About Camp COLEY

About Us

Camp COLEY is a volunteer-run weeklong outdoor experience. Our mission is to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all youth to grow, learn, and explore the outdoors while creating lasting friendships and lifelong memories.

Our overnight camp is open to youth entering grades 3 - 12. Camp is held at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation, Camp Somers in Stanhope, NJ. The camp offers a fully supervised day and night program. Age appropriate activities include swimming, boating, first aid, ecology, outdoor skills, hiking, crafts, rock climbing, riding all-terrain vehicles, shooting sports, COPE (challenging outdoor personal experience), sports, games, songs, campfires and a Thursday night dance with a DJ.

Our campers are divided by grade level and gender, and are supervised by Camp COLEY leaders as well as the Scout staff as they visit the various program areas throughout camp. Campers sleep in 2 person tents on cots. Shower facilities are available and hot meals are provided daily in the dining hall. 

Leader Program

Leaders are adult volunteers who are assigned a campsite and a small group of campers for the week. Our leaders provide campers with a wonderful camping experience in a safe and enjoyable environment. All our leaders attend training that includes Youth Protection Training. Part of their responsibility is to help train our Counselors in Training (CITs) for when they become leaders. Many of our dedicated leaders are graduates of our CIT program and/or parents of campers. 

CIT Program

The CITs are our high school campers who assist the leaders during the day and help set up and run various evening programs. Like our leaders, CITs are assigned to a specific group of campers, with whom they remain throughout the week. The CITs encourage camp spirit and create a welcoming environment for all Camp COLEY campers.

History

Camp COLEY dates back more than 35 years when we were part of the Agape Camp Fire Program in Philadelphia, PA. Our program has evolved over the years and we are now proud to be Exploring Post 229, 2290, and Pack 1129 with Boy Scouts of America. 

Our Chartering Organization

Camp COLEY would not be possible without the support of our Chartering Organization, Stirling Elks. Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.