Camp DeBruce
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Campers fishing in one of the ponds
Camp DeBruce is situated on over 300 acres adjoining the Catskill Forest Preserve. Formerly a private estate and fish hatchery, Camp DeBruce was acquired by DEC in the 1940s and converted into a conservation education camp.
It is within walking distance of natural forests, trout streams, the Catskill Fish Hatchery and Mongaup Pond State Public Campsite.
2013 Camp DeBruce Activities
The camp week emphasizes hands-on exploration, recreation and making friends for campers ages 11 to 13.
A discovery group meets in the forest.
Campers participate in a discovery group, completing six lessons ranging from group dynamics to field, forest, and pond explorations, to study of human impact.
Campers learn science, solve challenges, play games, keep a journal, catch salamanders, net butterflies and discover the interconnectedness of life on earth.
College-educated counselor staff guides all activities, encouraging participation and respect among group members while interpreting the natural world for campers.
Optional Outdoor Activities
Additionally, campers choose from a variety of optional activities throughout the week that introduce them to outdoor pursuits and pastimes. Optional Activities include:
-
DeBruce campfire - Learning to fly fish
- Canoe trips at Mongaup Pond and down the Delaware River
- Hiking to a nearby waterfall
- Exploring a bog and spending the afternoon on a mountain peak.
Visit our weekly camp schedule page to get an idea of what at week at camp looks like.
Visit the How to Apply to Camp page to begin your Camp DeBruce adventure.
Directions
Camp DeBruce
307 Mongaup Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758
From the West:
Take I-90 East to Exit 39 (Syracuse/Fulton). Join onto I-690 East until you can get on the I-81 South ramp toward Cortland. Take I-81 South to the Route 17 Exit. Merge onto NY-17 East and continue to Exit 96, Livingston Manor. Turn right onto White Roe Lake Road and then a left onto Old NY -17. Then turn left onto Route 81, which becomes Route 82 (also known as DeBruce Road). Follow DeBruce Road for approximately six miles and look for the Mongaup Pond Campsite and DeBruce Environmental Education Camp sign. At the sign take a left onto Fish Hatchery/Mongaup Pond Road and Camp DeBruce is 1.5 miles on the left.
From the East and South:
Take the New York Thruway to Exit 16 (US 6/Route 17 toward Harriman). Merge onto US 6 until Route NY 17 West. Stay on NY 17 West until Exit 96, Livingston Manor. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left onto DeBruce Road. Follow DeBruce Road for approximately six miles and look for the Mongaup Pond Campsite and DeBruce Environmental Education Camp sign. At the sign take a left onto Fish Hatchery/Mongaup Pond Road and Camp DeBruce is 1.5 miles on the left.
From the North (Albany area):
Take the New York Thruway to Exit 19. Take Route 209 South to Ellenville, NY. Take Route 52 West to Liberty, NY. Take Route 17 West until Exit 96, Livingston Manor. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left onto DeBruce Road. Follow DeBruce Road for approximately six miles and look for the Mongaup Pond Campsite and DeBruce Environmental Education sign. At the sign take a left onto Fish Hatchery/Mongaup Pond Road and Camp DeBruce is 1.5 miles on the left.
Travel Time from Major Cities
Buffalo: 5 hours 15 minutes
Rochester: 4 hours
Syracuse: 2 hours 30 minutes
Albany: 2 hours
New York City: 2 hours 20 minutes
