Best Sleepaway Camps In New England 2024

Sleepaway Camps In New England

New England is composed of some of the best states in the country for kids to learn about the outdoors.

The magnificent landscapes that include open field spaces and forests provide a perfect environment for summer camps. 

States like Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, offer a multitude of premier sleepaway camps in New England, but you can still find plenty of choices in the other smaller states.

If you want to find the right one for your children, check out any of these amazing New England summer camps. 

Summer CampLocationAgesGenderSession Lengths
Camp CodyFreedom. NH7-15 Coed2, 4 weeks
Camp Robin HoodFreedom, NH7-16Coed4, 6 weeks
Camp QuinebargeMoultonborough, NH6-16Coed2, 4, 6, 8 weeks
Camp North Star MainePoland, MA7-17Coed2-7 weeks
Camp BauercrestAmesbury, MA7-17Boys2, 3, 4, 5.5, 7
Camp AldersgateNorth Scituate, RI6-18Coed1 week
Camp LenoxOtis, MA7-17Coed3, 4 weeks
Camp BournedalePlymouth, MA6-16Coed1 week
Camp HawkeyeCharlestown, NH7-17Coed2, 4, 6, 8 weeks
Camp BillingsFairlee, VT8-15Coed2 weeks

1. Camp Cody

Boy releasing arrow at Camp Cody

Camp Cody has kept kids ages 7-16 active and happy since they were established in 1926. This camp has been owned by the same family for over 60 years! 

Located on the shores of Ossipee Lake, the camp offers the perfect environment for adventure and activities and gives children a chance to connect with nature. 

Camp Cody aims to tailor the experience to each and every child, as they know everyone is different. How do they do this you ask? Well, they connect with parents to understand the interests of every child before the summer camp begins.

This way, the staff here can create a schedule that brings out the best in your child and allow them to develop new skill sets. This could be anything from baseball, photography, dance, canoeing, gymnastics, volleyball, woodworking, water skiing, tubing, and survival skills!

There are five programs in total at Camp Cody; Pioneers, Juniors, Inters, Seniors, and Leadership for all different age groups. 

2. Camp Robin Hood

Camp Robinhood

Camp Robin Hood is located in Freedom within New Hampshire and is set upon 180 acres of land. That’s plenty of space for your child to run free and get involved with a whole host of new activities. 

This camp has a brother/sister camp structure, meaning your child will benefit from staying within a single-gender camp environment. However, they can still experience day-to-day life as a dynamic group.

Every day at Camp Robin Hood is different, but there are a whole host of amenities on offer. This includes athletic facilities, an arts and craft center, and a performing arts theater, all near by the White Mountain National Forest.

Typically, the days here are made up of five activity periods and three of which are chosen by the campers themselves. This way, you can be sure your child is benefiting from the activities on offer. This camp also offers a hockey camp and a family camp if you want to experience this together. 

3. Camp Quinebarge

Camp Quinebarge

You can find Camp Quinebrage nestled in the New Hampshire mountains on a beautiful 70-acre camp on the banks of Lake Kanasatka. Boys and girls ages 6 to 16 can enjoy this inclusive overnight summer camp, meaning all religions and backgrounds are welcome. 

From the moment they arrive, campers can enter a welcoming atmosphere where they feel they can truly be themselves. There are 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-week camps available, and the days are filled with activities like swimming lessons, zip lining, horseback riding, mountaintop hiking, low ropes courses, and more. 

Camp Quinebarge is also known for its famous Monkeytown, a mini-camp within a camp that has its own Olympics, carnival, and even money. When not splashing in the lake or playing on one of the camp’s numerous sports fields, your kids can enjoy quiet time and the nightly Candle Pass within the classic wooden cabins.

4. Camp North Star Maine

Camp North Star Maine

Set on a massive 200-acre campus in the Maine woodlands, Camp North Star Maine takes advantage of its immense grounds by providing a truly astounding number of activities. 

Apart from traditional summer camp experiences, 2nd to 11th-grade students can try their hands at a game of rugby, basketball, quidditch, soccer, beach volleyball, and any other sport you can imagine.

You can also learn how to create stained glass art, play Dungeons & Dragons, go rock climbing or sailing, and even jam in the camp rock band. Parents can choose between 2 to 7-week programs, with any number of weeks in between those. 

It’s a screen-free environment, and the tech detox is a purposeful part of the Camp North Star program. Camp North Star Maine also puts a special emphasis on becoming a better person, and its RICHS program instills and rewards values like respect and independence. 

5. Camp Bauercrest

Bauercrest

Camp Bauercrest in Massachusetts is an all-boys sports camp that promotes healthy competition and personal growth. Kids don’t need to be star athletes to have fun at Camp Bauercrest. They just need to enjoy the sports, and the world-class facilities can help them do just that. 

Bauercrest features outdoor courts for night games in soccer and tennis, plus batting cages and full-sized indoor basketball courts. It’s also home to a one-of-a-kind camper favorite: the Ninja Warrior course built by the designers of the American Ninja Warrior TV show.

Most campers take full advantage of the high-caliber coaches and athletic training by enrolling in the full summer program. However, there is a 2-week mini-camp available for younger children. 

It has a strong Jewish tradition, but all religions and cultures are welcome. There are no religious classes, but rather a focus on core Jewish values to help young men be their best. This is achieved through its STAR philosophy which includes matters of sportsmanship and resilience.

6. Camp Aldersgate

The smallest U.S. state is home to a decently sized summer camp, as Rhode Island’s Camp Aldersgate sits on an enormous 280-acre campus. Students come from all over the country to enjoy the camp’s private lake, challenging hiking trails, and a wide assortment of sports fields. 

There are residential and day camps lasting one week for different age groups. Plus, special-focus programs like the art camp, leadership camp, and even a family camp that parents can participate in.

Camp Aldersgate is commended by campers and parents alike for its relaxed atmosphere that helps even the most introverted kids open up and take part in activities. It promotes Methodist values but is an all-inclusive camp that welcomes everyone. 

Their kid-friendly lunch menu is packed with delicious items they can enjoy, like chicken fingers and tacos. Their camp counselors are trained to make sure your child is comfortable, happy, and learning while away from home at this New England summer camp.

7. Camp Lenox

Camp Lenox is another fantastic option if you’re looking for the best New England Summer Camps. Situated in Otis, Massachusetts, this place is famous for its fantastic sports summer camps.

If your child is a keen athlete, then this is the place they’ll probably want to go. Here, they can learn skills from the highest quality high school and college coaches, so you know they’ll be learning from the very best! 

Camp Lenox offers a half-day and full-day summer program, and there are over 50+ activities available for your child to get involved in. This includes individual sports, team sports, adventure sports, and creative activities. They also host tournaments, practices, and friendly games for athletes to practice their skills. 

The camp is suitable for children between the ages of 7-16 and they spend their summer on 170 acres of private land. They can expect an adventure of a lifetime.

8. Camp Bournedale

Camp Bournedale is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, along a herring pond. Your child can have a fantastic time if they love aquatic activities, think kayaking, sailing, tubing, etc.

It’s important to note that Bourendale is a boy-only summer camp, and there are four types of camp available. Some of these are day camps, while others run overnight. This camp also offers a Little Camper Program which is suitable for young children 4-6.

Camp Bournedale stands out from the crowd due to its extensive facilities. You can find tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, and an indoor swimming pool here. 

There’s even an onsite marine science area, an arts and crafts building, and rocketry! So no matter what your child’s interested in, there will be something to their liking. 

9. Camp Hawkeye

What sets Camp Hawkeye apart from other New England summer camps is its focus on diversity and equity. This is an all-inclusive environment for kids ages 7-17 from various cultures, religions, and backgrounds to get together to have fun in a safe and positive atmosphere. 

The sleepaway camp has 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week programs, plus some of the most unique camp activities, like iron chef classes, starfish ball, and its world-famous eggy games. 

The summer camp’s beautiful grounds are dotted with campfire circles for s’mores and special ceremonies. Kids retire to comfortable wooden cabins each night, and each cabin has only six to eight campers plus two staff members. 

The camp’s tech-free philosophy encourages them to socialize, try new activities, and, above all, be themselves. Social justice is a big part of their mission. 

10. Camp Billings

This sleepaway camp on the shores of Vermont’s Lake Fairlee draws in campers for its camp spirit, rustic lakefront charm, and classic outdoor activities. Boys and girls ages 8 to 15 can enjoy the 2-week sessions that are fully technology-free. 

Camp Billings strives to be an inclusive camp for creative and fun-loving kids from all different backgrounds. New arrivals receive an incredibly warm group welcome, so kids know right away that they’re supported and amongst friends. Kids enjoy this camp so much that the vast majority of campers return the following summer.

One of the most popular areas is the waterfront, where kids enjoy waterskiing, sailing, daily swim lessons, and snorkeling. There are also inter-camp sports competitions and even friendly tournaments against other camps. 

After dinner each day, all of the children come together for large-scale fun, like a massive game of Capture the Flag, casino night, or a dance party.