Sleepaway Camp Recommendations

[Anonymous]

Please recommend good sleep away camps (with details if possible as it might be helpful for others inquiring as well). We are looking for something in traditional (with lots of activity options), in mid atlantic (preferably within 4 hours of DC), can be single sex but with a sister/brother camp would be ideal. Also something with a two week option would be great to start.

TIA.

[Anonymous]

OP again--ones I'm looking at include: Horizons, Hidden Meadows, Tall Timbers, Rockbrook, Rim Rock, Friendship, Weequaic...

[Anonymous]

Shohola/Netimus

[Anonymous]

DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

[Anonymous]

My DD is back for her second summer at Hidden Meadows. She loved it last year; I hope this summer goes as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

My child has been to Hidden Meadows several times and each time came home complaining about the food, but recently the complaint shifted from not-good food (understandable in a camp setting) to not-enough food. DC reported being hungry all week long and campers vying for last portions of food. After pickup we had lunch and needed to order extra portions of everything. I've never seen DC eat so much.

I have tried to address this with Hidden Meadows but they don't seem receptive. Very disappointing.

My child will not return for this reason.

FWIW, I would never describe Hidden Meadows as inexpensive. Maybe not the highest-end camp, but certainly not the cheapest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again--ones I'm looking at include: Horizons, Hidden Meadows, Tall Timbers, Rockbrook, Rim Rock, Friendship, Weequaic...

DD is in her second week of her first time at sleepaway camp right now at Horizons. I haven't heard much from her, so I figure she is having a good time. I can report back when she gets home this weekend. It's 2 hours away if 66 is moving. We went to an open house in the spring and found it nice. Not that I have ever visited a sleep away camp, ever.

[Anonymous]

16:51 again. I forgot to add in the only correspondence we received from DD, she asked us to make sure she returns to Horizons again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again--ones I'm looking at include: Horizons, Hidden Meadows, Tall Timbers, Rockbrook, Rim Rock, Friendship, Weequaic...

DD is in her second week of her first time at sleepaway camp right now at Horizons. I haven't heard much from her, so I figure she is having a good time. I can report back when she gets home this weekend. It's 2 hours away if 66 is moving. We went to an open house in the spring and found it nice. Not that I have ever visited a sleep away camp, ever.

Would definitely appreciate your feedback once she's back. And I'll bump more toward end of summer when kids are coming home... others that seem good: Netimus, Cayuga, Twin Creeks...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again--ones I'm looking at include: Horizons, Hidden Meadows, Tall Timbers, Rockbrook, Rim Rock, Friendship, Weequaic...

DD is in her second week of her first time at sleepaway camp right now at Horizons. I haven't heard much from her, so I figure she is having a good time. I can report back when she gets home this weekend. It's 2 hours away if 66 is moving. We went to an open house in the spring and found it nice. Not that I have ever visited a sleep away camp, ever.

Would definitely appreciate your feedback once she's back. And I'll bump more toward end of summer when kids are coming home... others that seem good: Netimus, Cayuga, Twin Creeks...

Have two at Twin Creeks right now for their first time. Post again in a couple of weeks and I can tell you how it went.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

My child has been to Hidden Meadows several times and each time came home complaining about the food, but recently the complaint shifted from not-good food (understandable in a camp setting) to not-enough food. DC reported being hungry all week long and campers vying for last portions of food. After pickup we had lunch and needed to order extra portions of everything. I've never seen DC eat so much.

I have tried to address this with Hidden Meadows but they don't seem receptive. Very disappointing.

My child will not return for this reason.

FWIW, I would never describe Hidden Meadows as inexpensive. Maybe not the highest-end camp, but certainly not the cheapest.

15:47 here. If you can recommend good quality sleep away camps that are as good as or better than Hidden Meadows and cheaper, I'd love the recommendations. The only other one we looked at this year seriously was Tall Timbers, and it was $400 more for one week. Others I've looked at casually online in NC have been even more than that. That's one reason I hesitated a bit on sleep away camp. If my kid loves it, we can't really afford 4-8 weeks of sleep away camp every summer and certainly not for two kids down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

My child has been to Hidden Meadows several times and each time came home complaining about the food, but recently the complaint shifted from not-good food (understandable in a camp setting) to not-enough food. DC reported being hungry all week long and campers vying for last portions of food. After pickup we had lunch and needed to order extra portions of everything. I've never seen DC eat so much.

I have tried to address this with Hidden Meadows but they don't seem receptive. Very disappointing.

My child will not return for this reason.

FWIW, I would never describe Hidden Meadows as inexpensive. Maybe not the highest-end camp, but certainly not the cheapest.

15:47 here. If you can recommend good quality sleep away camps that are as good as or better than Hidden Meadows and cheaper, I'd love the recommendations. The only other one we looked at this year seriously was Tall Timbers, and it was $400 more for one week. Others I've looked at casually online in NC have been even more than that. That's one reason I hesitated a bit on sleep away camp. If my kid loves it, we can't really afford 4-8 weeks of sleep away camp every summer and certainly not for two kids down the road.

You don't have to send your kid for weeks.

Other options:

Sandy Hill Camp
Camp Letts
Camp Coniston in NH
Camp Onas in PA
Shiloh
Catoctin
Opequon

[Anonymous]

My kids are just back from two weeks at Catoctin. Their second summer. Amazing experience - hiking, climbing, swimming, art, games. Super nice kids and counselors with a good attitude. I appreciate that everyone has a role to play to help camp run smoothly. Emphasis on being supportive of each other. They can't wait to go back next year.

[Anonymous]

Camp Tockwogh - it is (relatively) inexpensive since it is a ymca camp - it is on the eastern shore, so emphasis on great water activities like sailing, windsurfing, etc. although I would say it is an awesome camp all-around.

[Anonymous]

Are you interested in Jewish camps? Airy and Louise have what you are looking for.