Announcements

CAMP 2026

2026 FRUIT CAMP LOTTERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Due to the popularity of Fruit Camp, a Lottery is used to determine camp rosters and a maximum of 2 sessions per child is allowed. Once Lottery registration is done, the Lottery is generated and applicants are randomly placed in sessions, according to their preferences.

-Applicants requesting to be placed in a second session are drawn in additional Lottery rounds.

-Applicants will be placed on a waitlist if their requested session is full.

To participate in the Lottery you must be a Huntington Woods resident or Grandfathered Royal Oak Section resident.  Grandfathered RO Section families should contact the Rec Center directly (hwrec@hwmi.org) to register.

Non-Grandfathered Royal Oak Section and other non-residents can register for camp at a later date (please see details in 2026 Camp Deadlines & Important Dates section).

 

NEW FOR SUMMER 2026

 
EARLIER LOTTERY DATES

Registration for the Lottery begins on Monday, November 10 at 8:30am and closes on Monday, December 8 at 11:59pm.

Registration is online. If you prefer to not register online, please contact hwrec@hwmi.org or go to the Rec Center front desk for a Lottery Application Form.  Lottery Application Forms are due no later than 5:00pm on Monday, December 8, 2025.

KIWI 

New this summer: Camp Kiwi is now open to Kindergarten and 1st Graders, in addition to 2nd and 3rd Graders. Campers will be  grouped by age (K/1st and 2nd/3rd) with some shared activities across groups. When you register for Camp Kiwi, please answer the Watermelon/Honeydew session question when prompted. If your child is placed on a waitlist for Kiwi, they will automatically be entered into the Watermelon/Honeydew Lottery, based on the preferences you entered.
 
LOTTERY RESULTS
Notification of camp placement will now be received via email, by mid-January.  NOTHING on your account is finalized until you
receive a welcome email, from the Camp Director, with your session details.  Activity visible on your account prior to receiving the notification email is not finalized.   
 
 

**Please read the Fruit Camp FAQs below before beginning your registration. **

FRUIT CAMP FAQs

How many sessions can campers sign up for?
Children can attend a maximum of 2 sessions, per camp. 
Please take time when prioritizing sessions.  Is your child attending another camp?  Will you be on vacation?  If so, select the “no other dates work for us” choice for that session.  If all sessions are good, select the “no preference - any session is fine” choice for each session.  You will be waitlisted only for requested sessions.   If you get into your first choice and only want 1 session, or get into your first two choices, you will be removed from the other waitlists. 
 
What is the lottery deposit?
A $50 deposit per session ($200 for Kiwi) must be paid upon registration for the Lottery. 
 
What if I miss the lottery?
If you missed the Lottery deadline, registration for any available spots is held in late January and early February. Please see Fruit Camp Deadlines & Important Dates below.
 
When are camp payments due?
Balance payments are due no later than Monday, April 6 @ 11:59pm.  Balances can be paid in full any time prior to the due date.  To pay a partial balance before the due date please contact hwrec@hwmi.org.
 
What forms do I need to fill out? 
You will receive email notification from CampDoc with required camp forms, which need to be completed electronically.  All camp forms must be completed and submitted no later than Monday, April 6 @ 11:59pm. Please refer to late form fee details in Fruit Camp Deadlines & Important Dates.
 
Can I find another camper to switch sessions with?
No, this needs to be done through the Rec Center, as we have waitlist. To officially switch or drop a session, you need to fill out a drop form.  
 
Does camp offer swim lessons?
No, however we do walk campers over if they are in a session and are on the swim team: Tropical Storm or Hurricanes.
 
Can my camper tutor during the programming day?
Yes, they can, but families must arrange all the drop-offs and pick-ups. We do not change our camp programming if campers leave.
 
Does camp prorate if we miss a day? 
No, we do not prorate.
 
Can I be in a Specialty Camp while in Fruit Camp?
Yes, but families must arrange all the drop-offs and pick-ups, and we do not prorate being in both camps.
 
Can I make adjustments to my camp session?
-A $10 fee will be charged for any Fruit Camp session adjustments requested by April 6, 2026.
-A $25 fee will be charged for any Fruit Camp session adjustments requested after April 6, 2026. For Fruit Camp drops, please refer to the next section.
 
Can I drop a session?
-Review the Fruit Camp Deadlines & Important Dates list for cancel/refund information.
-To drop a camp/session, complete and submit a Fruit Camp Drop Form to hwrec@hwmi.org or the Rec Center front desk. Find under Forms or request it via email hwrec@hwmi.org.
-After the request is reviewed, your household account may be credited for the camp deposit/payment minus the drop fee, based on the date submitted (please see Fruit Camp Deadlines & Important Dates list).
-Household credits can be applied to other Rec Center activity fees or refunded via check. 
 
Can I bring a birthday treat?
Yes, it just needs to be NUT and GLUTEN FREE. Please let the head of your camp know.
 
Dropping from a waitlist
Email hwrec@hwmi.org to be removed from a session waitlist.
After the request is received, your household account will be credited in full for the camp deposit, if the deposit has not been applied to another session of Fruit Camp your child is attending.
 
 

BEFORE (BCC) & AFTER CAMP CARE (ACC)

Before Camp Care (7:30 - 9:00 am) and After Camp Care (3:00 - 6:00 pm) are available June 15 - August 7 for Banana, Watermelon, Honeydew, Pineapple and Kiwi at an additional cost.
Watch for information in your confirmation email. Register early!

 

FRUIT CAMP LOTTERY DIRECTIONS

To register for the Lottery, go to hwrec.recdesk.com (Programs>Youth>Fruit Camp or search the camp name)

 
  1. Choose the camp based on your child’s age or grade:
    Strawberry:    ages 3½ (by 6/15/2026)     - 4½ years
    Banana:         entering Kindergarten in Fall 2026/current Transitional Kindergartners
    Watermelon:   current Kindergarten and 1st Grade
    Honeydew:     current 2nd and 3rd Grade
    Kiwi:              current Kindergarten - 3rd Grade (new for 2026)
    Pineapple:      current 4th and 5th Grade

 

  1. Select your child.

 

  1. Under Fee Type select 1 session or 2 sessions.

 

  1. Provide your child’s current grade/school information.

 

  1. Indicate your session priority, 1st – 4th choice.
    Session A =   6/15 - 6/26 (no camp 6/19)
    Session B =  6/29 – 7/10
    Session C =  7/13 – 7/24
    Session D =    7/27 – 8/7 (K-5th grade camps only)
    > If you only have 1 session date you would like, choose “no other dates work for us” for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th session priority questions.
    > If you only have 2 session dates you would like, choose “no other dates work for us” for the 3rd and 4th questions.
    > If all dates are good for you, choose “no preference - any session is good” for all 4 questions.

 

  1. For Kiwi only, indicate session priority for Watermelon or Honeydew should your child not get into Kiwi.

 

  1. Choose your child’s t-shirt size.



2026 FRUIT CAMP DEADLINES & IMPORTANT DATES

 
REGISTRATION

Monday, November 10 at 8:30am
Registration opens.

 
Monday, December 8 at 11:59pm
Registration must be completed on hwrec.recdesk.com to be included in the Fruit Camp Lottery (HW residents and RO Section Grandfathered households only). Families not registering online must submit their Lottery Application Form and deposit payment to the Gillham Recreation Center front desk by 5:00pm on 12/8/2025.

Monday, January 26 at 8:30am
HW/RO Section Grandfathered households Post-Lottery registration, for open spots (if available) and adding to waitlists, online or at the Rec Center. First come, first served.

Monday, February 2 at 8:30am
RO Section and Non-Resident registration for open spots (if available) and adding to waitlists, online or at the Rec Center. First come, first served.

PAYMENTS

Monday, April 6, 11:59pm

All balances and CampDoc/forms due. Full payment and completed forms must be submitted by 11:59pm. After 11:59pm:

  • A 10% late fee will be applied to all unpaid balances
  • A $25 late fee will be charged for any forms not submitted

Monday, April 27, 11:59pm

If full payment is not received by April 27, your camp spot will be forfeited. No monies paid up to this date will be refunded.

DROPS/REFUNDS

Monday, March 16, 11:59pm

Last day to drop Fruit Camp sessions with a full refund (less $10 drop fee per camper, per session). A Fruit Camp Drop Form must be submitted, via email to hwrec@hwmi.org or to the Rec Center front desk, to request a camp cancellation.

March 17 - April 6

Camps may be dropped, but deposit is forfeited. Balance payments will be refunded if a replacement camper is secured from our waitlist.

April 7 - June 1

Camps may be dropped, but deposit is forfeited, and there is no balance refund unless a replacement camper is secured from our waitlist. If a replacement camper is found, a $25 fee per camper, per session will be deducted from the balance refund. If you request to drop from a waitlist, and your deposit has not been applied to another session of Fruit Camp, your deposit will be refunded in full.

No refunds after June 1.

 

PARENT MEETINGS

Wednesday, June 3, 6:15 pm: Strawberry/Banana 

Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 pm: Kiwi, Watermelon, Honeydew, Pineapple