Ohio is bordered by Lake Eerie and is home to many other natural lakes. There is a scenic beauty throughout the countryside, with many creeks, forests, and rivers.
There are many summer camps in Ohio since it’s a good place as children have plenty of space for adventure. At camp, campers can sit around the campfire and tell stories surrounded by friends, which makes it a common memory among many who attend.
Plus, not to mention all the possible fun activities out there. This is a list of the top overnight camps in Ohio which are part of the American Camp Association.
1. Hiram House Camp
Hiram House Camp offers six-day sessions and is open to boys in girls between the ages of 6 and 14. The summer camp, located in Chagrin Falls, has many classic camp activities for your child, such as swimming, archery, wall-climbing, horseback riding, evenings by the campfire, and more. After a full day of fun outdoor activities, campers spend their nights in log cabins with similar-age campers.
Hiram House Camp also provides help to campers in need of financial aid, making it accessible to families of all backgrounds. The overnight camp maintains a ratio of 8:1 campers to staff members, with specialists supervising activities like horseback riding and archery.
With meals provided and Hiram House Camp’s commitment to healthy and safe outdoor experiences, you’ll know your kids are in for a wonderful camp experience.
2. Camp Frederick
Camp Fredrick, located south of Youngstown, is a Christian organization with programs available for children ages 6-17. There are four overnight programs, each designed with a specific age group in mind so that campers can continue to grow on their spiritual journeys.
There are adventures in ziplining, canoeing, wall climbing, swimming, and Bible-Study while surrounded by nature. Older campers can make their own food and smores using a campfire, supervised by the caring staff. This Christian camp strives to build self-confidence in its participants and help them develop their faith.
There is a fully trained and CPR-certified staff, so you can be sure your children are in good hands. The summer programs last five days, with different sessions checking in on Sunday and Friday. Coming to Camp Frederick can give your child memories they can cherish.
3. Camp Y-Noah
Camp Y-Noah is provided through the Akron Area YMCA in Ohio. They serve campers ages 6-17 and separate them into groups while at camp. You can select from a mixture of sleepaway camps, day camps, family camps, and even horseback riding lessons.
One of their adventure camps provides traditional summer camp experiences with activities that include swimming in Lake Noah, art and crafts, archery, and more. There are different themes each week to change things up.
Ranch Camp is also offered, teaching campers how to groom and care for horses as well as providing trail-riding lessons. The trained staff supports, supervises, and encourages campers of all skill levels.
Camp Y-Noah also offers Full-Immersion Camps, allowing kids to live in some of their favorite imaginary worlds, such as those from popular video games, books, and movies. This allows campers to connect with others through shared interests and remain engaged throughout the course of the program.
Older campers can attend leadership and Counselor-in-Training programs.
4. Camp Quest Ohio
Camp Quest is a small non-profit founded on humanistic beliefs and a love of science. Campers are free to choose from the camp’s activities, which include typical camp fun such as campfires, canoeing, and tie-dying, but also some less common options such as theatre, chess, and fossil hunts. They teach boys and girls in a fun way to keep them engaged and happy.
Camp Quest embraces uniqueness and encourages campers to discover and think for themselves. There is a wide variety of staff, ranging from Ph.D. holders in anthropology to teachers and college students. If your child has a curious soul or is enthusiastic about science, this is the perfect summer camp for them.
5. Camp Kern
Lakes and forests surround Camp Kern, making it a wonderful classroom for outdoor education in Western Ohio. It offers many outdoor activities, such as bouldering, swimming, and campfires, so there’s plenty to be enjoyed in its expansive outdoor space. Additionally, Camp Kern has some special programming like drama and digital photography. At the end of each camp, there is a camp-wide game that falls under a weekly theme.
The camp focus lies on making friends and memories and building confidence. For the older campers, new activities are offered to keep them engaged and have outdoor fun, with trail riding and a high-ropes course for teenagers.
Camp Kern knows it isn’t easy to trust your child with strangers but wants parents to know they do everything it takes to keep their kiddos safe and happy. You can also join your kids at their family camp during the holidays.
While it’s an ideal camp spot, they also have environmental education classes and facilities for rent.
6. Camp Wyandot
The directors and owners of Camp Wyandot have a strong belief that outdoor play is an integral part of growing up. At Camp Wyandot, they instill a deep respect for the outdoors and ensure campers spend plenty of time out there.
Their overnight camps are open to campers in 2-12th grade and offers activities like fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Campers can stay in cabin groups of about half of a dozen kids in addition to their assigned camp counselor.
In the evening, campers sit around the fire, sing songs and do skits. They even have an opportunity to show off their talents once a week in Camp Wyandot’s “Wyandot Live.”
With staff-led activities and all water activities supervised by trained lifeguards, Camp Wyandot provides safe access to nature. It allows your child to gain survival skills in a controlled environment. The separate Camp Otonw is their day camp program for younger kids in 1st to 5th grade.
7. Camp Carl
Camp Carl is a Christian summer camp in Ravenna, OH, that teaches love and forgiveness and builds lifelong friendships between campers. With special programs for elementary schoolers in third grade and above, middle and high school students can participate in tubing, archery, horseback riding, and evening worship sessions.
There is also the opportunity to opt-in for additional activities, including music lessons, baking, and even woodshop and paintball. Regardless, your child can still have plenty of fun to take part in if you choose not to sign them up for any additional activities. On top of all the excitement of the standard overnight program, Camp Carl also offers an Equine camp and Waterskiing camp for 6-12th graders.
Camp Carl has a 6:1 ratio of campers to counselors, allowing everyone to become well acquainted with one another. The exact amount of fun and facilities are also available to those who prefer their day camps.
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