Minicamps are hosted by the CISV New York chapter and the Junior Branch Board – our youth leaders plan and run the entire weekend. Our chapter holds two mini-camps per year: one in the Fall and one in the Spring. The camp is open to all youth ages 10 and over and adult volunteers 21 an older to ensure a safe and engaging environment.
Minicamp is a great way to experience CISV where everyone is welcomes, including adult volunteers to help with the camp. It’s an opportunity for adults to see what their a CISV experience is about.
An 11-year-old participant commented in her 4th minicamp: “You get to meet new, awesome people. You get to learn new fun and challenging games. I love it!”
Here is a sample of the daily schedule at a minicamp:
- Breakfast
- Group activities
- Lunch
- Group activities
- Break/free time
- Group activities
- Dinner
- Campfire
- Bedtime
Group activities lead to reflection on various topics within the CISV framework (centered around peaceful conflict resolution, human rights, diversity, and sustainability).
FAQ
- How do I sign up for a minicamp?
Minicamp sign-up forms are posted on the CISV NY website once available. Please check the Events page to see if there’s a mini-camp coming up. You can click the mini-camp event to find out more information.
To receive updates about the minicamp and all CISV events, scroll all the way down this page and click the “Sign Up Today” button to receive our newsletters.
- Where is minicamp held?
CISV NY usually rents a campsite in Upstate NY.
- What are the requirements to sign up for minicamp?
Your child must be at least 10 years old and your family must be a member of CISV NY.
If minicamp is your family’s very first CISV activity, then your child(ren) may attend without a membership to see if they like it.
If your family has already participated in a CISV activity in the past, then you must become a member (if you are not one yet). Membership information can be found HERE.
If your child is under the age of 18, choose the “Family” membership option.
If the participant is between 18 and 21 years old, they may attend as a junior counselor (and you would still pay for the “Family” membership option).
If the participant is 21 years old or older, then they should pay for the “Individual” membership.
There are also other membership options to help our chapter become better and stronger. Please consider making an additional donation to CISV NY. Thank you!
- How do CISV minicamp fees compare to other weekend camps in our area?
CISV New York is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting global citizenship and peace, committed to offering affordable programs for all families.
Most nonprofit weekend camps charge between $540 and $670 for a two-night stay, and many require at least one parent to accompany the child, often doubling the cost (e.g., $540 for one child and parent totals $1,080).
In contrast, CISV New York’s family membership costs $185 and provides access to two minicamps each year, as well as local events. For a family with one child attending both minicamps, the total cost would be about $185 (membership) + $315 (each minicamp) * 2 = $407.50. This total remains more affordable than those of other camps in the area.