Outside the metropolis of the big cities is an extraordinary abundance of summer camps. From within the vast reaches of the majestic Catskill Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains, we present the best summer camps in the State of New York.
As a wise man once said, “New York is not a city. It’s a world.” That’s exactly how I felt as I searched for the best summer camps in New York. The summer camps are massive in their scale, hold incredible history, and are fostering some of the most loving communities found anywhere. It was not easy to try to figure out which camps to feature in this blog post.
So many times, I found myself in awe of the sheer number of activities that some of these camps can offer for the kids and teens. There are kids camps on this list that feature their own on-site recording studios as part of their performance programs.
Keep in mind that the activities were not the only focus in how we ranked the summer camps. Open inclusion, financial aid availability, the values of each camp, cost and more all played their part in helping us to determine which are the best New York summer camps.
New York is the 2nd biggest State for summer camps in the country, and we have over 140 exciting opportunities in our exclusive summer camp search. As we always recommend, make sure you include your kids and teens in your search for the ideal outdoor adventure this summer. If they feel included in the entire process, it’ll help them adjust to camp life and manage their expectations.
Take a look at our Summer Camp Search to see all of the possible options! In no particular ranking order, these are our selections for the best summer camps in New York.
Summary of the Best
Summer Camps in New York
| Camp Name | # of Activities* | Gender Ages | Financial Aid |
| Camp Echo Traditional Camp | 25 | Coed 7 to 16 | NO |
| Camp Hilltop Traditional Camp | 27 | Coed 6 to 16 | NO |
| Camp Lakota Traditional Camp | 24 | Coed 6 to 16 | NO |
| Camps Chipinaw & Silver Lake Traditional Camp | 31 | Coed 7 to 16 | NO |
| Dorothy P Flint 4-H Camp Traditional Camp | 19 | Coed 8 to 16 | YES |
| Eden Village Camp Jewish Camp | 22 | Coed 8 to 17 | YES |
| Forest Lake Camp Traditional Camp | 22 | Boys Only / Girls Only 8 to 16 | YES |
| French Woods Sports and Arts Center Traditional Camp | 29 | Coed 12 to 17 | NO |
| Frost Valley YMCA Traditional Camp | 23 | Coed 7 to 17 | YES |
| North Country Camps Traditional Camp | 21 | Boys Only / Girls Only 8 to 15 | YES |
| TheZone Jewish Camp | 21 | Boys Only / Girls Only 9 to 16 | YES |
| Camp Li-Lo-Li Christian Camp | 10 | Coed 8 to 17 | YES |
| Camp Simcha Special Needs Camp | 20 | Coed 6 to 20 | YES |
*Number of Activities reflects our own activities filters within our exclusive Summer Camp Search*
The Top 10 Summer Camps in New York
Camp Echo is a traditional summer camp for boys and girls with a strong belief that it's the people who define a camp. Their child-centered world of self-development and outdoor adventure prides itself as one that tries "to nurture the stronger side of girls and the softer side of boys."
Camp Echo was founded in 1924, and offers 3 to 7 week sessions for 7 to 16 year olds. The camp is tucked away in the beautiful Catskill Mountains on over 200 private acres, and around 90 minutes from New York City.
The community fostered at Camp Echo is one that places huge emphasis on personal responsibility and a free fun-loving environment for self-development. This is exemplified by their “Code of Living.” At the beginning of the session, the campers and counselors are empowered to create their own guidelines and expectations for everyone to follow at Camp Echo.
Pics courtesy of Camp Echo.
This camp features its own large private lake for all kinds of water sports with an Aqua Park, boating, fishing and swimming. The lake also splits the recently renovated cabins into boys and girls villages, connected by a floating bridge across the lake.
Campers days will be full of excitement with a range of activities across sports, adventure, animal care, arts and performance. Progression tracks are offered and personal skill development is always emphasized with each new day.
The Adventure program would be my favorite, with opportunities for horseback riding, animal care, canoe trips, go-karts, trapeze, camp-outs, high ropes courses, and a 40 foot climbing wall. Outdoor adventure for kids in all the right places!
Our next summer camp provides a safe, nurturing, and non-competitive outdoor experience for campers, Camp Hilltop. Located near the Catskill Mountains, and around two and a half hours from New York City, Hilltop provides a world of healthy and positive role-modeling designed to help kids and teens find their best selves.
This kids camp has created their own guiding principle that “teaches campers respect and responsibility for themselves, those around them, and the place in which they live and play,” the Hilltop Way.
Founded in 1924, Camp Hilltop offers 2 to 8 week sessions for 6 to 16 year olds.
Pics courtesy of Camp Hilltop.
Activities are in no short supply at Hilltop with several program areas across outdoor adventure, water sports, horses, arts, enrichment, circus, and more. We especially appreciate their enrichment activities where their Alpaca training, cooking, gardening, Nature, and STEM activities are creating a different level of appreciation for our delicate planet.
One of the programs that really sets this camp apart though are their overnight campouts. Campers will have the lucky choice of experiencing overnight adventure on the trail with hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
With so many exciting activities across a sprawling 600 acre property and a culture of positive mentorship, Camp Hilltop has created a true haven for campers to live and play!
Camp Lakota is a traditional summer camp in Upstate New York that promotes the development of personal independence and self-confidence as its core focus. With strong traditions proudly laid over generations of family participation, Camp Lakota has created it's own nurturing and supportive camp family.
Originating from the Sioux Nations, “Lakota” means friendly and united. This is a fitting description for the culture that is being fostered at this camp.
Founded in 1924, Camp Lakota offers 3 to 7 week sessions for 6 to 16 year olds. The camp is located amidst the splendor of the Catskill Mountains of Wurtsboro; just under 2 hours from New York City.
Lakota runs age-based programs designed to help kids and teens develop and mature with their camp experience. They even offer specially designed facilities and equipment for younger campers to ease into the new activities, such as small ponies and special water-ski equipment.
Speaking of water, their water sports program on Masten Lake offers the kids and teens almost every way imaginable to glide, ride, and speed across a lake. From waterskiing and scuba diving all the way through to bicycle boats and funyaks, the kids will be flocking to the water each day.
A diverse range of other activities spanning across competitive sports, creative arts, outdoor adventure, horseback riding, gymnastics, and extreme sports are on offer for the campers.
Another summer camp that is nestled amongst the beautiful Catskill Mountains is the well-established Camp Chipinaw & Silver Lake. Of all the camps in our summer camp search database for New York, Chipinaw & Silver Lake offers the largest number of activities for the campers. An exciting array of programs divided into adventure, athletics, circus, performing arts, visual arts, and water activities.
Founded in 1926, Camp Chipinaw & Silver Lake offer 3 to 7 week sessions for 7 to 16 year olds. This kids camp can be found just over 2 hours from New York city.
The camp actually comprises of 2 different sites hugging the shores of Silver Lake. One is designed for the full 7 week experience, and the other affords campers an abridged 3 or 4 week version of the full camp experience. This way, every camper has the opportunity to experience all of the traditions, activities, and spirit of Chipinaw.
The Adventure program will challenge the campers and may even get their hearts racing a fair bit. Campers can ride ATVs, mountain bikes and horses. Or send themselves soaring with the zipline, climbing wall or skate park. Overnight campouts are also on offer, and are always an awesome way to develop confidence.
Chipinaw & Silver Lake offers one of the most premiere circus programs in the State. Campers will test themselves on the flying trapeze, tight rope, silks, mini-bike, lira and more.
The Water Sports program serves up all of the usual favorites with sailing, waterskiing, tubing, knee boarding and more. Campers can also explore the lake’s depths with their scuba diving activity.
The Athletics program provides a balanced mix of team and individual sports. Competition is encouraged with various inter-camp leagues and camp tournaments featuring throughout the summer.
The Performing and Visual Arts programs allow the kids and teens to explore their creative desires to their hearts content. We are blown away by the sheer number of different ways that campers can creatively express themselves – From digital media to metal smithing jewelry to theatrical production, and almost everything in-between.
Camp Chipinaw and Silver Lake offer a world of opportunities for kids and teens to unleash themselves into new talents and passions.
Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp is a traditional summer camp that is upholding a proud legacy of 4-H impact in local communities across the country. They believe that "all children should have the opportunity to experience outdoor life." Sprinkle in a strong focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with a dose of healthy sustainability and personal development, and you have a wonderfully impacting summer camp experience for kids and teens.
4-H is a nation-wide organization committed to experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. They promote open inclusion, and operate 9 different summer camps in New York alone. At their core is a belief in the power of STEM to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and problem solvers.
Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp was founded in 1924, and hugs the shores of the beautiful Long Island Sound, just 2 hours east of New York city. They offer 1 to 3 week sessions for 8 to 16 year olds on an active farm.
In partnership with the Cornell University Research Lab, campers will have the unique opportunity to support a working 40 acre farm. Campers will have their hands full learning to grow vegetables and caring for a variety of farm animals (that could even include a llama).
With a farm to table approach at this camp, kids and teens will also have the opportunity to see how these activities have truly contributed to their meals. They’ll even have the opportunity to take some of the crops home with them for their families.
When the campers are not engaged on the farm, a bunch of other exciting activities are available for them. They can enjoy swimming at the beach, blasting off with rocketry, building projects in wood-working, rocking the field sports, challenging themselves with wilderness survival, creating culinary delights, and many more fun activities.
They have also recently introduced a new extention to their outdoor adventure program, Zombie Survival. This is a program that creates an imaginary reality of a zombie take-over, and challenges the campers to plan, organize, and ultimately defend their community in an overnight camp out challenge. Sounds like a blast to me – Can I sign up as an adult!
Eden Village Camp is a Jewish summer camp on an active farm that is fostering a culture of Earth stewardship and nature connection. This camp "teaches that humans have a unique responsibility as caretakers for the larger community of life." They are building an inclusive and diverse community that embraces Jewish families from all walks of life.
Founded in 2010, Eden Village Camp is located in the highlands of the Middle Hudson Valley, just under 2 hours north of New York city. They offer 1 to 8 week sessions for 8 to 17 year olds.
Along with a host of other lively activities, there are 6 core programs at Eden Village: Farm to Table, Music, Culinary Arts, Survival Skills, Herbalism, and Yahadut (Jewish spirituality).
The Herbalism program takes place in their own Herbal Apothecary where campers can create their own whimsical teas, salves, soaps, and remedies. This is an incredibly unique activity that is rarely enjoyed with this level of freedom to create and appreciate.
Pics courtesy of Eden Village Camp.
The Farm to Table program is supported by their own active farm. A collective effort that encompasses animal care, responsible planting, harvesting, preserving, and more to ensure proper sustainable practices are taught to the campers.
Survival Skills doesn’t just teach the kids and teens how to survive in the outdoors, but how to thrive and be comfortable. Campers will create bows and arrows, carve spoons and bowls, forage for wild edible plants, and much more as they develop their appreciation for nature.
The programs at Eden Village Camp will profoundly change the way that campers see and appreciate our delicate planet. They will be empowered to nurture their connections to themselves, their community and the Earth.
Forest Lake Camp is located in the majestic Southern Adirondack Mountains of New York. Their goal is to "help our campers grow in confidence and independence while providing them with experiences and memories that will last a lifetime." Over the generations, they have created a strong legacy of families singing their support for this camp.
Founded in 1926, Forest Lake offers 2 to 7 week sessions for 8 to 16 year olds.
Forest Lake Camp operates as a “brother-sister camp.” This means that they are actually running two separate camps for boys and girls that come together on occasion for joint camp-wide activities. It allows the campers to engage each other and explore new activities free of distractions from the opposite gender.
All of the activities are broken into 5 pillars: Team Sports, Adventure Sports, Waterfront, Creative Arts, and Wilderness and Nature. The campers are encouraged to try everything in a safe, judgment-free environment.
Overnight adventures are also available with overnight hikes, canoe trips, and even horseback riding campouts.
We really love their particular tradition of the Recognition Sticks. These are carved walking sticks presented to campers at the end of each session to signify completing their first summer at Forest Lake. As the years progress, each campers Recognition Stick is personalized with addition notches burned in to show their individual accomplishments. What an incredible way to capture and immortalize the summer camp experience!
The French Woods Sports and Arts Center is a teen only summer camp found in the Catskill mountains just outside the town of Hancock. This teen camp prides itself as "the perfect balance of a Classic American Summer Camp in the mountains with clean living, modern facilities, world-class instruction, and mature staff."
This teen camp offers 2 to 10 week sessions for 12 to 17 year olds, and is just under 3 hours from New York City.
French Woods gives teens an almost unrivaled level of freedom with their fully elective programming, and vast number of impacting activity choices. Teens will be able to learn and grow within a schedule of their choosing.
What a place to be able to choose your own schedule! French Woods Sports and Arts Center features a wondrous multitude of elective choices separated into the following programs: Sports & Recreation, Visual Arts, Circus, Rock Music, Water Sports, Communications, Equestrian, Challenge Course, Technology, Extreme Sports, Role Playing Games, Theater, Magic, Dance, Fitness, and Cooking.
Pics courtesy of French Woods Sports and Arts Center.
As I looked at the activities, even 10 weeks started to feel short.
One of the most impressive programs is their Communications program that boasts its own digital music production studio. Campers will have the opportunity to learn filmmaking, music production, animation, radio casting, DJ skills and more. All of this takes place within the comfort of a well-resourced program with facilities that shouldn’t be expected outside of a professional setting.
French Woods also embraces technology more than most summer camps in offering programs that can help develop the teens interests into viable career tracks. They can sink their teeth into coding, app development, videogame design, programming, robotics, web design and more.
French Woods Sports and Arts Center has an absolute multitude of ways for teens to find their confidence and unleash it to the world!
Frost Valley YMCA is a traditional summer camp committed to creating life-changing experiences as they foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. It has maintained a proud summer camp tradition for decades with open inclusion and specialized outdoor programs wrapped up in the classic YMCA camp culture.
Founded in 1962, Frost Valley YMCA offers 2 week sessions for 7 to 17 year olds. It is nestled in the heart of the majestic Catskill Mountains; just under 3 hours from New York City.
We love the Y’s ability to open up summer camp to all families in their local communities with their tiered payment structure. Every tuition cost is presented as 3 different prices with subsidized rates, and is part of Frost Valley’s goal to make camp affordable to everyone through camperships.
The activities at Frost Valley cover a range of exciting options that include sports, arts, high ropes, outdoor living skills, water sports, woodworking, all-camp events, and more. The YMCA has always specialized in offering a classic camp experience that includes overnight campouts on the trail, sleeping under the stars, and roaring community campfires every night.
In addition to the traditional summer camp sessions, Frost Valley also offers specialty Horse Camps, Farm Camp, and Teen Adventure Programs.
Frost Valley YMCA is one of the best examples across the country of the ideal YMCA summer camp experience. An unforgettable outdoor adventure grounded in their mission “to build a healthy mind, body, & spirit for all.”
North Country Camps is a brother-sister summer camp in the Northeastern Adirondacks. Hugging the shores of beautiful Augur lake, it operates both Camp Lincoln for boys and Camp Whippoorwill for girls (that sit just a half mile apart from each other). At the center of everything at North Country Camps is a strong belief in the value of community.
Camp Lincoln and Camp Whippoorwill, although very close to each other, are competely independent with separate dining, sleeping, and program facilities. They do join each other on occasion for a variety of all-camp activities.
Originally founded in 1920, Camps Lincoln and Whippoorwill offer 3 to 7 week programs for 8 to 15 year olds. Both camps are located just over 5 hours from New York City near the town of Keeseville.
Pics courtesy of North Country Camps.
In addition to proud traditions fostered over a 100 years, North Country Camps offers all of the traditional outdoor activities that kids yearn for all year. Water sports, horseback riding, arts, performance, field sports, wood shop, and more await the kids and teens at both Camps Lincoln and Whippoorwill.
The adventure trips available to all campers provide the chance to explore the beautiful Adirondacks by hiking or canoeing. Trips can even last as long as 5 days with deep excursions into the Adirondack Wilderness. The off-site trips are an ever-popular choice for kids and teens to overcome challenge, find deeper strength, and unleash new confidence.
Back at the camps, I particularly love the Work Group program that gives the oldest campers a chance to give back with a summer construction project. What an incredible way to contribute to the awesome legacy of these camps.
We have already explored above what we believe to be the best Jewish summer camp in New York, Eden Village Camp. But I also wanted to give a special shout-out to another camp doing amazing things for our Jewish youth in New York.
TheZone is a Jewish summer camp with separate programs for boys and girls. Located in the majestic Catskill Mountains, it is a summer camp with top notch facilities, modern accommodations and a private lake. They believe in providing "every camper with an enjoyable, well-rounded and wholesome total camp experience, while also allowing them to develop their own skills."
Just 3 and a half hours north of New York, TheZone offers 4 week sessions for 9 to 16 year olds.
With their own private lake and water park complex, the campers will be flocking to the water every day to enjoy warm days under the sun. This is also the only summer camp we know of that offers the thrill and excitement of Bumper Boats. Just as it sounds, it is the chance to challenge your friends on the water and the boats are even equipped with their own water guns to amp up the thrills.
TheZone also features it’s own farm and stables with plentiful opportunities for animal care and horseback riding. What’s impressive is the sheer number of different animals for the campers to interact with and care for. They have camels, llamas, horses, goats, chickens, parrots, peacocks, sheep, mini-horses, cows, donkeys and more.
As someone from New Zealand, I especially appreciate that kids will learn how to properly sheer a sheep. It’s an important skill in the farm country back home, and responsible for some of the best wool around.
A host of other fun and lively activities are available for the campers across Sports, Recreation, Game Room, Work Shops, Trips, Animals and Events. And for those kids and teens looking to flex their creative talents, this summer camp has its own recording studios stocked with high-end equipment.
Tucked away in the hills of Western New York near Allegany State Park is the Christian summer camp, Camp Li-Lo-Li. The name stands for Life-Love-Light, and is a central focus in connecting campers to their faith at this summer camp. With an all-volunteer staff, the vision of Camp Li-Lo-Li is to "see lives transformed through Jesus Christ."
Founded in 1953, Camp Li-Lo-Li offers 1 week sessions for 8 to 17 year olds. This Christian camp is located around an hour and a half from Buffalo, NY in the far western part of the state.
Campers will be encouraged all week to strengthen their connection to their faith with plenty of Bible teaching activities in their on-site chapel and amongst their cabin groups in discussions led by their counselors.
Pics courtesy of Camp Li-Lo-Li.
They will also have their fill of activities at Camp Li-Lo-Li with the popular camp staples of horseback riding, pool time, water sports on their lake, camp crafts, riflery, a 1500 foot zipline, a 62 foot climbing tower, challenge courses, field sports, and more.
The camp also features an Achievements program to teach outdoor skills and encourage progression to complete the entire program of 18 skills. These skills include first aid, fire building, knots, orienteering, animal tracking, horsemanship, axemanship, star navigation, backpacking and more. Important skills that are not only helpful in the wilderness, but also serve to increase the kids confidence and comfort in the outdoors.
Camp Simcha is a special needs camp for kids and teens diagnosed with cancer, blood disorders, and chronic illnesses. They are a passionate group that comprise of camp experts and medical professionals. All committed to the important mission "to bring childhood back to children who lost it when they were diagnosed."
Camp Simcha can be found close to the Delaware River in the scenic Catskill Mountains, and is around two and a half hours from New York City.
From their 125 acre campus in the scenic Catskill Mountains, Camp Simcha has been called a “hospital camouflaged as a sleep away camp.” It features an on-site, state-of-the-art medical center with it’s own pharmacy, physical therapy center, exam rooms, quarantine rooms, acute transport ambulance, and full medical staff.
Founded in 1987, Camp Simcha offers 2 week sessions for 6 to 20 year olds. They welcome campers in all phases of treatment, and can happily accommodate children dependent on wheelchairs or walkers, respirators, gastric tubes and other medical equipment. The entire cost is covered for all participants with full scholarships.
Days at Camp Simcha are designed to feel like any other traditional summer camp where opportunities abound for the campers to express themselves creatively and physically.
Campers can enjoy boating and fishing on the lake or swimming in the on-site pool. They can play adapted sports on the outdoor court or climate-controlled indoor gym. They can even record their own hit songs in the recording studio.
Other activities include photography, helicopter rides, petting zoo interactions, carnival events, field trips, and much more.
Throughout the entire experience, each camper will be paired with their own counselor, who will serve as their special friend and guide to ensure that “every minute of camp life exceeds expectations.”
That’s A Wrap!
Thank you for joining us as we explored the best summer camps in New York. We know it’s a tough time for parents to prepare the kiddoes, and we are here to help. There are many other camps in our exclusive Summer Camp Search. Explore more New York summer camps right HERE!
And feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need any help reaching out to these camps. Have a great time preparing your young camper for their unforgettable camp adventures!
