Activities at Camp Emerson
At Camp Emerson, every day is filled with choice, discovery, and adventure. Our wide range of camp activities gives campers the chance to try something new, build confidence, develop skills, and spend their summer doing what they love. From lake activities and sports to performing arts, science, and outdoor adventure, campers create a personalized summer experience that reflects their interests, talents, and goals.
Aquatics & Waterfront
Camp Emerson’s aquatics program gives campers plenty of ways to enjoy the water, from lake adventures to skill-building swim instruction. With two lakes and a heated pool, campers can try new challenges, cool off with friends, and build confidence in a supportive summer camp setting.
- Waterskiing — Campers can learn the basics of waterskiing or keep improving their technique on Camp Emerson’s lake, building balance, confidence, and excitement on the water.
- Tubing — Tubing is a high-energy waterfront favorite where campers ride, laugh, and enjoy the thrill of being pulled across the lake with friends.
- Kneeboarding — Kneeboarding introduces campers to board sports in an approachable way, helping them gain water confidence while trying something adventurous.
- Wakeboarding — Wakeboarding gives campers the chance to develop strength, coordination, and persistence as they learn to ride behind the boat.
- Pool Activities — Camp Emerson’s heated pool is a fun gathering place for games, swimming, and relaxed summer camp moments.
- Competitive Swimming — Competitive swimming helps campers refine strokes, build endurance, and enjoy friendly athletic challenges in the pool.
- Swim Instruction — Swim instruction supports campers at different ability levels, helping them become safer, stronger, and more confident swimmers.
- Free Swim — Free swim gives campers time to relax, play, and enjoy the water at their own pace.
- Lake Emerson — Lake Emerson is a central part of the camp experience, giving campers a beautiful setting for boating, water sports, and classic summer memories.
- Canoeing — Canoeing helps campers practice teamwork, paddling skills, and calm exploration on the lake.
- Kayaking — Kayaking gives campers an independent way to move across the water while building coordination and confidence.
- Paddleboarding — Paddleboarding challenges campers’ balance and focus while offering a peaceful way to enjoy the lake.
- Sailing — Sailing introduces campers to wind, direction, and boat handling in a hands-on waterfront environment.
Creative & Performing Arts
Camp Emerson’s arts program gives campers space to express themselves through performance, music, design, media, and hands-on visual arts. With dedicated creative facilities including performance spaces, art studios, ceramics, dance, rock band, and media areas, campers can explore their creativity while building confidence and collaboration skills.
- Acting — Acting gives campers the chance to step into new roles, build stage confidence, and express themselves through character and storytelling.
- Stage Crew — Stage crew helps campers learn the behind-the-scenes skills that bring performances to life, from sets and props to production support.
- Dance — Dance lets campers move, perform, and develop rhythm, coordination, and creative expression in a fun camp environment.
- Improv — Improv encourages quick thinking, confidence, humor, and teamwork through spontaneous performance games and scenes.
- Rock Band — Rock band gives campers the chance to play music with others, collaborate as a group, and experience the energy of performing together.
- Songwriting — Songwriting helps campers turn ideas, emotions, and stories into original music in a supportive creative setting.
- Theater — Theater brings campers together to rehearse, perform, and experience the excitement of live productions.
- Drawing — Drawing helps campers develop observation, imagination, and artistic technique through hands-on visual projects.
- Painting — Painting gives campers room to experiment with color, style, and self-expression.
- Fashion Design — Fashion design lets campers explore creativity through clothing, personal style, and hands-on design work.
- Jewelry — Jewelry activities allow campers to create wearable art while practicing patience, detail, and craftsmanship.
- Photography — Photography helps campers capture camp life, nature, friendships, and creative perspectives through the camera.
- Videography — Videography gives campers a way to tell stories, document experiences, and explore film-style creativity.
- Pottery — Pottery introduces campers to clay, shaping, and ceramics in a hands-on studio environment.
- Instrument Lessons — Instrument lessons help campers grow musically, whether they are trying something new or strengthening existing skills.
Sports & Athletics
Camp Emerson’s athletics activities give campers opportunities to stay active, practice skills, and enjoy healthy competition. From team sports to individual skill-building, the program supports cooperation, confidence, and fun on the fields, courts, and athletic spaces around camp. Camp Emerson highlights athletics as one of its core activity areas.
- Baseball — Baseball helps campers practice hitting, throwing, fielding, and teamwork in a classic summer camp sport.
- Softball — Softball gives campers a fun way to build athletic skills, game awareness, and team spirit.
- Basketball — Basketball encourages campers to develop shooting, passing, defense, and communication on the court.
- Flag Football — Flag football offers the excitement of football in a fast-paced, team-focused format that emphasizes movement and strategy.
- Gymnastics — Gymnastics helps campers build strength, flexibility, balance, and body awareness in a supportive athletic setting.
- Soccer — Soccer gives campers a chance to develop footwork, teamwork, endurance, and field strategy.
- Tennis — Tennis supports hand-eye coordination, footwork, focus, and individual skill development on the court.
- Volleyball — Volleyball brings campers together for serving, passing, setting, and team-based play.
Science, Adventure & Outdoor Skills
Camp Emerson’s science and adventure activities encourage curiosity, problem-solving, outdoor confidence, and hands-on discovery. Nestled in the Berkshires near the Appalachian Trail, Camp Emerson gives campers access to hiking, wilderness exploration, ropes challenges, science projects, woodworking, and adventure programming.
- Archery — Archery helps campers practice focus, patience, and precision while learning a classic camp skill.
- Climbing Wall — The climbing wall challenges campers to build strength, courage, and problem-solving skills as they work toward new heights.
- CO2 Cars — CO2 cars combine creativity, engineering, and speed as campers design, build, and race their own vehicles.
- Hiking — Hiking lets campers explore the natural beauty of the Berkshires while building outdoor confidence and appreciation for nature.
- Low Ropes Course — The low ropes course encourages teamwork, communication, trust, and group problem-solving.
- Overnights — Overnights give campers a classic outdoor camp experience, helping them build independence, resilience, and connection with friends.
- Rocketry — Rocketry lets campers explore science and engineering through hands-on building, launching, and experimentation.
- Science Experiments — Science experiments encourage curiosity and discovery through interactive projects that make learning active and fun.
- Wilderness Skills — Wilderness skills help campers learn practical outdoor abilities, from nature awareness to confidence in the woods.
- Woodshop — Woodshop gives campers the chance to design, build, and create projects while developing craftsmanship and problem-solving skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Activities at Camp Emerson
Camp Emerson offers 50+ activities across aquatics, athletics, arts, science, adventure, watersports, and wilderness. Campers can try everything from waterskiing, sailing, and free swim to theater, pottery, sports, archery, rocketry, hiking, and woodworking.
Yes. Camp Emerson activities are designed for beginners and experienced campers alike. Instructors teach the basics, help campers improve, and support kids as they build confidence in favorite activities and new ones.
They can be, but competition is balanced with teamwork and sportsmanship. Campers may join competitions within Emerson or against other camps, while the camp keeps the focus on respect, confidence, friendship, and fun.
Yes. Camp Emerson’s elective model gives campers ownership over their camp experience. Campers select activities based on their interests, whether they want to return to favorites, try something new, build skills, or explore different program areas. Camp Emerson describes this independence as an important part of helping campers build confidence and a stronger sense of self.
Camp Emerson’s daily schedule includes multiple activity periods, rest time, meals, bunk time, evening programs, and daily Choice Time. The schedule rotates between A Days and B Days, allowing campers to participate in eight electives during a two-week session while still enjoying downtime and camp-wide traditions.
