? Why New York?

You don’t have to trek to the Rockies or the Pacific Northwest to give your kid a summer filled with mountains, lakes, and forested trails. New York — especially Upstate — has it all.

From the Adirondacks to the Catskills, and the pristine lakes of the Hudson Valley to the serene pockets of the Finger Lakes region, New York offers a unique blend of rugged wilderness and accessible escape. That means you can drop your child into a whole new world of outdoor adventure — without needing a passport or a red-eye flight.

? What Really Happens at Sleepaway Camp?

If you’ve never been to sleepaway camp yourself, it might all feel a little mysterious. What actually goes on for those two or four or eight weeks in the woods?

The truth? A little bit of everything.

There are canoe races and campfires, for sure. But there’s also learning how to make your bed, share a room, and be part of a community. Kids go in as individuals — and come out part of something bigger. They try new things, fail in safe ways, succeed in surprising ones, and meet people they might never have encountered at home.

It’s part summer vacation, part social bootcamp, part personal journey.

Here’s a snapshot of what a camper might experience in a single day:

• Morning wake-up to birdsong and lake mist
• Cabin cleanup and group breakfast
• Rock climbing in the morning, followed by arts and crafts or drama practice
• A dip in the lake before lunch
• Afternoon sports, hiking, or maybe building a raft from scratch
• Free time with friends, writing letters home (maybe), and snack breaks
• Evening campfire with songs, s’mores, and stories

It’s structured and spontaneous. Active and reflective. And it all happens with minimal screen time and maximum sky views.

? More Than Just Fun

Sure, camp is a blast — but the real magic is what it builds on the inside.

• Confidence: There’s something empowering about being away from home and handling things on your own — even if that “thing” is making your bed or deciding what to wear in the rain.
• Resilience: Not every day is perfect. Sometimes you get homesick. Sometimes your canoe flips. But getting through those moments makes kids stronger.
• Independence: Kids get to make their own decisions, solve their own problems, and start understanding their own values.
• Friendship: Real friendships. The kind forged in shared cabins, silent laughs during lights-out, and team triumphs in camp-wide competitions.

For many kids, these are the first relationships they build without parents helping to navigate. That makes them powerful — and often long-lasting.

?️ The Variety is Vast

New York isn’t just packed with sleepaway camps — it’s packed with different kinds of sleepaway camps. That’s a good thing, because not every kid thrives in the same environment.

• Traditional Camps: Like Camp Eagle Hill in the Berkshires or Camp Scatico in the Hudson Valley, these offer a little bit of everything — sports, arts, outdoor skills, and more.
• Themed Camps: For kids with a passion for drama, dance, or science, there are specialized camps that dive deep into a specific interest. French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, for example, is legendary among young creatives.
• Faith-Based Camps: Many camps are grounded in a particular faith tradition, offering spiritual growth alongside swimming and hiking.
• Inclusive Camps: New York also offers incredible programs like Camp Ramapo that are built to support children with learning differences, emotional challenges, or social needs.
• Short-Term & Intro Camps: Not every child is ready to jump into a 4-week stay. Some camps offer shorter “try-out” sessions or parent-child weekends for younger campers.

❤️ The Hard Part (For Parents)

Let’s be real for a moment. Sending your child off to sleepaway camp can be tough — especially the first time. You might find yourself double-checking the packing list or worrying about how they’ll handle homesickness or make friends.

That’s natural. It’s part of the process — for both of you.

But the growth that happens in those quiet moments — when your child writes a letter about making it to the top of the climbing tower or earning a swim badge — is worth it.

And don’t be surprised if you notice a change when they return. A new maturity. A little more patience. Maybe even a desire to do their own laundry (for a week or two, anyway).

✅ Tips for a Smooth First Camp Experience

• Let them be involved in choosing the camp. Kids are more invested when they have a say.
• Talk about what to expect, especially around things like sharing space or being away from home.
• Start with a shorter session if you or your child feel unsure.
• Send letters (but not guilt trips) — camp is about growing up, not staying tethered.

? The Summer They’ll Never Forget

In the end, sleepaway camp in New York isn’t just about swimming in the lake or roasting marshmallows — although those things are pretty great. It’s about giving kids a chance to explore who they are, apart from school and screens and even family.

It’s about letting them grow up a little — and come back home with stories, skills, and friendships that will stick with them for years.

If you’re on the fence about sending your child to sleepaway camp this summer, here’s your sign: do it. You might be surprised by just how much they — and you — will gain.