Overnight summer camps provide some of the most entertaining and fun-filled adventures that kids tend to remember even when they grow up. There are tons of benefits to sleepaway camps, apart from the long-lasting memories they create for campers.
There is also world of difference between day camps and the traditional overnight summer camps, where campers live in cabins or sleep in tents. Campers can enjoy some of the most exciting camp activities like horseback riding, mountain biking, zip lining, kayaking, archery, and much more.
Here are some of the most amazing sleepaway camps for kids to enjoy a fun summer.
Best Overnight Summer Camps
1. Camp Cody
Camp Cody is a premier New England summer camp with 2-week and 4-week sessions at a spectacular lakeside National Forest setting. Boys and girls ages 7-15, develop independence, build self-confidence, make friends, and have great experiences.
They personalize each individual camper’s interests, activities, and bunkmates to create a successful and enjoyable summer. They offer a wide variety of activities from team sports, individual activities, water sports, to theater and arts. Some of the most popular things to do include standup paddle boarding, sailing, archery, equestrian, scuba diving, gymnastics and much more. You can find activities for every camper’s unique interests.
There are multiple camp sessions that last from two-weeks, four-weeks, and run from June to August. Airport pickup is also available for campers who are flying in from out of state.
2. Camp Champions
Camp Champions is an overnight boys and girls camp in Marble Falls, Texas. Campers between 5 and 17 can enjoy a traditional camp experience with the ability to choose from over 50 different activities.
Some fun camp activities include rock climbing, archery, sports like baseball, and much more. Their waterfront location also offers plenty of water activities like water skiing, sailing, and more. There are different camp sessions that last from a one-week, two-week, and three weeks.
At Camp Champions, kids can form friendships, enjoy amazing experiences and experience significant personal growth. With an average 4:1 counselor to child ratio, kids remain under the close supervision of experienced camp counselors. They offer one-,two-, and three week camp sessions for all the summer months.
3. Cheley Camps
Cheley Camps take place in Estes Park, Colorado. Campers get to explore the Rocky Mountains, Roosevelt National Forest, and other amazing landscapes while staying at their top-of-the-line facilities. Most campers return year after year, which only shows the quality of their program. Cheley was also listed on our page of the best summer camps in Colorado.
Their camps offer every kind of camp activity for children. This includes things like mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, sports, and much more! Kids can experience the great outdoors with fun activities while also developing critical skills and traits like responsibility, resiliency, and more. Camps run from January to August, and campers 7-17 are separated into different age groups.
The Cheley mission is focused on helping campers experience personal development and build character while exploring the natural world around them. They also offer specialty camps like a family camp, air force and national guard program, an outdoor education program, and much more.
4. Teton Valley Ranch Camp
Founded in 1939, and just under 3,000 acres, Teton Valley Ranch Camp is an excellent overnight camp choice if you want your kids to enjoy camping activities. TVRC presents a chance for campers to explore the wilderness in the backcountry. This program offers campers the opportunity to practice and learn horseback ride skills, fly fishing in rivers, target sports, and more. Campers can also participate in roping events, rodeo ring, and much more.
Kids can either enjoy horseback rides through the National Park trail just like cowboys and cowgirls to view stunning landscapes with a glimpse of wildlife such as deer, moose, antelope, and Elk. Campers can also catch trout, hikes through snow forests, or climb the Yellowstone Ecosystem’s highest peaks.
The TVRC program is also an excellent way to build genuine friendships. They work to instill stronger values, persistent dedication, gratitude, respect, and love for the natural world among campers. TVRC strongly believes in disconnecting technology as it helps campers to pay attention to camp community living.
5. AstroCamp California
AstroCamp California is an educational science camp that also offers fun adventure activities for kids. It’s perfect for kids ages 8-17 who want a STEM experience filled with fun science experiments as well as traditional camp activities to provide an unforgettable summer.
There are one and two-week sessions that start in June and July. The facility is located in the San Jacinto Mountains of California. It offers an amazing location surrounded by dense forest and helps campers learn about nature, physical sciences, and the stars.
Apart from essential science knowledge, your camper builds leadership skills, teamwork skills, communication skills, and much more. Apart from the educational activities like learning about things like animation, rocketry, robotics. They also can partake in archery, rock climbing, wilderness survival, and more.
6. Camp Kupugani
Situated less than two hours from Chicago, Camp Kupugani’s overnight program is for children of age 7 to 15, including domestic and international campers. This multicultural camp focuses on communication skills and diversity, providing a fun-loving atmosphere for your kid.
Camp Kupugani offers a secure camp environment for young boys and girls to build up life-skills and enjoy the active outdoors. What’s great about it is that its rates are flexible and reasonable. Activities include river walking, rock climbing, night hiking, dam jumping, and safe playing under the waterfall.
Besides, there are many carefully-designed activities and group games to let personal growth and fun coincide. Kids can realize their potential and expand their horizons with an individualized empowering experience by choosing their camp adventures.
7. Camp Cedar
Camp Cedar is an overnight summer camp located in Maine that was established almost 60 years ago. Established exclusively for boys, it offers the best athletic summer programs and an authentic fun overnight summer camp experience.
The Cedar experience helps in developing your boy’s character, strong foundation, and lifelong friendships. The all-boys camp creates a comfortable environment where everyone feels like they can be themselves at all times. A brotherhood community is formed via shared experiences, celebrating accomplishments, and working together in the field.
Known in the United States as one of the leading sports camps, Cedar has skilled coaches and superb facilities. The team sports and individual sports program is entirely based on sportsmanship, joint effort, challenge, confidence, and character building.
There are more than 50 water and land sport activities offered by Cedar. Each summer, Cedar has a welcoming capacity of 270 boys of ages 8-15 at their sleepaway summer camps.
8. Camp Blue Ridge
Camp Blue Ridge is a co-ed family-operated camp for kids and teenagers ages 5-16 with a large enrollment capacity. This recognized summer camp builds up independent campers inside a community setting. It offers a nurturing summer experience and safe environment while focusing on social and educational development.
Found in northern Georgia, the 250 acres land of stunningly beautiful mountains of Southern Blue Ridge makes it a fantastic place to camp during summers. It’s just 2 hours away from northeast Atlanta.
Camp Blue Ridge sleepaway camps offer more than 50 activities for all campers regardless of age and skill level. Two hundred fifty acres of playroom is more than enough for campers to enjoy facilities related to aquatics, sports, cultural art, and other outdoor/indoor adventures under proper staff guidance. There are two lakes and even a heated pool.
Every camper gets to select his/her own choice of activities and can also participate in field trips off-campus.
9. Friendly Pines Camp
A family-operated and owned private camp, the Friendly Pines sleepaway camp for kids was founded in 1941 for girls and boys ages 6-14. Nestled in the beautiful Bradshaw Range Mountains of south Prescott, this program offers more than 30 activities for children. The 120 acres of campsite right next to the Prescott National Forest is mostly wilderness and nature.
Almost all activities have three levels: elementary, intermediate, and advanced, to let the camper choose the best-suited level depending on skill or experience. They have a one camp, one group policy, which means when your child is at the Friendly Pines camp, he/she will not have to share any of the facilities (fire pit, challenge course, entire lake, etc.) with another group.
Friendly Pines camp fulfills all safety standards developed by the American Camping Association. On the whole, it’s one of the best sleepaway camps for a great outdoor education experience.
To know what to bring to camp, this is a list of camp essentials.