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 participate 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.
When will camp be held?
In the summer of 2024, we are excited to announce that we’ll be hosting 4 residential (sleep away) summer sessions.
Mayer, AZ: Sunday, June 16 – Saturday, June 29, 2024.
- Session 1: Sunday, June 16 – Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Session 2: Sunday, June 23 – Saturday, June 29, 2024
Huguenot, NY: Sunday, July 7 – Saturday, July 20, 2024.
- Session 3: Sunday, July 7 – Saturday, July 13, 2024
- Session 4: Sunday, July 14 – Saturday, July 20, 2024
Where are the in-person camps located?
Mayer, AZ
We will be returning to our host camp at the Orme School, located in Mayer, AZ. Orme is located on 300 gorgeous acres surrounded by the natural beauty of Prescott National Forest. Our camp is a little over an hour’s drive north of Phoenix. We welcome our camp families to a land of tall trees, green lawns, flower and vegetable gardens, and an organic orchard. Hundreds of square miles of the Prescott National Forest border Orme along with thousands of acres of historic ranchland. Deer, hawks, eagles, and jackrabbits call this landscape their home.
Huguenot, NY
We are happy to announce that we will be returning to Camp Reimagined in Huguenot, New York. Located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountain, just 2 hours outside of New York City, Camp Huguenot rests in 1,000 acres of pristine wilderness and is a collection of beautiful lakes, streams, waterfalls, ridges, vistas, and miles of hiking trails. Set between the historical villages, hamlets, and towns of the Navesink and Delaware River, its lush green forest is home to deer, turkeys, foxes, many species of birds, and aquatic life.
How can I tell if my child is ready for camp? What if my child gets homesick during camp?
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 bunkmates and staff, their outlook on camp will be positive and enthusiastic.
What do the lodging and bunking arrangements look like?
Camp Tuku offers cabins or “bunks” in NY, and a combination of dormitory and cabins in AZ. Regardless of the style of lodging, we incorporate the comforts of home with the rustic nature of camping. The bunk is where your child’s memories of camp are born. Your camper will laugh and swap stories with his/her bunkmates and counselor.
Our overall ratio of staff to camper 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 for 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 session of camp, we will have a minimum of one medical professional onsite.
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.
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). We strongly encourage parents to prewrite the letters and bring them with them at drop-off.
Do you post photos of the children when camp is in session?
Our photographer will post photos to our camp management software (CRM). We are excited to announce that our CRM tool has photo and video blog capabilities! 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.
Our Vaccine Policy
For the health and safety of campers and staff and due to the close living quarters and the nature of communal living, Camp Tuku is unable to honor vaccine waivers or exemptions. We require at a minimum the following vaccines as per ADHS requirements: HepB, Polio/IPV, MMR, VAR, DTaP/Tdap/Td, MenACWY/MCV4. Refunds due to non-compliance cannot be honored.
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 ($300).
- 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, 2024, and April 31st, 2024 will be assessed a $250 cancellation fee per camper/per session.
- No refunds will be offered for cancellations after May 1st, 2024.
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.
What if my child is unable to finish their time at camp?
Sometimes, Campers leave camp early due to homesickness, behavior, 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.