There are “travel agents” for sleep away camps. The cost is paid by the camp that you choose, if you choose one.

This is a very efficient process. You have a long phone call with the agent and tell her everything about what your daughter’s interests are, what you want out of a camp, what area of the country, etc.

They send you an email list with 4-5 suggestions and you can research from there and pick one.

There are literally hundreds of accredited camps. It is very useful to have someone who knows all of them to narrow down your list.

One of them is called The Camp Lady. I think her actual name is Patti.

Camp Alleghany for Girls in WV would be perfect. They could do the 1 week mini camp to give it a shot. Highly recommend!

we are doing twin creeks and sandy hill this year, both for a week each. I'll try to report back.

Camp Arrowhead in Lewes Delaware has a great 'taste of camp' session and is very affordable and traditional overnight program. Bonus - you can add a beach trip at drop off or pick up!

Girl Scout camps are open to non Girl Scouts (or more technically, you pay the $25 membership fee to join the national association but don't need to be part of a local troop). The DC council run camps seem to have a nightmarish registration process; we use the Central MD camps (Camp Conowingo) and it's much easier. My daughter loves it, and coordinates weeks to be there with friends she's met in previous years. It is not luxury, but it's also ~1/4 of the price of some other sleep away camps.

Ton-a-wan-dah in NC is all girls, beautiful and has been there forever. My mom and I went and I plan on sending my daughter when she’s old enough. But I haven’t been there in years so I can’t vouch for current management.

Campletts.org

YMCA Camp (so not crazy expensive), under an hour away (we're in Montgomery County), and camp is Sunday - Friday.

Hello,

All the summer camp craziness around here has reminded me that next summer my DD will probably be ready for a short camp experience and I’d like to start doing research and have a plan early.

I’m from Texas, so I have no experience with East Coast camps.

Ideally I’d like something very old school summer camp, with crafts and outdoor activities. All girl would be a plus too. Hopefully this would be ann annual thing- so somewhere people come back to every year. Anywhere in the northeast or down to NC would be fine- it might be nice for her to meet people from other places.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!