About - Camp Hope

About Camp Hope

The Arc of Essex County’s Camp Hope has been providing an exceptional camp experience for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1956. Located in East Hanover, NJ, the camp property received a complete makeover in 2017. A new accessible-friendly playground, splash pad, basketball court, outdoor pavilion, and expanded recreation field were completed adding to the existing beach entry swimming pool.

Camp Hope provides a unique eight-week summer program combining life skills, social, and recreational activities with aquatics, sports, music and art. Here, campers tackle new goals, build confidence, and form lasting friendships. We invite you to learn more!

Staff at Camp Hope

The success of the Camp Hope program is due in large part to the quality staff that supports the campers who attend each summer. Each Camp Hope staff member goes through a detailed hiring process which includes personal interviews, background and reference checks as well as an intensive pre-camp orientation. Throughout the summer all staff participate in on-going staff development and training. The Arc of Essex County and Camp Hope understand that ensuring a safe and fun camp environment for your family member starts with staff that we hire.

Camp Medical Director

Each summer, Camp Hope employs a Camp Medical Director to oversee the medical program. The medical director is on site each day while camp is in session to provide first aid, assess medical situations and medication administration.

Activity Specialists

Activity Specialists are hired each summer that have a specific background and/or passion for our camp enrichment areas – sports, music, arts and crafts, science and nature. The activity specialists with guidance from the camp manager use the theme calendar to create fun and engaging activities for campers of all ages.

Life Guards

Camp Hope employs certified lifeguards to oversee the pool and swim program at camp. Lifeguards attend the camp pre-service training to ensure their ability to work with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Counselors

Carefully selected and screened from a pool of applicants, our counselors are motivated and eager to work with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each group is led by a group leader who is an experienced Camp Hope staff and is supported by a number of counselors. If determined during the intake process, one-to-one counselors are available for an additional cost to those campers who need it.