Happiness Is Camping
Happiness Is Camping provides a free, medically supervised overnight summer camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings in Hardwick, New Jersey.
▌ Editor's read Happiness Is Camping is a non-profit overnight camp in Hardwick, New Jersey, dedicated to providing a free summer camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings. The camp has been operating for 70 years, founded by Dr. Herbert J. Cohen, and is accredited by the American Camp Association until 2025. The website highlights a medically supervised environment, with a full medical team on-site. Google reviews show a 4.9-star rating based on 100 reviews, with many reviewers praising the camp's positive impact on children's lives and the dedicated staff. The camp's mission focuses on allowing children with cancer to experience a traditional camp setting without financial burden or health concerns. Social media handles @happinessiscamping are active on both Instagram and Facebook, showcasing camp activities and community engagement.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195670+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 6–16
Happiness Is Camping sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right specialty fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1956 (70 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 6–16
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 62 Sunset Lake Road, Hardwick, NJ 07825, USA
- Cost notes: Free; USD
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Happiness Is Camping
- What ages does Happiness Is Camping accept?
- Happiness Is Camping is open to children ages 6–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- What are Happiness Is Camping's hours?
- Happiness Is Camping runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Happiness Is Camping accredited?
- Yes — Happiness Is Camping is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 70 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Happiness Is Camping?
- Happiness Is Camping is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 70 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Happiness Is Camping provide lunch?
- Happiness Is Camping does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Happiness Is Camping with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Happiness Is Camping.
- Water Gap – Backpack, Canoe & High Ropes - 12-14 - 07/26/2026 to 08/06/2026 · Ages 12–14 · $2,578/week