About Camp Horizons

Our Purpose

Camp Horizons’ purpose is to create a safe, caring environment where young people experience camp, make friends, and achieve personal growth. Our talented counselors and staff are the source of our strength. Camp Horizons values integrity, compassion, and respect for others. At Camp Horizons, we provide an opportunity for each individual to grow in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. Young people can build healthy relationships, gain self-confidence, and learn to see their lives as part of today’s amazing and challenging world.

We are dedicated to providing children with a place they can call their own in our constantly changing world; where they become a part of a supportive, encouraging community; and where they understand not only their own rights and responsibilities but also appreciate and respect the rights of others.

We are a diverse community of campers and staff members, from many different cultures and backgrounds, working, playing, and learning together. We encourage each other to try new things, enjoy favorite activities, grow in confidence and a sense of accomplishment, and build strong friendships that last a lifetime.

We take pride in our influence and ability to create lifelong memories. Our intent is to spark an energy that is capable of impacting people around the world through fun, friendship, and respect for others and themselves. We may or may not change the world, but we will change our corner in it. We Are Many, We Are One!

Camp Horizons Community Agreement.pdf 

Owner/Director's Letter

Dear Camp Horizons Families.

When I founded Camp Horizons over 40 years ago, I believed in the transformative power of summer camp. In all the years since, I have been awed and humbly inspired by the love and dedication of the staff, campers, and families who have called Horizons home. I understand sending your child to summer camp is a big step, and the team and I aim to build a partnership with camper families through trust and communication. At Camp Horizons, you can trust that safety, growth, community, and fun provide the foundation on which campers and staff learn to thrive. We know that embracing our place in this community is how we can make a difference in our corner of the world.

The heart and soul of Camp Horizons is a welcoming environment where all can learn, grow, and create lasting memories and it remains as strong as ever. Our team is dedicated to preserving the traditions, values, and sense of belonging that make our camp so special and that campers and their families have come to expect. We are very proud of our facilities, our programs, our staff, our history, and the thousands of campers we have served since 1983 here in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Your camper’s safety and happiness are our top priorities, and we are committed to ensuring they have an enriching, life-affirming, and enjoyable experience this summer and every summer.

We are many, we are one!

William John Hall, Executive Director and Founder

Health and Safety

Camp Horizons places the highest priority on the health and safety of our campers and staff. Our policies and procedures create a camp environment that protects both the physical and emotional safety of the children in our care. As an American Camp Association accredited camp, we voluntarily agree to be scored against approximately 300 industry standards to ensure that our camp programs, activities, and overall operations are safe and of the highest quality.

We recruit highly trained and qualified staff from our region and around the world. Staff applications are thoroughly screened, and selected candidates are invited to participate in an extensive interview to help us determine if they are a good fit for our team. All staff are required to participate in our mandatory, intensive, pre-camp staff training. It is a 7-day training, approximately 90-hours, covering a wide variety of topics and skills to ensure our staff are prepared to adequately serve, teach, guide, and care for each camper. Topics such as developmental characteristics of campers, risk management, bullying, and homesickness are covered, in addition to training topics specific to the policies and procedures for specific activities and programs.

We hire a minimum of two (2) medical staff (certified EMT, RN, etc.) to oversee the “Camper Care Center” and healthcare of our campers and staff. Our medical staff aims to prevent injuries and illnesses at camp before they happen, but are well prepared to deal with a variety of medical needs as they arise. Our Camper Care Center is a well-equipped health care center with air conditioning, beds for ill or injured children to rest away from other campers, and a telephone for communications with parents or outside medical professionals as needed. In the event of a camper (or staff member) requiring medical care beyond the scope of care that our medical staff can provide, Rockingham Memorial Hospital is approximately 20 minutes away.

Year-Round Staff

Jake Hall,
Director of Summer Camp Operations

Hey y’all! My name is Jake Hall, and I am the Director of Summer Camp Operations for Camp Horizons. I have been fortunate enough to call Camp my home for many years—my entire life in fact. After being a camper, counselor, activity lead, village lead, leadership camp coordinator, and Associate Director, I am excited to bring my energy into this new role, helping kids have an amazing camp experience. My favorite camp activities are all things outdoors—high ropes, climbing elements, or a trip to traverse our Via Ferrata in the mountains of West Virginia. I also enjoy hosting the talent show and hanging out on the lake trampoline during free swim. I am very excited to see everybody this summer!

Jenny nichols,
Camp Admin

Hello there! I’m Jenny, and I’m the Camp Administrator! After 8 summers as the Equestrian Director, I have shifted to the admin position, and I have truly enjoyed the change of pace. Most of the time, I am the first person you speak to when you contact camp via phone, email, or instant chat! I was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, and love that I get to call this beautiful place home. When I am not at camp, I love spending time with my son Noah and our dog Atlas going hiking, fishing, or attending a sporting event. I also love to grill and cook! I enjoy the opportunity for growth camp offers to all who attend and look forward to welcoming your children back year after year. See you this summer!

Mark Rainey,
Director of Summer camp

Greetings! As the Camp Director for Camp Horizons in Harrisonburg, VA, I am dedicated to ensuring the best possible camp experience for every member of the Horizons community. Working with a wonderful team, I have the privilege of hiring, training, coaching, and supervising our summer staff team as well as being involved with the year-round planning and improvements that go into making an awesome camp program for all our campers and staff! Originally from North Carolina, I have spent much of my life involved in the summer camp world and have been a member of the Horizons family since 2018. I am proud of the passion and energy I bring to the table and I’m excited to share the camp experience with everyone this summer. See you soon!

Bekah Thornbury,
Program Director

Hey there! I’m Bekah, the Program Director for Camp Horizons in Harrisonburg, and I’m bubbling with excitement for my fourth year at camp! Previously, I’ve bounced around as an Activity Lead, Program Coordinator, and Activity Director. I can’t wait to leap into all the summer shenanigans. As a true outdoor enthusiast, you can often find me hiking up mountains, paddling through streams, or swinging in a hammock under the stars. On weekends, I guide the Via Ferrata at our sister company, NRocks! Some of my favorite camp activities include Horizons Games, Stormtroopers, campfires, and the talent show! I can’t wait to share all these adventures with you!

rio segal,
Program Director

Hello friends! My name is Rio Segal, the Program Director at Camp Horizons at Hemlock. Born and raised in South Africa, I have involved myself with numerous youth organizations. Over a handful of years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have found a home at Camp Horizons. 2016 was my first year and where I fell in love with creating impactful experiences. I am extremely passionate about camp and what it has to offer. I returned to South Africa at the end of 2017 to obtain a Degree in Motion Picture. I have been working in stage and film over the last several years, continuing to put care and energy into working with people and the youth. In 2024, I saw an opportunity to return as a Village Coordinator and am beyond excited to create the best summer for all, experiencing it. I can’t wait to meet everyone!

Chris Conger,
Program Director

Hey gang! My name is Christopher Conger, the Adventure Camp Director for Camp Horizons. I’ve spent the last seven years working in outdoor recreation and at camps all over the US, and I especially enjoy working with teens and connecting them with the outdoors. I ran a program similar to Adventure Camp at my previous camp in Hawaii, and am really excited to be bringing this program back for 2025! In the off-season, I work at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, guiding on our Via Ferrata and Canopy Zipline Tour. You’ll often find me climbing at Seneca or exploring other crags in the North Fork Valley. I hope to see everyone this summer for an unforgettable week filled with adventure!

ACA Accredited

Camp Horizons has been accredited by the American Camp Association since our very first summer back in 1983. We are very proud of the distinction and our commitment to excellence through ACA accreditation. Many camps are not accredited because they are not able to meet the industry standards or because of the amount of work required to become accredited. ACA reports that there are approximately 2,400 camps in the United States that are accredited, yet there are approximately 12,000 camps.

To learn more about The American Camp Association and the accreditation standards, visit the ACA’s website, acacamps.org