A Rite of Passage developing Independence at an Overnight Camp

Sleepaway Camp has long been an important stage in a kid’s life where they gain confidence, responsibility and independence, not to mention great friends that may last a lifetime. It is a safe environment, away from their families, where they can learn fabulous, new skills, and experience making decisions for themselves.

We have found many great options for overnight camps providing excellent activities and learning opportunities for our kids in a safe and nurturing environment. Here are some of the best sleepaway options with all the activities imaginable: 

Find a residential camp near you, or search for the one that matches all the activities you seek!  

CAMP HAWKEYE

234 Red Hill Rd, Moultonborough, NH 03254
www.camphawkeye.com
Sleepaway camp celebrating the differences that make each child unique and special. Stereotypes and stigmas are broken down through fun activities like archery, swimming, hiking, arts & crafts, drama, boating and more. Campers can decide the night before which activities they would like to enjoy the following day, allowing each child the freedom to schedule their own days and night with activities they will enjoy.

CAMP MA-HE-TU

520 Seven Lakes Drive Bear Mountain, NY 10911
www.mahetu.org
On the shores of beautiful Lake Kanawauke, 40 miles north of NYC, lies this home away from home, sleepaway camp for girls. Offering 2-week overnight sessions, girls can enjoy fun, memory-making moments filled with traditional day camp activities such as boating, swimming, arts & crafts and nature hikes while focusing on individual growth, teamwork and empowerment.

CAMP STONEWALL

26 Chase Road Thompson, Connecticut 06277
www.campstonewall.org
Co-ed sleepaway camp on the campus of Marianapolis Preparatory School. Focusing on pushing each camper’s personal limits for growth and confidence, days and nights here are filled with over 45 daily, fun and silly activities to develop character, resilience, independence, and long-lasting friendships. Trying new things, with the support of this safe and encouraging environment, is highly encouraged and is called “making history”!

CAMP TIOGA

1635 State Rt 2036, Thompson PA 18465
www.camptioga.com
Premiere, overnight camp in the Pocono Mountains with outstanding activities and a world-class staff. Motivated by the camps’ Core-4 values of Friendship, Independence, Confidence and Inclusion, campers chose their daily activities which can include sports, theater, magic, circus arts, moviemaking, escape room, digital arts, gymnastics, dance, music, cooking, horseback riding, rocketry and so much more. Campers are encouraged to improve their current skills & passions while learning new ones from the camp’s expert specialists.

CHESTNUT LAKE CAMP

PO Box 369, Beach Lake, PA 18405
www.chestnutlakecamp.com
Co-ed sleepaway camp offering 7week, 4week and 3week options with caring role models and camp staff to ignite 3rd through 12th grade boys and girls’ imaginations and experiences. Located on 200 acres in northeast Pennsylvania, this state-of-the-art facility allows campers to choose their daily schedule from an expansive program selection. Chestnut Lake Camp aims to bring out the best in every camper!

FLEUR DE LIS CAMP

120 Howeville Rd. Fitzwilliam, NH 03447
www.fleurdeliscamp.org
An all-girls’ sleepaway camp in southwestern New Hampshire filled with joy and laughter, where girls can “be themselves in a most authentic way”. As part of their hallmark program, the staff and counselors here guide campers to make friends, develop confidence, independence, and decision-making skills, while adopting communication and leadership tools in a community setting. Developing interests and skills, celebrating successes, and sharing fun adventures abound at Fleur de Lis Camp.

INDEPENDENT LAKE CAMP

70 Clark Rd. Thompson PA 18465
www.independentlake.com
Celebrating diversity while promoting creativity, empowerment and individual growth, campers here can choose their own schedule from such fun activities as trapeze and circus arts, sports, fitness, archery, art, theatre, dance, magic, music, digital arts, swimming, wakeboarding, horseback riding, water-skiing, wall-climbing and so much more. There is always something fun to do here, in 2week sessions, from June 20-August 15. “Re-engage, Re-connect & Re-gain” at Independent Lake Camp.

POCONO SPRINGS CAMP

48 Pocono Springs Way, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302
www.poconospringscamp.com
5week and 3week co-ed programs filled with an extensive variety of activities and healthy challenges are offered at this beautiful camp in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Campers work together with the staff to experience and achieve personal successes, increased confidence and independence, while gaining new, long-lasting friendships and memories. For a full camp experience, campers will enjoy Pocono Springs.

If your child is interested in specialty Sleepaway Camp, such as those specializing in performing arts, college prep or teen travel and adventure, here are some excellent options:

 

CAMP BALLIBAY

1660 Ballibay Rd, Wyalusing, PA 18853
www.campballibay.com
Rated the #1 Arts camp in North America since 2011, Camp Ballibay offers young artists ages 8-16 quality instruction and opportunities to explore the visual arts, dance, theater, and music. Campers will enjoy 174-acres of beautiful and serene mountain top views perfect to stir up their creativity. Gifted artists from all over the world guide students through their chosen creative outlets to help them connect with their passion and maximize their potential.

ECONOMICS FOR LEADERS

Yale University, CT. (virtual), Rice University, TX (in-person), UCLA (in-person)
www.fte.org
Educational program for high school students’ introduction to economics. Partnering with prestigious universities throughout the US, this program allows the student to spend a week on campus learning economic concepts from accredited professors. With engaging in-person or virtual programs, students use “active learning and engaging activities to solve real world problems using an economic lens.” These programs are a fun, hands-on, interactive way for our high schoolers to learn the value of money and the importance of making sound financial decisions.

FRENCH WOODS FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

199 Bouchoux Brook Rd, Hancock, NY 13783
www.frenchwoods.com
Located in the Catskill Mountains, French Woods is a premier performing arts sleepaway camp for artists aged 7 to 17. This is an internationally recognized program featuring options in music, art, theater, dance, circus, magic and horseback riding. Young artists can select their area of focus or choose a variety of artistic endeavors. Diversity and creativity are celebrated and encouraged through high quality instruction and opportunities.

SURF AND TURF ADVENTURE CAMP

Montclair, NJ www.surfandturfcamp.com 
www.surfandturfcamp.com
Surf and Turf Camp is a day camp but offers overnight opportunities for boys and girls ages 9-15. They head out on a different adventure, from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to as far as Canada and California!  They hike, bike, swim, tour, and boat everywhere at an adventurous speed. Visit their website for their destinations.

or needing a SPECIAL NEEDS sleepaway camp?

 

CAMP LEE MAR

Lackawaxen, PA 
www.leemar.com
Founded in 1953, Camp Lee Mar has brought many innovations to the field of camping for children with special needs, and continues to do so. Camp Lee Mar is a private, 7-week residential special needs summer camp for campers ages 7-21. They offer unique summer programs for kids with special needs with a full curriculum incorporating a strong Academic and Speech program with traditional camp activities.

CAMP DUNNABECK

Kent, CT 
www.kildonan.org/camp-dunnabeck/
Kildonan’s Camp Dunnabeck is an in-person academic summer camp for boys and girls ages 8 to 16 with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Held on the campus of The Marvelwood School in Kent, Connecticut, Camp Dunnabeck program balances dedicated language remediation with outstanding recreational activities. They pair every camper with an Orton-Gillingham tutor for a one-to-one, one hour Language Training session every day. When they’re not studying, campers can choose from a wide array of fun activities and weekend excursions that tap into the natural resources of the campus and the region. Campers engage in arts, theater, athletics, music and more! 

 

Are you looking for other camps?  
2021 Camp Guide eBook
Day Camps 2021 in and around NJ
STEM and STEAM Camps 2021 in and around NJ
Sports Camps 2021 in and around NJ
Performing Arts Camps 2021 in and around NJ
Academic Camps 2021 in and around NJ
Special Needs Camps 2021 in and around NJ