Summer Camp Registration and Camping Reservations are Now Open
Check out Camp Earth Connection's Summer Day Camp Programs with a "sliding fee scale" to make camps more affordable for those with limited financial resources. Bus transportation from Ithaca is included with our Village Camp Program. Register now to reserve your space in camp. Rainbow Connection Campground offers 2 Cabins and 2 Campsites available on weekends and weeks when day camps are not in session. Check out our special Weekend Family Camping Program: Village Camp Family Camping Weekend, August 9-11.
Healing Hearts Women's Fall Retreat
September 13 - 15, 2013. Registration now open. Check out our wonderful group of presenters and workshop. The Healing Hearts Women's Retreat provides a safe space for women to support one another in our individual and collective journeys in healing and growth. Through the exploration of the arts, healing practices, and connection to the earth through workshops, performances, and unstructured activities, we will share our knowledge, expertise, and experience so that each may heal more deeply and stretch into living her truth more fully.
Summer Camp Updates
*For Ithaca City School District school begins the week of September 9th. If you are looking for a camp Labor Day Week, check out Earth Keepers, a 4-day camp, September 3-6. Supervision from 8:30am-5pm.
*For Newcomers to Camp Earth Connection, print out the $50 coupon to use on Village Camp or Earth Keepers day camp program. Limit one per child. Enrollment is limited so register soon.
*For Newcomers to Camp Earth Connection, print out the $50 coupon to use on Village Camp or Earth Keepers day camp program. Limit one per child. Enrollment is limited so register soon.
| newcomer_coupon.pdf |
Mission of Camp Earth Connection
Camp Earth Connection is dedicated to providing inspirational environmental experiences for children and their families. We foster in each visitor a greater appreciation for nature and a passion for learning more about the environment. We are committed to providing a safe place for all people with inclusive programs designed to be anti-biased and sensitive to the needs of participants.
Camp Earth Connection
Camp Earth Connection is nestled in the beautiful Hammond Hill State Forest in the town of Dryden, 12 miles East of Ithaca, New York. The camp hosts programs and events throughout the year including the Rainbow Connection Family Campground, Children's Summer Day Camps and , the Healing Hearts Women's Retreat, along with other Adult and Family Programs. The facilities are also available for rent to individuals, families, and groups for camping and events of all kinds. A 19-mile trail system accessible from the camp is designed to offer family-based recreation for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. 2013 Summer Programs are now open for registration. Workshop Proposals and Volunteer Applications are also presently be accepted for the Healing Hearts Women's Retreats in NY and Taos, NM.
Village Camp Scholarship Fund
Village Camp has been a part of Camp Earth Connection since the camp program began in 2002. Village Camp is a very special children's day camp, because it ensures that children who do not have the funds or transportation to travel to the camp are included. Village Camp does this by providing a bus and full scholarships for children who can't afford to attend other wise. Village Camp also is committed to making all it's programs “inclusive” so that children from all backgrounds can feel safe and respected. Programs are designed to be anti-biased and inclusive and sensitive to cultural values and norms. Donations are not tax-deductible. But if you would like to make a larger tax deductible donation please contact us at campearthconnection@gmail.com to get further instructions to do so. Thank you.
Directions to Camp Earth Connection
Directions from Ithaca
Take Rte. 13 north toward Dryden. Before entering the Village of Dryden take a right onto
Irish Settlement Rd. After going through an "S" curve you will go up a big hill; continue a couple of miles.
Take a left onto Hammond Hill Rd. Soon you will come to a "Y" intersection, take the right road. You will again
go uphill at the top of which is a parking lot on the right. The camp is only 0.2mile down the road on
the right.
Alternate Route from Ithaca Route 79
Take Rt. 79 East from Ithaca towards Slaterville Springs. Go one mile past Caroline Elementary School
and turn left on Midline Rd. After 2 ½ miles bear right onto Irish Settlement Rd.where Midline goes left.
After 1.8 miles turn right onto Hammond HillRd. Bear right where Star Stanton Rd. goes left and continues uphill.You will drive past a parking lot, down a hill, and up another hill to the camp gate on the right.
CONTACT US
E-mail address: campearthconnection@gmail.com
Phone: (607) 844-3178
Address: Camp Earth Connection
63 Hammond Hill Rd.
Freeville, NY 13068
Owner/Director: Susan Rausch
Phone: (607) 844-3178
Address: Camp Earth Connection
63 Hammond Hill Rd.
Freeville, NY 13068
Owner/Director: Susan Rausch
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Susan created Camp Earth Connection in 2002 after purchasing the camp from Cayuga Nature Center. Before she owned the camp, Susan had been hired to develop programs at the campsite for pre-teen children. She developed the Explorer Programs and Village Camp, which introduced children and their families to primitive outdoor living and survival skills through programs designed to get children excited about being outdoors and in nature. Susan has been designing and implementing environmental programs for youth and adults for over 25 years, always incorporating an anti-biased approach to ensure that programs are as inclusive as possible. Susan is an Adoptive Parent and has raised 7 amazing kids! All of her children have been involved in Camp Earth Connection both as Campers and Camp Counselors. It is of utmost importance to Susan that Camp Earth Connection be a safe place for all people from diverse backgrounds. She believes that the Great Spirit is none other than our connection with each other and the Earth; for harmony to exist, that connection must be maintained. She believes that at this time people need to find more ways to feel more connected to the Earth and each other. Susan knows that Camp Earth Connection on Hammond Hill is a sacred place that can be healing and energizing to all who spend time there.
Camp Earth Connection Membership
To learn more about the benefits of Membership and how Membership fees will support our programming and facility development visit this page.
