Affordable sleepaway camps?

[Anonymous]

Our DD, 12, is doing a 4-week camp with friends. That seems like the right balance for our family as we have time to be together at home, do a vacation, and prep for the new school year, including getting her summer work done, doing some training for her fall sport and hanging out at the local pool with a book and/or with friends.

She does not want to do any full-day day camps at this point -- and I cannot blame her -- so this schedule allows us to piece together a summer with limited screens.

Once older, maybe 14 or so, she can look into volunteering shifts or CIT opportunities but this is where we are right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YMCA Camp Letts
Girl Scout camp for the girls

The problem with Girl Scout camp is that they overcorrected on girl safety. EVERYTHING has to be done with a buddy, even in the same small unit. My kid felt like it was all rules and structure, and little fun

+1

Our daughter had the same reaction to the girl Scout camp, she has been much happier at Camp Letts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YMCA Camp Letts
Girl Scout camp for the girls

The problem with Girl Scout camp is that they overcorrected on girl safety. EVERYTHING has to be done with a buddy, even in the same small unit. My kid felt like it was all rules and structure, and little fun

+1

Our daughter had the same reaction to the girl Scout camp, she has been much happier at Camp Letts.

+2 My daughter tried GS camp and really didn't like it. Way to many rules and oversight. It has just gone to far which made me sad cause I loved GS camp as a child. My daughter now goes to Hidden Meadows and loves it. Although I wouldn't necessarily call it affordable.

[Anonymous]

Girl Scouts in general is becoming a terrible organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the church camps inclusive to children with no religious affiliation? We have experience with church-based pre-schools which were fine but not with actual camps.

Inclusive in that you are welcome but you are expected to do Bible study (30 mins a day) and “chapel” (maybe an hour a day of preaching, singing hymns and soft rock Christian music). Tbh my atheist kids loved Chapel- it was very motivational and they enjoyed the music too. I was shocked. But they are mainly there for the swimming, sailing, rock climbing, archery, games etc

+1. Growing up at my church camps they always had a few irreligious kids. They were there to hang with friends and do activities but tolerated the preaching, bible lessons, and Christian rock music.

[Anonymous]

West Virginia usually has a plethora of overnight camps that are cheaper than upstae NY etc.

[Anonymous]

Camp Howe, which used to be affiliated with 4-H.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not if you are wanting a 7 week camp, which are the ones that are 10-15k.

BUT many have robust scholarships and you could potentially get a discount or free tuition.

7 week camp?!?!

Parents ship their kids off for that long. Yikes

NP. I have sent my kids for 2 weeks. 2 weeks totally screen free surrounded by new friends and activities. They emerged very newfound independence, social skills, and vitality. If I could afford 6-7 week camps for both of them every summer, I would do it in a heartbeat. Too bad this environment is so hard to find without camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Church camps are often more affordable

Yup. We did a week long one for $400!

Downside is - it's just a week and doesn't have many bells and whistles.

Upside is - it's still sleepaway camp and it's only $400.

[Anonymous]

My 2012 didn't mention anything about the rules at GS camp. She's gone twice and loved it. I did a my pal overnight with my 2017 and aside from the latrines, she loved it!

[Anonymous]

YMCA Camp Cory (on Keuka Lake in Western, NY)

One week sessions. Can do as few or as many as you want. Some kids stay all summer.

Many campers are from Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, NY. But plenty from other areas of the country, including MD/DC/VA.

The setting is gorgeous. Lake front with sailing and SUPs.

[Anonymous]

Scouting America, formerly Scouts BSA, formerly Boy Scouts of America, have a whole bunch of great local camps that accept provisional campers and are not merit badge camps. You want to look for local high adventure camps when you search but there are 7 night/6 day camps that include a 5 day backpacking/canoeing/sailing/whitewater rafting camps that run 500-700 dollars for a week, not including transportation. You should not have high transportation costs if you choose one of the ones in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina. You do need to be a member of Scouts BSA. There are programs for both boys and girls. I know of Lenhok'sin (backpacking and canoeing), Knob Hill (Backpacking), Summit (backpacking, whitewater rafting, atv adventure but a national program so more expensive), and Pipsico (scuba, sailing)

There are also national high adventure camps, Philmont, Summit, Sea Base, and Northern Tier, that have longer programs 9-21 days, that Scouts can go on with their Troop or as a Provisional Scout. They are more expensive, 1,600-2,000 dollars, not including travel.

If your child is a member of a Troop, then they can put together a Troop Crew and go with friends. Then the Troop needs to provide a minimum of 2 adult leaders, some programs require 3 leaders.

[Anonymous]

Girl Scout camps. but you need to be registered girl scout. I think there is a way to do that without actually joining a troop. My kids loved it. Also for DD 14 if she hasn't done sleepaway it may be too late. Look for volunteer at camp ops.

[Anonymous]

Camp Alleghany for girls should run about $8000 for 6 weeks of camp.