FRUIT CAMP 2023
For over 40 years, the Huntington Woods Fruit Camp program has provided children with a wonderful summer experience! Please note that camps are based on your child’s CURRENT age or school year grade (not the grade they will be entering in the Fall). There are no exceptions for age/grade requirements. Camps are designed to meet the needs of a specific age group for an optimal and rewarding experience.
CAMP STRAWBERRY and CAMP BANANA (Ages 3-1/2 - 5-1/2)
Strawberry and Banana camps are play-based and provide many creative and fun activities, including art, music, water play, large and small motor activities and more. Children must be completely toilet-trained (Pull-Ups are not allowed). A copy of the camper’s birth certificate is required for first time Fruit Campers. Current Transitional Kindergarten students are eligible for Banana Camp (not Watermelon or Kiwi).
New for Preschool Camps – Sessions!
SESSION DATES – maximum of two sessions per camper, please
Strawberry/Banana:
Session A: June 20* - June 30
Session B: July 3 - July 14**
Session C: July 17 - July 28
*no camp 6/19 due to Juneteenth holiday
**no camp July 4th, but all Strawberry/Banana campers are welcome to join Fruit Camp in the HW Parade (accompanied by a parent)
CAMP STRAWBERRY - 1/2 day – 2-week sessions, 9:00 am-12:00 noon
Age: 3½ (by 6/20/2023) – 4½ years
Limit 20 campers
Cost: $225/session
Camp Strawberry is our half-day preschool camp. The camp focuses on different themes each week with projects and activities. Before Camp Care (BCC), After Camp Care (ACC), swim lessons and Tropical Storm are NOT available for Camp Strawberry.
CAMP BANANA - full day – 2-week sessions, 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Ages: 4½ - 5½ years. Entering kindergarten in Fall 2023 or current Transitional Kindergartners
Limit 20 campers
Cost: $450/session
Campers spend the entire day with us in Camp Banana. Included are field trips and pool time.
Before and/or After Camp Care are available.
CAMP WATERMELON, KIWI, HONEYDEW AND PINEAPPLE
(Current Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Fruit Camp staff plan age appropriate, fun-filled activities including games, arts and crafts, sports, field trips, free swim and more. No electronics, no movies - just good old summer FUN in the SUN!
SESSION DATES - maximum of two sessions per camper, please
Watermelon/Honeydew/Pineapple: 2-week sessions, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Session A: June 20* – June 30
Session B: July 3 - July 14**
Session C: July 17 - July 28
Session D: July 31 – August 11
Kiwi: One 8-week session, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
June 20* – August 11**
*no camp 6/19 due to Juneteenth holiday
**no camp July 4th, but all campers are welcome to join Fruit Camp in the HW Parade
CAMP WATERMELON - 2-week sessions
Ages: Current Kindergarten - 1st grade
Limit 30 campers per session
Cost: $475/session
CAMP KIWI - 8 weeks
Ages: Current Kindergarten - 1st grade
Camp Kiwi is especially designed for working parents or those looking for a full summer camp experience.
Limit 30 campers per session
Cost: $1,600/8-week session
CAMP HONEYDEW - 2-week sessions
Ages: Current 2nd - 3rd grade
Limit 30 campers per session
Cost: $475/session
CAMP PINEAPPLE - 2-week sessions
Ages: Current 4th - 5th grade
Limit 25 campers per session
Cost: $490/session
Costs are for Huntington Woods residents. An additional 10% is added for Royal Oak Section and other non-residents.
FRUIT CAMP LOTTERY
Due to the popularity of Fruit Camp, a Lottery is used to determine camp rosters. Once Lottery registration is done, the Lottery is generated and applicants are randomly placed in sessions, according to their preferences.
Applicants requesting to be placed in a second session are drawn in additional Lottery rounds. Applicants will be placed on a waitlist if their requested session has filled.
To participate in the Lottery you must be a Huntington Woods resident or grandfathered Royal Oak Section resident. Grandfathered RO Section families should contact the Rec Center directly (hwrec@hwmi.org) to register.
Non-grandfathered Royal Oak Section and other non-residents can register for camp at a later date (please see details in 2023 Camp Deadlines & Important Dates section).
LOTTERY REGISTRATION
Registration for the Lottery begins online on Monday, December 12 and closes on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 11:59pm.
To register for the Lottery:
- go to Register Now!>Camps>Fruit Camp & Specialty Camps>Fruit Camp
- choose the camp and a session
- during registration you will be asked for your session priority
- IMPORTANT: You must register for each session you are interested in to be included in that sessions’ Lottery. You can register for all sessions, but there is a maximum of 2 sessions each camper can attend.
- There is a $100 deposit required for each session. The Kiwi deposit is $300. If you do not get into a session your deposit will be credited to your account.
If you prefer to not register online, please contact hwrec@hwmi.org or go to the Rec Center front desk for a Lottery Application Form. Lottery Application Forms are due no later than 5:00pm on Monday, 1/16/2023.
Families will be notified of camp placement via email, in mid-February.
Information posted to household accounts is not finalized until the camp placement email is sent.
FRUIT CAMP REGISTRATION FAQs
- Do I have to register for more than 1 session if I’ve answered the session preference question?
- Yes, to be in the Lottery for a session, you must register for that session
- If I register for 4 sessions, that’s a lot of deposit money.
- Your deposit money will be credited, in full, back to your account if you do not get into a session. From your account it can be applied to other Rec Center activity fees or refunded via check.
- Registration for the Lottery is open until 1/16, so you can do part of the registration now and the rest next month.
- Should I list my session priority in the same order for each session registration?
- Yes, it should be the same, regardless of which session you’re registering for. If any session is good – check “No preference, any session is fine”.
- According to the rules, I can only be in 2 sessions; why should I register for more?
- Assuming that the session dates work for your family, registering for more sessions will increase the likelihood of success in the Lottery.
- Camp Kiwi registration is confusing. Do I have to register for Watermelon sessions too?
- When you register for Camp Kiwi, just answer the Watermelon session questions when prompted. You do not need to register for Watermelon - your Kiwi registration is enough. If your child is placed on a waitlist for Kiwi, they will automatically be entered into the Watermelon Lottery, based on the preferences you entered.
- I’m done registering – is my child in camp now?
- You have registered for the Lottery. You will be notified by mid-February if your child has gotten into Fruit Camp.
- How do I drop a camp/session?
- Complete and submit a Fruit and Specialty Camp Drop Form to hwrec@hwmi.org or the Rec Center front desk. Go to About Us>Forms to find the form or email hwrec@hwmi.org to get one.
BEFORE (BCC) & AFTER CAMP CARE (ACC)
Before Camp Care (7:30 - 9:00 am) and After Camp Care (3:00 - 6:00 pm) are available June 20 - August 11 for Banana, Watermelon, Honeydew, Pineapple and Kiwi at an additional cost. Watch for information in your Fruit Camp confirmation email.
Special note: We have been selling out BCC and ACC spots quickly in the last few years. Do not wait to register as spots might not be available.
CAMP DEADLINES & IMPORTANT DATES
Avoid late fees by being mindful of the following dates:
Monday, January 16, 11:59pm: Registration must be completed on recreation.hwmi.org to be included in the Fruit Camp Lottery (HW residents and RO Section Grandfathered households only). Families not registering online must submit their Lottery Application Form by 5:00pm on 1/16/2023.
Thursday, March 9, 11:59pm: Last day to drop camp sessions with a full refund (less $10 drop fee per camper).
Thursday, March 16, at 6:00pm: HW/RO Section Grandfathered households Post-Lottery registration, for open spots (if available) and adding to waitlists, online or at the Rec Center. First come, first served.
Monday, March 20 at 6:00pm: RO Section and Non-Resident registration for open spots (if available) and adding to waitlists, online or at the Rec Center. First come, first served.
March 10 - April 13: Camps may be dropped, but deposit is forfeited unless a replacement camper is secured from our waitlist.
Thursday, April 13, 11:59pm: All balances and forms due. Full payment and completed forms must be submitted by 11:59pm. After 11:59pm:
- a 10% late fee will be applied to all unpaid balances
- a $25 late fee will be charged for any forms not submitted
- there are no refunds (deposit or balance) after April 13 unless a replacement camper is secured from our waitlist.
Monday, May 1, 11:59pm: If full payment is not received by May 1, your camp spot will be forfeited. No monies paid up to this date will be refunded.
Wednesday, June 7, 6:15 pm: Strawberry/Banana Parent Meeting
Wednesday, June 7, 7:00 pm: Kiwi, Watermelon, Honeydew, Pineapple Parent Meeting
If you have any questions about Fruit Camp, please contact: Jenny Morgan, Director: jmorgan@hwmi.org or 248.541.3030
If you have any questions about registration, please contact us: hwrec@hwmi.org or 248.541.3030 or visit the Rec Center front desk.
END OF SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES
Extend your child’s camp experience the week following the end of Fruit Camp, August 14-18:
ADVENTURE SQUAD
Current Grades: 6 - 8 Monday - Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm, but potential later end time depending on the activity.
This camp is filled with thrills and chills with fun field trips daily, including a trip to Cedar Point! Meet at the Gillham Recreation Center daily. Please note that there is no Before or After Camp Care for this program. Field trip details will be emailed to families in the coming months. HW residents only.
Cost: $400
FRUIT SALAD
Current Grades: K – 5 (Transitional Kindergartners are not eligible) Monday - Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Fruit Salad provides campers with a field trip every morning and open swim at the pool most afternoons! The camp is held at the Gillham Recreation Center. Please note that there is no Before or After Camp Care for this program. Field trip details will be emailed to families in the coming months. HW residents only.
Cost: $375