About Camp Marcella
Welcome to Camp Marcella! Welcome to Camp Marcella. New Jersey’s premier sleep away summer camp. very summer, we welcome children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities including blindness and visual impairment to our beautiful 200 acre property in Rockaway, NJ. We are one of the few residential camps with programs for adults age 21+ in the state, and our staff are specially trained to work with our diverse population. In addition to our summer camp programs, we also host fall and spring respite weekends, as well as events for teens who are blind and visually impaired.
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Camp Marcella is the facility designed and owned by the NJ Camp for Blind Children (NJCBC) incorporated, a non-profit organization started in 1947. At that time a casual type of camp facility existed, but to many parents it lacked the advantages of a complete camping experience. So NJCBC began recruiting the right people for the right job. With the physical work and contributions of over 1300 organizations and individuals including the Lions Clubs of New Jersey , Camp Marcella opened its gates that very summer, and has been going strong since!
Today Camp Marcella comprises over 200 acres of woodland surroundings and a clear fish laden lake, with all of its facilities designed for the best possible care of visually impaired children.
The camp is located in one of the few areas of New Jersey that has not been touched by suburban sprawl. Camp is adjacent to the Pequannock Watershed, Farny State Park and a large Boy Scout Reservation. The combination of abundant wildlife, woods, lakes and serenity brings campers to an idyllic setting.
The objective of NJ Camp for Blind Children Inc. is to provide, promote and maintain a recreational, educational and rehabilitative camp primarily for visually impaired children.
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We are ACA Accredited and DDD approved.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To provide a safe haven for a healthy and enriching camping experience for visually impaired children.
We are all volunteers and dedicated individuals working relentlessly all year long to welcome with great pride every summer visually impaired children who will enjoy a fun vacation among their peers.
Our
Story
Camp Marcella was started in 1947 by the nonprofit group "NJ Camp For Blind Children Inc." At the time, there weren't any summer camping programs for blind or visually impaired children in New Jersey.
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As the years have passed, Camp Marcella has kept it's original mission- giving children who are blind and visually impaired a fun, accessible summer camp program. In recent years, we have seen the needs of our community shifting, so we expanded our camping programs to include sessions that serve people with a variety of different needs, offering more camp sessions geared towards children and adults with intellectual or developmental delays.
Operating as an NJ Lions Clubs project since it's inception, Camp Marcella relies on the generosity and support of many different groups around the state. Our buildings and program areas are each maintained by a different Lions Club.
For more information on how to support us, click here!
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How do I know if Camp Marcella is a good fit for my camper?If your camper has never been to Camp Marcella before, we ask that you schedule a tour or a zoom call with our directors so that we can discuss their specific needs. During our youth B/VI sessions, we accept 8-16 year old campers who are blind/ visually impaired, who will be successful in a ratio of 1:8. Contact us for more information. During our young adult sessions, our campers are teens and young adults who thrive with a 1:3 staff to camper ratio. Most of our campers have been diagnosed with mild to moderate intellectual disability, autism, Down Syndrome, or developmental delay. Some of our campers also have physical disabilities, however we cannot accommodate campers who require a Hoyer lift, or who require extensive medical care.
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Do you offer day camp options?Since its inception, Camp Marcella has been a residential "sleepaway" camp. At this time, we can not offer day- only programs. Campers typically arrive on Sunday between 2-4pm, and are picked up the next Saturday between 9-10am.
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What is your staff to camper ratio?During our B/VI sessions, our ratio is 1 staff member to 8 campers. During our young adult sessions, our ratio is 1 staff member to 3 campers. Because of this, we can not accommodate campers who have a history of elopement, aggressive behaviors, or who require extensive medical care, such as continuous tube feeds. We cannot accommodate campers who require a hoyer lift. We are happy to talk to you about your camper's specific needs! Please contact us with any questions.
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Is there a nurse on camp?We have a nurse on camp 24/7. When you check in, you will meet with the nurse to check in your camper's medications. You will have time to discuss medication administration, as well as your camper's allergies, seizure action plans, or any other medical concerns.
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Where will my camper sleep?Our camper cabins have a dorm-style camper room which sleeps up to 8 campers, a camper bathroom, a counselor bedroom which sleeps 3 counselors, a counselor bathroom, a family room with activities for free time, and a front porch with a table. All of our cabins have ramp entrances, as well as at least 1 wheelchair accessible toilet stall. Each camper gets a twin bed and a cubby space for their belongings. All of our campers shower in a central shower house, which has separate men's and women's sides. The shower house has a shared changing area with private shower stalls.
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What should we pack for camp?You can find our packing list in our handbook, linked below. An email will be sent to you a week prior to your camper's arrival with a list of themed days and events during their session(s).
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Do you offer financial aid?We do offer some income- based financial aid. You can find our financial aid application here: You can also reach out to your local lions club to explore financial aid and fundraising options. Find your local Lions club here:
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Do you accept DDD funding?Yes! Please have your child's support coordinator contact director@campmarcella.org for more information.
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Do you accept PerformCare?We don't currently, but we are hoping to accept PerformCare in the future.
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Can I contact my camper while they're at camp?If you would like to mail letters to your camper, please address it to: [Camper Name] Camp Marcella 27 Durham Road Rockaway, NJ 07866 If you would like to speak to your camper, or just check in on how they're doing, you can call our phone number (973-627-1113) and we can connect you with them.
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What is the technology policy at camp?We have a no- phone policy. We understand that some campers are very attached to their phones, but we see camp as a great time for our campers to unplug and connect with each other. Of course, iPads or other tablets used for communication purposes are allowed. Mp3 players, or other devices used specifically for music are also allowed. Please contact us if you have any questions about this policy.
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What does a day at camp look like?Here is a sample daily schedule: 7:30 Wake up and Morning Meds 8:15 Morning Ceremony at the Flagpole 8:30 Breakfast 8:45 to 12:15 Small Group Activities 12:30 Lunch 1:30 Siesta (Campers' Choice/ Rest Time) 2:30 to 5:30 Small Group Activities 5:45 Evening Reflection at the Flagpole 6:00 Dinner 7:15 All Camp Evening Activity 8:30 Closing Ceremonies 9:30 Lights Out
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How long are your sessions?Our sessions are a week long. Campers are dropped off on Sunday afternoon and picked up on Saturday morning. Some of our sessions run concurrently (campers can stay through the weekend), and some require campers to leave on Saturday. Please see the "Registration" page for current session dates.
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What are the meals like at camp?We serve three hot family style meals every day in our dining hall. Our menu varies, but typically breakfast will consist of continental breakfast items (cereal, yogurt, muffins) as well as a hot option like scrambled eggs, french toast, or bacon. Some examples of past meals include chicken with rice and salad, cheeseburgers and potato salad, grilled cheese and tomato soup. We also always have fresh whole fruit, water, and iced tea or lemonade available to our campers.
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My camper is a very picky eater! Can you accommodate them?We understand that some campers are extremely picky. We do our best to accommodate a wide range of diets, however, if your camper only eats very specific foods, we ask that you send them to camp with some "safe foods". Former campers have brought frozen microwave meals, instant mac and cheese, oatmeal packets, and snacks.
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My camper has food allergies. Can you accommodate them?We take food allergies very seriously. We have a nut- free kitchen, and can accommodate most allergies. We can serve gluten free options, but we do not have a gluten free kitchen- meaning that if your camper has celiac disease, we encourage you to send them with their own food.
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My question wasn't answered here!Please read through our camper handbook, found here. If you still have questions, we are happy to answer them! Just give us a call or send us an email, and we will respond as soon as possible.