Top 20 summer camps in the U.S.

May 20, 2013 8:00 AM by Melissa Chapman

Posted in Parenting / Family Fun / Activities for Kids

While you might not be able to fathom more than a night away from your child, you also know that a sleep-away camp and/or teen tour experience is a rite of passage your kid deserves — and needs — to experience, even if those weeks when she's gone will have you riddled with longing and anxiety until her safe return.

Top 20 summer camps

If you're a parent ready to let your child take the sleep-away-camp plunge, here are 20 camp and teen tour experiences that should be on your radar.

Cheley Colorado Camp, Colorado

Cheley Colorado Camp

Located at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Cheley Colorado Camp is an amazing summer camp for kids that offers a number of activities from horseback riding and hiking to archery and riflery. If your kids love adventure and the outdoors, this is a terrific option.

Four Winds Westward Ho camp, Washington State

Situated on Orcas Island near Seattle, Washington, Four Winds Westward Ho is a place where kids can get away from technology and modern comforts and discover new friendships and interests in the great outdoors.

Virginia State Parks YCC, Virginia

For something completely different, consider sending your kids to the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps. This three-week residential program allows kids to live and work in the state park, preparing meals, performing chores and enjoying nature.

Camp Wicosuta, New Hampshire

This all-girls camp in New Hampshire is located just south of the White Mountains on Newfound Lake. Girls enjoy water sports, creative arts, horseback riding and other outdoor adventures at Camp Wicosuta.

Thrill Coaster Tours

Not your traditional camp, this teen program is all about roller coasters. Thrill Coaster Tours allows kids to visit various amusement parks and try out different roller coasters all over the country. The "campers" travel by luxury bus and stay at Marriott hotels as they go from city to city.

Sanborn Western Camps, Colorado

Sanborn Western Camp

Located on 6,000 acres of aspen, spruce, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine-filled forests, an hour west of Colorado Springs, Sanborn Western Camps provide the perfect place for kids to do everything from fly-fishing to horseback riding and community service to science projects.

Camp Chief Ouray, Colorado

With picturesque views of the Continental Divide and an amazing program that develops core values in its campers, Camp Chief Ouray is a spectacular choice for your kids. From archery to riflery and nature studies to teambuilding challenges, your kids will love every day at this YMCA camp.

New York Film Academy Camps — Worldwide

So your kid wants to be in the movies? With the Film Academy Camps around the world, tweens and teens can learn about filmmaking, animation, acting and more. From the Universal Studios back lot to locations in Paris, these premiere camps are top-notch.

Camp in Medomak, Maine

Located in mid-coast Maine on more than 200 acres, Camp in Medomak is unique because it's a secular camp for the whole family. It can host up to a dozen families at a time and there are activities for adults and children alike. Each family gets their own cabin, while the food and activities are preplanned to ensure a relaxing and fun environment.

Rockin' C Ranch, Texas

A real working ranch, campers at Rockin' C Ranch endure a lot of physical activity while also learning how to love and appreciate their surroundings. Unique activities include cattle driving, woodworking and egg collecting. Not only will campers have a memorable time, they will build character along the way.

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Comments

Comments on "Top 20 summer camps in the U.S."

My boys have gone to Camp Skylemar in Maine for several years now. It's been an amazing experience for them that they look forward to every summer. The staff there is outstanding! HIGHLY recommended. Lots of info on their Web site: http://skylemar

Long Lake Camp for the arts is an AMAZING camp that I've been going to for a year now! I'm coming this year and it has everything, 20 fine arts studios, music, theater, drama, waterfront, sports, and even a bunch of movie making and rock bands! I loved it, and think it's just as good as frenchwoods looks. Check it out it's FANTASTIC!!!!

I'd check out Kennolyn Camps. Located in the Santa Cruz mountains in Santa Cruz California! I went there for 10 years and loved every minute of it. www.kennolyncamps

I just heard about this new sleepaway camp in Massachusetts called Oasis Pines. My kids have attended Oasis day camp for years and we LOVE Oasis. It is going to be on the campus of Smith College and its beautiful! Oasis has the best staff and my kids always loved the spirit of the camp. They would come home and tell us amazing stories of all the activities and awesome stuff they did. We completely trust Oasis and we know that sleepaway is going to be fantatic! We are excited for our kids to be a part of the start of Oasis Pines!!!

i'd also look at Camp Friendship in Virginia www.campfriendship..

Don't forget to include Flying Moose Lodge in East Orland, ME! I attended this canoeing, hiking, camping, and wilderness based camp for boys for 5 years and wouldn't be who I am today were it not for those wonderful summers. Flying Moose really concentrates on building woods skills such as white water canoeing, and low impact camping. They have tetherball, canoe building, ping pong, skit night, sing-alongs, and weekly trips to places like Acadia National Park, the Appalacian Trail, and many of the area's fine waterways like the Allagash and the St Croix. There are a number of different sessions available, but after my first summer, I had to go for the whole seven weeks from then on. Check them out! Your boys will thank you!

I'd also throw Longacre Leadership up there, although I'm not surprised it didn't make the list, it's small.

Totally agree with the comments from Dave Friedman (and Marc). If you are using this article to somehow narrow down camps... you are making a mistake. Contact the American Camping Association for a free and UNBIASED consultation. They visit and accredit camps and are the ONLY unbiased source to be trusted.

It is obvious why you missed Pok-o-MacCready Camps. Your list is the best camps in the U.S. Pok-o-MacCready is commonly known as "The Greatest Camp in the Universe".

I am shocked that Teton Valley Ranch Camp is not on this list...it most definitely gives Cheley a run for their money.

Camp Skylemar in Maine is great, I only have sons and it is a boys camp, but the directors are caring people and they put an amazing effort into finding great counselors who can teach all levels of sports, from my beginner son, to older son who thinks he is an expert. Awesome camp

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.