The cookout and sleep-out are special traditions at Camp Riverlea. Children experience camp beyond the regular day and enjoy dinner, games, the magic ring ceremony, and a night under the stars. The cookout takes place every session, and in sessions 1 and 3 the cookout is followed by a sleep-out. Campers who are in the Trolls group (rising 4th graders) and older (plus Orcs) are invited to spend the night at Riverlea. The cookout and sleep out are for campers only.
For all sessions, the cookout and magic ring ceremony program will end at 7pm and the buses will run on the following schedule:
Hillandale Rd. drop off time: 7:25 pm
Duke drop off time: 7:25 pm
Forest Hills drop off time: 7:30 pm
An e-mail with the information below will be sent out at the beginning of the week of the cookout and/or sleep-out. We will also send out a permission slip and transportation information form, where you can indicate whether you want to pick your child up at camp or if they should ride the bus. We strive for 100% attendance at these events.
Session 1 cookout and sleep-out: Thursday June 26 – Friday June 27, 2025.
Session 2 cookout: Thursday July 17, 2025.
Session 3 cookout and sleep-out: Thursday July 31 – Friday August 1, 2025.
Cookout: During the cookout, the counselors build a fire for each group and the groups eat hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, carrots, chips, and s’mores. Dinner is followed by the magic ring ceremony, where every camper gets a special necklace with a “magic” ring on it.
Sleep-Out: The Trolls, Tooks, Ents, Striders and Orcs (campers going into 4th grade and older) are invited to stay the night at camp. We have a special campfire program, an activity where we send candle boats with wishes onto the pond, and a dance party. After a night under the stars (inside the main building if it rains) the campers are provided breakfast and lunch the next day.
There is no additional cost for these programs.
2024 – COOKOUT SCHEDULE
8:30am – 4pm regular camp day
4pm-4:30pm second rest hour
4:30pm-4:55pm free play on the lawn
5pm-6pm cookout at Rivendell
6pm-6:40pm magic ring ceremony
6:40pm-7pm busses dismissed
2024 – COOKOUT & SLEEP-OUT SCHEDULE
8:30am – 4pm regular camp day
4pm-4:30pm second rest hour
4:30pm-4:55pm free play on the lawn
5pm-6pm cookout at Rivendell
6pm-6:40pm magic ring ceremony
6:40pm-7pm busses dismissed
7pm-10pm overnight program. The times change, but the activities may include: big game of capture the flag; plunge in the pool; changing into sleepwear; campfire program; luminary ceremony; dance party; lights out.
Next Day
7:30am Get ready for camp (get dressed, brush teeth, etc.)
8:00am Breakfast (Provided by camp).
12:00pm Lunch (Provided by camp).
4:00pm Leave camp with normal form of transportation.
FAQs
What should we pack for the sleep out? In addition to regular camp clothes, please pack and label the following items:
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Pajamas
- Change of clothes (or two)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Medicine (if necessary; clearly labeled with camper’s name and dosage instructions)
- Optional: flashlight/headlamp, book
Are parents invited? This is a special campers-only event. Hopefully you hear all about it as soon as you pick up your camper!
What if it rains? We can do any and all portions of the program indoors, and will keep to the regularly-programmed schedule.