The Best Summer Camps in the Northeast in 2026

For over 75 years, campers, parents, and staff have described their unforgettable experiences and cherished memories at Camp Starlight using words that capture the essence of this premier summer camp. Located in Starlight, Pennsylvania, just two and a half hours northwest of New York City, Camp Starlight sits on a 385-acre brother/sister campus, featuring its own private lake and nestled within Pennsylvania’s “endless mountains.”

At Camp Starlight, boys and girls participate in separate activities during the day, embracing the advantages of a single-gender camp while coming together as a family for meals and evening programs. The camp is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, dedicated staff, high-quality programs, and beautiful facilities.

The camp offers a vibrant and structured sleepaway program with a wide range of activities, …

Brant Lake Camp, founded in 1916, is one of the oldest single-family owned camps in the country. At Brant Lake Camp, we have a thoughtful approach to caring for kids. We acknowledge that a boy’s needs change as he grows. This allows us to know each child’s personality, and recognize their strengths and needs. Brant Lake is home to boys who enjoy a summer stepped in sports, tradition and fun.

At Brant Lake “Key Staff” is our name for the problem solvers. We are extremely proud of the quality, quantity, and longevity of our Key Staff members.

Our Mini-Camp approach creates a small camp feel within a larger camp community, while also ensuring all programming and equipment is age-appropriate. Each Mini-Camp is designated…

Camp Pemigewassett is an all-boys overnight camp located on the shores of Lower Baker Pond in central New Hampshire, offering a classic New England camp experience rooted in tradition and purpose. Since its founding, Pemi has focused on helping boys grow into confident, capable young people by emphasizing character, responsibility, and respect for others. Camp life is intentionally structured to encourage independence while providing the support boys need to feel secure, challenged, and valued.

At the heart of Pemi’s philosophy is the belief that boys thrive when they are known, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. Campers live, learn, and grow within small cabin groups that foster strong friendships and a true sense of belonging. Through shared routines, camp traditions, and daily responsibilities, boys learn cooperation, accountability, and the…

Set on 180 acres just minutes from New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, Camp Robin Hood is more than just an overnight summer camp—it is a tradition, a legacy, and a home. Since 1927, Robin Hood has provided an encouraging, inviting, and supportive summer environment for our campers. That environment is created in large part by our caring and attentive staff, composed almost entirely of young men and women who grew up as campers in the Robin Hood community. Understanding the enduring positive influence of the Robin Hood experience, our staff members return to camp each summer eager to provide that same experience for our next generation of campers.

It is our responsibility to provide your child with a structured, supportive environment, in which they will develop lasting friendships, gain personal insight into the importance of mutual resp…

Welcome to Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge. Since 1920, our traditional summer camps have been at the forefront of resident camping and have become a summer home to generations of campers, staff, and alumni. We are passionate about the camp experience and value the history and traditions that continue to shape us.

The years spent growing up at Equinunk and Blue Ridge will have a profound impacton who your daughter or son becomes as a person through the strengthening of their character and creation of deeply connected friendships. We strive for campers to become more empathetic of others and more compassionate for themselves. We believe that by helping children become more self-aware, they will lead lives driven by integrity, kindness and possibility, which in turn, will foster meaningful relationships, greater resilience and a strong sense of self and pu…

Sleeping away from family…living in a new “home”… creating a new family of friends: this is what the Birchmont Experience is about.


Our overnight camp gives your children the opportunity to begin the transition from the security of home and family to the independence of creating a new “home away from home.” Camp Birchmont is a community which fosters a caring and engaging environment in a beautiful camp setting. We encourage our campers to actively participate in camp life and broaden their horizons by making new friends and trying new experiences. At Birchmont, the highest values are placed on friendship, mutual respect and fun.

On a practical level, the newly acquired camper skills of taking care of one’s self, organizing personal belongings, sharing cabin chores, and striving for better performance on the fields & courts, e…

Nestled along the Appalachian Trail in the heart of the Berkshires, Camp Emerson has been creating unforgettable summer experiences for over 50 years. We offer two-week sessions for kids ages 7-15, featuring an exciting mix of activities—Athletics, Performing Arts, Science, Visual Arts, Watersports, and Wilderness adventures. But what truly sets us apart is our welcoming, tight-knit community where kids feel at home.

At Emerson, camp is pure magic. It’s a place where kids feel safe, accepted, and free to be themselves—silly, creative, joyful, and supported through life’s challenges. Deep friendships form, laughter fills the air, and campers leave with confidence and resilience. As they grow, campers step into leadership roles, becoming role models and giving back to their camp family. This unique sense of belonging keeps them coming back summer af…

Creating magical summers for amazing campers is what Walden is all about. At Walden, we make sure every camper feels included in our warm, nurturing community. Walden is a family. And being part of our family means having a summer home where you can live, laugh, learn, and have more fun than you ever imagined possible!

Walden is a co-ed overnight camp offering everything under the sun for summertime fun! From athletics, to arts, to aquatics, to adventure, Walden has it all. Fun is at the heart of a Walden summer and we incorporate it into all we do. Our exceptional programs and facilities, including our stunning spring-fed lake, give campers endless opportunities to grow their confidence and skills. Walden’s highly experienced specialists work with campers to promote skill-building, teamwork, friendship, and fun. At Walden we constantly encourage camper…

What differentiates Watitoh from other camps is our size. We are a smaller camp so everyone knows each other. Campers and counselors alike feel like they are part of something more than a camp, they feel like a family. Since 1937, our warm, family-oriented, coed camp, nestled in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains on crystal-clear Center Lake, has provided a safe and supportive environment where each of our campers can live summer dreams and make them come true in their summer home.

Every summer our remarkable campers are living the dream of a place where everyone belongs and everyone knows each other’s name.

They are living the dream of lasting friendships and endless fun.

They are living the dream of feeling included and secure with bunkmates, teammates, and campmates in a caring, coed community.

They are living the dream of tryi…

Camp Wah-Nee offers a classic overnight camp experience in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of northwestern Connecticut. With nearly a century of traditions, the camp blends a warm, spirited community with a structured program designed to help campers build confidence, independence, and friendships that last well beyond the summer. Its peaceful, wooded location and private lake create an ideal backdrop for adventure and growth.

Just over two hours from both New York City and Boston, Camp Wah-Nee is easily accessible yet feels worlds away from everyday life. Campers enjoy modern bunks, wide-open fields, creative arts spaces, and an expansive waterfront that supports everything from swimming to boating. This balance of nature and well-equipped facilities provides the perfect setting for boys and girls to explore new interests and strengthen existing skills…

In the Sebago Lakes area of Maine, Laurel South is situated on the shores of Crescent Lake. Campers are exposed to a variety of activities within our distinctive 6-part core program of Athletics, Waterfront, Adventure, Inter-Arts, Tennis, and Equestrian during our thrilling and action-packed four-week adventure. Our campers are encouraged to explore new interests, acquire new skills, and identify new strengths in our inclusive and inviting community by our professional and nurturing staff of coaches, educators, and college students. Making friends, gaining confidence, and having fun is what Laurel South is all about! We consistently go above and beyond the expectations of our campers and families by putting a strong emphasis on building relationships, cabin life, diversified programming, exceptional staff, fantastic activities, and nutritious and delicious dinin…

Timber Lake Camp is located on a mountaintop surrounded by 500 acres in the Catskill Mountains of New York, about 2.5 hours from New York City. We are a traditional co-ed camp with two private, spring-fed lakes and an exceptional range of facilities on beautifully landscaped grounds. TLC is one of the most respected and spirited resident camps in the Northeast of the United States.

Our objective is to educate children how to make and maintain friends while also developing their self-esteem, confidence, and resilience. The Timber Lake experience is designed to provide campers with the “edge” they need to excel in all aspects of their development as young adults and beyond. We have established a program on a foundation of safe and fun play in order to foster the kinds of growth that give every child the edge they need to reach their full pote…

A parent’s decision to send their child to summer camp is a huge act of faith. At Camp Laurel, we take that obligation very seriously and uphold a setting that promotes safety, health, and a positive sense of self. We give campers chances to develop emotionally and physically, support their innate skills, and instill the advantages of community living. Our objective is to give our campers a fun and adventurous summer experience that inspires them to face life with courage, confidence, and a sense of self worth.

Camp Laurel is located on 160 acres in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine, 20 minutes west of Augusta, the state capital. The camp is situated on 9-mile-long Echo Lake, just beyond the village of Kents Hill.

Since 1921, Camp Wayne, a family-owned “brother-sister” camp, has been a place where friendships and memories extend long past summer. The Wayne Experience is about learning, developing relationships, building confidence and, most of all, having fun. We know that our campers return year after year because of their friends and counselors who become “Brothers for Life.” It is with these “Brothers” that our campers will learn and develop valuable communication, teamwork and leadership skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Our program offers the perfect mix of bunk and group activities, as well as individual elective periods. As campers get older, they have more choice in their daily schedule. Campers have plenty of opportunity to improve upon those activities they enjoy most and learn new activ…

Camp Weequahic was founded in 1953 by Art and Mollie Lustig. A member of the Weequahic High School staff in Newark, NJ, Mr. Lustig searched for the perfect place to start a summer camp. Our wonderful property by Sly Lake certainly fit the bill.

From 1953 until the 2008 season, members of the Lustig family directed Weequahic. Known for its caring atmosphere, excellent facilities, creative activities and wonderful lake, Weequahic became a popular camp in the northeast.

Cole and Kate Kelly took the torch so ably held by Lustig family in 2009. Having run private camps in the northeast for many years, they wanted to find a place with deep traditions where they could bring their years of experience and their family.

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac offers boys a classic overnight camp experience rooted in tradition, personal growth, and the power of community. As a boys-only camp, it creates an environment where campers can feel comfortable taking healthy risks, forming strong friendships, and building confidence in a supportive, distraction-free setting. The camp’s long history is reflected in its timeless traditions, while its program continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s campers.

Nestled in the Berkshire Mountains on the shores of Stockbridge Bowl, Mah-Kee-Nac combines a picturesque New England setting with a wide array of modern facilities. Campers enjoy access to expansive athletics fields, courts, creative arts spaces, and a fully equipped waterfront—an ideal backdrop for adventure, skill-building, and discovery. Its close proximity to both Boston and New York…

Camp Med-o-lark is a co-ed Maine arts summer camp for children ages 8-16 situated on a pristine lake in Washington, Maine, USA. Med-o-lark offers an all-elective arts program in which campers create their own schedule from a wide array of activities such as performing arts, fine arts, sports, waterfront and much more. Med-o-larkers gather each summer to create a community where everyone has the chance to discover,to grow, to create, to learn and to shine. Emphasizing the creative arts, Med-o-lark has the most extensive offering of programs in dance, fine arts, handcrafts and theater of any camp in New England.

Ultimately, what makes Med-o-lark truly special is its understanding of what camping should be. It’s about the atmosphere. Above all, Med-o-lark encourages self-expression and discovery. Med-o-lark is a place where campers have the chance to try n…

Timber Lake West offers a co-ed camp experience with two unique four-week programs. We’ve packed all the excitement, activities, and traditions of a full-season camp into half the time! Our two 4-week sessions allow our campers to make the most of their time by combining a session at West with other programs such as specialty camps and family vacations. This kind of adaptability and freedom is not attainable with a full-season program. West is the ideal stepping stone for first-time campers; its family environment and shorter session length make the transition to resident camp easier for both children and parents!

Timber Lake West is a joyful and stimulating home-away-from-home for our campers, where they can have fun, create lasting friends, and be themselves. We take pleasure in being an extension of your family, reinforcing the strong values and …

Thanks for checking out Camp Lochearn for Girls—where summer is all about fun, adventure, and lifelong friendships! For over a century, Lochearn has been a home away from home for girls ages 7-15, and at the heart of it all is our incredible culture of kindness.

At Lochearn, we believe in treating everyone with respect and embracing what makes each person unique. Our community is built on inclusivity, welcoming campers and staff from all backgrounds and perspectives. We’re dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where girls can explore, grow, and make meaningful connections.

From the moment they arrive, new campers are wrapped into the Lochearn circle with open arms. Kindness, understanding, and cooperation are the foundation of everything we do—because at Lochearn, every voice matters, and every camper belongs. Campers go through thei…

Our mission is to encourage each of our campers to discover and develop the best version of themselves. We are committed to personal development within each of our campers and instilling our camp values and the 21st century life skills to encourage positive outcomes.

Campers live and learn in a nurturing and caring environment. Our enthusiastic, talented and skilled staff members, help facilitate and guide the development of each camper in their pursuit of strengthening social & life skills, fostering friendships and developing multicultural relationships.

Camp North Star will check all your boxes: Great facilities…check. Well trained and experienced staff…check. Water-ski…check. Performing arts…check. Great kids and welcoming environment…check. Tons of fun…check. But at Camp North Star, there is even more. We know that the exper…

Nestled on more than 400 acres in the scenic Pocono Mountains of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, Camp Towanda has been a cornerstone of the American camp tradition for over a century. Its rolling fields, private lake, and towering pines create an idyllic setting for summer adventures and lifelong memories.

Founded in 1923, Camp Towanda combines classic camp spirit with a warm, family-run atmosphere. Generations of campers return year after year to experience the same traditions—campfires, color war, and timeless activities—that have shaped the camp’s vibrant community.

From waterfront sports, tennis, and creative arts to adventure courses and performing arts, Camp Towanda offers an extensive program designed to nurture every interest and talent. Campers discover new passions, develop skills, and build friendships that last far beyond the summer.

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Summer 2026 is right around the corner! It is a Girl’s World at Danbee. We strive to prepare girls to “take on the world” through passion and perseverance. Danbee empowers campers to set and achieve goals. Everything we do at camp is designed to motivate and encourage each girl to be her best self. Danbee programming allows girls to build life-skills that they will utilize the rest of their lives. Strong, resilient women are what Danbee works to nurture.

At Danbee, the goal is to provide girls with a summer experience filled with moments of self-discovery and spirited activity. Instilled with the tradition of warmth, caring and companionship, Danbee is a place where summer relationships are born and lifelong friendships develop. Challenges are faced head on and girls are encouraged to learn from their mistakes and achieve their goals through perseve…

Below are just a few of the differentiators that make KenMont and KenWood a truly unique summer experience:

• 90 minutes from New York City in beautiful Kent, Connecticut, KenMont for Boys and KenWood for Girls has operated since 1924 – with shared, expert leadership – as two distinct brother/sister camps with their own special traditions.
• Two complete Sessions provide an unforgettable camp experience including Special Event Days, Out of Camp Trips and Color War. We also offer two-week options with the chance to extend for the remainder of each Session.
• With expert instruction in 45+ activities in Athletics, Waterfront, Arts and Adventure, our facilities are among the finest in the camping world: 20 Tennis Courts, Waterskiing, Gymnastics, Culinary Arts, 7 Basketball Courts, Ceramics, On Campus 3-hole Golf Course, Go-Karts, an…
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Lake Bryn Mawr Camp, which was started over a century ago as a special, unique summer camp solely for girls, is more than just a location. It’s a place where a camper may feel completely free to be herself, where she can try new things with “summer sisters” who will support her learning from her failures and celebrate her victories, and where the focus is on her character rather than her appearance or her achievements.

Bryn Mawr campers participate in activities including tennis, soccer, gymnastics, English riding, basketball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, dance, swimming, boating, waterskiing and arts and crafts. They challenge themselves on our ropes courses, perform in camp musicals and dance ensembles, and publish their own newspaper, The Poplar Post. We encourage our campers to learn to waterski, kayak, throw a pot, jump a three-f…

Camp Chipinaw and Silver Lake Camp are neighboring camps located deep in the heart of New York’s beautiful Catskill Mountains. We give our campers the opportunity to stay for the full summer on our Chipinaw campus, or to choose a 4 week or 3 week experience at our Silver Lake campus.

Our camps are situated on over 300 acres, including a magnificent 96-acre lake. Your experience at Chipinaw & Silver Lake will be a perfect blend of rich history and traditions along with all the latest and greatest facilities and activities. With over sixty different activities offered at Chipinaw, every camper can find their niche. Our campers get to enjoy six activities a day, six days a week. Our program consists of two water activities, two sport activities and two electives. As the campers get older we’ve added in more sports and electives to accommodate their …

Welcome to the Island Lake experience where you, the camper, are given the opportunity to explore more than 75 exciting activities. Our philosophy of individualized programming allows you to pursue your own interests within a structured program. It’s all about choice so you can find and do what you love. You will also meet campers, outside of your bunk, who have similar interests and this only expands your camp connections and friendships.

A summer at Island Lake is both fun and unique. Under the supervision of our highly-qualified and supportive staff, you will experience the excitement of challenge and the satisfaction of success. Your interests will be explored and at the same time you will be encouraged to try new things and step out of your comfort zone. You will gain the confidence that comes with the mastery of skills all while having fun with f…