Program & Fees

2010 Registration is Open!
Click here to see camper openings

Click here to download to Registration Forms

Camp Sessions
The Deerfoot summer is divided into four 2-week sessions. During each session, campers spend time learning various outdoor skills, such as swimming, canoeing, camping, survival, and archery. (See the Awards Program below for more info) Campers also go on two overnight hikes in the surrounding wilderness areas, where they are given a chance to practice the outdoor skills learned in main camp. During this time, campers are immersed in a Christ-centered community in which they are actively encouraged, through fellowship, prayer, worship, and the DL camping experience, to strengthen their relationships with Jesus Christ and draw closer to Him.

Session Dates for 2010
Session 1: June 26 - July 10
Session 2: July 10 - July 24
Session 3: July 24 - August 7
Session 4: August 7 - August 21

Multiple Session Registration Policy: Campers may register for one session only prior to March 1. Those wishing to come two sessions may be asked to be placed on waiting list which will not be used until March 1. This policy exists so that more campers will have the opportunity to come to camp at DL. On March 1, already registered campers may register for a second session where spaces are available.

Daily Schedule.  Here's a typical day at DL...

7:00 AM - Staff Prayer Meeting
7:30 AM - Reveille / Cabin Clean-up
8:00 AM - Quiet Time
8:25 AM - Flag Raising
8:30 AM - Breakfast 
9:00 AM - Singing & Bible Study 
9:45 AM - 1st Instructional Period 
11:00 AM - 2nd Instructional Period
12:30 PM - Lunch 
1:15 PM - Rest Period 
2:15 PM - 3rd Instructional Period 
3:30 PM - Flex Time
5:40 PM - Flag Lowering
5:45 PM - Supper 
6:30 PM - Flex Time 
7:15 PM - Evening Activity 
8:45 PM - Cabin Devos  
9:15 PM - Taps 

Costs
The cost of a standard two-week session for the summer of 2010 is as follows. The registration and balance MUST BE received at least 4 weeks in advance. There will be no refunds after this point, except in the case of an emergency. (There is also a $50 charge for late payments and a $20 fee for bounced checks.) Additional money may be deposited in an account at the Trading Post, Deerfoot's camp store. This deposit covers T-shirts, crafts, activity supplies, and snacks/refreshments. A $60 deposit is recommended; all unspent funds will be returned at the end of the session. If your Trading Deposit is also paid in advance, your time in line upon arrival at Deerfoot will be shortened.

You can download the Registration Form form here beginning on December 26, 2009

Standard Session
Registration Fee (non-refundable)- $200
Balance- $820
Total Cost (registration + balance)- $1020
 
Other Session Costs
Trading Post deposit (recommended)- $60
Airport Fee (for campers needing transportation to and from the Albany airport)- $70

Special Programs
Allagash Voyageur Trip - special river use fee (this is in addition to the standard session cost)- $200
Father / Son Weekend- $100/father and $30/son
Guide Summer- $2040
 

Scholarships
Each year one third of the DL income is provided by contributions from present and past DL families to reduce every camper fee to more manageable levels, while providing the dollars necessary for quality staff, program, facility, and equipment. Even with camper fees one third lower than total cost per camper, there are campers who would greatly benefit from the DL experience but cannot afford Deerfoot Lodge without scholarship help. Historically, DL has sought to provide scholarship assistance to these campers.

If a scholarship is necessary for your camper to be able to attend, please request a scholarship application form when you register, even if you have received scholarship assistance in a prior year. Deerfoot Lodge, through designated contributions of other DL families and through the camper scholarship endowment incomes, will seek to provide the balance of funds needed to cover the total camper fee. If we do not know you or your situation first-hand, we will ask for a letter from your pastor or someone known by us to confirm the need. If everything checks out and we have the dollars, we will help.

The Awards Program
Deerfoot provides excellent facilities for a wilderness camping experience, and offers an extensive instructional program that enables campers to learn a variety of outdoor skills. Awards can be earned in the following instructional areas:

The Awards Program gives an opportunity to select broad areas of interest. The pursuit of achievement in program areas offers a chance  to discover, to excel, and to grow both in skill level and in relationship with God. In each of 11 instruction areas campers can earn a Basic, Advanced, and finally a Master's award. Those who earn 3 Master's awards receive their merit "D". Young men who earn 6 Master's attain the coveted honor "D." Those earning an Honor "D" who also demonstrate leadership ability and spiritual maturity are eligible for Deerfoot's highest honor: membership in the Lone Eagle Fellowship. Candidates who choose to become Lone Eagles take part in an initiation ceremony that requires the applicant to spend a night alone on the mountain with the Lord, where they select a Lone Eagle name of spiritual significance which they keep for the rest of their lives.

Age Groupings
Campers are divided by age into 3 sections: Woodsmen, Pioneers, and Indians. Within sections, campers are divided into cabin groups, again by age. Each section works in the same instructional area together. Cabin groups eat together in the dining hall, and also hike together during the first of the two overnight hikes.

The Woodsmen (Ages 9-11)
The Woodsmen live in cabins in the woods near the center of camp. Overnight hikes may include:
Dug Mountain
Jessup River
Pillsbury Mountain and Fire Tower
Chimney Mountain

The Pioneers (Ages 12-13)
The Pioneers live in cabins on the Point. Overnight hikes for this age group may include:
Blue Mountain
Wakley Mountain
Fulton Chain of Lakes (canoe hike)
Indian Lake (canoe hike)
Northville-Lake Placid Trail

The Indians (Ages 14-16)
The Indians live in tipis on the Island . Overnight hikes may include: Mount Marcy
Mount Colden
Other Adirondack High Peaks
Fulton Chain of Lakes (canoe hike)
Spruce Lake (canoe hike)
Cedar Lake (canoe hike)
Snowy Mountain
Bushwacking to Owl Pond

The Voyageur Program
In this special program, up to 10 Deerfooters are teamed with 2 counselors to provide an extensive tripping experience. The Voyageur Program is designed to offer a high degree of challenge which will greatly sharpen wilderness skills, build self-confidence and strengthen a young man's relationship with God. Applicants must have had one session on the Island and demonstrated aptitude for the trip.

The 2010 Voyageur Trips
Trip 1: (June 26 - July 10) Canoe Maine 's Allagash River . (This trip costs an extra $200 for a special river use fee).
Trip 2: (July 10 - 24) Same as above.
Trip 3: (July 24 - August 7) Ten-day backpacking trip in the High Peaks.

The Guide Program
This counselor-in-training program is the primary source of Deerfoot's excellent staff. Recommended in writing by the staff to the director, Guide candidates must be 16 years of age by July 1. Candidates complete a standard four page staff application and are interviewed. Selections are based upon leadership potential, spiritual maturity, and camping skills. Guides spend one session hiking in the High Peaks, another session canoeing in Algonquin Park in Canada, a third session taking Red Cross Life Guard, CPR, and Solo WFA training while also working in maintenance and the kitchen, and a fourth session assisting in a camper cabin. Leadership responsibility and personal challenge are provided as we seek to build godly men and future staff for Deerfoot.

Cost: $2040, the fee for two sessions.

The Father/Son Weekend
Through this special program, fathers can enjoy the a piece of the Deerfoot experience with their sons. In order for a father to be eligible, his son must have been a camper in the session immediately prior to the weekend in which he will participate. Fathers arrive Friday afternoon for the banquet dinner at 5:45, and spend the night in Founder's Lodge. The next day, fathers and their sons will go on a hike and then camp around Whitaker lake. The weekend is completed the following Sunday morning, when fathers depart with their sons. Space is limited to 10-12 Fathers. To register, complete the Father/Son form (download the registration forms) and mail with payment when you register your son. Two year limit.

2010 Father/Son Dates:
Session 1: July 9-11
Session 2: July 23-25
Session 3: August 6-8
Cost: $100 /father, $30 /son.