Camp Wilton

Camp Wilton is a residential summer program operated by OPWDD which serves approximately 550 people with developmental disabilities from areas across New York State. One special week of the program is dedicated to people who have Prader Willi Syndrome and these campers come from all over New York State. The program consists of typical camp activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, recreation, music and drama, and various evening activities.  

The program operates for nine weeks. The 2024 season runs from June 10 through August 9. The first week is dedicated to staff orientation, training, and program planning.  Beginning on the second week, eight separate one-week sessions for campers are held. 

We try to make the camping experience accessible and enjoyable for everyone and every attempt is made to accommodate everyone’s physical, social, dietary, and other needs. Please apply only for individuals who you believe will benefit from a camp experience.

• Campers must be older than 18 to attend
• Our campers come from all over New York State and live at home, family care homes, supervised apartments, group homes and Intermediate Care Facilities. 

Services

Persons with developmental disabilities who are exploring Camp Wilton as a vacation opportunity should take into consideration what services they may require and are to be advised of what the camp can provide as follows:

• Camp Wilton has paved walkways and four (4) cabins are fully accessible. All eight (8) cabins are ramped.  All the other camp buildings are accessible.
• Our cabins are not air-conditioned and there is very limited air-conditioned space on the grounds. If the individual has temperature restrictions for 90 degrees or above, we will not be able to accept the camper.
• The camp operates (3) vehicles. (1) 12-15 passenger vans, (1) 8 passenger van or car and one wheelchair van.  The wheelchair van is available at all times for emergencies. 
• Adaptive equipment is not provided.  The camper must bring any equipment that they may need.
• Behavior plans and risk management plans are reviewed before acceptance to camp in order to determine if the person’s needs can be met. We do not provide 1:1 staffing for campers; any individual who requires 1:1 staffing will not be able to attend.
• Promote trained staff are available.

Medical 

• Nurses are on site 24 hours a day with on-call nurses also available.  Emergency services are contacted through 911.  The nearest hospital is within 20 minutes.  Any prospective camper who requires specialized nursing services (i.e. insulin injections, oxygen machines, etc…) should contact the Nursing Coordinator to determine if their needs can be met.
• Qualified personnel are on duty to provide medications administration.  
• We are unable to support campers that require 24-hour oxygen or who receive nutrition via tube.
• Consistency modified meals and any nutrient modified diets are available.  The campers must bring their own adaptive equipment if needed.  

Nighttime Accommodations/Safety

• Sleeping accommodations are bunk beds.  The camp does not provide bed rails / waterbeds / hospital beds.  There are also no bed shakers or strobe lights.
• There are three (3) awake staff for the entire camp and a minimum of two (2) asleep staff in each cabin.  Bed checks cannot be provided more frequently than every 60 minutes.

Bathing Facilities

• Wheelchair accessible showers are available in four (4) cabins.  Regular showers are available in other cabins.  
• There are no tubs available.

Campers are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, music and drama, recreational activities and various evening events. Counselors create fun and exciting programs every summer and modify activities to the capabilities of each camper.

The camp has a large in-ground pool with steps to enter the shallow end. Two certified lifeguards are on duty during swimming activities. For accessibility, there is a lift to transfer campers into the pool. There is also a pool alarm and the pool fence is always locked when lifeguards are not on duty.

A Swimming Permission form is included in the application and is to be completed by the parent/guardian/advocate. Campers are assessed prior to swimming activities by our Red Cross certified lifeguards. 

• To apply, complete the Camp Wilton 2024 Camper Application and send it with the camp fee of $275 by mail to:
  Capital District DDSO
  3 Care Lane, Suite 200
  Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
  Attention: Camp Wilton
• Please attach all documentation indicated on the application checklist to the application. Camp Wilton is not a waiver funded program. Campers seeking to use self-direction funds to pay for camp must speak to their Care Manager to determine if these funds can be utilized.
• Complete applications should be submitted by April 5, 2024. We will only review complete applications with all documentation. Acceptance is contingent upon review of the application by the camp directors and medical staff.  
• If the camper is waiting to get an updated physical exam, please include a copy of their 2023 or more recent exam and send the new one as soon as possible. We do not recommend holding an application while waiting for a physical. 
• Please ensure that the contact information, including area codes for phone numbers, is complete. The acceptance packet will be sent to the camper’s address.  Without complete information, it will be difficult to send the acceptance packet or contact you if we have questions. 

If you have questions, please contact: [email protected] or Call 518-581-3007

Staff positions available for this season include:

• Camp Counselors
• Food Service Workers
• Nurses or LPNs
• Maintenance Assistant
• Dietician 2

The majority of the staff lives at camp. The Camp Director and two assistant directors supervise and direct all camp functions and staff to ensure that all involved have a safe and fun-filled vacation. The eight (8) Activity Heads plan and implement all daily camp activities in the areas described above. The eight (8) Head Counselors are responsible for supervising the four (4) Camp Counselors assigned to each cabin. Head Counselors, Camp Counselors and Activity Heads are all responsible for ensuring that all direct care responsibilities are carried out for the campers assigned to each cabin. The Head Counselors and Camp Counselors live in the cabins and are responsible for ensuring that the campers receive assistance with all activities of daily living and are supervised throughout the day in all camp programs.

The remaining staff provides support services necessary for the safe and efficient operation for the program. Six (6) nurses provide twenty-four-hour medical coverage in three (3) shifts. The kitchen staff (cooks and food service workers) provides three meals per day plus snacks to the campers and staff at camp. A dietician ensures that the nutritional needs of the camper with special diets are provided for. A maintenance assistant provides routine maintenance to all buildings and camp equipment. Two (2) camp cleaners are responsible for maintaining cleanliness in all buildings and laundering camper clothing.

75 Northern Pines Road, Wilton, NY 12831

Take exit 16 off I-87 (Northway). Go WEST on Ballard Road past the truck stop. Turn LEFT onto Northern Pines Road. (If you come to a light, you have gone too far.) Approximately 1/10 of a mile on the LEFT there is a brown sign that reads “CAMP WILTON”. This is the entrance. Follow this road past the building on the right and follow the bend to the right into the campgrounds. You will be directed to a parking area where to unload the car and register your camper.