named programs · 10 · from sources
What they call their work
Arts & Crafts
Offers painting, drawing, sculpture, stained glass, weaving, jewelry-making, puppet-making, ceramics, macramé, collage, and papier-mâché with no charge for materials.
Farm & Nature
Hands-on animal care program where campers help feed, groom, and care for rabbits, ducks, goats, sheep, and a calf with staff supervision.
Horseback Riding
Includes formal riding instruction grouped by skill level and camper participation in horse care, grooming, and feeding; no charge for riding.
Outdoor Living
Teaches low-impact camping skills including hiking, foraging, campsite setup, and overnight camping; includes a required bunk overnight in the first week.
Special Programs
Includes evening activities, full-camp events, three-day skill intensives, and visits from guest artists and musicians.
Sports
Non-competitive sports program offering soccer, tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and gaga with daily team activities.
Swimming
Red Cross-certified swim instruction at all levels; all campers required to take lessons with two free swims offered daily.
Theater
Creative theater program where campers write, cast, design, and sometimes direct plays; includes mime, movement, improvisation, and theater games.
Trips
Organized excursions to cultural and natural sites in the Berkshires including music, dance, theater, and state parks.
Woodworking
Instruction in hand and power tool use for projects ranging from simple crafts to furniture.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Summer Day Camp Programs 2 activities
- Operate summer camp program for childrenProvides a summer camp experience for children ages 8 to 12, with sessions in July and August, including full-session and two-week introductory options. Programming emphasizes helping children appreciate their own and others' uniqueness.
- Provide camp activities and facilitiesOffers structured camp activities including mandatory swim lessons, two daily free swims, horseback riding, arts and crafts, community maintenance contributions, and bunk overnights during the first week of each session. Also includes a three-day intensive skill-building program in a camper's chosen area.
-
-
Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Offer need-based scholarships for camp attendanceProvides partial and full scholarships based on financial need to support access to summer camp programming.
-
-
CACFP Meal Service and Administration 1 activity
- Prepare and serve meals at campPrepares and provides fresh, nutritious meals daily for campers and staff during the summer camp program.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$644K
Contributions & grants$7K1%
Program service revenue$637K99%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$629K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$204K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$234K
Cash$182K
Investments$0
Liabilities$38K
Net assets$196K
Liquid reserves3.5 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAGGIE USCHAKOW | DIRECTOR | 2 | $24K |
| LOUIS MINSKY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $14K |
| JIM SIGNORELLI | DIRECTOR | 5 | $14K |
| MAYA MILLER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $7K |
| PATRICIA SMITH | DIRECTOR | 5 | $6K |
board members · 6
- BETH SCHNEIDER — PRESIDENT/TREASURER
- BRYAN MAKOWER — DIRECTOR
- CLAIRE MCDONNELL — DIRECTOR
- DAVID LEVINSON WILK — DIRECTOR
- HEATHER BURCHYNS — DIRECTOR
- TREVOR FRAZER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- American Red Cross Partner — Provides swim instruction certification and curriculum at the camp.
- Berkshire Village Creative Center Partner — Owns and curates the property in Cummington, Massachusetts where Shire Village Camp operates.
- Beth Schneider Partner — Registrar who manages enrollment and coordinates information sessions for families.
- Mary McDowell Friends School Partner — Employer of multiple Shire Village staff members, including leadership roles, indicating a professional and institutional connection.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Immersion and Belongingmethodology: community-immersionBy immersing participants in a close-knit summer camp community, the organization fosters appreciation of individual and interpersonal uniqueness because sustained, shared experiences in inclusive environments build empathy and identity-affirming relationships.
- Community-Stewardship Partnership Modelmethodology: community-stewardship_modelBy operating in partnership with a family-run creative center that owns and maintains the camp property, the organization integrates youth programming with stewardship of cultural and natural resources because shared ownership fosters sustainability and strengthens community ties.
- Integrated Skill Development Through Playmethodology: integrated_skill_developmentBy embedding skill development within recreational activities, the organization supports child development because experiential learning in a playful context enhances retention and engagement more than formal instruction alone.
- Lifelong Community Participation Pathwaymethodology: lifelong-community-participationBy supporting individuals through multiple roles—from camper to staff to leadership—the organization sustains long-term engagement because it builds intergenerational continuity and deepens commitment to shared values over time.
- Non-Competitive, Inclusive Recreation Modelmethodology: non-competitive_sportsBy using a non-sexist, non-competitive approach to sports and recreation, the organization promotes inclusive participation and psychosocial well-being, because it reduces barriers related to gender norms and performance anxiety, fostering broader engagement.