9 Best Sleepaway Camps In New Jersey

It’s time to start thinking about which summer camps your kids want to attend. Luckily, New Jersey has plenty of options for families that cover everything from adventure to STEM learning.

Despite its city-like vibe with its tall buildings, you’ll find plenty of amazing landscapes like the Wharton State Forest and Lake Hopatcong across the state.

The rich summer camp culture of New York is similar to New Jersey which ensures plenty of quality choices for East coasters.

Whether your child is into sports, the arts, or the great outdoors, here are some of the best sleepaway camps in New Jersey to suit your kid’s needs. 

Summer Camp	Location	Ages	Gender	Session Lengths
YMCA of the Pines	Medford	7-16	Coed	1, 2 weeks
Camp Haluwasa	Hammonton	8-15	Coed	1 week
YMCA Camp Bernie	Port Murray	4-17	Coed	1, weeks
Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp	Branchville	8-16	Coed	1, 2 weeks
YMCA Camp Mason	Hardwick Township	7-15	Coed	1 week
Camp Coley	Stanhope	8-18	Coed	1 week
Girl Scouts Camp Inawendiwin	Tabernacle	5-17	Girls	2 days, 1 week
Trail Blazers	Montague	6-17	Coed	1, 2 weeks
Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center	Johnsonburg	6-18	Coed	1 week

1. YMCA of the Pines

Located in Medford, the YMCA of the Pines is a fantastic camp for children 7+. With its gorgeous location in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey, it lets boys and girls explore the great outdoors. 

There is a wide range of outdoor things to do, including swimming, boating, fishing, archery, and more. Kids can also sign up for arts and crafts, music, dance, and drama classes.

YMCA of the Pines offers summer programs for varying age groups that last anywhere from a full week to two weeks or the entire summer. Apart from their sleepaway camps, you can also select from summer day camps. 

Their mission is to provide an open environment where campers can learn and develop essential skills. It’s committed to creating a sense of community for those who attend and getting them to form strong friendships. 

It has a commitment to sustainability, and once the summer ends, it makes use of the campus to offer outdoor education programs for field trips. 

2. Camp Haluwasa

Camp Haluwasa is a Christian summer camp situated in Hammonton. If you’re looking to help your kids grow their faith and develop new skills, this is the perfect place for them to spend their summer. 

You can select from overnight camps, with session lengths ranging from one to two weeks. Parents can also choose family camps to spend an entire weekend doing fun activities with their kids. Its dedicated and experienced counselors ensure your children are in good care and feel uplifted. 

Its facilities and 125 acres of amazing landscape are ideal for hiking, ropes courses, boating, horseback riding, and much more. They teach Christian faith and values to children through Bible study, worship services, and faith-based activities. Your kids won’t find a shortage of things to do at Camp Haluwasa. 

3. YMCA Camp Bernie

YMCA Camp Bernie, located in Port Murray, NJ, is a traditional co-ed summer camp for boys and girls. There are plenty of activities for students in grades 2-10, with the 1 and 2-week camps. Camp Bernie also has year-round selections if your kids want to continue after the school break.

Camp Bernie focuses on team-building and wilderness skills such as fire-building and geocaching. There is also standard swimming, lifeguard training, rafting, dirt bikes, archery, and fun camp games like scavenger hunts and ultimate frisbee.

The more adventurous type can try their hand at more unique pursuits like rock climbing, zip-lining, and even mountain biking. Older high school students can enroll in their Counselor In Training program to become camp counselors one day. 

4. Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp

Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp offers sleepaway camps for children ages 8 to 16. Its beautiful camp location features woodland areas and a private lake for water activities. 

At Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp, you can partake in canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, and team sports. Campers can also participate in themed weeks focusing on science and technology, outdoor adventure, and performing arts. 

They offer standard session lengths of 1 and 2 weeks, as well as an extended 18-day session and leadership programs for older children.

It has a strong focus on environmental education with its nature center. Here your kids can gain real-world knowledge about the natural world through hands-on activities. 

There is also a farm home to various animals and activities such as gardening and animal care. Campers can get a well-rounded education that combines fun and valuable knowledge.

5. YMCA Camp Mason

Situated in Hardwick, New Jersey, Camp Mason is a 450-acre site located next to the scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This makes it the perfect option for outdoor activities! 

Camp Mason offers both overnight and day camps, as well as a variety of other year-round programs. The day camps are suitable for children 5-14, while the residential camps require your student to be completing grades 2-9.

Boasting an awesome nature center, a variety of challenge courses, an arts and crafts center, and sports courts, this place has so much to offer.

Your child can also benefit from the surrounding forest trails and lakes, so they’ll truly get to enjoy the great outdoors. Honestly, there’s a wealth of activities available! Family camps are also on offer.

6. Camp Coley

Camp Coley can be found at the Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation. Camp Coley offers a one-week camp suitable for students in grades 3-12. 

Being volunteer-run, you know the staff are there simply to get the best out of your child too! Camp Coley prioritizes spending time outdoors. This includes aquatic activities such as boating and swimming and others such as hiking, sports, and games.

Your child can expect to take part in some awesome unique activities too, like sports, all-terrain vehicles, rock climbing, and ecology. This camp also highlights the importance of outdoor skills! 

There is also a counselor in training camp that teaches older students how to run programs and watch over younger campers. 

7. Girl Scouts Camp Inawendiwin

Camp Inawendiwin is a residential camp by the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey. Located in the mountains, it provides a happy environment where girls can explore the outdoors and develop their leadership potential. 

It’s designed to challenge campers to step out of their comfort zones and take on new responsibilities. The surrounding area comprises wooded hills, meadows, and a lake. Accommodations include platform tents, cabins, and lodges. 

The campgrounds feature a dining hall, a sports field, a swimming pool, a low ropes course, and an archery range. Your daughter can swim, kayak, and go horseback riding. They also offer specialized programs in outdoor cooking and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning.

Your daughter can choose from 2 days to a week of camp sessions aimed at students in K-12. There is also a leadership program for high school students. 

8. Trail Blazers

Trail Blazers provides a unique camp experience in Montague, focusing on outdoor education and wilderness exploration. The campus extends almost 1000+ acres of pristine forest land in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It allows campers to connect with nature in a gorgeous setting.

Trail Blazers help instill a sense of respect and appreciation for nature by immersing them in it through their outdoor programs. As part of the process, kids can also learn about the value of teamwork and independence. 

Your child can participate in hiking, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, and more. Wilderness skills they gain include fire building, plant identification, and orienting. 

With the goal of creating a fun and supportive environment, campers learn about themselves, the world around them, and how to take an active role in it. They offer one and two week programs.

9. Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center

Johnsonburg Camp is a Presbyterian camp with year-round programs. It also operates as a retreat center and is funded mainly by donations. 

There is a strong focus on uniting children from different backgrounds and all coming together to create a strong sense of community. The long camp sessions last up to 10 weeks, and part of it includes participating in community service. 

Johnsonburg Camp takes its faith very seriously, with routine visits to outdoor chapels and spiritual direction built into the program. 

Kids from all walks of life can come to their camps or weekend retreats to experience God’s love and the beauty of nature. The camp is designed to foster spiritual growth and connect campers with the outdoor environment.