingness and readiness for camp. You can help a child who says they are ready by letting them know you are confident that they can succeed and have a great time at camp. Most campers adjust quickly to camp life, others may need a day or so. Sometimes a camper may feel a bit unsettled at first, especially the first night. We understand that this may happen and work hard to make the first days extra special. Our mindfulness practices will also help them understand their emotions, including sadness, anxiety, and fear. We firmly believe that once your camper is involved, engaged, and getting to know their bunk mates and staff, their outlook on camp will be positive and enthusiastic.
What do the lodging and bunk arrangements look like?
Camp Tuku offer cabins or dormitory that incorporate the comforts of home with the rustic nature of camping. The bunk is where your child’s memories of camp is born. Your camper will laugh and swap stories with his/her bunk mates and counselor.
For the summer of 2024, our overall ratio of staff to camper at camp outside of our cabin staff is 1:6.
Your child may find that they know some kids from their neighborhood, school, or recreational activities. Many children will come to camp for the first time without knowing anyone at all, but this will change very quickly. We will arrange for kids by gender and within similar age groups to bunk together. If you request to have your child bunk with a friend of a similar age group, we will do our best to accommodate you. Your child’s bunk counselor will be living with him/her the entire session. The counselor will be there to see that the cabin runs smoothly, this includes helping the cabin mates get along and become good friends.
Do you have healthcare staff on site?
Yes, during each week, we will have a residential nurse on site, 24X7. Nurse Wendy has been with the Orme school for the past 7 years.
How can I communicate with my child at Camp Tuku?
There are a lot of ways you can communicate with your child while at camp. We still encourage the old-fashioned letter. Campers love receiving letters in the mail! You will also have the ability to e-mail your child (we print out emails daily and distribute them with the regular mail). However, campers are not allowed to send e-mails.
Do you post photos of the children while camp is in session?
Our photographer will post photos to our camp management software (CRM). You will have access to your child’s precious moments at camp through the secure Parent Dashboard. Sign in and look for “Camp Today!” where you will also be able to download pictures, watch videos, and even grant access to extended family members.
What is the policy regarding cell phones and other electronic devices?
The only electronic device allowed at camp is music-only iPod that does not have access to the internet or Gizmo watches.
Can you accommodate food allergies at camp?
We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs including offering vegetarian and vegan options. We will also work to accommodate campers with allergies to the best of our ability, but we cannot guarantee that during the manufacturing or kitchen preparation process there has not been cross-contamination.
Deposit & Cancellation Policy
- Camp Tuku requires a non-refundable deposit at the time of registration to secure a session space at the time of registration ($250).
- In the event of cancellation on or before March 31st, an additional $150 cancellation fee/per camper/per session will be assessed.
- Cancellations made between April 1st, 2025 and April 31st, 2025 will be assessed a $250 cancellation fee per camper/per session.
- No refunds will be offered for cancellations after May 1st, 2025.
Please understand that our camps are kept small to provide 1-1 support, and many fill up quickly. Last-minute cancellations keep other campers from enjoying our camps. Thank you for your understanding.
Sometimes, Campers leave camp early due to homesickness, failure to meet behavioral expectations, or illness. In these events we are unable to provide refunds.
We encourage families to look into third-party camp insurance to cover these possibilities.
Additionally, if your child is unable to attend camp, please consider converting all or part of your registration fees into a donation or scholarship to assist families in need. Your donation will be fully tax-deductible.
Please email info@camptuku.org request a refund, make a donation, or address any other questions you may have. Email is the quickest way to reach us during this time.