We feel a one week program does not lend itself to the mission of our camp.  Building friendships, being exposed to new activities and skills, and gaining independence while having a sense of belonging are all developed over time at a natural pace with consistency.  In fact, we feel that two weeks is the minimum, but we know schedules are limited in the summer.  If we are doing our jobs well and meeting our mission, many campers want to return as much as possible as camp is their home away from home and we are family.  About sixty percent of our campers attended at least four weeks in 2021 and one third of our campers have been with us for five summers or more.

Our overall ratio when camp is completely full is 1:5. Our team of Counselors-In-Training (CITs) are not counted in our ratios.  They are between the ages of 13 and 16 and assist in groups.  So, we have lots of “hands on deck” at all times.

Cactus Day Camp is located at the Paradise Valley Montessori Academy, near the corner of Lincoln and Invergordon about three minutes from the Scottsdale Railroad Park. 

6050 N. Invergordon Road, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Due to Covid-19 and possible staffing limitations, we will not have a transportation option for summer 2023. We hope to resume transportation in the future.

Campers arrive between 8:45 am and 9:15 am.  We do have an extended day program, if needed.  You can find out more about our extended day program here.

Campers depart between 3:15 pm and 3:45 pm.  We do have an extended day program, if needed.  You can find out more about our extended day program here.

Campers are required to bring a lunch and drink to camp Monday through Thursday. We collect lunches at the morning Rally and keep them cool until lunch time. On Fridays, Cactus Day Camp will provide lunch. There is an optional lunch program where parents can order lunch online for their child(ren) to be delivered to camp on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays. For more information about this optional lunch program, click the “lunch program” tab on our Optional Lunch Program. 

Cactus Day Camp has two pools, ten classrooms, an art studio, a large courtyard, two covered sports courts, and a large field. Our facility has many options to carry out a full-day program on-site. When available, we invite special guests/performers or rent equipment to add variety to our exciting schedule. 

Cactus Day Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association which assures families that camps have made the commitment to a safe nurturing environment for their children. ACA standards are recognized by the courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp community. We are not licensed by the Arizona Department of Health.