For thousands of kids all around the United States, spending a week or two (or longer!) at camp is a staple of summer.
A great summer camp is easy to define. It is a magical place where boys and girls can make friends, discover new interests, and find their independence. At the same time, they’re taught important values such as teamwork and cooperation. Best of all, they do all of this surrounded by majestic lakes, mountains, and other beautiful natural settings.
Keep scrolling for our list of the 50 most amazing summer camps in the United States for summer 2022.
Adirondack Camp
Putnam Station, New York
10-, 6-, 4-, and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $4,850
Co-Ed
Given that it’s beautifully backed by the Adirondack Mountains and bordered by the waters of Lake George, Adirondack Camp is the perfect natural setting for a summer camp of adventure. Founded more than 100 years ago, Adirondack describes itself as “one of the original great co-ed summer camps of North America.” Adirondack also taps into the site’s ancient past, explaining how “the Original People” embraced its “natural power.” Kids ages 7-17 can take part in canoeing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and kayaking. Among the land sports on offer are archery, fencing, rock climbing and soccer – and Adirondack also affords a wide selection of arts and outdoor adventure programs. The camp’s website promises a “life-changing” experience and “nothing less than the best summer of your children’s lives.”
Camp Becket & Chimney Corners Camp
Becket, Massachusetts
2- and 4-week sessions
Prices start at $2,945
Separate camps for boys and girls
Located in the scenic Berkshires highland area of western Massachusetts, Camp Becket and Chimney Corners are Brother-Sister, YMCA-run summer camps with origins dating back to 1903. The ACA-certified facility – which sprawls over 1,400 acres – was initially known as Camp Becket for Boys, but in 1931 the Chimney Corners Camp for girls was added. In 1972 the YMCA came into possession of the previously privately run combined retreat. Camp Becket promises campers “a traditional, rustic overnight camp experience… providing leadership programs and other activities that help shape young boys into strong men.” Meanwhile, Chimney Corners is described as “a place where girls have spent their summers learning, laughing and building life-long friendships.” Both the boys’ and girls’ camps offer an arts center, athletics courts and fields, and a woodshop, among other facilities.
Brant Lake Camp
Brant Lake, New York
7-, 4-, and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $4,600
Boys
Brant Lake Camp in New York’s Adirondack Mountains describes itself as “a top-tier private resident camp for boys ages seven through 15.” Founded in 1917, the camp operates under three core values; “a safe and healthy environment,” a “fun and positive experience,” and “exceptional instruction and sports participation.” Its beautiful campus boasts a wide selection of land sport facilities for its 400 campers, including 17 tennis courts, three baseball fields, two soccer fields, eight basketball courts, a climbing wall, an archery range and a roller hockey rink. Meanwhile, the waterfront has a “water basketball area,” a fishing dock, a fleet of boats, and a waterskiing and wakeboarding area. All this, and Brant Lake Camp also features a fitness center and an arts and crafts space. A much-loved tradition is the summer “Color War” between those in green and gray, involving special points-scoring events such as a song contest and rope burning. Boys who have completed 1st grade are able to take part in the two-week session, while older boys may register for the 4-week session and the full, 7-week session.
Camp Caribou
Winslow, Maine
7- and 3.5-week sessions
Prices start at $8,500
Boys
“Unforgettable summers since 1922,” boasts the ACA-certified Camp Caribou on its website. Located on a peninsula in Winslow, Maine, the secluded traditional boys’ camp is bordered by 1.5 miles of tranquil water. It was originally founded in 1922 as Camp Winslow, but the facility was procured by its current owners, the Lerman family, in 1968. For each session, Caribou accepts 240 boys aged seven to 15, and promises to teach them “life skills” and how to “get along.” Land sports include soccer, archery, basketball, lacrosse, and golf, and the campus also features an impressive 10,000-square-foot gymnasium. Water sports options range from swimming to waterskiing, while campers can enjoy creative pursuits like woodworking, too. One parent remarked that her son “comes home more confident and smiling every summer.” In 2022, a full 7-week session will be offered, as will two 3.5-week sessions.
Camp Chief Ouray
Granby, Colorado
1- and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $855
Co-Ed
ACA-certified Camp Chief Ouray in Granby, Colorado says on its website that “camp is kinda like regular life, except way better.” The YMCA camp – which welcomed its first campers in 1908 – was named after celebrated local Native American leader Chief Ouray and was originally based north of Granby, close to the Colorado River. Since 1980, it has been situated at the Snow Mountain Ranch, to the southeast of the town. “Boredom is simply not an option,” explains the camp’s site, which touts its idyllic mountainous setting with its rivers and pastures. Camp Chief Ouray accommodates boys and girls aged seven through 17, and its activities include options like leadership training, horseback riding, trekking, and backpacking. As well as its traditional summer camp program, Chief Ouray also offers older adult and family camps, plus a women’s fitness camp. 2021 options include themed one-week camps (themes last year included Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Wild West), 2-week camps, and 1-week Challenger Programs. Prices begin at $855, and a few scholarships are available.
Camp Chipinaw
Swan Lake, New York
7-week session
$13,350
Co-Ed
The ACA-accredited Camp Chipinaw in Swan Lake, New York was founded in 1926 as a summer getaway for boys. The facility went co-ed in 1938, and since then, “Chipinaw has become one of the finest traditional camps in the United States,” according to the camp’s official website. Chipinaw promises its 400 campers aged between seven and 16 “a summer of fun, friends, sports, arts and adventure,” in a stunning environment bordered by the Catskill Mountains in southeastern New York. Adding to the good times, Chipinaw shares its pretty lakeside property with Silver Lake Camp. Chipinaw’s amenities include soccer and baseball fields, a skate park, basketball and tennis courts, and a 34-foot-tall climbing wall. Meanwhile, the camp’s private lake features sailboats, diving boards, kayaks, canoes, a floating trampoline, and an “inflatable iceberg.” 2022 dates run from June 26 through August 14. Tuition is $13,350, with two early-bird rates available.
Camp Coniston
Croydon, New Hampshire
1- and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $950
Co-Ed
Operated by the YMCA, Camp Coniston has a summer program that is open to boys and girls aged between eight and 15. The ACA-accredited facility is situated on a serene lake in Croydon, New Hampshire, enveloped by 1,200 acres of the camp’s own woodlands. Coniston offers one- or two-week programs geared towards helping its 370 campers “learn about themselves and the world around them.” Cut off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the camp boasts team-building and self-esteem-boosting activities such as snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, tennis, soccer, and horseback riding. It also nourishes kids’ more cultural sides with options like acting, dance, and arts and crafts. In 2010 Coniston received the “Champion of Children” award from the Governor’s Office of New Hampshire, which recognized its budding reputation as the “‘go-to camp for kids with chronic [health] disorders.” 2022 prices begin at $950 per week.
Camp Laurel
Readfield, Maine
7-week session
Prices start at $14,700
Co-Ed
With sailboats bobbing around on Echo Lake and tennis courts bordered by 160 acres of lush forest, ACA-accredited Camp Laurel looks like everything a young camper would wish for from a summer getaway with friends. Located in Readfield, Maine, Camp Laurel hosts 480 boys and girls aged between seven and 15. The camp was established in 1949 on New York’s Lake Awosting and moved to its current home in 1965. Camp Laurel’s sprawling campus includes facilities such as a pair of lit soccer fields, a hockey field, a roller hockey arena, a cutting-edge fitness center, a gymnastics center, and five basketball courts. The camp also has four ski boats, over 30 sailboats, two fishing barges, and a fleet of canoes and kayaks. If a child likes sports, this camp will blow them away. Camp in 2022 runs from June 25 through August 10. Tuition is $14,700, though there are additional fees for the equestrian option and for an extended trip (7th-19th graders, only).
Camp Marimeta
Eagle River, Wisconsin
2- and 4-week sessions
Prices start at $5,950
Girls
Camp Marimeta in beautiful Eagle River, Wisconsin is a private overnight summer camp for girls aged between seven and 15. The camp was founded in 1947 near the secluded Meta Lake and is surrounded by northern Wisconsin’s sprawling North Woods. The ACA-certified camp states on its website that it aims to foster “friendships that will last a lifetime,” in “a warm, caring environment.” Facilities for Marimeta’s 170 campers include four lit tennis courts, a lit basketball court, athletics fields, a climbing wall rising to 31 feet, and riflery and archery ranges. Marimeta’s Recreation Hall is the setting for the camp’s gymnastics, aerobics, yoga, and dance programs. Naturally, there are also a host of water sports activities to try on the lake – including boating, windsurfing and tubing – while a slide attached to the dock adds to the fun.
Camp Mason
Hardwick, New Jersey
1- to 8-week sessions
Prices start at $280
Co-Ed
The website for Hardwick, New Jersey-based Camp Mason sets the bar sky-high: “There’s a feeling you get when you visit… You realize you’ve entered a very special place… An outdoor paradise.” This ACA-accredited, YMCA-run getaway for kids aged between seven and 16 accommodates up to 400 campers in 26 cabins, two lodges, and four villages. The 460-acre camp was founded way back in 1900, when it was known as YMCA Camp Washington, and is surrounded by the forested mountain terrain of New Jersey’s Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. As well as offering a traditional overnight camp, Mason also has a ranch camp specifically for horse lovers, plus a day camp. Summer camp activities cover fishing, swimming, boating, soccer, basketball, archery, mountain biking, arts and crafts, and more.
Camp Moosilauke
Orford, New Hampshire
1-, 2-, 2.5-, and 4.5-week sessions
Prices start at $2,000
Boys
Having been established in 1904, Camp Moosilauke describes itself as “one of the oldest residential summer camps in the U.S.” According to website Choice Camps, “By placing equal importance on land sports, waterfront activities and outdoor adventure trips, Moosilauke creates an environment where there is no one definition for success.” Moosilauke is idyllically situated in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, complete with a lovely 200-acre campus made up of fields, woods, and an out-of-the-way lake. The all-boys’ camp’s philosophy aims to encourage its up to 140 attendees to “try new things and gain confidence and self-esteem in the process.” Moosilauke’s land sport facilities include two soccer fields, five clay tennis courts, a pair of lit basketball courts, and two baseball diamonds. Lakefront activities feature sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, and canoeing. Other outdoor pursuits include orienteering and “backcountry cooking.” 2022 options include sessions ranging in length from one week to 4.5 weeks. Prices start at $2,000.
Camp Olympia
Trinity, Texas
1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions
Prices start at $1,925
Co-Ed
Set in the wide-open spaces of Trinity, Texas, the ACA-certified Camp Olympia offers children aged seven to 16 a real slice of the good life. The camp was set up in 1968 by All-American football stars Corby Robertson, Jr. and Chris Gilbert. It blends its rustic countryside surroundings with contemporary facilities and a packed activity program. The 336 kids are separated into Spartans and Athenians, and compete in daily activities, which Olympia believes “builds a spirit of friendly competition, teamwork and leadership.” Making full use of nearby tranquil Lake Livingston, Olympia’s waterfront line-up covers canoeing, diving, sailing, wakeboarding, and “blobbing,” a tradition that involves “jumping from a platform and landing on a large inflatable.” Meanwhile, back on land, options include horseback riding, an arts program and a junior golf academy. 2022 sessions range from 1-week SPARK sessions to three weeks.
Camp Sangamon
Pittsford, Vermont
2-, 3-, 4-, & 5-week sessions
Prices start at $2,852
Boys
Camp Sangamon is a summer camp in Pittsford that dates back to 1922. The camp is ideal for boys aged between nine and 16. Campers are offered a chance to forge new friendships and – both through a specific leadership program and more generally – to welcome responsibility, amid the majestic lakes and hills of Vermont. Sangamon prides itself on the fact that its 125 campers get to decide what they want to do and where they want to do it, further emphasizing the importance of choice and initiative. The ACA-certified camp offers activities such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, archery, tennis, mountain biking, and hiking. Sangamon also features farming and gardening programs, as well as creative arts options like photography, drama, pottery, weaving and woodworking. Sessions range from 2-5 weeks.
Camp Scherman
San Jacinto Mountains, California
Daily and 1-week sessions
Prices vary
Girls
Camp Scherman is an all-girls summer retreat operated by the Girl Scout Council and ensconced in the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California. “Escape the everyday,” says the camp’s website, playing off its remote, idyllic location. The site goes on to call Camp Scherman “one of the finest camps” in the area. Founded in 1968, the retreat was named after Joe Scherman, the very first California state ranger. The 700-acre camp’s attractions include Honor Lake and Promise Lake – on which campers can kayak or canoe – plus a Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, an archery range, and a sprawling network of hiking trails. Activities range from horseback riding, to rock climbing, and outdoor cooking. Girls may attend daily or weekly, and six one-week sessions are available. Prices vary, and scholarships are available to Girl Scout members.
Camp Takajo
Naples, Maine
4- and 6-week sessions
Prices start at $9,300
Boys
ACA-accredited Camp Takajo in Naples, Maine describes itself as “one of the finest boys’ camps” in the state. Camping enthusiast Morty Goldman set up Takajo in 1947 “to create a well-rounded summer program in which each boy could develop independence and self-reliance in a nurturing, supportive environment.” Divided into three age-specific sub-camps, Takajo accommodates boys from seven to 15 years of age and is set in beautifully wooded lakeside surroundings. Activities include water sports, exploration of hobbies and skills, and pioneering. Takajo prides itself on its ability to build character through its focus on tried-and-true values like honesty, decency and empathy, and it attempts to help instill each camper “with a strong moral compass.” Ultimately, though, as one parent points out, it’s the people who make Camp Takajo what it is. Camp in 2022 runs from June 25 through August 10, though first-year campers have the option of attending a four-week session. The price for the full summer is $14,600.
Camp Tall Timbers
High View, West Virginia
2-, 3-, 5-, and 7-week sessions
Prices start at $2,675
Co-Ed
Lantern Camps describes visiting Camp Tall Timbers as taking “a step back to a slower, simpler life.” Located in High View, West Virginia, Camp Tall Timbers gets its seclusion from the surrounding hardwood- and pine-packed countryside, its own private lake, and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. The camp was set up in 1970 by current executive director Jerry Smith, and welcomes 175 kids from 1st to 10th grade. The ACA-certified summer retreat is packed with amenities to “support its active camp agenda.” These facilities include a baseball diamond, driving range, gymnasium, riding stables, soccer fields, an art studio space, and a performance stage. Camp activities are geared towards developing campers’ “self-confidence while enhancing their individual talents.” 2022 sessions are 2 or 3 weeks, though campers can also extend to 5 and 7 weeks. Prices begin at $2,675.
Camp Timberlane for Boys
Woodruff, Wisconsin
4- and 8-week sessions
Prices start at $6,450
Boys
Camp Timberlane in Woodruff, Wisconsin, offers a traditional sleepaway camp experience for boys aged between eight and 15. “Tucked into the pine and hardwood forests of Wisconsin lies the secluded Lake Towanda… home to the classic northwoods Camp Timberlane,” writes Lantern Camps. Meanwhile, Timberlane describes itself as “a place to be yourself, have fun and make the best friends you’ll ever have.” Set up in 1961, the camp stresses the importance of non-competitive “teamwork, sportsmanship and fun” and treats all of its 165 campers equally. The camp’s nearly 300-acre, tree-hemmed campus features modern cabins, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, athletics fields, and a beach volleyball court. Timberlane also offers three- to 12-day “canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips” headed as far away as Canada. 2022 options include 8- and 4-week sessions. Prices begin at $6,450.
Camp Walt Whitman
Piermont, New Hampshire
3-, 4-, and 7-week sessions
Prices start at $7,650
Co-Ed
Camp Walt Whitman is a “sleepaway summer camp for kids” in Piermont, New Hampshire. Brothers Chick and Arnie Soloway founded it in 1948 to “provide a warm and caring atmosphere… and teach children how to reach their full potential.” Its name was inspired by Walt Whitman’s poem “I Hear America Singing.” The idyllic ACA-certified camp is located in a 300-acre area on Lake Armington’s southern shore, close to the New Hampshire–Vermont border. Naturally, Camp Walt Whitman takes full advantage of its surroundings through its outdoor adventure programs, while other activities there include water sports and arts and crafts. One camp alumnus writing in The New York Times about her time at Walt Whitman reverently recalled “the blueberry fields” and “all those vast expanses of free time.” 2022 options include a full 7-weeks, or 4- or 3-week sessions for younger kids. Prices begin at $7,650.
Camp Waziyatah
Waterford, Maine
2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week sessions
Prices start at $5,650
Co-Ed
The ACA-certified Camp Waziyatah in Waterford, Maine promises to build “better kids one summer at a time.” Surrounded by 130 acres of woodland and with its own 3.5-mile lake, Waziyatah describes its summer camp experience as “life-changing,” filled with “best friends, awesome activities and just the right amount of ‘rustic.’” Camp Waziyatah got going in 1922, and today accepts girls and boys aged six to 16. Campers have a choice of over 30 activities, including horseback riding, waterskiing, and theater. Camp Waziyatah was even featured on the first season of the Disney Channel’s popular reality show Bug Juice! Looking ahead to her fifth visit, teenage Londoner Melissa Wilkinson wrote on Waziyatah’s website that “your summers will never be the same after attending this […] camp.” 2022 sessions range from 2-8 weeks. Prices begin at $5,650.
Camp Weequahic
Lakewood, Pennsylvania
3- and 6-week sessions
Prices start at $6,325
Co-Ed
Majestic Camp Weequahic is nestled near northeastern Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains, on the shores of a secluded lake in Lakewood and close to the Delaware River. Founded in 1953, the camp prides itself on its “exceptionally caring environment,” promising girls and boys aged seven to 16 “the best possible summer camp” experience. Online guide The Camp Insider also references Weequahic’s “down-to-earth” feel, “well educated directors,” and “beautiful location.” Creative activities for its 400 campers include fashion design, digital photography, robotics, and cooking programs. Meanwhile, sporting activities cover baseball, basketball, soccer, street hockey, golf, and waterfront pursuits like sailing and tubing. Hiking, ropes, and nature walks count among Weequahic’s outdoor adventure options. The campus also features a climate-controlled health center and dining hall, plus a heated pool. 2022 options include two themed 3-week sessions, or the full six-week session. Prices begin at $6,325.
Camp Wicosuta
Hebron, New Hampshire
4.5-week sessions
Prices start at $8,375
Girls
Camp Wicosuta, in Hebron, New Hampshire, is a four-week, ACA-accredited camp for girls aged between six and 15. It promises attendees “the time of their lives.” Established in 1920, the camp delivers a long tradition of morale- and spirit-boosting activities for up to 270 campers per session. According to its official website, the “goal is for every child to walk away feeling confident,” and it aims to get kids to surpass “their self-set limits.” Boston magazine describes the camp as being “more like a vacation with horses, ice-skating and water sports than a stodgy home-away-from-home.” Camp Wicosuta’s selection of over 30 activities also includes performing and visual arts, athletics, tennis, and gymnastics. Two four-week sessions are available for 2022. Prices begin at $8,375.
Camp Wigwam for Boys
Waterford, Maine
4- and 6-week sessions
Prices start at $8,500
Boys
Camp Wigwam for boys sits next to Bear Lake, beneath the Maine stretch of the beautiful White Mountains. The camp is everything a young boy could want in a summer retreat. The ACA-accredited camp was set up in 1910 by Arnold Lehman and Abraham Mandelstam and offers its intake, known as “Wigwammers,” a “dynamic cultural experience renowned for the high quality of its innovative sports and fine arts programs.” The Waterford, Maine-based enterprise prides itself on its “camaraderie,” “sense of community,” and its “nurturing and friendly environment.” Explaining what makes the camp unique, its website emphasizes its “attention to each and every camper’s growth as a young man.” Camp activities include basketball, soccer, sailing, tennis, golf, waterskiing, sewing, rocketry, and arts and crafts.
Camp Winaukee
Moultonborough, New Hampshire
3-, 4-, and 7-week sessions
Prices start at $6,600
Boys
A trio of teachers set up the ACA-accredited Camp Winaukee “sports and adventure program” in Moultonborough, New Hampshire in 1920. “Winaukee is… more than a spectacular location on Lake Winnipesaukee. It is a culture of good values… passed down from generation to generation,” claims the camp’s official website. Winaukee’s facilities include a Mainland Camp for first-to-sixth-grade boys, and an Island Camp for seventh-to-ninth-grade boys. There is also a Rookie Camp for younger male campers wanting something shorter than a regular seven-week session. Activities involve traditional team and individual land sports, water sports, and outdoor adventures. One alumnus was so moved by his camp experience that he promised to send his whole family there, writing, “This special place… will leave its mark on you and change you for the better.” 2022 options include a full summer (June 25 through August 13), 4- or 3-week experiences, or an overnight Rookie Experience. Prices begin at $6,600.
Camp Winnebago
Fayette, Maine
7- and 3-week sessions
Prices start at $9,975
Boys
ACA-accredited Camp Winnebago in Fayette, Maine was founded in 1919 by Frank L. Guggenheimer, who is still fondly referred to as “Chief.” Surrounded by pine trees and set on beautiful Echo Lake, Camp Winnebago is the perfect summer getaway for boys aged between eight and 15. Up to 160 campers attend each session. The 400-acre campus contains more than 65 buildings. What’s more, facilities include a photographic dark room, a theater, a camp radio station, seven tennis courts, three baseball fields, a pair of soccer fields, two basketball courts, and a fully equipped waterfront that features a “floating pool built into the lake.” Camp Winnebago promises to leave campers “brimming with confidence, happiness and lasting memories.” The camp is popular, too, as according to its official website, the return rate is 90 percent.
Catalina Island Camps
Two Harbors, California
2-week sessions
Prices start at $5,450
Co-Ed
Set on the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island Camps almost looks more like an expensive island retreat than a traditional summer camp. The ACA-accredited co-ed camp was inaugurated in 1922 on an archipelago in California’s Channel Islands. It is blessed with the “unique marine and land environments of Howlands Landing” (a.k.a. its own cove, plus neighboring kelp forests). “The southern California sunshine is tempered by the gentle ocean breezes, allowing the camp season to be spent almost entirely outdoors,” writes Lantern Camps, adding that “the ocean [is] literally steps from a wide-open cabin.” Fun island activities for Catalina’s 160 campers include sailing, snorkeling, power boating, and stand-up paddling. Climbing, ziplining, gardening, outdoor cooking, and photography count among its land-based options.
Cheley Colorado Camps
Estes Park, Colorado
4- and 8-week sessions
Prices start at $6,750
Co-Ed
Surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park, Cheley Colorado Camps offers its co-ed attendees – 490 of them per session – a rejuvenating return to nature. Describing its camping experience as transformative, ACA-certified Cheley gives campers a chance to gain self-reliance and independence, presenting the opportunity for self-empowerment and personal development. The camp’s facilities include five horse riding rings, arts and crafts studios, a climbing wall, a soccer field, basketball courts, an amphitheater, a gymnasium and weight room, and shooting ranges. As “one of Colorado’s top-rated summer camps,” Cheley promises “an awesome educational summer camp experience… in the Colorado wilderness.” The full season for 2022 runs from June 14 through August 7, though two four-week sessions are also available. Prices begin at $6,750.
Four Winds Westward Ho
Deer Harbor, Washington
4-week sessions
Prices start at $6,800
Co-Ed
Founded in 1927, Four Winds Westward Ho describes itself as “a haven for young people” and welcomes male and female campers aged seven through 18. Situated on tranquil Deer Harbor and nestled among the San Juan Islands, this ACA-accredited camp is surrounded by lush forest and the calming waters of its own inlet. Activities are a mix of water and land sports, while its intake of 170 campers at a time can also enjoy gardening, crafts, and arts programs. “Four Winds is a place that embraces individuality; we give you the space and the safety to be yourself,” explains the camp’s website. Meanwhile, one camper suggests that “although the uniforms might be annoying and the lack of electronics might be a punishment for some kids… [by] relinquishing the modern-day distractions for a month, a child can learn about who they are.” For 2022, two four-week sessions will be offered, as will a one-week Junior Session.
French Woods Festival
Hancock, New York
3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-week sessions
Prices start at $5,150
Co-Ed
The French Woods Festival camp in Hancock, New York depicts itself as “a performing arts summer camp for circus, dance, music, theater, magic, skateboard and more.” Meanwhile, Lantern Camps describes French Woods as a place where “creative kids from all walks of life find kindred spirits,” but adds: “so do athletes and explorers.” French Woods was started up in 1970 and nowadays welcomes 750 attendees each session. Activities range from music, art, and computing, to tennis, horseback riding, sailing, and water-skiing. “Each camper designs his or her own unique summer experience,” explains the co-ed camp. Facilities feature five theaters, a prop and costume storehouse, a 12,000-square-foot circus pavilion, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 11 tennis courts, a skate park, and six basketball courts. Famous former campers include Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine and New Girl actress Zooey Deschanel. 2022 options include 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-week sessions. There is also a one-week camp for new campers.
Gold Arrow Camp
Lakeshore, California
1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions
Prices start at $2,300
Co-Ed
Gold Arrow Camp in Lakeshore, California was set up in 1933 by ex-Notre Dame footballer Manny Vezie. With intakes of 260 campers a session, it offers girls and boys aged between six and 14 the opportunity to unplug, forge lifelong friendships, and feel like they belong. Waterfront fun covers boating, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, sailing, and fishing. Meanwhile, other activities include archery, riflery, horseback riding, canyoneering, ceramics, and arts and crafts. The ACA-accredited camp – which is 30 miles away from Yosemite National Park – also features a second island site on nearby Shaver Lake, where campers can enjoy yet more water sports and sleep “under a canopy of stars.” 2022 options include 1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions. Prices begin at $2,300.
KenMont and KenWood Camps
Kent, Connecticut
2-, 3.5-, and 4-week sessions
Prices start at $4,775
Co-Ed
KenMont and KenWood Camps – which were founded in 1924 in Kent, Connecticut – offer kids aged between eight and 15 “the very best in four-week camping.” Split into two groups, his and hers, each helmed by experienced counselors, the ACA-certified camps aim to nurture the “development of individual character, self-confidence, making friends and the learning [of] new physical and social skills.” Activities include athletics, water sports, extreme sports, outdoor adventure, creative arts and theater, and dream-pursuing endeavors like learning about radio broadcasting, newspaper publication, and forming a rock ‘n’ roll band. The camps pride itself on getting attendees to embrace novel experiences. One parent explained, “This is a great camp for a kid who likes to be active. The grounds are beautiful and there are lots of opportunities to try new things.” A discount for siblings is available.
Kennolyn Camps
Soquel, California
1- and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $2,150
Co-Ed
Teachers Marion and Max Caldwell founded Kennolyn Camps in Soquel, California in 1946. Surrounded by the area’s stunning Santa Cruz Mountains, Kennolyn prides itself on its “secluded yet easily accessible” location, which features views of nearby Monterey Bay and the Nisene Marks State Park. Kennolyn accepts junior campers from grades one through 12. ACA-accredited Kennolyn offers activities such as archery, basketball, BMX, and climbing, plus select options in surfing, trapeze, fencing, and horse-related pursuits. The camp’s facilities include an equestrian center, rope courses, and a waterfront that features a 25-yard swimming pool. Five-day, 1-week, and 2-week sessions are available for 2022. Prices begin at $2,150.
Kingswood Camp for Boys
Piermont, New Hampshire
3-, 4-, and 7-week sessions
Pricest start at $6,000
Boys
The directors of this Piermont, New Hampshire-based overnight camp promise that “no boy slips through the cracks at Kingswood.” The ACA-accredited camp – which is surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest – was founded in 1947 but has had “a major face-lift” since then. “Miles of pristine national forest create a beautiful, natural backdrop,” writes Lantern Camps, which goes on to mention Kingswood Camp for Boys’ “light-hearted, genuine feel.” The facility’s 160 campers can take advantage of its main lodge, nature building, 13 sleeping cabins, two baseball fields, three tennis courts, soccer field, basketball court, golf course, weight room, and archery range. Plus, the waterfront includes a floating slide, a dive tower, a fishing dock, two motorboats, and more than 50 other vessels. With a list like that, it’s no wonder one happy camper remarked that Kingswood “gives you choice unlike many other camps.”
Kutsher’s Sports Academy
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
1-, 2-, 3-, and 7-week sessions available
Prices start at $1,800
Co-Ed
Joseph and Milton Kutsher, and successful former college basketball coach Clair Bee, set up Kutsher’s Sports Academy in 1968. The camp is set on Lake Buel in Massachusetts’ Berkshires. From the 1970s through the ‘90s, the ACA-accredited summer camp was the setting for plenty of NBA basketball-associated activity, with court legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabbar dropping by for visits. It’s also known for its Major League Baseball clinics. Other sporting pursuits include lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, and golf. Campers aged 7-17 are welcome to enroll. Waterfront activities include waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and kneeboarding. Facilities are a basketball court, tennis courts and a driving range.
Lake Bryn Mawr Camp for Girls
Honesdale, Pennsylvania
4- and 7-week options
Prices start at $9,000
Girls
Lake Bryn Mawr Camp for Girls – established in 1921 – offers its attendees a natural “safe haven” and the opportunity to express themselves “through work, play and just being a girl.” Based in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, the ACA-accredited camp centers around beautiful Bryn Mawr Mountain. It operates under a four-point “Angel Code,” which includes the motivational camp pillars of loyalty, merit, beauty, and comradeship. Campers can pick from a dizzying array of activities, including navigating a rope-covered adventure course and the Adventure Annex hiking trails. Camp Laurel also boasts the Apple-O-Theater, an art center, a cooking studio, an equestrian center, a pair of swimming pools, a gym, fitness and health centers, 11 full-sized tennis courts, and the “Field of Dreams” softball field. It’s clearly the Four Seasons of summer camps.
Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Camps
Decatur, Michigan
4- and 8-week sessions
Prices start at $6,650
Co-Ed
The ACA-certified Family of Camps network in Decatur, Michigan is split into the Lake of the Woods Camp for Girls and the Greenwoods Camp for Boys. Both camps run 4-, and 8-week programs for 180 children each session. This makes the camp ideal for parents with both sons and daughters. The camps’ amenities include an equestrian center, three baseball diamonds, dance and gymnastics pavilions, and ceramics and arts and crafts studios. Meanwhile, the aquatic options and waterfront boast a 320-acre lake, a heated swimming pool, an aqua volleyball court, a water trampoline, seven ski boats, and numerous boats, boards, canoes, and kayaks.
Mountain Camp Woodside
Portola Valley, California
1- and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $995
Co-Ed
Gorgeous Portola Valley in California’s San Mateo County is the setting for scenic Mountain Camp Woodside. The ACA-accredited co-ed camp offers seven- to 15-year-olds a day camp and overnight getaway experience. Campers have access to activities like basketball, soccer, tennis, archery, photography, swimming, drama, and arts and crafts. The overnight camp promises attendees “a traditional summer camp with all the comforts of home.” One contented parent called it “the quintessential summer camp experience,” adding, “The feel is great – uncrowded and safe, and the camper-staff ratio is good.” Scholarships are available.
Mountain Meadow Ranch
Susanville, California
2- and 4-week sessions
Prices start at $4,200
Co-Ed
Situated on a sprawling ranch near Lake Tahoe in California’s epic Sierra Nevada mountain range, Mountain Meadow Ranch is a co-ed camp for youngsters aged seven to 16. The ACA-certified camp promises “a summer of magic.” “At Mountain Meadow Ranch, fun is a given,” states the camp’s official site. Offering a wide range of arts and crafts, adventure pursuits, and land and water sports, Mountain Meadow Ranch aims “to enhance the self-confidence, growth, development and environmental awareness of each individual.” One veteran camper raved, “I can’t recommend this camp enough… [and am] looking forward to my [kids] going here one day!” 2022 options include 2- and 4-week sessions.
Pali Adventures
Running Springs, California
1- and 2-week sessions
Prices start at $2,156
Co-Ed
Pali Adventures in Running Springs, California offers campers a one- or two-week getaway during which they’ll explore their choice of 18 fantasy jobs. These include learning to be a broadcast journalist, Hollywood stunt person, rock star, adventurer, fashion designer, or even a spy. What’s more, summer nights feature activities like a special game show, “Casino Night” and the ever-popular “Miss Pali.” The ACA-certified, 74-acre camp was set up in 1999 by UCLA graduate Andy Wexler, who envisioned “the ultimate summer camp.” Like most camps, it aims to boost kids’ confidence, autonomy and self-esteem – only this time through “some of the most thrilling and unforgettable activities on the planet.” “My kids talk about it almost every day,” raved one dad. “I can actually say they like camp more than video games.”
Point O’Pines
Brant Lake, New York
4- and 8-week sessions
Prices start at $8,925
Girls
The crystal-blue waters of Brant Lake in New York State give Point O’Pines one of the most charming summer camp locations in the country. The all-girl camp – founded in 1957 – is set on an isolated peninsula in the mountains and features its own shoreline. “The huge beach looks more like something you’d find in the Caribbean, and the recently remodeled facilities and dining hall all enjoy broad lake views,” states Lantern Camps. “At Point O’Pines, we match the beauty and splendor of the Adirondacks with the superb quality of our facilities and equipment,” explains the camp on its website. One unusual yet notable example of its resources is the greenhouse, where kids can learn about organic gardening, and go on to cook its produce. Other activities for Point O’Pines’ 300 campers per session include a water trampoline, tennis, golf, arts and crafts, dancing, softball, and horseback riding. Camp in 2022 extends from June 25 through August 12, though a shorter, 4-week option is also available for younger or new campers. Tuition for the full summer is $14,350.
Raquette Lake Camps
Hamilton County, New York
7-week session
Prices start at $14,750
Co-Ed
Established in 1916, historic Raquette Lake Camps is a fun summer experience for boys and girls aged 6-15. The camp is situated near New York State’s picturesque Raquette Lake in Hamilton County. According to its website, the ACA-certified camp provides “a place where children can learn how to make friends, challenge themselves, learn new skills and become independent, responsible adolescents.” Raquette Lake Camps’ extensive waterfront means that kids can power boat, sail, wakeboard, canoe, and kayak to their hearts’ content. Meanwhile, back on land, a fully equipped sports complex accommodates activities such as basketball, archery, and hockey. The camp’s well-rounded programs also include arts and crafts pursuits like ceramics and woodworking. Summer 2022 camp runs from June 25 through August 13. Tuition begins at $14,750.
Red Arrow Camp
Woodruff, Wisconsin
7-week session
Prices start at $8,400
Boys
“Don’t wait to be a great man, be a great boy,” exclaims Red Arrow Camp. The historic camp for boys aged seven to 16 was founded in 1920, and is situated on Woodruff, Wisconsin’s placid Trout Lake. Its 100 campers can enjoy activities like archery, sailing, water-skiing, canoeing, and woodwork. Speaking of wood, the camp features amazing log cabin structures that can be traced back to the mid-1800s. “Red Arrow Camp has combined the best aspects of other summer programs to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our boys,” says the facility. Red Arrow also holds themed special events like Cabin Stunt Night, and the camp’s own take on the Olympics. Set on the site of an old Native American village, the tree-filled campsite offers boys something totally different to their everyday lives, plus the opportunity to “make lifelong friends.” Siblings receive a 10% discount on tuition.
River Way Ranch Camp
Sanger, California
1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions
Prices start at $2,425
Co-Ed
This Sanger, California-based youth getaway aims to “challenge individuals and influence the future.” River Way Ranch Camp caters to seven- to 16-year-old boys and girls and is hailed by both parents (Mom’s Best Award 2011) and visiting international staff (CCUSA Spirit Award 2011) as one of the best camps in the nation. Based at the Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center, its activities range from martial arts and mini-bikes, to horse jumping, riflery, archery, and soccer. Arts and crafts endeavors include photography, yearbook design, and digital graphics. Meanwhile, River Way’s lake program offers campers fun pastimes such as kayaking, sailing, swimming, and “raging rapids waterslides.” 2022 options include 1-, 2- and 3-week sessions, or specialty camps for horseback riding, waterskiing, and paintball. Tuition begins at $2,425.
Sanborn Western Camps
Florissant, Colorado
2-week and one-month sessions
Prices start at $3,300
Co-Ed
Sanborn Western Camps includes the Big Spring Ranch for Boys and the High Trails Ranch for Girls. Together, the camps accept 270 campers aged between nine and 16 per session. Sanborn also offers a junior program for seven- to 10-year-olds. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains in Florissant, Colorado, the ACA-certified Sanborn taps into the idea that children “benefit from time spent in the natural world.” Its forests of ponderosa pines and Douglas firs provide the perfect setting for outdoor summer exploration. Activities range from cattle round-ups, rock climbing, horseback riding, and volleyball to pottery, drama, photography, and fossil digging. 2022 options include two different one-month sessions, plus a 15-day Junior Camp.
Silver Lake Camp
Swan Lake, New York
3-, 4-, and 7-week sessions
Prices start at $6,250
Co-Ed
Silver Lake Camp offers boys and girls an easily accessible yet secluded break from city life. The ACA-accredited camp – which was set up in 2004 at New York’s Swan Lake – offers attendees a big selection of adventure, athletics, performing and visual arts, and water sports activities. The latter include canoeing, diving, kayaking, lifeguard certification, and tubing. Silver Lake also affords its intake of 400 a circus program that teaches them juggling, tightrope walking, and how to perform on the flying trapeze. Elsewhere, the camp’s waterfront features a heated and lit swimming pool and a private lake complete with aquatic vehicles. Other facilities include a climbing wall that rises to 34 feet, a 300-foot zip line, a skate park, tennis courts, a theater, a stable, a health center, and a soccer field.
SOAR Adventure Summer Camp
Balsam, North Carolina
Varies
Prices start at $3,600
Co-Ed
SOAR – which is short for “Success Oriented Achievement Realized” – is a network of summer camps for kids aged between the ages of eight and 18. It specifically accommodates those with AD/HD and learning differences. SOAR’s origins trace back to 1975, and today it has camps in Wyoming, Florida, California, Costa Rica, Belize and Peru, as well as a “base camp” in Balsam, North Carolina. It uses outdoor adventure to develop campers’ “self-confidence, social skills, problem-solving techniques, willingness to attempt new challenges and… motivation.” The Balsam camp also includes activities such as llama trekking, canoeing, horseback riding, backpacking, an expedition course, and an “academic discovery” program.
Southwoods
Lake Paradox, New York
4-week session
Prices start at $7,950
Co-Ed
The 25 cabins of Southwoods camp in upstate New York are situated by beautiful Paradox Lake, surrounded by the mighty Adirondack Mountains. The camp features a golf green and range, a nature center, a climbing wall, basketball courts, and a hockey rink, among other facilities. It also has the largest ski boat fleet in camping, with seven motorized boats. Expert instruction in waterskiing, wakeboarding, private Slalom course racing, knee boarding, tubing, and wake surfing is available. Other activities include artistic pursuits, outdoor adventures, and nature- and community-focused programs.
Teton Valley Ranch Camp
Dubois, Wyoming
2- and 4-week sessions
Prices start at $7,350
Separate boys’ and girls’ camps
Teton Valley Ranch Camp (TVRC) in Dubois, Wyoming offers kids aged ten to 16 a chance to get in touch with their inner cowboys and cowgirls, and to escape the monotony of everyday urban life. TVRC was set up in 1939 as a boys’ camp where youngsters could learn about the pioneering spirit and traditions of the Old West. In 1947 the camp was opened up to girls as well, and it now welcomes 135 of both genders to its summer sessions. TVRC uses the Wild West to help kids develop their physical and leadership skills. By the time campers leave, “the mountains, caves, rivers and valleys” will have brought them a sense of “untold freedom and responsibility,” we’re told. Activities include outdoor pursuits such as fly-fishing, riflery, and riding. Campers stay in log cabins that add to the communal ranch-like feel.
Timber Lake Camp
Shandaken, New York
7-week session
Prices start at $14,950
Co-Ed
Timber Lake Camp in Shandaken, New York is one of five renowned and esteemed TLC Foundation sites on the East Coast. Surrounded by New York’s Catskill Mountains, the 500-acre ACA-certified camp is described as “the perfect setting to learn, share and grow with friends of a lifetime.” Timber Lake – which was founded in 1962 – features girls’ and boys’ campuses and accepts campers aged seven to 16, with 480 individuals per session. The camp emphasizes healthy eating, offering fruit and salad at all lunch and dinner sittings, plus a menu “designed to provide nutritious meals that children will enjoy.” Timber Lake’s activities include land sports, aquatic sports, outdoor adventures, and creative and fine arts programs. According to one regular, “While the rest of the world wants you to grow up, Timber Lake allows you be a kid.”
Tripp Lake Camp
Poland, Maine
4- and 7-week options
Prices start at $9,300
Girls
Tripp Lake Camp in beautiful Poland, Maine describes itself as “one of the finest girls’ camps” in the area. Located on picturesque Tripp Lake, the camp is “nestled among majestic evergreens,” according to its website. Tripp Lake Camp was established by Eva Rosenheim in 1911, and today it promises “a culture built on timeless values.” The camp places importance on forging new, lifelong friendships, explaining that its campers – aged seven to 16 – “gain confidence from navigating new situations… [and] emerge self-assured, caring and well-rounded.” One camper seems to agree, saying, “Without this place I would only be one percent of who I am today.” Activities include archery, basketball, soccer, equestrian pursuits, kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, and art and theater options. Tripp Lake Camp is certified by the ACA and also runs a winter program in Armonk, New York. The 4-week session is reserved for first-time campers.
WeHaKee Camp for Girls
Winter, Wisconsin
2-, 4-, and 6-week sessions
Prices start at $2,975
Girls
The WeHaKee Camp for Girls was founded in 1923 near Lake Michigan. Now located in Winter, Wisconsin, the camp is surrounded by beautiful virgin white pines. The Sisters of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa – who are dedicated to “the care, nurturing and advancement of girls and young women” – sponsor the institution. For its 112 campers per session, lakeside activities at the ACA-accredited institution include water-skiing, wakeboarding, and windsurfing. Land sports, meanwhile, cover archery, soccer, basketbal,l and tennis. And for arts and crafts enthusiasts, WeHaKee offers a stimulating program that includes photography, ceramics, pottery, music, and drama.
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