NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Applications are still being taken for Camp Morty, a free camp for children receiving services through Westchester County’s Department of Social Services.
Located at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem, it provides a traditional overnight camp experience, including swimming, hiking, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, campfires, leadership activities and team-building exercises for children who may otherwise never have the opportunity to attend summer camp.
The 2026 season officially begins June 28 and runs through August 9.
Space remains available in all three programs, and eligible families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Now in its 20th year, Camp Morty was established to ensure that children facing challenging circumstances have access to the same life-changing summer camp experiences enjoyed by their peers.
Over the past two decades, more than 8,000 campers have participated in the program, “gaining confidence, independence, leadership skills and lifelong memories that extend far beyond the summer months,” the Westchester Parks Foundation said.
It was named in honor of Morton H. “Morty” Hyman, a lifelong advocate for youth development and outdoor education whose influence on Westchester County Parks spanned decades.
Born in 1908, Hyman served as director of several Boy Scout camps before joining Westchester County in 1957 as Supervisor of Camping.
He was instrumental in developing residential camping programs and mentoring generations of Parks Department staff, helping introduce countless young people to the outdoors, the county said.
Hyman retired in 1974 and passed away in 1989, but his legacy continues through the thousands of children whose lives have been enriched through the program, the county said.
There are three age-appropriate programs offered at Camp Morty.
Junior Camp is a one-week overnight adventure for children ages 8-12, filled with outdoor recreation, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, campfires and other traditional camp activities.
Merriwood Teen Empowerment Program is a two-week experience for teens ages 13-15 that combines camp fun with opportunities for personal growth, emotional development, career exploration and life-skills training.
For older teens ages 16-17, the Counselors-in-Training (CIT) Program provides a three-week leadership experience that helps participants develop communication, teamwork and mentoring skills while preparing them for future leadership roles.
GOOD TO KNOW
Camp Morty is operated by the Westchester Parks Foundation in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Social Services, the Department of Community Mental Health and the Westchester County Parks Department.
It is free of charge to participating families.
For more information about Westchester Parks Foundation and Camp Morty, visit www.thewpf.org or www.campmorty.com.
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