Top 21 summer camps in the US

May 05, 2011 6:11 AM by Melissa Chapman

Posted in Parenting / Family Fun / Activities for Kids

Best Sleep Away Summer Camps

From sea to shining sea -- and sometimes, even across that sea -- here are 21 of the coolest summer camps for kids!

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Despite your best efforts to keep your little hatchlings close to the nest, nothing can keep your kids from their firm desire to flex their independence and attend a sleep-away summer camp.

While you maybe cannot fathom more than a night away from your child, you're also well aware that a sleepaway camp and or teen tour experience is a rite of childhood passage your kid deserves and needs to experience even if those weeks when they're gone will have you riddled with longing and anxiety until their safe return.

21 top summer camps

If you're a parent ready to let your child take the sleep-away-camp-plunge, here are 21 camp and teen tour experiences that should be on your radar.

More on summer camps

Summer camp jobs for teens
Summer camp tips: Finding the best fit
Preparing your child for camp

Tags: activities camping summer camp travel vacation

Comments

Comments on "Top 21 summer camps in the US"

CAMP CHI IS SO AMAZING YOU WILL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. THE AMAZING STAFF, THE FUN ACTIVITIES, AND THE UNFORGETTABLE FRIENDS AND MEMORIES YOU MAKE. I LOVE ALL THE ACTIVITES. I LEARNED TO KNEEBOARD IN 3 DAYS. INCREDIBLE. PLEASE SIGN YOUR KIDS UP HERE!!! THEY WILL NEVER FORGET IT!!!!

I have been a camper at JCC Camp Chi for 5 years, and my sisters for 2. It is an amazing camp full of fun activities, great facilities, and amazing counselors. Chi has so many programs available from normal sleepaway camp to teen trips across the country. Camp has become a part of my life, and I have made so many great friends and tried so many new activities. Camp Chi has truly made me who I am today, and I was so happy to find Camp Chi on this list.

Camp Ozark truly deserves to be top 10. Unbelievable camp with the nicest workers and the best mission. They know what they are doing. I went there for 5 years and had a blast. Wouldnt think about sending my kids anywhere else. Go caddo!!!

Summer camps are quiet enjoyable for the teens and they learn lots of activities during the vacation. Special programs are organized for the teenagers according to their interest. Outdoor and indoor activities help them to grow both physically and mentally. People, looking for more information about special camps for teenagers, can visit this site. http://www.teenscamps/

You're missing out on Kingsley Pines, no better co-ed camp in the country.

I was surprised that being anAccredited wasn't a factor in your selection of camps. American Camping Association camps typically set high standards for themselves regarding all aspects of the camp experience. Several of the camps selected are not ACA camps and in the case of at least two of your top camps, would have a hard time becoming accredited. High staff turn over rates, below standard staffing, and insufficient supervision are factors in at least some of your selections. While Accredidation is not a guarantee of a quality program, it does serve as a very good starting place. I was surprised that your search didn't start there. I do think that parents should be encouraged to consider a camp experience that meets professional camping community standards.

It's really great to see Camp Wico has new directors..I was an international camp counselor back in 1999, and I believe we were treated very badly by the directors at that time. We were there for 8 weeks and not given any transport/or opportunities to get anywhere on our one day off a week. Since it is in the middle of nowhere (although beautiful), one of my co-counselors and I had to cycle for many miles to get any items we needed. Hey I'm not fussy but I think if we have travelled from the other side of the world to assist in this camp then we should be treated with a bit of respect..It is not only the campers away from home but often the young counselors too. I must say it looks much improved these days, and many new facilities!

I was fortunate enough to work at Cheley in the 60's, and my daughter attended camp for 7 years in the 90's. Amazingly, nothing is different--maybe even better than ever. That says something, when a camp that is 90 years old has been so successful for so long--and it continues under the management of the 4th generation of the Cheley family. Frank Cheley, in 1921, professed that great things happen when kids and mountains meet. It's still so true today. KIds can jut be kids and find challenges and success, whether it be hiking, riding horses, mountain biking (ok, that's a new program), rock climbing, art and crafts, backpacking, or archery--with top-notch staff, gorgeous Rocky Mtn. National Park at the doorstep, and clean mountain air to breathe. I wish I could go back to camp!

My 3 kids have attended JCC Camp Chi since they were in 4th grade. Two girls and a boy. All of them have made incredible friends and created lasting memories. Their teen and travel programs are also outstanding.

My two teen daughters happily toss away their cell phones in place of horse reins. They forget about computers, FB in exchange for the Rocky Mountain views and campfires. They LONG for Cheley all year round. Something magical has happened here for 90 yrs. They will be 4th generation campers, their parents were married in the chapel and now they plan on the same tradition. Although, my late husband is not here to experience and share his time at Cheley, my daughters feel him and all those who have listened to the wisdom of 'Trigger Bill'. Cheley Campers quite simply become solid adults who are linchpins of society after they leave via that old Fish Creek dirt road back to their homes and reality!

I completely agree that there is no better experience than summers at Cheley. My kids will soon be 3rd generation and I am jealous for the friendships, personal challenges and accomplishments, hiking, riding and backpacking that await them. Such a truly incredible place with amazing leadership. Hooray for Cheley! You are tops on my list too!!!

I spent 12 summers at Cheley and my children are now 3rd generation campers. AMAZING place! With over 90yrs experience, and run by 4th generation Cheleys - they know how to do camp! The location, outside the Rocky Mountain National park, provides incredible opportunities for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, river rafting...and much more. But even more valuable are the relationships that are formed, the character that is developed and the memories that are made. I'm convinced it's the best gift a parent can give a child!

Three generations of my family attended Cheley and in two years my granddaughter, the fourth generation will be old enough to attend. A one of a kind experience,an extraordinary camp. Go Cheley!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i cant believe they dont have camp ozark up there!!!! camp ozark rocks! go caddo!!!

Wow what a limited, narrow list. I am in the summer camp business and have never heard of 18 of the 20 camps. It seems that except for well known respected French woods and Shane you went out of your way to pick limited exposure, niches camps that have plain outdoor per suits like nature. Which cost little to produce for children. What about mentioning American camp association as a benchmark for camp safety and accreditation? What about camps that offer specialty for kids who want more than just being outdoors like music camps, acting, space camps. Camps like timber lake, long lake camp for the arts, bucs rock (a pioneer in creative camps) stage door, long lake camp adventures. (maybe the only true high adventure camp on in the east), ponied, point o pines. Wow what sill conceived article that is almost biased toasted the one or two famous camps in the list. What camp did you go to, and your kids?

I camp believe you people like wico?!?! I dont know about you but i LOVEEEEEE wico; not even there arent words to describe how awesome it is! Yes there are some up and downs but its a camp experience that will last forever!!!!!!! dont listen to the people that speak otherwise because it is great, outstanding, awesome, amazing, ect. none of those words even come close to what I feel! GO TO WICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wico is awesome!!!! Ive never been but i want to more than anything in the world!!!! Im a Wico fanatic, if you ask me anything about Wico ill know the answer. Im trying to convince my parents to let me go this summer. Anyone have any advise for showing my parents how much i want to go to Wico?

Wicosuta is the best camp ever! your going to have soo much fun with new friends and outstanding activities!!!

Heyy im an allumni Totem from wicosuta and im telling you, your gonna go to wicosuta and your going to LOVE it! dont worry about homesickness, you have great counselors and reliable camp big sister. color war is my favorite part and i cant wait for u to go!

I am a camp researcher and Two of my favorite camps are Wicosuta and JCC camp. I especially enjoy wicosuta because of the impressive newsletter they send. I send my daughter there and her name is Abby. She loves it and goes every year. I look up camp regularly and this is by far my favorite! JCC camp also has amazing programs. both camps are clean and have great food! Choose wicosuta! or JCC