Camp Hope

For families across New Jersey seeking a truly meaningful and enriching summer experience for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Camp Hope in East Hanover stands as a beloved, long-established pillar of support and fun. Operated by The Arc of Essex County, Camp Hope is far more than just a typical recreational program; it is a specialized, eight-week summer day camp dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and joyful environment where every camper can thrive.

Since 1956, Camp Hope has cultivated a tradition of compassion, inclusion, and therapeutic recreation. The program is carefully designed to combine essential life skills development with a robust schedule of social, artistic, and athletic activities. The testimonials from real customers speak volumes, highlighting the profound impact of the program:

> "I think they do an amazing job with the kids. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for all the love, compassion, and kindness they give the kids and young adults. Thank you."

> "Camp Hope is an amazing summer camp experience for children and adults with disabilities. Camp runs for 8 weeks Mon-Fri 9am-3:30pm. It is such an amazing and rewarding experience."

These heartfelt endorsements underscore the dedication of the professional staff, who create an atmosphere where campers can build confidence, foster lasting friendships, and enjoy the pure, unadulterated fun of summer camp, all within a structure tailored to their unique needs. The facilities have been modernized to be fully accessible, ensuring that everyone can participate fully in every aspect of camp life.

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### Location and Accessibility

Camp Hope is conveniently located on a beautiful, secure, six-acre property in East Hanover, NJ 07936. This location in Morris County, right at the border of Essex County, makes it an easily accessible destination for families throughout Northern New Jersey and the surrounding communities.

The address is 127 Cedar St, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA. Being situated in a more residential, park-like setting offers a peaceful and contained environment, which is essential for the focus and safety of the campers. The facility grounds are securely fenced to ensure safety and provide peace of mind to parents and caregivers.

Crucially, Camp Hope understands the logistical challenges faced by families of campers with disabilities. As part of The Arc of Essex County's commitment, the camp often provides transportation services for campers residing in Essex County and certain surrounding areas, significantly reducing the daily burden on local families and ensuring a smooth start and end to the camp day. This accessibility is a key factor in making the Camp Hope experience possible for many North Jersey families.

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### Services Offered

Camp Hope provides comprehensive services centered around safety, medical oversight, and highly-specialized programming, going far beyond standard recreational activities.

• Specialized Staffing Ratios: Campers are supervised under age- and need-appropriate staff-to-camper ratios (e.g., 1:3 for younger children, 1:6 for adults), ensuring focused attention and support. One-to-one counselors are also available upon determination during the intake process for those with greater support needs (often for an additional cost).
• Medical Direction: A dedicated Camp Medical Director or Camp Nurse is employed on-site each day to oversee the medical program, administer medications, and provide first aid and necessary medical assessments, ensuring a high standard of care.
• Enrichment Activities: The program includes structured activities run by Activity Specialists with backgrounds in their specific areas, such as music, sports, arts and crafts, and science and nature.
• Aquatics Program: A fully supervised swim program overseen by Certified Lifeguards is a daily highlight, with a swim test on the first day to determine if independent swimming or a camp-provided flotation device is needed.
• Daily Logistics: The camp runs Monday through Friday, typically from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, for an eight-week summer session. Campers must bring their own labeled lunch, which is refrigerated, though water is provided throughout the day.
• Communication: Families receive periodic “Notes from Camp Hope” and a weekly newsletter detailing activities and progress, fostering a strong partnership between the camp and the family.

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### Features / Highlights

The facilities at Camp Hope were significantly renovated and expanded in recent years, making them truly state-of-the-art for therapeutic recreation. The campus features over six acres of park-like grounds tailored for accessibility and fun.

• Zero-Entry Swimming Pool: The unique design of the pool features a beach-entry and a gradual incline to a shallow maximum depth, allowing campers with mobility issues to enter the water easily and safely.
• Accessible Play Area: A multi-level, accessible-friendly playground installed in 2017 includes various climbing features, interactive panels, and swings, beloved by campers of all ages.
• Splash Pad: An incredibly popular feature, the splash pad offers a fun and refreshing way for campers to cool off and engage in water play during the hot New Jersey summer months.
• Indoor and Outdoor Activity Spaces: The facility includes a large air-conditioned Multipurpose Recreation Facility for indoor activities, a full kitchen, and a large open-air pavilion with snack bar access, providing covered space for lunch and activities, rain or shine.
• Adjustable Sports Court: The newly paved basketball court features two state-of-the-art adjustable backboards, allowing campers from ages 5 to over 21 to successfully participate in sports and build athletic confidence.
• Themed Programming: The camp incorporates Themed Days and Special Events—such as a Talent Show, Camp BBQ, and themed dances—to maximize engagement and social interaction among the entire camp community.

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### Contact Information

To learn more about enrollment, scheduling, or staffing opportunities for the upcoming summer season at this vital East Hanover day camp, New Jersey families are encouraged to reach out to The Arc of Essex County.

Camp Address (Camp Site): 127 Cedar St, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA

Organization Headquarters (The Arc of Essex County): 123 Naylon Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039

Phone Number (General Inquiries and Registration): (973) 535-1181 ext. 1279 or x1231

Email for Camp Hope: camphope@arcessex.org

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### What is Worth Choosing

Camp Hope is an unparalleled choice for New Jersey families because it is a program built on decades of expertise, compassion, and a genuine commitment to the intellectual and developmental disability community. It is a professionally managed environment where the focus is not just on recreation, but on growth, socialization, and confidence-building. The camp offers a crucial respite for caregivers while providing a highly enriching, structured, and fun environment for the campers themselves.

The blend of newly renovated, fully accessible facilities—including the fantastic zero-entry pool and splash pad—with the experienced and caring staff makes Camp Hope a truly outstanding resource in North Jersey. Choosing Camp Hope means selecting a program that is a proven leader in providing quality, specialized summer programming, allowing every child and adult to fully embrace the joy of summer camp in a place where they are understood, supported, and celebrated. It is an investment in your family member's well-being, social development, and happiness throughout the summer months.

Camp Hope

127 Cedar St, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA