Sleepaway camp recommendations for non-jewish families?
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Anonymous
| Looking for recommendations for a sleepaway camp for my kids (two girls, ages 10 and 12). We’re open to locations on the East Coast, from Maryland all the way up to Maine. We’re not a Jewish family, and I’ve noticed that many sleepaway camps tend to have mostly Jewish campers. We’re absolutely fine with that, I just want to make sure my kids will feel included and belong. Would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you! |
Anonymous
| Camp Friendship. We are a Jewish family but not practicing and we didn't want that for camp. Camp Friendship is not religious at all. |
Anonymous
| What kinds of activities are you looking for? How long do you plan to send the kids? What camps do their friends go to? What is most important to you about the environment? |
Anonymous
And, what’s your budget? |
Anonymous
| Why do you think most sleep away camps are mostly Jewish? The ones that are expressly Jewish, yes. Otherwise for the other camps, there are not enough Jewish people to make them majority Jewish. I think sometimes people sincerely believe that Jews are a higher percentage of the population than they are, just because they are concentrated in certain areas. Like a relatively sincerely tried to tell me that Jews “control” his kids’ high school despite the fact that Jews are far from a majority in the town. Seems like whenever a minority crosses the threshold to being highly visible people think they are bigger than they are. Likely the same as for Asians. |
Anonymous
| Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskills is a great choice! |
Anonymous
| Tockwogh |
Anonymous
| We love Camp Treetops. It is 7 week co-ed sleepaway in the Adirondacks. Kids sleep in platform tents, have chores but also a ton in independence to engage and build skills in a wide range of activities. Very values based and community centered! I think the view book is a good reflection of the program: https://issuu.com/jtllp/docs/camp_treetops_viewbook_ |
Anonymous
| Camp Seafarer for girls and Sea Gull for boys - incredible. YMCA camp in North Carolina. Wide variety of activities, but particularly known for water sports including sailing. My kids went for a decade each including as counselor in training and counselor. |
Anonymous
| Girl scout camps fill this niche. |
Anonymous
7 weeks might be jumping in the deep end, since it sounds like OP has never sent her kids to sleepaway camp before. |
Anonymous
+1 especially if your daughters prefer girls-only, although we like the GS camps in Eastern Pennsylvania/Poconos better than the ones for the National Capital region (MD/VA). And the price is better than many others except maybe the YMCA camps. I've also heard good things about Camp Netimus, a girls camp in the Poconos. Camp Allegheny gets mixed reviews on DCUM but no personal experience. If they don't mind co-ed: Camp Hidden Meadows (WV) Camp Twin Creeks (WV) Camp Letts (YMCA camp in MD) Sandy Hill Camp (MD) are popular with DCUM. |
Anonymous
We had very meh experiences at Girl Scout camps. There was lots of waiting around and strange rules like no running (you might trip over a root) and no jumping into the pool or swimming underwater (you might drown). My kids opted not to go back. |
Anonymous
My daughter has always gone to the Girl Scout camps in Eastern Pennsylvania--Mosey Wood, Wood Haven, and Laughing Waters. We chose the Eastern Pennsylvania camps because there is no lottery and they are easy to get into. One need not be a member of a Girl Scout troop to attend. Just register as an independent Girl Scout. |
Anonymous
| Camp Twin Creeks has been an awesome experience for my kid for 7 years. Now, my niece and nephew from Chicago go, too. |